Adams & Garth Blog

Offensive comments. Bad manners. Inappropriate attire. The latest college party? Nope. We’re talking about office holiday parties. As a Lynchburg employment agency, we’ve heard it all. But when it comes to attending your company’s holiday party, you should really think of the event as an extension of your workday – and act accordingly. That doesn’t mean you can’t let loose a little, but it does mean to avoid embarrassing blunders like these:

1.) Not attending.

You’re busy. We get it. But guess what? So is everyone else at the end of the year. And unless you have a really good excuse for not attending, skipping out on your Lynchburg employer’s holiday party makes you look bad. You’re signaling that the party – and by extension, the company – isn’t important to you and that you’re not a team player. So suck it up and make an appearance.

2.) Sticking with your office buddies.

Of course you want to chat with your office buddies at the holiday party. But don’t devote 100% of your time to them. The holiday office party provides you with a terrific opportunity to network with other employees that you don’t work with regularly, as well as connect with your boss and other company managers. This is a great time to make a positive impression!

3.) Getting drunk.

Have a cocktail. Have two cocktails. But don’t drink much more than that. You don’t want to lose control and say or do something that you’ll live to regret. If you don’t heed this advice and you do drink too much and behave badly, then apologize the next day to whomever you offended. Don’t just ignore your bad behavior and hope it went unnoticed.

4) Bringing uninvited guests.

Don’t assume that your spouse is invited to your office holiday party. If they’ve been invited in the past, but the invitation doesn’t specify this year, then ask your boss.

5) Dressing suggestively.

Regardless of how festive the occasion, dressing provocatively for a work party is a major no-no. Not only is it distracting, but it could also harm your credibility because it can impact how others perceive you. So whatever you wear, make sure it’s tasteful and appropriate for the occasion.

6) Bad manners.

Nothing can torpedo a career faster than lack of manners. So keep the negative comments to yourself. Don’t be loud, rude, or offensive. If you drink too much and think you might say something stupid, then excuse yourself from the party. Be polite and gracious. Also, be sure to thank your boss for the party before leaving.

What about you? What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve seen at office holiday parties? We want to know!

The team at Adams & Garth would also like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

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.

It used to be that you applied for a job in Lynchburg and the employer called you to set up an in-person interview. Nowadays, though, with so many job candidates on the market, employers are finding it more efficient to screen candidates by conducting phone interviews first, and then bringing candidates into the office for an interview.

So what can you do to nail your phone interview and move on to the next step in the hiring process? Here are some tips:

Create talking points.

One benefit of a phone interview is that the person interviewing you can’t see you. Take advantage of this by writing down some points that you want to get across during the interview, such as your qualifications, why you would be a good hire, and what your strengths are.

Prepare ahead of time.

Go online to the company’s website to learn more about who they are and what they do. Also, practice your answers to some commonly asked interview questions. The more prepared you are, the smoother the interview will go.

Use your land line.

With a land line you don’t have to worry about a dropped call or getting disconnected.

Turn off your call waiting.

The beep of an incoming call can be distracting, especially if it happens repeatedly, and can cause you to lose focus.

Have a glass of water handy.

The interview may be quick, or you may be on the phone for a long period of time. So have a glass of water on hand if your mouth gets dry or you get a tickle in your throat.

Remove distractions.

Don’t expect your two-year-old to play quietly while you’re on the phone. If you have a phone interview scheduled, you need to have a babysitter.

Stay focused.

It’s a lot easier to lose focus during a phone interview than an in-person one. To help you remain focused, take notes during the interview.

Smile.

This may sound weird since the interviewer can’t see you, but if you think positive and smile during your interview, this will come across over the phone – and you’ll make a better impression.

If you need additional help preparing for an interview, or if you need help finding a job in Lynchburg, contact Adams & Garth. As a leading employment agency in Lynchburg, we can help you polish your resume, prepare for job interviews, and land a rewarding position that’s a great fit for you.

As a leading Lynchburg employment agency, we know that writing the dreaded cover letter is one job search requirement most people can’t stand. After all, who wants to condense their wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience into a few simple sentences? What makes it even more frustrating is that a cover letter can be the determining factor in whether or not you land an interview – no matter how qualified you think you are.

So how can you craft a cover letter that not only gets attention, but also gets results?

Here are some tips:

Tip #1: Keep in mind that the goal of a cover letter is to introduce yourself, then sell yourself to the Lynchburg employer. It’s not to regurgitate all of the facts and information already listed on your resume.

Tip #2: Keep it short. No matter how tempting it can be to include a lengthy explanation of your last position, be as concise as possible – preferably less than half a page.

Tip #3: Employers will undoubtedly be asking themselves “What can this candidate do for me?” when reviewing your cover letter and resume. So, after a brief, introductory opening, explain why you think you’d be an asset to the potential employer. For example:

In my last position as office manager for The Lynchburg Employment Agency, I was able to secure new vendor contracts that saved the company approximately $25,000 in overhead costs.

Tip #4: State why you want to work for the employer. It shows them that you’ve done some research on the company. Here’s an example:

Since your company is the largest medical supply firm in Central Virginia, I want to position myself with a leader in the industry.

Tip #5: At the end of your letter, include a specific date that you will call the employer to follow up and inquire about securing an interview.

Tip #6: Have someone proofread both your cover letter and resume before sending it out to a potential Lynchburg employer. This is a no-brainer, but we have to mention it since too often we’ve seen cover letters and resumes with typos and other glaring grammatical errors.

Tip #7: If you’re still having problems landing interviews, contact a Lynchburg employment agency, like Adams & Garth. As employment experts, we can help you craft a terrific cover letter and resume – one that gets positive results. We can also give you access to a variety of rewarding job opportunities in Lynchburg and throughout Central Virginia.

When having problems with their boss, many workers are afraid to raise concerns. The result is that they say nothing and let the issue fester until one day they explode. Obviously, this isn’t a healthy approach.

Instead, if you are having problems with your boss, you need to be open and pro-active about it. The result will be a stronger, more productive relationship.

Here are some tips to follow:

Take your issue to your boss.
Don’t go over your boss’s head and talk to his or her manager or supervisor. This will only result in animosity. Talk to your boss directly and give him or her a chance to solve the problem. If that doesn’t happen in a timely manner, then you may want to connect with a higher up at your company.

Leave your emotions at the door.
Whatever you do, don’t talk to your boss when you’re upset. Your conversation won’t be productive if you’re angry and accusing. Instead, let the dust settle for a couple days and use that time to gather your thoughts.

Don’t make threats.
When pushed to the limit, it can be tempting to storm out of the office or to threaten to quit. Don’t do it, though. First of all, you’ll look unprofessional. Secondly, your boss may just take you up on that offer, even if it was he or she that was in the wrong in the first place. If you get so worked up that your tempted to act out, then it’s time to just walk away and cool off.

Understand that you may be partly responsible.
Although it can be tempting to put all the blame on your boss, realize that you may be partly to blame as well. In most conflicts, both parties usually are. So what should you? Talk to a friend or colleague who can give you some objective advice and possibly a fresh perspective about the situation.

Don’t badmouth your boss.
Though tempting, don’t engage in trash talk about your boss to your co-workers. It could come back to haunt you.

If it’s gotten to the point where you know you can’t work for your boss any longer, and you’re looking for a new job opportunity, contact Adams & Garth. As a leading Lynchburg employment agency, we can give you access to a variety of rewarding job opportunities. Contact us today to learn more.

There are a variety of benefits that come with working as a temporary for an employment agency – from a more flexible schedule to the ability to try out an assortment of job opportunities. But the prospect can seem a little intimidating if you’ve never worked for an agency before.

As one of the top employment agencies in Lynchburg, Adams & Garth understands your uncertainty – which is why we’ve put together a list of questions you should ask before signing up with any agency. This way, you can ensure that a particular firm is a great fit for you and your career goals.

Questions to Ask: General Information

1. How many years have you been in the staffing business?

2. What kinds of companies do you work with?

3. Are there certain industries you specialize in?

4. What types of temporary job openings do you fill?

5. How much will your temporary job placement service cost me? (If the employment agency answers anything other than “we’re free for job seekers,” then be sure to thank them politely, walk out of their office, and never look back. Reputable temporary employment agencies – in Lynchburg and beyond – do not charge for their services to candidates.)

Questions to Ask: Rules & Regulations

6. Do I need to call in regularly, or will you contact me when a position that I qualify for opens up?

7. What if you offer me a position I’m not interested in? Can I turn it down?

8. What happens if I accept a job offer, but it’s not right for me? What do I do?

9. If I show up at a temporary job and the company doesn’t need me that day, what should I do?

10. Do you offer any kind of skills training?

11. Is the training free?

12. What if a company wants to hire me full time?

Questions to Ask: Pay & Benefits

13. Do I have to fill out a time sheet to track my hours?

14. About how much can I expect to get paid for the temporary jobs I qualify for?

15. How often do I get paid?

16. Do you offer health insurance?

17. Do you offer any other kinds of employee benefits?

18. How long before I qualify for those benefits?

19. Is there overtime available?

20. If so, what’s the pay rate?

Before signing up with any Lynchburg employment agency, it’s critically important that you ask a lot of questions like the ones above. This way, both you and the agency are on the same page and there are no surprises down the road.

In the meantime, if you’d like to know more about the benefits of working with a temporary employment agency, please contact Adams & Garth.