The manufacturing sector is growing — approximately 264,000 manufacturing jobs were added in the United States in 2018, and the U.S. manufacturing market shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Meanwhile, individuals who want to advance their manufacturing careers now require both hard and soft skills.
Hard skills refer to those related to specific knowledge or abilities needed to perform a job. For instance, Six Sigma and lean manufacturing skills often help manufacturing workers eliminate waste during production processes. Or, fabrication and welding skills may be necessary so manufacturing employees can perform myriad everyday tasks to the best of their ability.
Whereas manufacturing hard skills can usually be obtained via education and training, soft skills can be difficult to acquire. Soft skills include communication and social skills that empower manufacturing employees to thrive in any work environment, at any time. Some of the essential soft skills you need to advance your manufacturing career include:
1. Critical Thinking
There is no telling when a manufacturing problem will arise — but regardless of when an issue occurs, you need to be ready to respond. Fortunately, if you know how to think critically in the face of adversity, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any manufacturing challenges that come your way.
Today’s manufacturers want employees who won’t shy away from problems. Thus, if you are willing to troubleshoot problems and work diligently to resolve them, you could stand out from other job seekers in the manufacturing sector.
2. Attention to Detail
Manufacturing is a detail-oriented industry, and you need to know the ins and outs of various heavy machinery. If you devote time and resources to learn how different machines work, you could put yourself in a position to succeed in the manufacturing sector.
Pay attention to details as you perform different manufacturing tasks, too. And remember, each manufacturing task provides a learning opportunity — so make the most of it by focusing on the details and gaining the knowledge you need to perform the task correctly.
3. Dependability
No manufacturer wants to hire an employee who does not show up for work on time or fails to complete tasks as intended. Instead, manufacturers prioritize dependability — and if you show manufacturers that you are reliable and hardworking, you could get noticed by many potential employers.
Generally, it helps to arrive to work early and stay late whenever necessary, especially if you’re in the manufacturing space. You can also ask your supervisors and peers if they need assistance and offer to take work off of their plates. In doing so, you can distinguish yourself as a dependable employee who every manufacturer wants on staff.
Build a Successful Career in Manufacturing with Techneeds
At Techneeds, we help job seekers develop hard and soft skills and explore career opportunities in the manufacturing sector and other markets. We learn about a job seeker and offer recommendations and guidance so he or she can discover the right career opportunity. To learn more, please call us today at 800-346-8810.