4 steps to get a job in SCM
There are lots and lots of supply chain jobs available these days. According to many industry experts, the need for specialists in this field will grow over the next years.
And yet, when I speak with young supply chainers, many are struggling to get a job. There is obviously a gap. I know how to help you bridge it.
Step 1: Choosing the right job
Most people will advise to send as many applications as possible, following the approach "if you throw enough mud, something will stick".
I strongly disagree with this approach and here is why: if you send applications to all sorts of job openings, you're obviously not focused enough in your search. If you'd like to be a supply planner, a logistics expert, a forecast analyst, an SCM controller, and a SC project manager, then you're not focused enough.
And this shows in your application. You can't be a jack of all trades, so being clear with what you're really looking for saves you from useless hours of sending many applications. And you probably already found out the hard way that many companies don't even react, or they reject you.
Each rejection hurts. It pulls you down. It lets you wonder if you even chose the right field. Why won't anyone give you a chance? How long will it take until you get a job? Why did some of your colleagues already get a job, but you're still desperately looking?
This is a dangerous downward spiral.
You can avoid this by sending only a few applications.
For these however, you need to invest time and effort.
Now let's make sure that the applications you write bring you interview invitations.
Step 2: Creating a great application
So you've drilled down your search efforts and you found a few really promising job ads. Now it's time to do the research: find out more about the company. Find out what this type of job encompasses and which skills it requires. Write a cover letter that relates to the specific job. Link what is required to why you'd be great at it.
Pro tip (normally I only share this one in my online course):
Pull out a recent cover letter you've sent out. Search for the name of the company you're applying to. If you didn't even have it in there? ADD IT! Or else it's obvious that you're sending out a generic letter. I know, it's tempting and efficient to recycle cover letters. But it's not effective because it won't convince anybody.
If you did find the company name in your letter, then replace it with a different company name. Does the rest of the letter still make perfect sense? Then you weren't specific enough and you'd better rework it.
If you replaced it and you realize that you need to change a few points to make it fit to another company, then congratulations, you just started your routine of creating very specific applications and now that you start sending these, you'll notice the difference very quickly.
Of course, don't forget to pimp your LinkedIn profile beforehand as well. The first thing HR reps or your future manager will do after reviewing your application is have a look at your online presence. If all they find of you is party pictures and posts about what you think about covid vaccinations, you're missing out on a great opportunity to present yourself in a professional manner.
Step 3: Convincing the employer
So now that your applications are bringing you invites to interviews, you need to get ready for the next challenge: convincing people at the interview.
There is a lot to say about this subject and very often you'll find generic tips online. A key is to give solid answers to the questions the employer asks. I put together a list of 25 SCM-specific job interview questions in my online course. There is no "one size fits all" answer to each of them, but if you are preparing for an interview with a certain company and you go through the list, you can figure out which answers make sense.
Example: which challenges occur in the logistics of a computer company vs. of a company selling fresh milk?
领英推荐
Think of the obsolescence of electronics, the risk of theft, the long supply chains from the typical productions sites in Asia to the consumer markets on other continents,...
Now think of the shelf life of milk, the need to keep the products cool throughout the entire supply chain, the impact of low shelf price on the transport radius,...
Step 4: The first months on the job
It might feel like a final step, but it's really just the beginning of the ride. How do you act after getting the job?
The key is to stay open to learn. You can learn on the job (basically from your day to day work), from mentorships (within or outside of your company), or from formalized trainings (either arranged by your employer or by yourself).
Also be sure to network with people. This should go beyond your direct colleagues. Reach out to people from other departments and go for lunch with them from time to time (or have a virtual coffee if you're not in the same location). Also see with whom you'd like to connect outside of the company - where can you meet interesting people from whom you can learn useful things? Hint: on which site are you reading this here? ??
You never know when the connections you build might pay off and bring you an opportunity. So start building your network before you need it. Your future self will thank you for being so smart.
The best time to plant a tree was 40 years ago. The second best time is today.
- Chinese proverb
I can confirm that during my 8 years of corporate supply chain jobs, having strong connections with people was what helped me have the steep career I had. Supply chain is as much about people as it is about numbers.
And you're certainly eager to get a job in SCM and prove that you've got what it takes.
Conclusion
It really boils down to this: You want a job in supply chain. Employers are looking for people to fill vacant SCM positions. You're only a few clever moves away from getting the job! All it takes is some smart work and it will pay off quickly!
Here is the free preview of my Supply Chain Interview Coaching:
About the author
I am a Career Coach who supports supply chain professionals in the first years of their career.
In my online coaching programs, you benefit from my years of experience in corporate supply chain combined with my passion to support people in their growth.
Do you want to reach your next career step? Then drop me a line on LinkedIn and let's talk!