Adams & Garth Blog

As an employment agency in Staunton, we’ve seen and heard it all. Job seekers who arrive at an interview wearing jeans and chewing gum, or in a mini skirt with sky high heels on. In a world where image and perception is everything, this kind of attire will most likely cost you the job.

So how can you ensure you’re dressed for success when you go to a job interview? Follow these tips:

For women:

• Wear a conservative, solid color suit with a coordinating blouse or top.
• Wear moderate shoes. Heels are fine, as long as they’re not too high.
• If you’re wearing a suit with a skirt, wear pantyhose. Light color or tan is best.
• Limit your jewelry to a few simple, yet tasteful, pieces.
• Your makeup should be light and your hairstyle should be neat.
• Avoid wearing a heavy perfume.
• Bring along a briefcase or portfolio case to carry copies of your resume or work samples.

For men:

• Men should also wear a conservative, solid color suit with a long sleeve white or light blue dress shirt.
• Your tie choice should be conservative as well and should coordinate with your suit.
• Wear dark socks.
• Your hair should be well groomed and neat.
• Limit your jewelry to a watch and wedding ring.
• Go easy on the cologne or aftershave.
• Bring along a briefcase or portfolio case to carry copies of your resume or work samples.

Also, here are some tips on what NOT to wear to a job interview:

• Any form of jeans (i.e. pants, shorts, or jackets).
• Sneakers, sandals or flip-flops.
• Visible underwear – bras, bra straps, boxers, etc.
• Shorts or short skirts.
• Clothing that is too tight or too small, or rides too low.
• Low cut blouses.

We know that work attire has changed dramatically over the years – from strictly suits and ties to more casual clothing. But the fact of the matter is that appearances do matter, and in order to make a great impression, you have to look your best.

So if you need some help preparing for a job interview or landing a new job opportunity, please contact Adams & Garth. As an experienced employment agency in Staunton, we can offer you outstanding job opportunities in a variety of fields.

Some people seem to be able to make more money, get promoted faster, and become the “go to” person at their company regardless of the economy. Why is that? And what can you do to consistently achieve success? Here’s some insight:

Add value.
This is the most powerful trait an employee can possess. This means that instead of fixing that filing error, you will actually create a new filing system that helps to avoid future mistakes.

You also need to become the person that your boss knows they can hand a task off to and that you will complete that task accurately and on time, with no loose ends.

Become an expert.
Whether it’s reading an industry journal every week, or going to school to earn an MBA, it’s important to always be learning. So, ask yourself, what subject can you become an expert in for your employer?

Also, make sure your boss knows about your endeavors so that you’re rewarded appropriately at your next performance review.

Be consistent.
Be on time to work everyday. Be consistent in your performance. Be there for your employer. He or she will take notice.

Maintain a positive attitude.
A successful person sees an opportunity where someone else might see a problem. A negative attitude can be limiting, so try to maintain a positive attitude at work, no matter how tough things get. Positive words can be very powerful when communicating with your boss and co-workers.

The bottom line is that by following these tips, you can make yourself more valuable to your employer – which could lead to a bigger raise or faster promotions at your job.

If you’re currently looking for work, we want to know! As a Central Virginia staffing agency, we help candidates from Culpeper and Staunton to Harrisonburg and Lynchburg find rewarding job opportunities. And we’d like to help you.

Take a look at our current openings or contact us today to learn more.