Adams & Garth Blog

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.

When you first started your Lynchburg job, you were inspired and motivated. But now, a few years later, you’re just not as happy as you once were. Workdays seemed to drag on, while weekends fly by. Sound familiar? If the answer is “yes,” there are some steps you can take to improve job satisfaction:

Step #1: Figure out what the problem is.

Why aren’t you happy at work? What’s eating you? Are you having a problem with a co-worker or your boss? Does the work you’re doing not interest you anymore? Do you think you should be paid more? Once you figure out specifically what’s bothering you, you’ll have a better idea about how to solve the problem.

Step #2: Put yourself out there.

If there’s an easy fix for what’s bothering you, then you need to put yourself out there and ask for it. Whether it’s a raise, or more challenging projects, your boss isn’t a mind reader and won’t know what you want unless you ask for it.

Step #3: Be positive.

While being positive won’t change your situation overnight, it can certainly go a long way in developing a more optimistic perspective. Being negative, on the other hand, will simply drain your energy, stress you out, and make you feel less productive. So think of the glass as half full.

Step #4: Re-balance your life.

It’s no wonder you’re miserable if all you’re doing is working. When you don’t have any down time, your stress level increases and as a result, you’re unhappier. So, take a look at your life overall and determine which areas are being neglected. Family? Exercise? Hobbies? Next create a list of priorities that you want to make time for – and take action to create a lifestyle that’s more balanced.

Tip #5: Re-assess your career goals.

If it’s been a while since you’ve last thought about your career goals, now may be the time. Things have likely changed in your life, and your goals may have changed with them. To assess your career goals, ask yourself these questions:

• Are you happy in your field?
• If not, what would you rather be doing?
• What do you want to achieve in your career in the next 5, 10, 20 years?

Your answers should give you a good idea of what you want out of your career. And if you want to make a big change, there’s no time like the present.

Hopefully, the steps above will help you find more satisfaction at work. However, if your goals or priorities have changed and your job is no longer a fit for you, we can help. As a leading Lynchburg employment agency, we can give you access to a variety of job opportunities in Lynchburg and throughout Central Virginia. To learn more, visit our website or contact us today.

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.

Why go to all the trouble to determine what you’re worth? Because the next time you’re entertaining a job offer or negotiating a raise, you’ll have cold, hard facts to back up your salary request. Check out the resources below for more information:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS has an online handbook in which they have compiled a variety of comprehensive data on various industries and jobs. The information that is provided includes the training and education necessary, median salaries, what workers do on the job, working conditions, and job outlooks – for instance, whether a certain kind of position will be in demand, or in decline, in the coming years.

The information provided in the BLS occupational outlook handbook is based on national averages. So things like salary and job outlook may be a little different here in Lynchburg when compared with the national average.

Professional association and trade web sites
Industry web sites are a great place to look for salary information. Many times, either trade publications or industry associations will conduct salary surveys throughout the year, which provide information on the average salaries of different positions in an industry. These organizations are usually one of the most accurate sources for information on salaries. However, you may have to become a subscriber to the web site in order to access the data.

Salary web sites
Just Google the word “salary” and you’ll come up with a whole list of web sites that specialize in offering salary information. With many of the sites, you can also conduct a salary search by education, title, location, and years of experience.

If you’re searching for a new job in Lynchburg and wondering what you’re worth, please contact Adams & Garth. Not only can we help you figure out the salary you should be asking for, but we can also give you access to a variety of rewarding job opportunities in Lynchburg and throughout the Central Virginia area. Contact us today to learn more.

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.

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.