How to Write Better Manufacturing Job Descriptions

How to Write Better Manufacturing Job Descriptions Manufacturing is a vertical with several special considerations in recruiting. You’ll need experienced, skilled candidates for niche positions in most cases, and that means you’ll need to write accurate, appealing job descriptions if you want to attract them. Why job descriptions matter for manufacturing Why is it so important to have top-notch job descriptions for manufacturing positions? Onsite responsibilities. Manufacturing jobs are usually physical and revolve around the use of specific equipment. Describing an individual’s onsite responsibilities and surroundings is essential during the application process; not only will you attract better candidates from the get-go, you’ll also stand a higher chance of retaining them in the future. Skills and qualifications. Most  manufacturing positions contain phrases like “all experience levels,” which describe the skills and qualifications necessary for those positions. While entry-level positions do exist, many high-level positions require a significant degree of experience in specific areas. It’s important to address these requirements with focus and precision, or you’ll end up with a pool of applicants who don’t meet your baseline requirements. Sheer numbers. Some positions are entry-level, which means you’ll see an overwhelming number of applicants for them. Writing better, more accurate descriptions will help you ensure these pools are filled with smaller numbers and better-qualified candidates. Differentiation. We’re on the verge of a talent shortage in the manufacturing industry, thanks to “sexier” industries and college educations drawing away many candidates here. That means manufacturers are in fiercer competition with one another. Already, many manufacturing positions are indistinguishable from one another in the plain, straightforward way they’re described, so it’s important to have your description differentiated to gain a competitive advantage. How to improve your descriptions So how can you make your job descriptions better? Be specific. This is the golden rule for job descriptions, and it applies to a number of different areas. The job title should be specifically reflective of the position, the requirements should be concretely and unambiguously acknowledged, and your expectations of candidates should be clearly stated. The more details you include here, the betterâ€"this will help ensure you get the perfect fit. Define daily responsibilities. Don’t just list the equipment that will be used or what the environment is like; make sure you describe what a “day in the life” is like. What will this person be doing every day? How will that change over time, if it changes at all? This glimpse into the future will serve as an additional filter to sort out uninterested candidates. Acknowledge conditions. Conditions in manufacturing can vary from very loud, dirty, and somewhat dangerous, to calm, serene, and office-likeâ€"all depending on the manufacturer and the nature of the position. Accordingly, you’ll need to describe those conditions accurately to clarify any misconceptions and adequately prepare your candidates for what may come. Address your workplace culture. What are the core values of your company? How much collaboration takes place? How do people treat one another? These cultural components are more important than you may realize, and may serve as the tiebreaker in getting someone skilled to apply. List the benefits. Though your pay may be based on previous experience, you should list the peripheral benefits to working at your location. Do you currently offer insurance or any kind of retirement plan? Are there discounts for the goods you produce? The little perks here will help differentiate your business and make it more appealing. Describe your performance evaluation. Your applicants should also know how their performance is going to be evaluated over time. Are there productivity minimums or quotas that they’ll need to adhere to? Are there other standards in place? Update your descriptions regularly. It’s also vital that you update your job descriptions on a regular basis. Even though your company and the equipment you use may remain relatively constant, there may be significant changes in your internal hierarchy, your pay and benefits, or even the skills you want to see in your workers. Reviewing your descriptions at least a few times annually can help you keep them in accurate order. If you can follow these strategies in creating and updating your manufacturing job descriptions, you’ll attract a richer pool of potential applicants and ultimately enjoy a team of more talented workers. It’s a relatively small investment with an enormous potential payoff, so don’t procrastinate implementing this strategy. If you’re unsure about your changes, consider using an A/B test, with both versions in circulation, to determine which one is capable of attracting the best people. As long as you keep moving closer to your ultimate goal of better recruitment, you’ll be in good shape. About the author:  Larry Alton is an independent business consultant specializing in social media trends, business, and entrepreneurship. Follow him on Twitter  and LinkedIn.

Worst Sales Strategy Improved to Excel - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Worst Sales Strategy Improved to Excel - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Upon seeing the offer of a well-recognized organization to join their network at no cost, I eagerly registered. They enjoy an excellent reputation. However, prior to making a commitment, I wanted to take the time to understand all of their offerings. But upon experiencing the episode detailed below, my perspective dramatically changed. 1. No research was done prior to a representative calling me A representative of the organization called to essentially ask who I am, what I offer etc. Had she researched my website first (initially entered for membership) there would have been no need to ask those questions. Familiarize yourself with the prospective client before contact! 2. Original offer was ignored Although I registered due to the zero cost offer, the representative launched into a narrative about all of the advantages to be received when I pay for their $1,000 annual service. Consistency and facts with the client’s perspective first need to be kept in mind. 3. Did not listen I explained that my preference was to understand the organization prior to making any financial commitment. The representative repeated the long list of advantages to becoming a paying member. Not listening to your client builds dis-trust. 4. Declining value Out of curiosity, I kept listening to the representative who over and over repeated the same benefits to becoming a paying member. Worse yet, she kept dropping her price. The final and lowest offer was an annual payment of $100- a long way down the chute from the original $1,000. Credibility was killed. Never ever devalue what you have to sell! The sales mantra for getting a sale is to find 3-5 needs of your client that you may satisfy and enhance the outcome with your unique solutions. But to gain approval, the requirement is to build the relationship, value and trust. The sales representative unfortunately went in the wrong direction. The end result of the conversation was to discourage me from exploring the site altogether. A better approach The better way to approach a new prospective client who may register on your site is to research their website first. Find something of common interest to use as your opening remark. Then ask questions as to why they are interested in your site. Listen well, and as you hear their answers, of those that stimulate curiosity, ask additional questions. When you have the answers you are seeking, then it is your turn to present ideas that may be of interest. But once again use a question format and ask for their thought on the idea. In order to make a sale, 3-5 agreements throughout the conversation are the rule of thumb. Lastly, use the opposite method of what was described above. Offer three possibilities, beginning with the least expensive. In this manner, you increase the value in your service. Allow quiet time for your prospective client to choose. By following these suggestions, you build trust and integrity in your personal brand and service. Upon enjoying the experience of working with you, your clients will provide repeat business, referrals and testimonials. Time after time, all of this will lead you to experiencing the Smooth Sale! Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, (800) 704-1499; authored  â€œINSPIRED Business A New View for Building Business and Communities”;  â€œNice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”,  and  â€œHIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”.

LinkedIn Benefits Breakdown

LinkedIn Benefits Breakdown In todays digital age where people regularly research and connect online, LinkedIn carries a lot of weight and packs a big punch (of benefits).If you are not signed up with LinkedIn you need to be. Not being on LinkedIn is like not existing at all.  What exactly is LinkedIn? The top social networking tool, reaching over 400 million registered users in February 2016. Two new members join the site every second, and over 100 million people visit the site each month. A common misconception about LinkedIn is that it only benefits job seekers; not so. Professional networking  opportunities  can benefit the gainfully employed as well: Establish a solid network to have it ready for when you need it, or as Harvey MacKay put it: “Dig your well before you’re thirsty”. Discover new  opportunities through your LinkedIn network that you would  not have located otherwise. Generate a hundred strategic contacts and get access to millions of potential people in a short amount of time. Get all the benefits of networking in person, with less of the hassle.  LinkedIn provides a platform for you to easily search, connect, and engage with hundreds of thousands of resources. Job seeking?   Even better: Leverage the power of your network on LinkedInâ€" the people you know, and the people those people know â€" to help you connect to the person (or people) who are in a position to offer you a job. Get located by employers and recruiters who use LinkedIn to locate potential matches for open positions or vet job candidates. This practice is becoming more and more common. To be effective on this networking site: Ensure your profile is fully completed and positions you strongly. Remember that a lot of people will have access to your information; content must support your value and your brand. Engage with the site regularly; don’t just “set it and forget it” hoping results will generate on their own. You need to initiate things! Overall, the ability to identify, research, contact, follow-up, engage, and maintain your contacts in one place is the power of LinkedIn. Its ability to facilitate business networking is unmatched by any other social network. Essentially, your LinkedIn profile is a resume, business card, and elevator speech all rolled up into one. LinkedIn Benefits Breakdown In todays digital age where people regularly research and connect online, LinkedIn carries a lot of weight and packs a big punch (of benefits).If you are not signed up with LinkedIn you need to be. Not being on LinkedIn is like not existing at all.  What exactly is LinkedIn? The top social networking tool, reaching over 400 million registered users in February 2016. Two new members join the site every second, and over 100 million people visit the site each month. A common misconception about LinkedIn is that it only benefits job seekers; not so. Professional networking  opportunities  can benefit the gainfully employed as well: Establish a solid network to have it ready for when you need it, or as Harvey MacKay put it: “Dig your well before you’re thirsty”. Discover new  opportunities through your LinkedIn network that you would  not have located otherwise. Generate a hundred strategic contacts and get access to millions of potential people in a short amount of time. Get all the benefits of networking in person, with less of the hassle.  LinkedIn provides a platform for you to easily search, connect, and engage with hundreds of thousands of resources. Job seeking?   Even better: Leverage the power of your network on LinkedInâ€" the people you know, and the people those people know â€" to help you connect to the person (or people) who are in a position to offer you a job. Get located by employers and recruiters who use LinkedIn to locate potential matches for open positions or vet job candidates. This practice is becoming more and more common. To be effective on this networking site: Ensure your profile is fully completed and positions you strongly. Remember that a lot of people will have access to your information; content must support your value and your brand. Engage with the site regularly; don’t just “set it and forget it” hoping results will generate on their own. You need to initiate things! Overall, the ability to identify, research, contact, follow-up, engage, and maintain your contacts in one place is the power of LinkedIn. Its ability to facilitate business networking is unmatched by any other social network. Essentially, your LinkedIn profile is a resume, business card, and elevator speech all rolled up into one.

Buy or Rent How to Handle Equipment for Your Small Business

Buy or Rent How to Handle Equipment for Your Small Business Some businesses find that they need the use of industrial or heavy equipment to get the job done. However, the equipment in question may only be needed on occasion. For example: A small construction contractor may only need to rent a Bobcat for a couple of days, or an office complex needs to reach burned out bulbs in a high ceiling but doesnt want to buy a scissor lift. Its a judgment call whether to buy or rent, and sometimes renting wins out. Following are some of the ways a small business can handle the buy or rent decision. Difficulties of Making the Decision Some businesses find that they need a piece of heavy equipment on an infrequent basis while others need it for a longer period of time but not the entire year. There is something to be said about having a piece of equipment on hand whenever its needed instead of dealing with the downtime of sending someone to get it or have it delivered. Owning is a time saver and a convenience. But the carrying costs that come with ownership may not be worth it. On one hand, the business has the benefit of owning a piece of equipment that it can resell later, but it will also have to find the money to buy the equipment in the first place. Furthermore, the equipment may soon be outdated if it has technology that doesnt age well. A business needs to weigh the pros and cons of buying versus renting a particular piece of equipment for its operation. Buying or Renting Vital Equipment Some pieces of equipment, such as a scissor lift, are needed regularly to get a job done, such as putting lightbulbs in a high ceiling or getting drywall installed in hard to reach areas. However, these jobs tend to come at the end of a project and keeping something like a scissor lift waiting around for a few months incurs carrying costs. A piece of equipment that doesnt do anything to help generate income becomes a money sink if it was bought with a loan. Making payments on idle equipment doesnt do much to benefit the business. This is a case for renting for a short period instead of keeping the equipment around. Tax Benefits of Renting or Buying A business gets a tax deduction on its income regardless of if the equipment was bought or leased. The payments that went toward the leasing of the equipment can be taken as a business expense and reduce the final amount of taxable income. A similar advantage is offered for those who decide to buy with the added advantage of depreciation over time. Fully deducting the cost of purchase all at once is also possible. These are some of the considerations that a business has to put into the decision-making process. The one advantage of renting is that theres always the option to buy the equipment at a later date. Weigh the options carefully, and go with the one that makes the most sense. . Image credit.

Professional Resume Writing Services in Philadelphia

Professional Resume Writing Services in PhiladelphiaProfessional resume writing services are readily available all over the country. To meet the demands of the job market, many of these companies have opened their offices in major metros of the country. Hiring professionals to develop your resume is a brilliant idea that can help you land the best job in your field. Once you are hired, it will be wise to follow the advice of the professional, especially if you have a lot of work ahead of you.Professional resume writers in Philadelphia are in high demand, as this city offers a number of opportunities for work and career advancement. The salaries in the country can be among the highest in the world. With so many jobs available, there are thousands of people looking for ways to make more money. When considering work from home opportunities, Philadelphia is one of the most desirable cities to consider.Career growth is still growing at a very fast pace. People today look for the best job in the best field possible. There are plenty of excellent careers in the area of medical billing, administrative assistants, technical support specialists, financial services personnel, paralegals, data entry clerks, telecommunications technicians, and many other professional openings.Anyone who can find a way to fill a position at one of these companies can expect to be employed full time within no time. A lot of them even offer good benefits that cover health care and retirement.The best part about working in the medical field is that you can get to choose the perfect career choice. You have the flexibility to set your own hours and pick a location where you wish to work. Medical billing and coding careers are expanding everyday as more Americans want to find better paying jobs. With the right skills, this profession can be a lifetime choice.There are many people in the federal government who also prefer to work in this field. Their pay is very good as well. They enjoy a flexible schedule with the ability to work from home. Many are making careers change to this industry to help themselves and the economy.Finding out how to write a professional resume online is easy. Just log on to the web and make the purchase necessary to create your own. This can help you save money since all you have to do is spend a few hours each week in order to produce a top notch resume. Although not every person can afford to hire professionals to draft their resume, those who can find a way to work with a company to produce a stellar resume are highly recommended.A great career opportunity can be found in the city of Philadelphia. This area is home to several medical billing and coding companies. Medical billing and coding are a perfect profession for those who have plenty of education and have the desire to learn more.

Content Marketing For B2B A Blueprint For Success

Content Marketing For B2B A Blueprint For Success In many ways B2B marketing differs very little from B2C. the differences are subtle but they are many, and they can make a big difference. Both rely heavily on content marketing. We all know that content marketing has a wide range of benefits. It offers users something for nothing and can play a healthy role in maximizing online conversion rates. It can help to establish your brand as a leader and an authority. It can provide a great platform for your insights, ideas, thoughts and reflections to show both loyal customers and brand new prospects that you are the real deal. Moreover it can lend your brand a voice, imbuing it with character, personality and an idiosyncratic charm that distances you from your competitors. A combination of white papers, free ebooks, videos,and of course blog posts is the backbone of a potent content marketing strategy. However, when blogging for B2B a very specific mode of communication is required. Knowing your target audience Like any content marketeer, it behoves you to create a workable profile of your target market. Whose eyes do you want to fall upon your content? Most likely you’ll be targeting CEOs or other senior management figures; key decision makers who will make the decision whether to rely on your services or cross the road to your competitors’. These people will likely have numerous demands upon their free time and attention and it’s up to you to tailor your approach to your content accordingly Keep it short, sharp and to the point Writing with brevity is extremely important in the world of B2B content marketing. Don’t forget that the kind of influential decision makers you’ll be targeting will have a great deal of varying demands upon their free time and attention. They will likely consume content in short bursts on their lunch break, on public transport or even while in the bathroom. As such, your content needs to be direct, short, sharp and to the point; saying a lot in a short space of time and delivering value without having to wade through thousands of words’ worth of content. Since it’s more than likely that your content will be consumed on a mobile device (key decision makers seldom stay still) it goes without saying that your site and your content must be highly responsive for seamless mobile use. Video content is ideal for these kinds of users but written content can still be effective. Just make sure that it is written authoritatively and with both clarity and brevity. Substance over style If you love blogging because it offers you freedom of expression and an opportunity to indulge your creative side, prepare to be disappointed. You’re unlikely to get to flex your penchant for artful prose when writing for B2B clients. Indeed, when it comes to this particular brand of content marketing, substance beats style every time. By all means make your content accessible and enjoyable to read but you must eschew the kind of fluffy marketing speak that’s such a common component of B2C content. Every post, video and white paper must offer something of value to your clientele. If you can’t do this on your own, that’s absolutely fine, but outsource to the kinds of low cost-low quality content farms that lesser blogs use to boost their SEO at your peril. Instead, opt for a business that offers Internet Marketing Services to organizations like yours and has a proven track record of B2B success. Whether you choose to outsource or not, your content must speak to users in a prof essional capacity and offer them not only a reason to keep coming back to your website but a reminder that their needs are in the best possible hands when they use your products and / or services. Which brings us to Present them with a problem they regularly… and talk them through solving it Just because users access your content in their sparse down time doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re reading for fun. They’re looking for inspiration and solutions to the kinds of business quandaries that they face every day. Thus, if you’re ever stuck for ideas for valuable content, simply put yourself in their position. Come up with a scenario that a large proportion of your clientele will face and guide them through how you will solve it. This will further establish your knowledge and expertise while building value for the user and reinforcing the faith that you have built in your brand. B2B content marketing is an exact science but once it’s mastered it can unlock a new era of success in all of your business endeavors!

Summary Sunday Whats New and Next In Job Search

Summary Sunday Whats New and Next In Job Search If you are actively job searching, you owe it to yourself to learn whats new and next in job search. Take your job search and career to the next level by learning whats new and next. This weeks summary shows you have to create a more engaging pitch, assess company culture, develop your Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability Quotient, and even learn about blockchain technology But, it doesnt stop there. Learn about some of the hottest skills and trends impacting the workplace today and in the future. Consider this your insider information and use it to get a head start!   Try some of these tips to set yourself apart. PITCH How to sell yourself in 30 seconds and leave people wanting more by   Shana Lebowitz | Business Insider UK Dorie Clark suggests flipping your pitch to be more engaging by  using these 5 tricks! INTERVIEWING To Ace Your Job Interview, Get into Character and Rehearse by Cathy Salit | Harvard Business Review The job interview is one of the most important performances of your career. Learn how to be better during the interview by stepping into your future role. When You Start a New Job, Pay Attention to These 5 Aspects of Company Culture by Allan H. Church and Jay A. Conger Actually, the best times to assess the company culture are BEFORE and DURING the interview. Learning the lay of the land and company culture is very important when starting a new job too! HOT SKILLS TRENDS Why Every Job Seeker Needs to Get a Blockchain Job by Jacob Share | JobMob Blockchain-related job listings increased 631% from November 2015 until December 2017 and 20o% from then until now!   This article caught my eye and I hope you read it too! Consider this your introduction to blockchain! How To Improve Emotional Intelligence? by Darius Foroux | Medium As the title suggests, this is a very action-oriented article on what you can do to up your EQ. Screw Emotional Intelligenceâ€"Here’s The Key To The Future Of Work by Natalie Fratto | Fast Company Just when you thought you were beginning to understand EQ, there enters a new quality AQ (Adaptability Quotient). Learn why this is actually becoming THE most important quality to determine your success. 4 Trending Workplace Topics from SIOP 2018 by Mengqiao Liu, Ph.D., and Don Lustenberger | DDI What were the hot topics addressed at the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Annual Conference? See the latest advances in science and how they are applied in the workplace. No, robots arent taking your job but these things will impact it. ALSO PUBLISHED Acquiring Professional Skills Can Make You a More Attractive Employee See what skills are in demand and how you can acquire new skills.