You're looking for a job in Lean Manufacturing. How do you find the right fit?

1 Know your strengths

Before you start applying for lean manufacturing jobs, you need to identify your strengths and how they align with the requirements of the role. For example, are you good at problem-solving, data analysis, communication, or teamwork? Do you have any relevant certifications, such as Six Sigma, Kaizen, or 5S? Do you have any experience in applying lean principles or tools in previous projects or jobs? Make a list of your qualifications and achievements that demonstrate your value as a lean practitioner.

2 Research the company

Not all companies that claim to practice lean manufacturing are equally committed or successful in doing so. You want to find a company that has a clear vision, strategy, and culture of lean, and that supports continuous improvement and employee engagement. To research the company, you can look at their website, social media, annual reports, customer reviews, and industry publications. You can also try to network with current or former employees and ask them about their experience and insights.

3 Tailor your resume and cover letter

Once you have a shortlist of potential employers, you need to tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your fit for the specific position and company. Use keywords and phrases that match the job description and the company's values. Emphasize your achievements and results, not just your responsibilities and tasks. Quantify your impact whenever possible, using metrics such as cost savings, quality improvement, cycle time reduction, or customer satisfaction. Show your enthusiasm and passion for lean manufacturing and explain why you want to work for the company.

5 Demonstrate your lean thinking

During the interview, you want to demonstrate your lean thinking and how you can add value to the company. To do this, you should use examples and stories from your previous experience that show how you applied lean principles or tools to solve problems, improve processes, or deliver results. You should also use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and provide specific details and evidence. You should also show your curiosity and willingness to learn by asking relevant and insightful questions about the company's lean journey and culture.

6 Follow up and stay in touch

After the interview, you should send a thank you note to the interviewer and express your interest and appreciation for the opportunity. You should also restate your qualifications and value proposition, and highlight any key points or questions that came up during the interview. You should also follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter after a reasonable period of time, and ask for feedback or updates on the hiring process. You should also keep an eye on the company's website and social media, and look for any news or events that might affect your chances of getting hired.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?