Adams & Garth Blog

You’ve probably read about how important it is to talk about your career accomplishments in your cover letter and on your resume. But what if you’re just starting out – and don’t really have any career accomplishments to speak of yet?

As one of the leading employment agencies in Staunton and Central Virginia, we can tell you that an effective cover letter is just another opportunity for you to stand out among your competition. That’s why it’s so important that you write one, even if you don’t have a lot of experience.

With that said, you might need to take a bit of a different approach than those with extensive experience. Here are some suggestions to consider:

The devil is in the details.  

Because you don’t have any experience, it’s more important than ever that every single detail you do put on your cover letter is 100% accurate. This includes the spelling of the hiring manager’s last name and the address of the company. You must also proofread your letter multiple times to ensure there are no spelling errors. Even better, ask someone else with fresh eyes to proofread it for you.

Focus on what you can bring to the table. 

Just because you don’t have any career experience, doesn’t mean you have nothing to offer. So tell the employer what you can do for them. Explain how you believe you can benefit the company specifically. For instance, talk about the fresh ideas you’ll be able to bring to the table as someone new to the industry.

Demonstrate how you’re different.  

Is there something of value that you can offer a potential employer that your competition likely won’t be able to? For instance, do you speak a second language? Did you serve as your sorority or fraternity president in college? Did you live abroad for a year? Making yourself stand out in a positive way is vital to an effective cover letter.

Attitude is important. 

Employers don’t want people who just “go through the motions.” They want to hire employees who are passionate, driven, and dedicated. So displaying your enthusiasm for the job and for the company is an absolute must in your cover letter.

If you’d like some additional job search tips, check out our post about what to do when a job sounds like a perfect fit, but you don’t meet the requirements.

And if you’d like professional helping finding a new opportunity that’s right for you, let us know. As one of the leading employment agencies in Staunton and Central Virginia, we can give you access to outstanding opportunities in a variety of fields. Start your job search now.

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.

Your boss asks you to complete a project in a certain way that you think is misguided. You know the plan won’t get the desired results, but at the same time, the directive is coming from your boss, who can be a bit sensitive at times.

What do you do?

Do you let your boss know you disagree, and risk reaping his or her wrath; or do you just move forward with an idea that you know isn’t going to work?

As one of the leading Central Virginia employment agencies, we know there are ways to respectfully disagree with your boss, without damaging the relationship or angering him or her. It just takes the right approach. Here’s a look:

Listen.

The last thing you want to do is put your boss on the defensive. And if you’re quick to criticize his or her plan, that’s exactly what will happen and you won’t achieve anything productive as a result. So instead listen. Sit down with your boss and discuss with him or her what they want to achieve with the plan. Ask questions to make sure you fully understand their approach before offering suggestions for improvement.

Use the right language.

Don’t negate what your boss says by using the word “but.” For instance, “It’s an interesting approach, but I think we’d be better served if we…” Instead, acknowledge their idea and then offer “suggestions” or “recommendations” to improve it.

Also make it clear to your boss that you simply have the company’s best interest at heart with your plan. Start by explaining the benefits your approach will offer to your boss personally, as well as the company as a whole. Then move onto how you’d actually implement your plan.

Pick your battles.

Being assertive in your Central Virginia job can boost your career – unless you’re overly assertive. So don’t disagree with every idea or constantly bring up every little issue you have with your boss or a co-worker. Pick your battles instead. Focus on those areas that could impact your performance, or the performance of the organization as a whole. When you do disagree with your boss, make sure your suggestion offers a clear path to achieving the desired end result.

Keep perspective.

Don’t get discouraged if your boss fails to implement your idea. Keep in mind that voicing your opinion is good for the company and it also demonstrates to your boss that you care – as long as you disagree with him or her respectfully.

However, if your boss won’t entertain your ideas or input – ever – and you’re ready for a new opportunity, give us a call. As one of the top employment agencies in Central Virginia, we can give you access to employers who welcome and encourage employee input and constructive feedback. Contact us today to learn more!

Developing leads for jobs in Central Virginia is one of the most important aspects of your job search. The more methods you put into play, the more leads you’ll develop – and the better your results will be.

So what are some of the best methods for developing leads? Here are five:

#1. Use your college’s alumni services.

Thought you were done with college when you graduated? Think again. If you’re looking for a job, your college alumni office is a great place to start. Most colleges offer networking opportunities for alumni, as well as career services for those who belong to the alumni association.

#2. Take advantage of your network.

Networking is an incredibly powerful tool when you’re searching for a job. And today, with the variety of social networking tools and online forums available, it’s easier than ever. That said, don’t overlook the importance of face-to-face networking, or reaching out to your circle of family, friends, and former colleagues to find a great job opportunity in Central Virginia.

#3. Join a trade or professional association.

Joining a trade or professional association can often be a great source for job leads. Not only will you be able to network with other professionals within your field, but you can also take advantage of any job listings the association posts, which are typically for members only.

#4. Go to a job fair.

Before attending a job fair, do some research. Visit the job fair’s website so you know which employers are attending and so you can create a plan of action to connect with employers and positions that are a good match for you.

#5. Get help from a Central Virginia employment agency.

The great thing about reputable employment agencies in Central Virginia is that their services are free to candidates. In addition, they have access to job opportunities that may not be advertised to the general public.

If you’d like to learn more about how an employment agency can help you find a job in Central Virginia that’s right for you, please contact Adams & Garth. We can help.

You just had what you thought was a great job interview with an employer in Central Virginia. All you have to do is sit back and wait for the phone to ring, right? Wrong!

There are several mistakes that candidates oftentimes make that can blow the post-interview period, just when the hiring manager is making the final decision.

So what mistakes should you avoid? Here are the top five:

MISTAKE #1: Forgetting to send a thank you note.
If the interview went well, you may think you don’t need to send a thank you note. Not true. Not only should you be thanking the employer for the interview, but you should also use the note as an opportunity to remind the hiring manager why you are perfect for the position.

MISTAKE #2: Writing a thank you note that is too long, or too general.
Brevity is key. Hiring managers are busy people and a long note will simply annoy them.
Besides being concise, also be specific in your note. Write at least one thing that connects with the interviewer regarding something specific you discussed at the interview.

MISTAKE #3: Not alerting your references.
Let your references know that a potential employer may be contacting them. Otherwise, they will be unprepared to promote your strengths to the hiring manager.

MISTAKE #4: Harassing the hiring manager.
You will not help your cause by bombarding the hiring manager with emails and voicemails. Be patient. The hiring process can be a long one for certain companies and positions.

MISTAKE #5: Bad mouthing the employer.
Don’t burn any bridges if you aren’t offered the job. Simply ask the hiring manager the reason you weren’t hired, so if you made any mistakes you can correct them in the future.

If you need help preparing for an interview, or are looking for a job in Central Virginia, then please contact Adams & Garth. As a leading employment agency serving Central Virginia, we can offer you access to a variety of rewarding job opportunities in fields such as administration, accounting, IT, engineering, HR, and hospitality.

Contact Adams & Garth today to learn more.