Adams & Garth Blog

Many employers, looking to save money, recruit younger workers to fill open positions. But, as one of Central Virginia’s top recruiters, we know you can hire veteran workers – for less money – if you take the right approach.

There are many skilled, older workers out there who want to work part-time, or have a flexible schedule so they can continue to earn an income, while also enjoying more downtime for travel and relaxation. These older workers are a great solution if you need a professional with a specific skill set, yet cannot afford to bring someone on full-time.

So how do you go about attracting older workers to your company? Here are some tips:

• Recruiting. Let your existing workforce know that you’re looking to hire experienced professionals on a part-time, or contract basis. Also, add information relevant to older workers on your company’s career web page or web site.
• Benefits. You may not be able to pay them a big salary, but offering attractive benefits will go a long way toward enticing the workers you want. This includes long-term care insurance, dental insurance, health care insurance, and retirement or pension plans with specific provisions for older workers.
• Schedules. Schedules other than the traditional 9 to 5 are great for older workers. So offer part-time schedules, telecommuting or job-sharing options, or a consulting arrangement.

The bottom line is that workers who are at or nearing retirement age have different needs than those at other, earlier stages in their careers. By gearing opportunities towards them, you can attract highly skilled and experienced older workers to fill gaps in talent and add value to your company.

And if you need some help with the hiring process, let us know. As one of Central Virginia’s top recruiters, we can give you access to the people you need, when you need them. Learn more now.

• In December 2011, Yale University football coach Tom Williams resigned amid inquiry about whether he lied about being a Rhodes Scholarship candidate.
• In 2006, Radio Shack’s CEO, David Edmonson resigned after it came to light that much of his resume was fabricated, including claims of earning two college degrees.
• In 2002, Sandra Baldwin, the first woman to become president and chairman of the United States Olympic Committee, resigned after she acknowledged that she lied about her academic credentials on her resume.

And the list goes on.

So how can this have happened at such respected institutions and companies?

The reality of the situation is that it’s estimated that half of all job applicants falsify their educational credentials. As one of the top employment agencies in Lynchburg, we know that companies have therefore become stricter about hiring policies – digging deeper into a candidate’s background in order to verify the information provided and avoid any embarrassing situations.

Here’s how to ensure you can prove your background to an employer, so it doesn’t interfere with a potential job offer:

Be honest.

All it takes is one phone call to a college registrar’s office in order to verify your degree. So if you went there for three years, but never graduated, don’t lie about it.

Have proof.

Keep your college diploma and any verification letters and certificates from schools and continuing education institutions on hand. With computer software and diploma mills, it’s easy for people to fake these documents, so keep the originals.

Check yourself.

Perform a background check on yourself to make sure you’re providing the most accurate information possible for your employer. For instance, if an employer asks for a college GPA, and you don’t remember, then call your alma mater to find out. Don’t just offer your best estimate.

Make sure your online profile is accurate.

Even if you don’t fabricate your resume, but you have false information on your LinkedIn or Facebook profile, a potential employer may be able to view and check that information.

And if you’d like some help creating a resume that’s effective and stands out from the crowd, give us a call. As one of the top employment agencies in Lynchburg, we can not only help you craft a strong resume, but we can also help you prepare for interviews and find jobs in Lynchburg that are a great fit for your skills and personality. Get started now.

As one of the top staffing agencies in Harrisonburg and Culpeper, we understand that employees will face challenges unrelated to the job that could impact their performance at work. And with the economy still uncertain, along with the high cost of living, many people today are facing some serious situations, which can be hard to leave outside the door when they get to their jobs.

Some signs employees are highly stressed include:

• Calling in sick more and more
• Coming in late regularly
• Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone to deal with personal issues
• Getting defensive
• Having tearful or emotional outbursts
• Showing signs of anxiety
• Negative changes in relationships with colleagues

Clearly if you see one of these signs once in a while, it may not be a reason to act. But when you see evidence of several of the signs above, and they’ve been ongoing, then how can you help your employee cope – and get back on track?

Ask the question.

If you have an employee who’s usually extremely mellow and all of sudden is having emotional outbursts, then ask, “Are you ok?” Maybe they are having personal problems at home that are impacting their behavior at work, or perhaps they’re just stressed about a big project they’re working on and simply need an afternoon off. But you don’t know unless you ask.

Keep boundaries.

While you want to show compassion, you’re also not a counselor. So if your employee unloads on you – that he or she is having marital problems or has a sick child – try to keep some semblance of boundaries. That said, as the boss, look to see if there’s something you can do to make their workload less stressful, like pushing back a deadline or re-assigning a task to someone else. If your employee is facing a serious health issue at home, then they may also be eligible for a leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Be careful about what you say.

If it seems like an employee is facing an issue like depression, don’t say something like “You seem depressed.” If you eventually wind up terminating the employ, they could sue you under the Americans With Disabilities Act, which covers issues like depression, by claiming they were fired due to their psychological disability.

Don’t be a pushover.

When you have an employee who’s dealing with a serious problem at all, it’s natural to be concerned. But don’t go overboard with your sympathy by trying to alleviate any fears they have about work; for instance saying something like: “don’t worry, your job is safe.” Should you have to terminate their employment down the road, they can use those kinds of statements as evidence in a claim.

As one of the top staffing agencies in Harrisonburg and Culpeper, we understand that having an employee with personal problems can certainly present a challenge – especially when it’s a top performer. Sometimes all that’s needed is some time away from work to handle the problem; other times, though, you may have an employee who is simply unable to separate their home life from their work life and is therefore unable to deliver the performance you expect.

In a perfect world, everyone would have a boss who is a strong leader and motivator; who is understanding and compassionate, while still expecting excellent work; and who recognizes and rewards going the extra mile.

However, in this world, if you’re like many people, you who have to face a boss each day at your Charlottesville job who falls a bit short. Perhaps, they aren’t a natural leader and don’t inspire confidence. Maybe they’re too soft, allowing employees to get away with murder. Or they could be too hard, micro-managing and nit-picking every detail.

The worst situation, though, is when your boss treats you with disrespect. When this happens, you can begin to question your value as an employee and want to quit. But before you do, know your options for handling this sticky situation.

Look Inward First.

Bosses have tough jobs. Not only are they responsible for delivering the best results, but they also need to rely on other people – people like you – to get the job done. And if you’re delivering a sub-par performance, you could be making their job harder; hence the poor treatment.

So, while it might be difficult to hear, perhaps you need to do a better job. Come in early, stay later, and work harder to make sure you’re meeting expectations. While your boss should never treat you with contempt, regardless of your performance, he or she will probably go a whole lot easier on you if you’re doing great work at your Charlottesville job.

Talk to Others.

Ask a few trusted co-workers whether they’re experiencing similar problems with the boss. If they are, then at least you know that you’re not alone. Maybe your boss is stressed out about a personal problem or about new sales quotas or a big project deadline…and is taking it out on his team.

Regardless, if the behavior continues, then you’ll need to talk to your boss and get to the root of the matter. But if your co-workers are experiencing the same treatment from your boss, at least you have some allies.

Talk to Your Boss.

If you feel like you are doing good work and truly don’t understand your boss’s treatment of you, then schedule a private meeting to discuss the situation. Sometimes people don’t even realize they’re behaving badly until you point it out to them. When you do talk to your boss, try not to get emotional. Stay calm and be professional.

Bring in HR.

Before taking this step, make sure you’ve done all you can do to resolve the situation. If you have, and your boss’s behavior is truly impacting your ability to do your job, then report your boss to HR. They will take steps to deal with the situation.

Consider Quitting.

If you’ve taken all the steps above, to no avail, then it may be time to leave the company for a more productive work environment. Don’t sacrifice your personal health and well being if you feel terrible going to your Charlottesville job each day.

And if you need some help searching for great jobs in Charlottesville or in Central Virgina, let us know. We partner with leading employers throughout Central Virginia to offer you outstanding opportunities in a variety of fields. Search Charlottesville jobs now.

The 9-5 schedule is a traditional part of the workplace. However, it may be falling by the wayside. In fact, as one of Lynchburg’s top staffing agencies, we’re seeing many businesses allowing employees to work a more flexible schedule and/or telecommute. This is especially true for companies that employ a lot of younger workers who are comfortable with working virtually.

And considering that by 2025, 75% of the global workforce will be made up of Gen-Yers – those born between 1982 and 1993 – implementing a more flexible work schedule now simply makes good business sense. As one of the leading staffing agencies in Lynchburg, we know it’s a value added benefit that will allow companies to better recruit and grow young talent for the future.

What’s more is that many Gen-Yers choose workplace flexibility over money. In fact, according to a survey by Mom Corps., 37% would take a pay cut if that could have more flexibility in their work schedules. Not only do many of these workers value flexibility, but they also value the employers that offer more of it, remaining loyal, motivated, and productive as a result.

And with today’s technology, being out of the office doesn’t necessarily translate into not getting work done. In fact, some employees may be more productive at home, working virtually.

Even better, if you’re interested in implementing a more flexible schedule, you have several options from which to choose. These include:

• Compressed Work Weeks – This option allows employees to work three or four 10-hour workdays, rather than 5 8-hour days.
• Variable Schedules – This option allows employees to choose how many hours they work each day, as long as they get in 40 hours of work per week. For instance, they can work 10 hours one day, 8 hours the next, and so on.
• Flex Time – This allows employees to have more flexibility in terms of when they start and end their days. For instance, they may choose to work from 7 am to 3 pm, or from 10 am to 6 pm.
• A 9/80 Schedule – This option takes place over two weeks. It consists of eight nine-hour workdays and one eight-hour workday. On day 10 of the cycle, usually a Friday, the employee is off. A worker on a 9/80 schedule has a two-day weekend during the first week and a three-day weekend before the schedule starts again.

The bottom line is that the workplace – and the work schedule – is changing. Those employers who understand this and remain flexible will reap the rewards in the long run.

If you’re searching for jobs in Charlottesville, then you probably know you should apply to those that are a good match for your background.

What happens, though, when you come across a job that you know you’d be a great fit for, but requires an MBA, when you only have a Bachelor’s degree, or five years of experience, when you only have 3½?

Should you apply and hope for the best, or not waste your time at all?

The answer is: It depends.

As one of the top employment agencies in Charlotte, we can tell you that if, for instance, the job is for a senior level manager and you’re barely out of the entry-level phase of your career, it’s a waste of your time to apply (unless you’re some kind of whiz kid).

However, don’t trash the job posting.

If that’s really your “dream job,” then keep a copy of it so that you know what kinds of skills, experience, and background companies are looking for to fill this kind of position. As you search for job openings, keep your eyes open for ones that can help you acquire those skills and gain the experience you need to land your dream job in the future.

On the other hand, if the discrepancies between your background and the job posting are more subtle – such as a year or two of experience, then there’s no harm in just “going for it.”

In your cover letter, you really have to sell yourself, though. Explain why you’d be a great fit for the job. Give specific examples of how your skills and experience have produced positive results for past employers. Make yourself hard to resist for the hiring manager.

Your resume could wind up in the trash…or you could wind up with an interview.

You never know unless you try.

And if you need some extra help in finding the right jobs for your background, give us a call. As one of the top employment agencies in Charlottesville, we know where to look to find great jobs that are a match for your skills and background. Start Now>

It’s December – which means most of your employees’ minds are on shopping, baking, decorating, and vacation plans instead of on their jobs.

As a manager, it can be difficult to balance the needs of your employees during the holiday season with your company’s need to be profitable. However, as one of Central Virginia’s leading staffing agencies, we know you can “deck the halls” and still maintain productivity if you follow a few key steps:

Offer longer lunch breaks.

During the month of December, let your employees take longer lunch breaks so they can catch up on all their holiday “to do” tasks. Create a schedule and let them choose a couple of days throughout the month for a 2-hour lunch. Not only will they be able to get stuff done, but when they’re back at work, they’ll actually focus on work – rather than thinking about everything they have to do.

Don’t launch a major project.

You need all hands on deck for a project launch – making the holiday season a really bad time for it. Wait for after the start of the New Year, when everyone is fresh and feels ready to plunge back into work. Instead, the end of the year should be left for tying up loose ends and planning for next year.

Expect down time.

You know employees are going to want to take time off, so rather than fighting it every year, just expect it. The fact of the matter is that even if your employees are physically present, mentally they’re not there. So if you can, close your office the week between Christmas and New Year’s; or at least give employees a couple of days off around each holiday. In between, you may want to schedule time for a “purge party,” during which your employees can clean up their work stations and get organized for the next year.

Set a good example.

As the manager, you set the tone for your staff and if you’re taking extra long lunches everyday and leaving early, then they likely won’t take their workload seriously during the holiday season. So no matter how hard it is, it’s important for you too to stay focused.

Schedule festivities.

That said, it doesn’t have to be all work and no play. As one of Central Virginia’s leading staffing agencies, we know how important it is to have some fun too. So bring in holiday treats, have an office decorating contest, or plan a gift exchange. You’ll keep morale higher by scheduling in some “fun” time.

You’d be surprised at some of the things people say during the interview process.

From talking about personal problems to detailing the benefits they expect to receive in the new position, these unfortunate job candidates immediately raise red flags for hiring managers and get crossed off the list for consideration.

But besides these obvious flaws in judgment, there are more subtle mistakes many job candidates make that can impact their ability to secure the job offer. In fact, as one of the top employment agencies in Lynchburg, we see them all the time.

To help ensure you’re not making them, here is a look at what hiring managers want you to know about the interview process:

Job interviews aren’t easy to get these days. So you should treat each one seriously by properly preparing. This includes researching the company and the position, developing a list of questions to ask, and also being able to demonstrate the value you can bring to the table.

Don’t interrogate the hiring manager. While you should ask intelligent questions, don’t grill the hiring manager about every detail – from health insurance to opportunities for advancement – at your first interview. These kinds of questions are better left for later in the process, when you’re closer to the actual job offer.

Every point of contact is part of the interview process – from small talk with the receptionist to the quick phone call from an HR assistant to schedule an interview. You have to be on your game every time you speak with a company representative, regardless of whether they’re the actual decision maker or not.

Hiring managers don’t just want to see the right technical skill set in a candidate. Attitude and interpersonal skills are just as important, or even more important. Skills can be taught, but attitude is innate. And if a new hire can perform the job, but doesn’t get along with anyone, major problems will ensue. So many times, hiring managers will ask questions that help them learn more about your attitude, motivation, enthusiasm, and ability to work with others.

Be positive about your background. Even if the hiring manager asks you about your biggest weakness or failure, find a way to spin that into a positive, showing that you learned from your mistakes. Also, never speak badly about a past boss, employer, or co-worker.

If you’d like more help with your job search process, give Adams & Garth a call. As one of the top employment agencies in Lynchburg, we partner with leading employers throughout Lynchburg and Central Virginia to offer you outstanding opportunities in a variety of fields. Contact us today to learn more!

It’s hard to believe that 2011 is coming to a close and that 2012 is just around the corner. It’s really no wonder, though, considering that the days seem to fly by in our Central Virginia staffing agency. From filling last-minute temporary jobs, to searching high and low for just the right professionals for full-time openings, to matching candidates with rewarding opportunities, we’ve certainly kept busy this year.

But while our clients needs change, and our candidates come and go, one thing remains the same – how grateful we are for the opportunity to do what we love. In today’s world and challenging economy, many people are working just to get by and don’t necessarily enjoy what they do.

Fortunately, for us, that’s not the case.

Every day, many valued clients entrust us with one of their most important responsibilities – finding and hiring good employees. Likewise, our job candidates come to us in search of help locating just the right job opportunity. These are challenges we embrace and enjoy. And we’re thrilled when our clients tell us what a great match a candidate was, or a candidate comes back to tell us how much they love their new job.

So even though the economy is still uncertain and we don’t know what’s to come in 2012, right now, we’re so thankful that our clients and our candidates have given our Central Virginia staffing agency the opportunity to do what we do best – help them find people and help them find work.

Thank you again! And Happy Thanksgiving!

As one of the leading employment agencies in Central Virginia, we know that telecommuting offers a lot of attractive benefits – no more commute, reduced gas costs, and less money spent on lunches out.

However, working from home is not always all it’s cracked up to be. It’s easy to lose focus and get sidetracked when you could be doing other things, like laundry, cleaning, or watching TV. As a result, if you aren’t disciplined with yourself, telecommuting can actually wind up being a nightmare that could put your job and jeopardy.

Here’s how to avoid the hazards.

Maintain your schedule.

While it’s tempting to sleep in and start work at 10 am, that’s going to set the tone for the rest of your day – and it’s not a good one. So maintain the same schedule you would as if you were going into the office.

Eliminate distractions.

You might think you can get your work done while your toddler plays quietly. Think again, though. Most likely, you’ll get distracted and get less done as result. So get childcare, turn off your home phone (unless that’s how your boss and colleagues call you) and get to work.

Set up an organized office space.

When you work from home, you need a dedicated space that’s your office. Ideally, this is a separate room where you can house a desk, computer, and all the necessary equipment and supplies you need. At the very least, this is a dedicated space in a room, such as your bedroom, where you can get privacy if needed.

Stay in touch.

When you work from home, it’s critically important to stay in touch with your boss and other team members so that you remain in the loop. That said, don’t send long, rambling emails. Instead, keep your emails short. Also, use other modes of communication, like IM-ing or texting for short comments.

That said, there are times when you do need to pick up the phone or go into the office. If an issue isn’t resolved in a few emails, then it might be time for a conversation over the phone or in person.

And if you’re interested in finding a job that allows you to telecommute, give us a call. As a one of the leading employment agencies in Central Virginia, we work with many employers throughout the region and can give you access to a variety of different job opportunities. Learn more now.