How to Step from Temp-to-Perm in a Timely Manner
Nearly 3 million people are currently employed in temporary jobs and that number, according to the American Staffing Association, is expected to rise more than 15% over the next three years. It has also been reported that two in five employers expect to hire temporary workers this year. Temporary jobs were once considered stepping stones to permanent work, but even in today’s employees’ market, it is a great solution to audition opportunities and advance one’s experience and learning. However, what if you are already employed in a fabulous temporary job and would like to be hired permanently? What steps might…
A Work-Life Balance Perspective
According to Wikipedia, the work-leisure dichotomy dates to the mid-1800s, coined by anthropologists to define happiness. It evolved into a dynamic phrase in the U.S. around 1986 and is often debated today, so much so that it becomes a personal conflict as employees struggle to define the boundaries between work and non-work. Discounting personal ambition or the advent of new technologies (which are nearly impossible to unplug from), the National Life Insurance Company found nearly 50% of its survey respondents found their jobs “very” or “extremely stressful.” In that vein, it seems that work/life balance is not so much about…
Do You Need to Adjust Your Attitude to Be a Team Player?
Before you commit to anything, do you have an attitude of “What’s in it for me (WIIFM)? Do you look at the world almost as though “it” owes you something for existing, let alone contributing? This attitude becomes particularly difficult when you are seeking a job, as most every position in every company values team players. Dare we remind you of the cliché, “there is no ‘I’ in team? The word “team” is often used as a synonym for “teamwork.” While many operations in precision manufacturing do not operate with teams, they practice teamwork. That is, one person’s job affects…
Think LinkedIn When Looking for a Job in Precision Manufacturing? You Should.
Assembler? Quality Inspector? Toolmaker? If you’re looking for a job in the precision manufacturing industry, do you first turn to social media? Do you think about networking on LinkedIn? Chances are LinkedIn and social media are among the last places you regard as helpful in your job search. But you would be wrong. Yes, it is true enough that many professional jobs are listed on LinkedIn, and that is how LinkedIn got started. Though manufacturing firms may have been slower to hitch to the LinkedIn wagon, they now have a strong presence. Manufacturing companies also compete for needed talent. On…
Preparing for Future Manufacturing Staffing Needs May Be Two-fold
To gain a perspective on blue collar jobs, USA News Today interviewed Mike Rowe, host of “Somebody’s Gotta Do It,” and former host of “Dirty Jobs” as his job requires him to travel the country and speak with the blue collar workforce. As Rowe traveled, he saw “help wanted” signs in every single state and met hundreds of available workers. However, workers were not connecting to available positions because nobody was walking them through the process of how to locate and secure them. “There are 4 million jobs, a very small percentage that require a four-year degree, but most require…
Tips for Networking with Local Manufacturers
By Stephanie Poirier, MPS Technical, Branch Manager The Minnesota and Wisconsin job market has proven to be extremely tight over the past few years with recent unemployment rates at an all-time low of 4.5% in Minnesota and 5.7% in Wisconsin. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) While this seems to be an advantage for candidates looking for work, it can still make it difficult to find a job within manufacturing. Many manufacturing positions are requiring technical skills or degrees and many companies are hesitant to budge on their requirements. This can make the job hunt especially difficult for entry-level candidates or…