“Non-Manufacturing” Skills Industrial Employers Look For In Potential Employees

manufacturing employee in warehouse

In the manufacturing and logistics industry, it’s no secret that you need proper training, certification, and education for certain skilled positions.

Yet in addition to these necessary skills, there are other qualities hiring managers look for in an employee when it comes to building their team.

Include These Skills On Your Resume

If you’re applying for a manufacturing, logistics, or warehouse job, or a higher level skilled manufacturing role, be sure to highlight these important soft skills on your resume and interview.

Attention To Detail

Many manufacturing and logistics positions require speed and precision. To be efficient and safe, you must stay focused and pay attention to detail.

Some manufacturing jobs require you to work with heavy machinery. A lack of focus when operating these types of machines can be very dangerous when misused — for you and your teammates.

Concentration is essential. If you’re picking or packing certain items, you’ll need to be mindful of label numbers, SKUs, codes, quantities, and more.

Employers look for candidates who can follow complex instructions and be consistently thorough with each assigned task.

Reliability/Good Work Ethic

Regardless of you work experience or industry, reliability is a crucial skill that is highly sought after among every employer.

Employee reliability looks like this:

  • Showing up as scheduled
  • Starting your shift on time, every time
  • Not calling off work at the last minute (unless it’s an emergency)
  • Communicating with your manager of any upcoming scheduling conflicts
  • Not abusing break times by extending longer than permitted
  • Being productive and working with integrity and honesty

Showing how you demonstrate these actions will be music to a hiring manager’s ears.

Works Well With a Team

Being a team player is a positive quality in any field, especially manufacturing and logistics. The most efficient and productive teams are successful because they work well together in any team dynamic.

Poor teamwork lowers employee morale, job satisfaction, and ultimately production.

Share what teamwork means to you, and what kind of co-worker your team can expect you to be. Discuss how you best communicate, problem-solve, and support your team.

And because many manufacturing positions require cross-training, be open to learning new things and jumping in wherever you can.

Tech-Savvy

As the manufacturing industry grows and evolves, so does the presence of manufacturing technology.

The World Economic Forum states that 44% of workers’ core skills are expected to change in the next five years due to rapid technological advancements.

Candidates who are familiar with the ever-changing manufacturing processes, software, and machinery are (and will continue to be) in demand.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a natural “techie”, your attitude and willingness to learn new things will make a world of difference to a potential employer.

Manufacturing & Logistics Career Resources

If you’re just starting out in manufacturing or are a seasoned employee, these skills are classic and will never be outdated. It will surely help you stand out from the rest.

For more manufacturing and logistics resources, check out these employee insights.

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Great Pay. Great Work. Great Benefits.

Choose from a variety of jobs near you, most with shifts and pay rates that work with your lifestyle. We’re a leading manufacturing and logistics employment agency that is hiring for the following jobs: warehouse workers, production workers, machine operators, general laborers, and forklift drivers.

Great Pay. Great Work. Great Benefits.

Choose from a variety of jobs near you, most with shifts and pay rates that work with your lifestyle. We’re a leading manufacturing & logistics employment agency that is hiring for the following jobs: warehouse workers, production workers, machine operators, general laborers, and forklift drivers.