Adams & Garth Blog

As one of the leading employment agencies in Central Virginia, Adams & Garth knows that holiday parties aren’t just a time for eating, drinking, and being merry. They can also provide job candidates with a great opportunity to network.

So how can you get the most out of the gatherings you attend this year? Here are 6 tips to help you:

Tip #1: Just Say “Yes.”

If you’re looking for jobs in Central Virginia, you can’t afford to be choosy with which events you decide to attend and which you don’t. You should accept invitations to all holiday events. You never know who you’ll meet and what kinds of opportunities will cross your path.

Tip #2: Know Who’s Going to Be There.

Do some research ahead of time so you know who’s attending and whom you should be connecting with. Set a goal of meeting at least three or four new people at an event. Your aim here should be quality over quantity with your connections. You’re trying to build relationships, not beef up your rolodex.

Tip #3: Follow Proper Etiquette.

True, holiday parties are good opportunities to network. That said, you shouldn’t be carrying around a stack of resumes, ready to hand one out to anyone you meet. If you do meet someone of interest, then simply offer them your business card and make plans to touch base in the near future.

Tip #4: Ask for Advice.

Rather than asking for jobs in Central Virginia, ask for advice. People generally love doling out advice and the ones you meet will be much more receptive to being a resource for you. So simply say something like “Do you have any advice for getting my foot in the door at XYZ company?” or “What kind of advice could you offer me on how to break into ABC career field?”

Tip #5: Take Notes on Those You Meet. 

Obviously, you don’t want to stand around at a holiday gathering with a notebook and pen in hand. But bring a paper and pen with you and leave it in your car. That way, as soon as you leave a party, you can jot down notes and important details about those you met while the information is all still fresh in your mind.

Tip #5: Follow Up. 

After the holiday party, send out a handwritten note, along with your resume, to your new contacts. Be sure to reference something specific from your conversation and to make plans for touching base; for instance, let them know you’ll call them for lunch or coffee.

Looking for More Help With Your Job Search?

Let us know. As one of the leading employment agencies in Central Virginia, we can connect you with the top employers – and the top jobs in Central Virginia. Contact us today to learn more!

Do you love being around people? Are you often described as “the life of the party?” After a long day at work, do you want to go out and socialize?

If this sounds like you, then there are plenty of exciting and rewarding jobs in Central Virginia you might be a great fit for. Here’s a look at 6 of them:

1. Sales Manager
Median Salary: $98,530 per year*

If the idea of talking on the phone all day or being in meetings fills you with dread, then sales is likely not for you. However, if you are a true extrovert and love to interact with others – whether in person or on the phone – then sales could be a good fit. That said, there’s more to just being a “people person” to succeed in sales; you also must demonstrate the power of persuasion. And when it comes to being a sales manager, you must be able to effectively set goals, analyze data, and train and supervise your sales representatives.

2. Public Relations Manager/Specialist
Median Salary: $57,550 per year*

When you’re in PR, it’s your job to meet and connect with other people (typically the media or those within your industry) in order to brand and promote another person, company, product or service. You also need to be an excellent communicator since, oftentimes, you’re the face of the product you’re selling.

3. High School Educator
Median Salary: $53,230 per year*

As an educator, you’re not simply teaching students, you’re also interacting with them, their parents, your fellow teachers, school administrators, the school board, and anyone else involved in the education system. As a result, having strong interpersonal skills and a love of people is truly critical for success in this position.

4. Human Resource Specialist
Median Salary: $52,690 per year*

HR is the ultimate people-related profession. Whether you’re interviewing candidates, orienting a new hire, or handling issues between existing employees, your role is to understand people and different personalities, how they work and fit in the company’s culture, and help them to succeed.

5. Customer Service Representative
Median Salary: $30,460 per year*

Not only are strong interpersonal skills a must in customer service jobs, but so is plenty of patience. You’re going to be dealing with people with questions at best, or who are irate at worst. So you need to be able to diffuse stressful situations and keep a cool head in the process.

6. Physical Therapist
Median Salary: $76,310 per year*

As a physical therapist, not only do you have to help patients overcome injury or illness and manage their pain, but you also need to help them deal with frustration and setbacks in an encouraging way.

Need Help Finding a New Job in Central Virginia?

If you do, let Adams & Garth know. We partner with leading employers to offer you outstanding jobs in Central Virginia in a variety of fields. Contact Adams & Garth today to learn more.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook

Summer vacation is here – and that means your job search is about to go on holiday, right? Wrong!

Even though summer may seem like a slow time for many companies, most businesses do hire during the summer months. So if you’re looking for jobs in Central Virginia – but are thinking of taking a vacation from your search this summer – you could be missing out on some great opportunities.

Here’s why:

1. Less Competition From Other Candidates.

Many job candidates do take the summer off from their job searches, which is great news for you if you continue your hunt. So while they’re lounging around the pool, or taking it easy, you can be searching for and applying to all the jobs in Central Virginia they aren’t.

2. Many Companies Want to Hire for Q4 projects.

Many projects have to get in gear come fall, and so summer is the best time to find the people necessary to staff Q4 projects.

3. Companies Ramp Up their Temporary Hiring Efforts.

For businesses in certain industries, summer is the busy season. So to deal with an increase in demand, they hire temporary help. While your ultimate goal may be full-time work, if you make a positive impression, there’s a chance that a temporary gig could turn into a permanent one.

4. More Turnover.

If an employee is going to leave their job, then summer is the time do it. These vacancies, whether expected or not, are just more opportunities for you to find a new job, particularly if a hiring manager is under pressure to hire.

5. It’s the Start of the Calendar Year.

Some companies start their fiscal year July 1, which means more money is available for hiring new people.

6. Plenty of Summer Time Networking Opportunities.

From barbecues and pool parties to weddings and garden parties, the summer offers a plethora of opportunities for networking. And, as you probably know, networking is one of the best ways to find out about jobs in Central Virginia and ask for referrals.

Want Help With Your Job Search?

If you do, let Adams & Garth know. We partner with leading employers throughout Central Virginia to offer you outstanding opportunities in a variety of fields. Contact Adams & Garth today to learn more.

As a job seeker, when asked about salary history, you may be tempted to respond with, “None of your business.” Unfortunately, though, you probably won’t get a positive reaction from the prospective employer with that answer.

So why do they want to know about past salary? And what can you do to effectively negotiate a better one in your future job? Here’s a look.

Why They Want to Know

Employers want to know about your salary history for a variety of reasons. First of all, they like to see that you have been steadily increasing in what you are paid over the years. If they see a lot of major dips in salary or a steady decline, then that is a red flag for them.

In addition, they presume you want a raise from what you were making in your previous position. Most candidates expect one. However, they want to know what your most recent salary was so they can make an appropriate offer to you. For instance, if you made $65k in your last job, then they assume you’ll accept an offer of $70k.

Tips for Salary Negotiations   

• When discussing your past salary history, emphasize to the prospective employer that you are looking to make fair market value in the position. To do so, you’ll need to understand your market value and use that information – instead of your past salary – as the benchmark for the negotiation process.
• In addition, don’t forget about your benefits package. If, for instance, your total compensation package (including both salary and benefits) in your last position was $85k and they are offering you a compensation package of only $80k – even if the salary is more – use that as leverage during negotiations. Ask for more money or added benefits.
• Finally, whatever you do, don’t lie about or exaggerate your salary history. Some companies request W-2s from prospective employees prior to finalizing the deal just to ensure salary history is accurate. And by lying, you could lose out on your dream job.

If you’d like more help with the job search process, let us know. As an employment agency with over 20 years of experience, we can give you access to some of the top employers and top jobs in Central Virginia.

Start your search now for jobs in Central Virginia.>

The answer is: It depends.

There are many issues involved in the decision as to whether to go back to school after being laid off from your job in Central Virginia. For instance, were you laid off because the industry you work in is waning? If that’s the case, then perhaps you need to go back to school or enroll in a re-training program in order to transfer your skills into a new industry.

You’ll also need to consider other practical issues, such as the investment of time and money it will take in order to earn that degree. Going back to school can be especially difficult for those with small children and lots of family obligations, so it’s a decision that needs to be weighed carefully.

And, perhaps most importantly, you’ll need to think about whether going back to school will help you move forward in your career.

• If you’re not sure, then you should talk with others in your field. Ask them whether they’ve gone back to school to finish a degree or earn an advanced degree and how it’s helped them – or not – in their careers.
• Also talk to hiring managers in the field and ask them what kinds of skills are needed for that industry. It may be that you simply need an internship in that field, rather than a degree.

If you do think you need to go back to school in order to switch careers or move ahead in your Central Virginia job, don’t let the financial constraints hold you back. There are many scholarships and grants available for displaced workers; colleges and universities will have access to all that information, including how to apply.

However, that said, you don’t want any surprises when it comes to finances. So make sure you have a very clear understanding of the amount of debt you’ll need to take on before you enroll in a school.

Also, when researching schools, look for one that offers a variety of scheduling options, including day and evening classes, as well as online courses. That way, it will be easier to fit classes into your life.

And finally, be sure to do your due diligence when choosing a school. Their website is a good place to start; but also ask around to see if any friends, family, or colleagues have attended the school. You’ll likely get a better sense of whether the school is right for you from someone who’s actually gone there, rather than just the website.

The bottom line is that just because you’ve been laid off, doesn’t mean you need to go back to school to access rewarding jobs in Central Virginia. It’s definitely not for everyone and there are plenty of wonderful careers that don’t require a degree. However, there are certainly some instances when an advanced degree, finishing a degree, or enrolling in a training program is a must in order to get ahead and access the right jobs in Central Virginia.

Some people seem to just effortlessly rise to the top at work; while others fizzle out and stagnate in their Central Virginia jobs. If you’re part of the latter group, one of the reasons you could be falling short is because of bad habits you’ve developed at work. Some habits might be minor and simply annoy your co-workers; while others can have a seriously negative impact on your ability to perform your job and your overall career success.

So what are these bad habits? Here’s a look at 8 of them.

1. Procrastinating.

Everyone is under pressure to deliver positive results; but if your co-workers can’t start on their end of the project until you finish up yours, then you could be creating some added stress, not to mention animosity. In addition, if you wait until the last minute, leaving yourself no wiggle room, then you could face unforeseen obstacles and miss your deadline altogether. As a result, you’ll be viewed as undependable by your boss and co-workers.

2. Poor grammar and swearing.

People form an opinion of you within a few seconds of you opening up your mouth. If what’s coming out of it is profanity or “like” every other word, then that most certainly is a detriment to your career. This is especially true for entry-level hires, fresh out of school. You have to work extra hard to prove yourself and bad grammar can undermine that effort.

3. Sloppy emailing.

Many of us type up an email and send it in haste, without proofreading it for errors or double-checking that it’s been sent to the right recipient. This can be a recipe for disaster, especially if you’re emailing important or confidential information.

4. Being unprofessional.

This bad habit can range from dressing inappropriately (think tie dye and flip flops) to being chronically late to not giving your boss or co-workers an appropriate level of respect. Even if you work in the most informal office in all of Central Virginia, there’s a certain amount of professionalism that every employee should exude.

5. Not networking or getting to know co-workers.

Having good relationships with your co-workers and other important industry contacts is critical to the advancement and success of your career. So regularly skipping office parties or networking opportunities can seriously harm your career. You certainly don’t need to be the “in-house partier,” but building a sense of camaraderie at work will go a long way.

6. Playing computer games, shopping online, or checking Facebook every few minutes.

Many employers don’t mind if you quickly check your personal email or read the news headlines for a couple minutes, but keep it to a minimum. You are being paid to work; not to play games or surf the Internet.

7. Being negative/complaining.

If you shoot down every idea you hear or are constantly complaining, your co-workers will simply want to avoid you. Nobody wants to hear a steady stream of negativity.

8. Being the office gossip.

It’s human nature to want to gossip, but being known as the “office gossip” can hurt your career because your boss and co-workers won’t trust you.

If you’re displaying any of the bad habits above, now’s the time to break them. Otherwise, you’ll continue to stagnate in your Central Virginia job and wonder why all your colleagues are passing you by.

Not a fan of networking functions? Get completely stressed out when confronted with a room full of people? Prefer more intimate settings to huge conferences and events?

If so, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, walking into a room full of strangers and starting a conversation is nothing short of nerve wracking for most people. But whether you’re already on the job or searching for a new job in Central Virginia, networking is a crucial component.

So if you’re shy, and feel you’re not networking as effectively as possible as a result, here are some suggestions to help you prosper:

1. Get involved.

How active are you in the organizations you belong to? If you’re not very, or not at all, that could be part of the problem. Instead, try to get more involved by joining the board, volunteering, or participating on a steering committee. This will give you the opportunity to not only meet other people in a more intimate setting, but also to develop more meaningful relationships with each one. In addition, getting actively involved will serve to add to your name recognition and credibility, which will make it easier to connect with other people.

2. Arrive early to an event.

You might think you should arrive a little late, but earlier is better. Not only is the setting more laid back, but people also haven’t really started to form groups yet – so you won’t feel like an outsider when you walk in.

3. Befriend the extrovert.

These are the people who seem to know everybody and who are naturally friendly and personable. By befriending the extrovert, he or she can introduce you to others, acting as a link and an icebreaker.

4. Look for other wallflowers.

If you’re at a large event and feeling overwhelmed, look for the wallflowers. These are people who are just as shy and who are waiting for others to come up and talk with them. So go ahead and strike up a conversation.

5. Realize networking is an investment.

Networking is like making an investment in your career or Central Virginia job search. You may not reap the rewards right away, but they will come in time – and in many cases, when you least expect them. So don’t expect overnight success from networking. But if you get more involved and make more of an effort, you will see results in time.

And if you’re networking in the hopes of finding a new job in Central Virginia, please contact Adams & Garth. We can connect you with a variety of job opportunities in your field!

Did you know that a hiring manager only spends about 10 seconds reviewing a resume before deciding on whether or not to interview a candidate? So if you’re not getting calls for job interviews, it could be because you’re making some common mistakes on your resume. Here’s a look at 6 of them.

1. Focusing on duties, not accomplishments and results.

This is probably one of the biggest mistakes you can make. While it’s fine to include your job duties, make sure you also list the accomplishments – and the results you achieved – that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for an HR position, you might say something like: “Developed an employee recognition program that decreased turnover and improved employee retention by 25%.”

2. Ignoring simple directions.

Take the time to carefully read instructions before submitting your resume. For instance, if an employer asks you to include a certain subject line (such as “Re: Office Manager Position”) when submitting your resume via email, make sure you do it. If you don’t follow directions, you’re giving the impression that you either don’t care or you’re not detail oriented.

3. Applying…even though you’re vastly under- or over-qualified.

If you realize you’re incredibly under-qualified, don’t apply anyway because you think there is a small chance you could get hired. You’re wasting your time, and more importantly, you’re wasting the hiring manager’s time. Likewise, don’t apply for a position you’re completely over-qualified for. A hiring manager will be afraid that you’ll jump ship as soon as a better opportunity comes along. Again, you’re wasting everyone’s time.

4. Submitting a sloppy resume.

Make your resume as easy to read as possible. When formatting it, use bullet points and lots of white space. Also, make sure to keep formatting consistent. If you bold your current job title, then make sure you follow suit with all past job titles. Don’t jump back and forth between different formatting options.

5. Submitting a resume that’s too long or too short.

Despite what some experts say, there’s no rule about resume length. That said, use common sense. If you’re a new college graduate, your resume probably shouldn’t be four pages long. Likewise, if you’re a mid-level manager, don’t cut out the meat of your skills, experience, and accomplishments to jam all your information into one page.

6. Typos.

Make sure you check your resume for typos – then check it again. Even better, have someone else proofread your resume to catch any errors you might have missed.

If you’re making any of the above mistakes, then it’s time to rework your resume. And if you need some help with it, or with finding a job in Central Virginia, please contact Adams & Garth.

From Nike to Madonna, the power of a brand is indisputable. But brands aren’t just for large corporations or for celebrities. In today’s digital world, you can create your own personal brand and reap the rewards, including:

• Enhance your visibility in the job market.
• Separate yourself from other candidates.
• Position yourself as an expert or a specialist in your field.
• Land the job you want in Central Virginia.

TIPS FOR CREATING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Determine your USP.

What makes you different from other candidates? In the world of marketing, this factor is called your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). In other words, what can you offer to an employer that another candidate cannot? When determining your USP, think about:

• What you specialize in
• What you do – and how you do it better
• Whom you do it for
• And the single most important trait or skill you have

Always be authenticate when creating your USP. For instance, if you say you speak French and specialize in global sales, then you must have the skills and experience to back that up.

Create a presence.

Now that you know who you are, what you do, and how you do it better, you need to let the world (i.e. prospective employers) know. So decide which outlets to use, whether it’s designing professional business cards or creating a video resume. But that’s just a start. Here are some other ideas for creating a presence:

• Pitch a story idea to the editor of an industry magazine or blog.
• Connect with and try to position yourself as an expert in your field with industry media contacts.
• Create a blog where you deliver valuable information to your target audience.
• Try to land speaking engagements.

Maintain your brand.

Not that you’ve created your brand, don’t just let it stagnate. Keep your image up to date. For instance, use tools on LinkedIn to get recommendations from colleagues and former bosses, and announce any news about certifications or places your articles have been published.

And if you need help landing a new job in Central Virginia, please contact Adams & Garth. We’ve partnered with leading employers throughout the region to offer you outstanding opportunities in a variety of fields.

Thanksgiving is a great holiday here in Central Virginia. It has all the festivity of Christmas or Hanukkah, without all the pressure and expense of shopping and gift giving. Plus, let’s face it, the food is second to none.

But Thanksgiving is about more than just spending time with loved ones and eating too much turkey and stuffing. It’s also about reflecting on the countless blessings we’ve likely enjoyed over the past year – and giving thanks for them. So, without further ado, Adams & Garth would like to take a moment to give thanks to all our clients, candidates, employees, and friends that have supported us over the past year.

To our clients, we are truly grateful for each and every one of you. Simply put, without you we wouldn’t exist. We are so thankful for your continued loyalty to our Central Virginia staffing agency and we value the relationships we’ve developed with you. We pledge to continue delivering the level of quality candidates and the creative staffing services you’ve come to rely on over the years.

Likewise, we’d also like to thank our job candidates. We know that searching for a job in Central Virgina can be a frustrating experience, especially in today’s market. And we are truly honored that you selected our staffing agency to help you along the way. Please know that we always have your best interest in mind and we will continue to work diligently to find job opportunities that are a terrific match for you.

Last, but certainly not least, we’d like to thank our internal team. Your dedication and commitment to excellence has never wavered, even during a difficult recession. As a result, you’ve helped us to not only meet – but exceed – the demands of our valued clients. We are grateful to count each of you as a part of our team and, thanks to you, we see a bright future ahead.

And of course, we’d like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. Whether you’re celebrating with family, or just spending a quiet afternoon at home, enjoy the day and be sure to take some time to give some thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!