Adams & Garth Blog

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.

Obviously, if a potential employer asks for references along with your resume, then you should submit those references. But what if they don’t ask for references? Should you submit them anyway?

Some experts say yes, while others say no. As a Central Virginia employment agency, we recommend including a reference page along with your resume. After all, if you have strong references, it certainly can’t hurt, whether they’ve been requested or not.

But don’t just haphazardly place references anywhere on your resume. Be sure to include a separate reference page, along with your cover letter and resume. Why? Reference pages have been found to be more effective than including references on your resume.

Here are some tips for creating a reference page:

• Determine whom you want to use as a reference. These should not be friends and family members; they should be colleagues, former co-workers, and managers. Include at least three professional references.

• In addition to professional references, you may also want to include a couple personal references. Again, these should not be your mom and your spouse. Personal references are people you have sat on community boards with, volunteered with, or gotten to know through an industry association.

• Now that you have your list of references figured out, get in touch with each to make sure it’s ok to include them on your references page. Inform them that potential employers will be contacting them to discuss your background, so they are prepared.

• The final step is to create a separate document for your references. Make sure you include each reference’s name, company, job title, phone number, and address. Also include in what capacity you worked with them in the past – i.e. Supervisor for three years, etc…

• Also, make sure you put your strongest references first in case the interviewer only has time to contact one or two.

If you’re searching for a new job opportunity in Central Virginia and you need help creating a resume or reference page, contact Adams & Garth. As a premier employment agency serving the Central Virginia region, we can help you create a resume that gets results and also give you access to a variety of job opportunities. Contact us today to learn more.

Most people will change jobs no less than 10 times over the course of their careers. Why? Because today’s worker expects to not only like their work, but to also be fulfilled by it. They want to feel that their efforts contribute to a noble goal and, on top of that, they want the flexibility to blend work and family.

As an employer, it’s a big bill to fill. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Be open and honest.
It’s important to communicate with your employees with honesty, openness, and respect, even when things aren’t going well.

2. Help employee reach their potential.
Employers should strive to bring out the best in their employees – to nurture strengths and properly manage weaknesses.

3. Create a positive company culture.
Some employees thrive in a laid back setting, while others do well in a more structured environment. However, all employees value a positive and ethical environment, where they are free to do their jobs to the best of their abilities, without being micro-managed.

4. Be a visionary leader.
Look ahead to new possibilities and remain open to others’ opinions and ideas. Involve your employees in a dialogue about the future of the company and let them know you value their contributions.

5. Offer opportunities for growth.
Pair younger employees with mentors or company veterans, offer reimbursement for continuing education, or bring in a new speaker on a regular basis who can offer workers valuable information and insight.

6. Lighten up.
Let your employee leave early on a Friday, or have lunch brought in one day for them. You’ll not only bring some joy and relaxation to the workplace, but also show employees you appreciate them.

The bottom line? The key to becoming an employer of choice is to cultivate a workplace that engages people, respects them, and rewards them for their work.