Adams & Garth Blog

There’s no room for error in today’s tight job market. Unfortunately, even the most careful candidate can make major mistakes during the job search process – mistakes that can ultimately cost them the job offer. So what are they and how can you avoid them? Here are six:

Mistake #1. Errors in your cover letter and resume.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but as a Lynchburg employment agency, we still see plenty of mistakes in cover letters and resumes. These kinds of errors will turn off employers because they use letters and resumes as a way to screen out candidates. After all, why would they want to hire someone who can’t follow directions or check their work? So it’s important to proofread everything you submit to a prospective employer. Better yet, ask a friend or family member to proofread both your cover letter and resume for you. Their fresh eyes will be able to pick up on mistakes you may have overlooked.

Mistake #2. Being late.

The old adage “Better late than never” doesn’t ring true when it comes to a job interview. In fact, walking into an interview 15 minutes late is a major no-no and a great way to lose out on a Lynchburg job offer. Plus, your interview could get cut short if the employer is interviewing numerous candidates on a tight schedule. To avoid being tardy, plan for any unexpected delays. Give yourself an extra 30-45 minutes to arrive at the interview destination.

Mistake #3. Being unprepared.

If you are unprepared for a job interview, you are showing a total lack of interest in the position. So why would the employer want to hire you? It’s critically important that you spend time preparing for each interview. Research the company and prepare your answers for some commonly asked interview questions. Also, create a list of your own questions that you would like answered about the company and the position.

Mistake #4. Talking too much during the interview.

Another common mistake during a job interview is talking too much. Many times, candidates are uncertain of how much information to offer and just keep talking, and talking, and talking. So keep your answers as concise and direct as possible.

Mistake #5. Talking too little during the interview.

On the flip side, don’t give one or two word answers to interview questions. Also, don’t be reluctant to tout your accomplishments. Clearly state your achievements and your talents.

Mistake #6. Looking unprofessional.

A sloppy or overly flashy appearance is another great way to miss out on a job offer. So dress to impress for every interview. Wear a well-tailored suit in a neutral color and make sure your overall appearance is well-groomed and polished.

And if you need help landing a job offer in Lynchburg, please contact Adams & Garth. We have relationships with some of the leading employers in the area and can help you find a job opportunity that’s a great match for you.

With competition for jobs at an all time high, the prospect of landing a terrific position in a reasonable time frame can seem daunting. While no one can tell you when your job search will end, you can certainly speed up the process by avoiding some of these common mistakes.

Mistake #1: Forgetting to put the basics on your resume.
Make sure your resume includes your name, address, phone number, email address, education, and work history.

Mistake #2: Using an informal email address.
Don’t put an email address like ilovefootball86@aol.com on your resume. Consider creating a professional email account especially for your job search with your first and last name.

Mistake #3: Having an unprofessional greeting on your voicemail.
If your voicemail greeting starts with, “Yo, what’s up?,” then you need to change it to something more professional, such as “Hi, You’ve reached Matt Smith. I can’t take your call right now, but if you leave a message I will get back to you as soon as possible.”

Mistake #4: Submitting a resume with typos.
Carefully proofread your resume each time you send it out. Don’t rely on your computer’s spell check program either because it will ignore mistakes like using “form” instead of “from.”

Mistake #5: Having inappropriate photos online.
Be aware that prospective employers can easily find those drunken pictures from New Year’s Eve on your Facebook page. How can you avoid this? Either set your profile to private or – even better – don’t post those pictures at all.

Mistake #6: Using only big name online job search sites.
These websites are a great tool in your job search, but don’t depend solely on them. Why? Because it can be expensive for some smaller employers to post jobs on them, so you may be missing out on many opportunities. Be sure to check out the smaller, niche job search sites; attend job fairs and networking events; and contact a staffing agency, like Adams & Garth, who can connect you with a variety of great employers.

Mistake #7: Submitting your resume to every recruiter, employer, and job site.
Don’t set yourself up for failure by blasting your resume to everyone under the sun. Instead, tailor both your cover letter and resume to opportunities for which you are qualified. Sending fewer resumes to more targeted leads will also make it easier to keep track of jobs you’ve applied for.

Mistake #8: Not following up after an interview.
Be sure to send a thank you note or email after an interview – even if you think the position is not right for you or the interview didn’t go well. You never know what could happen in the future. There could be a different position opening up at the company shortly that you’d be well suited for, so you always want to make a good impression.

Whether you’ve just started your job search, or you’ve been at it for a while, the employment specialists at Adams & Garth can help. Our staffing agency works with some of the leading companies in Staunton, Harrisonburg, and throughout Central Virginia, and can give you access to a variety of exciting opportunities. Best of all, our job search service is free for candidates.

Contact Adams & Garth today to learn more or search our current job openings now.