3 JOB HUNTING TIPS FOR SUPPLY CHAIN PROFESSIONALS
Job hunting can be a job within itself and in today’s competitive climate, many seekers may find themselves ill equipped for the hunt. Beyond basic tips like being keyword savvy to make it pass human and digital gatekeepers, we have identified the following helpful tips.
- Avoid Functional Resumes
Functional resumes highlight skills and areas of expertise only in terms of past duties performed. They may be useful if you have limited experience or have worked a string of different unrelated jobs. However, supply chain jobs are outcome driven and may require delivery across multiple areas such as cost, responsiveness, security, sustainability, resilience, and innovation (Melnyk. S, 2010).
Therefore, an accomplishment-based resume showcasing metrics or quantifiable details of your performance will improve your chances. Furthermore, it may also help prepare you for a potential case study request. According to Argentus, 2022; a new trend in the supply chain hiring process is hiring teams requesting candidates for a case study detailing how they went about or would go about improving certain processes.
- Professional Associations
The supply chain industry has several associations worldwide. In South Africa we have SAPICS, which is one of the biggest professional bodies for supply chain practitioners in the country. Professional associations provide countless benefits including job opportunities through networking. According to Forbes, many experts suggest that at least 80% of jobs are filled through professional network connections.
Even more surprising are the estimates that up to 70% of jobs may exist in the “hidden job market”. These are jobs that are either posted internally or created specifically for candidates met through networking (apollotechnical.com, 2023). As a soft skill, networking is also considered to be essential for enhancing one’s ability to communicate and manage relationships, both crucial skills for supply chain professionals.
In addition to networking, professional associations also provide access to valuable resources in the form of webinars, newsletters, conferences, education, and training programmes. Such resources may not only be beneficial to professionals already in the industry but also students and graduates looking for guidance and mentorship opportunities
Uncovering Your Authentic Value Proposition (AVP)
In the past, getting hired used to be about what you know (your education and skills), but in today’s world it’s more about who you know (networking) and more importantly, who knows you (your brand). Professional Brand Equity is your Authentic Value Proposition is, in other words, who you really are in person, on paper and online.
It all begins with the value proposition equation in which the qualitative value derived constitutes your differentiator and what deems you a commercially valuable candidate.
Track record x Capability x Character x Potential x Reliability
Cost x Risk (Employer)
Once uncovered, the next step is to use the insights gained to showcase your strengths, mitigate your weaknesses, align with your values, pursue your passions, and ultimately fulfill your purpose. At the intersection your passion, talent, and experience is where your brand resides.
As the job-hunting landscape continues to evolve, it’s important to remember that the goal hasn’t changed; but the tools at your disposal have. For supply chain professionals, that means Highlighting your outcomes and accomplishments. Actively participating in a professional association that can strengthen your continued development. Uncovering your AVP and articulating it to prospective employers. Showcasing your brand!
By Chantal Kading & Kholofelo Mabila
Nyatyowa. L, 2016. 4 Job-hunting Tips From Recruiters in the Supply Chain Industry
Apple. R, 2023. 7 Creative ways to find supply chain talent
https://scmtalent.com/7-creative-ways-find-supply-chain-talent/
Westlake. J, 2020. What the heck is a functional resume, and when should you use one?
https://www.themuse.com/advice/what-is-a-functional-resume-example
Melnyk. S, Davis. E, Spekman. R, and Sandor. J, 2010. Outcome-driven Chains
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/outcome-driven-supply-chains/
Argentus, 2022. Business Case Studies are more popular than ever for job interviews. But are companies going too far?
Supplychainopz.com, 2022. Expert reveals how to land a dream supply chain job.
https://www.supplychainopz.com/2014/10/supply-chain-jobs.html
Ton. J, 2020. Networking: It’s not what you think
Fisher. J, 2019. How to get a job often comes down to one elite personal asset, and many people still don’t realise it
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/27/how-to-get-a-job-often-comes-down-to-one-elite-personal-asset.html