Summer is coming to a close, and September is here! That means it’s time to hang-up the beach bag, dry-out the swim trunks and focus on career advancement. Here are five tips to help job seekers get out of their Summer “career coma” and focus on Fall career success:

1. Create and Control Your Internet Image

Whether it’s LinkedIn, You Tube, Face Book, VisualCV – or all of the above – every professional should have an online presence. Many employers research job candidates on the Internet before making hiring decisions. Therefore, it is vitally important that you take control of your online identity, and carefully monitor the “personal brand” you’re building on the Internet.

2. Invest in Career Coaching

It might seem that career coaching would be a luxury in today’s difficult economic climate. But this might be the best time to get some short-term, high-impact coaching in a program like Career QuickStart™. A qualified Career Coach can help you get totally clear on your objective, differentiate yourself from the competition, market yourself effectively, get the offer, and negotiate the best compensation (which will far exceed your investment in career coaching).

3. Tune into the network

September is one of the best times of the year to make new connections and find new opportunities. With everyone returning from vacation and re-focusing on work, there are many Fall networking events, planning meetings, and social group happenings. These are ideal environments for productive networking.

4. Perform an internal career audit

Fall is a perfect time to take an honest look at your career – where you’ve been, where you are today, and where you’d like to go. Identify new goals based on your own definition of career success, take action, and follow-through.

5. Update your career "tool kit"

Most job seekers use only their résumé as the cornerstone of their search because their other "tools" are weak or nonexistent. But there are many other documents you should have in your “career tool kit,” including your accomplishment stories, positioning statement, target company list, contact list, professional references, letters of recommendation, etc. These items are important not just to secure the next job, but also to maximize your long-term career success.

There really couldn’t be a better time than September to launch a professional job search. Hiring managers are back in their offices, making employment decisions for the Fall. So, do whatever you have to do and get the help you need, to ensure that you’ll be at the top of your game and land the job you really want!