How to Craft an Interview Thank You Note

thank-youThank you notes may seem like a silly formality of the past, something that Mom forced you to do as a kid following birthdays and holidays. But, per usual, Mom was right. That tedious task of handwriting note after note is a vital mannerism in the professional world today, and job interviews are no exception.

Still, most candidates do not send a thank you note, which makes the ones that do really stand out. Not only is the practice of sending a thank you note a professional courtesy, but it also serves to remind the hiring authority of your name, which can be especially helpful when some time has passed or when many candidates are interviewing. The hiring authority has a lot on his or her mind, and your thank you note will serve as a kind reminder that behind the position titles and job descriptions are people, one in the same.

So, the next time you return home from a job interview, take a few minutes to sit down and draft a thank you note. The sooner, the better, which leads us to our first piece of advice.

Timing is everything

Write and mail your note within the first 24 hours. Not only will your punctual timing impress the hiring authority, but the things discussed in your interview will be fresh in your mind.

Don’t leave anyone out

If you interviewed with more than one person, make sure to send an individual thank you note to each one of them, and don’t forget to double check their name!

Send a letter even if you didn’t get the job

If you somehow already know you did not land the job in the immediately hours after your interview, send a thank you note out anyway. You never know what connections might be made.

Proofread

This goes without saying. Any spelling or grammar mistakes would just be embarrassing and could do more harm than good.

Say thank you twice

Along with your handwritten thank you note, it is important to also send an email Immediately following the interview.

What to include

Use this opportunity to highlight anything that you wish you had said in the interview. If you forgot to mention a certain experience related to the job, now is the time to include it. It is also important to reemphasize any skills and qualities that the employer liked about you and that would be vital to the position.

Keep it short and sweet

Everyone is busy, so you’re better off not writing a multiple page thank you letter to your prospective employer. There is no need to encompass your whole meeting in the thank you note. Keep it simple: kind, gracious and to the point. A good way to close is to reiterate your interest.

Include your contact information

Put your phone number and email address right there underneath your name. You don’t want a hiring authority to have to jump through hoops to try to get in touch with you.

Spring Cleaning Your Workspace

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If you’re like us, this time of year is one of our favorites. The warmer days, the blooming flowers, the longer hours of daylight – for these reasons and many more, the season of spring offers a healthy overdose of rejuvenation and endless potential. Everything is coming alive again, making it the perfect time to wipe the slate clean and start fresh in many areas of life.

This year, we’re taking spring cleaning to the office. You know that feeling of accomplishment that floods over after cleaning out the junk drawer at home or dropping off a couple bags of clothes to Goodwill? Well, we believe that feeling of achievement can be felt in other areas of life as well.

Since most of us spend the majority of our week at work, whether in our home office or in a downtown city building, this area of our lives should not be neglected when it comes to spring cleaning.

Here’s a step-by-step process to refreshing your workspace.

1. Clean your physical workspace. Does your desk look like a tornado hit? Do you have piles of paperwork you’ve pushed off to the side in the hopes that one day you’ll find the time to look through it all? Well, that day has come.

First, go through everything and toss (recycle if you can!) what you do not need. You’ll be amazed at how much space this will free up. Then, sort the remaining into separate piles, and file it away in the appropriate place. If are a sticky note happy person (no judgments here; we are too!), it’s time to take them down. Open a Word doc on your computer and put each note into one list, save it to your desktop, and then say goodbye to your beloved sticky notes.

Once your desk is cleared of the clutter, it’s time to pull out the dust rag and wipe everything down – the surface of your desk, computer, printer, stapler, you name it. Sitting down to a fresh, clean and de-cluttered workspace will feel GREAT.

2. Go through your email. Though our email mailbox is not a physical space, a cluttered inbox can weigh on our minds. Create a few folders in your email account that cover the main categories of most of your email correspondences (ie. family, medical, work, etc.). Next, go through the messages that cannot be trashed and file them under the appropriate category. The best way to keep on top of this is to organize your inbox daily. Whenever you check your email, trash what you don’t need and file what you do – all it takes is one click of the mouse and you’ll never fall behind.

3. Run a scan on your computer. It’s probably been months, maybe even longer, since you’ve cleaned your computer. Not only could this be slowing down your work flow, but it can leave you feeling overwhelmed with the amount of unorganized files that you have. Which leads us to step 4…

4. Go through your files. This may seem like a large task, but it’ll be worth it in the end, and, if done properly, you’ll be finished in no time. Start by deleting the items you no longer need. Again, you’ll be surprised at how much this can be! Begin by opening your folders – Documents, Pictures, and Downloads are the most used ones. For PC users, press and hold Control and click away. (For Mac users, press and hold Command). Once you’ve selected all you want to delete, simply right click and say goodbye.

Next, organize your files. If you have random items in your Downloads folder that can be categorized in your Documents or Pictures, go for it! Again, though this isn’t a physical space, but if left messy and unorganized, it can become frustrating when searching for a particular file.

That’s it! Four easy steps to freshening up your workspace, no matter where you work from. Now grab those dust rags, block off an hour, and get down and dirty.

Why Partnering With a Search Firm Could Land You Your Dream Job

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Did you wake up this morning with work on your mind? Did the idea of it seem daunting and exhausting? Did it ultimately make you want to pull the blankets back over your head and smack your alarm clock quiet? We know those feelings, and while we all have these days, as it’s perfectly natural to go through ebbs and flows, these dreaded thoughts shouldn’t be every day.

You think to yourself that maybe it’s time for a change, but where do you begin? You haven’t been actively seeking a job in many years, and everything that you thought you knew about the job market has changed. That’s where a search firm comes in. By building a relationship with an expert search firm, you can save time, money and loads of stress.

To say we’ve seen our fair share of hesitant candidates would be an understatement. As recruiters, we are rejected often. But the reason we continue to work hard at our jobs day in and day out is because we know we can help. When it comes to recruiting, there is no better feeling that helping a candidate take that next big step in their career.

So, if you feel like you’re ready to take that leap, don’t be afraid to turn to a search firm. Here’s why.

We’re on top of industry happenings.

As a part of our job, we must keep up with industry news. Every morning, we comb through the best and brightest websites in our industry so that we are aware of every newsworthy happening that is taking place in the environmental world.

We know where your market value is.

Gone are the late night hours of filling out applications and writing cover letters for positions which are ultimately not the right fit for you. At RSG, we have a combined recruiting experience of over 50 years. That’s a lot! One look at your resume and we know what jobs match well with your experience and skill set. The same goes for our clients, the companies that hire us to fill open positions. We have been working with many of our clients for years now. We understand their company culture and would only ever present them with a candidate that would be a perfect fit. This saves time for both parties.

Networking is what we do.

Staying connected is a huge part of our job. Day in and day out, it’s what we do. We spend our day speaking with environmental professionals across the country from every level of our industry. We do this so you don’t have to. Because of our networking connections, we can find the best jobs for you.

We can offer career guidance.

If you are a follower of our website and social media accounts (which you should be!), you know that we are constantly offering new career advice. We share articles, tips and tricks from the brightest minds in the industry. And we write our own, like this one! Resumes are second nature to us, and we’ve coached more interviewees than we can count. So when it comes to professional development, we are a wealth of knowledge just waiting to be tapped into.

We will be your Jerry Maguire.

Another words, we will be your sports agent and your cheerleader, in your corner from day one. Not only does our success depend on your success, but the satisfaction we get from helping you find your dream job is bar none. We will rally behind you and won’t leave until you are where you want to be.

Free Resume Screenings!

Have you heard? For the first quarter of 2016, we here at Rigsby Search Group are offering FREE resume screenings to professionals like you! So if you’re on the job hunt and questioning whether your resume is the best it can be, we’d love to help.

How does it work? Simple! Follow the steps below:

1. Email your resume to us at srigsby@rigsbysearch.com or submit it here on our website.
2. One of our highly trained professionals will call you with one-on-one tips for improving your resume.

We see hundreds of resumes every day. We know what works and what doesn’t, and we would love to offer our expert advice to you!

Don’t wait – this free service only has one month left!

Interview Tips: Prep, Mindset & Communication

Congratulations! You did it! They liked your resume so much that you landed an interview. We call this passing the first test, so give yourself a pat on the back and take a deep breath. The next step, the actual interview, can seem daunting at first, but with the proper preparation and mindset, you can conquer it. It all starts with a little bit of believing.

It’s important to go into your interview exuding a quiet confidence. Through the right preparation, you can achieve a calm mindset that will leave your competition envious. Here’s where to start.

  1. Do your homework. A day or two before your scheduled interview, grab your laptop, a notebook, and a coffee, and find a quiet place to study up on the company with which you are interviewing. Check out their website, social media pages, latest news and blogs. By getting to know the history and culture of the company, you will be better able to address certain questions. If you know the particular person with whom you will be interviewing, research their role within the company as well. Maybe you’ll come across something in your research that you can be prepared to bond over if it comes up in conversation.
  2. Know the position. You should walk into that interview with a pretty good idea of what the position you are interviewing for entails. Take some time during your study session to craft some answers about why you are a good fit for that particular job and make sure you have some examples from past experience to offer. When asked about your previous positions, stay away from talking about the responsibilities that the job entailed and instead bring up some of your personal accomplishments that you achieved during your time in that position.
  3. Rest. If your interview is in the morning, prepare the night before to avoid being rushed in the AM. Gas up the car, know what you’ll wear, prep a healthy breakfast and put all your materials in one place ready to grab and go. Then, hit the hay early so you can wake up refreshed and ready. There is nothing worse than being rushed on the morning of and walking into the interview still trying to catch your breath.
  4. Ask questions. Your interview should be a two-way street, not an interrogation. You will be expected to know your value, your skills and how you can help the team, but also be careful not to focus solely on yourself during the interview. Make sure to ask questions that concern the betterment of the company. “How does the team interact with the rest of the company?” or “What is the most important quality you are looking for in a candidate?” These questions will ensure the hiring authority that you can be a team player and you will come into work each day with an aim to help more than just yourself.
  5. Get out of your head. Recognize any negative mindset that might be hindering your confidence, and part ways. You are only as good as you allow yourself to be. So walk into that room with a smile on and a positive mindset. You’re going to do great.

If you ever have any further interview concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Rigsby Search Group. We coach our candidates on interviews every day, and would be more than happy to have a conversation with you.

Nailing Your Resume

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There’s a lot of pressure riding on a resume. Usually, it is a hiring manager’s first (and sometimes only) impression of you. It has to stand out. It has to scream talent. It has to catch their eye.

As recruiters with a combined 50+ years of experience, we’ve seen thousands of resumes pass across our desks (and computer screens). We know what works and what doesn’t. We also know how difficult it can be to craft your resume so that it fully represents just how qualified of a candidate you are. It is the deciding factor in whether or not you will get a face-to-face interview for your dream job.

Needless to say, resumes are pretty important. Here’s our best tips for securing that interview and putting your best resume forward:

  1. Formatting and Organization. Rarely will a resume get a full read-through from a hiring authority. Making those few seconds that you have their attention count is vital. When writing your resume, the most important items should be at the top, clearly and concisely summarized. As a general rule, your work experience should be the first section, with your most recent job first. Be sure to use bold and italics for emphasis and bullet points to help organize your words. Ultimately, your resume should be easy to read. There’s nothing worse than frustrating a hiring authority because they can’t find what they are looking for on your resume.
  2. Cater Your Resume. It can be easy to type up one resume and distribute it to 20 different companies, but it’s probably not going to be very successful. Take some time to research the company and the particular position you are applying for. If there are a certain set of skills that you have that apply to one job in particular, maybe move those up to the top of that section. If a certain certification is needed for one position, be sure to include it. You want to display all the right qualities, otherwise, they’ll pass right over you.
  3. Include Achievements Instead of Responsibilities. While some responsibilities are alright to include, your professional achievements are what will make you stand out from the rest. If your job title at your last place of employment was Accountant, chances are anyone reading will know your responsibilities. Instead, by summarizing your achievements, you’ll grab the reader’s attention and prove that you have something unique to offer.
  4. Proofread. At least twice. Double-check for spelling or grammatical errors, and make sure your formatting is uniform throughout. If one job title is bolded, they all should be. Consistency is key because a hiring authority could see this as a quality that folds over into your daily responsibilities and work ethic.

If you think your resume still needs some TLC, we would love to help! We are offering a brand new, free service to professionals (like you!) for the first quarter of 2016. It’s really easy, too! Simply email your resume to us at srigsby@rigsbysearch.com or submit it here on our website. One of our highly trained professionals will call you with one-on-one tips for improving your resume.

How to Grow Your Business With LinkedIn

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Since its launch in 2003, LinkedIn’s growth has skyrocketed, with over 400 million users worldwide. But LinkedIn isn’t like all the other social media platforms out there. It’s not where we go to post our latest vacation photos or to reconnect with an old friend, but rather where we go to connect with colleagues and to scout out potential job opportunities. LinkedIn is all about professional networking, and it’s one of the best tools out there.

Growth for your business can mean many things. You may be looking to grow your team by hiring a new employee or maybe you’re aiming to build a greater following on your LinkedIn company page. Whatever your goal, LinkedIn is a tool that should not be ignored. With a little practice and commitment, it can become one of your best means of professional networking. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Complete your profile or company page. To the best of your ability, make sure your LinkedIn profile and LinkedIn company page are completely filled out. It may take a little extra time and effort initially, but in the long run, you will see results. People come to LinkedIn to learn information, and you have to offer it if you want to stay in the lead. It’s important to also post a profile photo or a company logo. No one will want to follow you if they don’t know who you are. Plus, plain text on a page is always a little bit boring.

2. Join groups. LinkedIn groups are a place for professionals in the same industry or with similar interests to share content, have conversations and meet new contacts. Whatever type of group you’re looking for, it’s almost certain to exist. If it doesn’t, start your own! It’s just one more way to get your name out there.

3. Post strong content and post it often. People need a reason to follow you and your business. If your LinkedIn account is simply sitting stagnant with zero activity, your followers will slowly dwindle. Seek out or create fresh content and post it often. We post daily, but if that doesn’t work for you, find a timely routine that will.

4. Give to get. In order to reap the benefits, it takes a little bit of giving back. By taking part in conversations and applauding the accomplishments of others, you are giving. Eventually, it’ll come back around.

5. Have patience. Just like any social media platform, you can’t build an army of honest and loyal followers overnight. It takes time, consistency, and, most of all, patience. But don’t give up! Schedule LinkedIn networking into your daily calendar just as you would any other appointment. Even if it’s just 15 minutes! A little bit every day goes a long way.

LinkedIn can be your new best friend. It’s time to take advantage of it for all you can.

Tis the Season to Step Up Your Game: How to End the Year on a Positive Note

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December. The month of holiday cheer, endless celebrations … and a serious lack of motivation in the workplace. It seems as soon as December hits, many people slowly begin to fade into vacation mode, working fewer hours, staying out later at night, losing sleep, and falling short in productivity. Whether it’s the joy and excitement of the season or the stress of the chaos, if you’re struggling to find the effort to put into your workday, you’re not alone.

We believe in ending the year strong, and though it may be easier said than done, there are many rhymes and reasons why stepping up your game in December will make for a more enjoyable holiday season and a more profitable New Year. Here are our tried and true tips.

  1. Don’t escape. Many people will check out of work early to get ready for an evening event, or take a Friday off to conquer the mall. As much as you’re tempted, don’t. By sticking to a normal work schedule, productivity will come easier. And when 5pm rolls around, it will feel all the more rewarding knowing that you put in a full workday.
  2. Make a list and stay on pace. December is filled with busy schedules and exciting events, all of which make for easy distractions. At the beginning of each day, take a few minutes to create a list of the tasks you need to finish before 5pm. List them in order of importance, with the largest projects at the top. When you finish a task, check it off, and take a five-minute break. You’ll come back to your desk with a refreshed mind, a feeling of confidence, and one less thing to do.
  3. Prepare and prioritize. No one wants to spend their holiday vacation dreaming of looming deadlines. If you have a project due at the beginning of January, accomplish it before you leave the office for the holidays. Not only will it make your return in the New Year less stressful, it will allow you to truly unplug from work and enjoy your time away.
  4. Set boundaries. When you’re at work, work. When you’re at home celebrating the holidays with your family, do just that. Converse and laugh, eat and drink. By making sure work gets done during those set hours, the more you can be fully present in the other areas of life.
  5. Check out when it’s time. When it comes time to wrap things up and head out for the holiday, do so properly. Let the people in your network know you will be out of the office, and give them a back-up way to contact you if needed. Make sure all loose ends are tied up, and finally, clean and organize your desk so you have a blank slate to come back to in January. After all, the New Year is all about a fresh start.

So, as much as we all love the anticipation and joy that December brings, by continuing to go strong at work all the way until the final hour, you win the game before it even begins.