10 ways to land that dream job in the Supply Chain & Logistics Industry
The global supply chain market is valued at approximately $15.85 billion — and it’s expected to grow by 11.2 percent in the next four years.
We all know how crucial global supply chain management is (how else are we supposed to get our packages on time?). If you’re looking for a well-paid, fulfilling, and in-demand job, you can’t go wrong with a career in the supply chain and logistics industry.
Not sure which jobs are available to you or how to land them? This blog is for you.
Below, you’ll learn essential tips for searching, applying, and interviewing for your dream job.
Supply Chain & Logistics Jobs
Various jobs fall under the supply chain and logistics umbrella. The following are some of the most well-known options you might consider:
- Business Analyst: Business analysts evaluate data and collection methods to predict and improve a company’s product delivery and customer service.
- Logistics Analyst: Logistics analysts analyze supply chain processes and make recommendations to increase efficiency.
- Distribution Specialist: Distribution specialists coordinate shipments and develop solutions to improve supply chain processes.
- Import/Export Specialist: Export-import specialists plan and coordinate business transactions that involve importing or exporting goods to or from other countries.
- Inventory Specialist: Inventory specialists keep track of a company’s inventory input and output, maintain detailed records, and monitor transportation.
- Project Manager: Project managers execute and manage assignments related to supply chain execution.
- Purchasing, Commodity, and Sourcing Specialist: Purchasing, commodity, and sourcing specialists create strategies to bring products from regional and global markets and establish supplier bases for their employers.
- Planner/Scheduler: Planners and schedulers oversee and organize information to increase their employer’s project efficiency.
- Transportation Planner: Transportation planners study, analyze, and organize transportation projects.
- Quality Systems Auditor: Quality systems auditors conduct audit checks to ensure adherence to various regulatory policies and guidelines.
As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities in this industry — and plenty of companies looking to hire supply chain and logistics talent.
How to Find Companies Hiring in the Supply Chain & Logistics Industry
There are numerous job opportunities in the supply chain and logistics industry. However, it can be tricky to find openings if you aren’t sure where to look.
Here are some fool-proof tips that can help you find a supply chain job as quickly as possible:
Use the Right Job Search Terms
It’s much easier to find job listings that align with your skills, education, interests, and career goals if you use the correct search terms. Job search databases feature thousands of listings, and if you don’t use the appropriate keywords, you may have difficulty discovering the best matches.
Make sure your search terms aren’t too broad. For example, if you type in “supply chain jobs” or “supply chain and logistics jobs near me,” you’ll be met with a deluge of results — many of which might not be relevant to you.
Here are some questions you might want to answer when deciding on search terms:
- What kind of job do I want? Supply chain project manager? Business analyst?
- Where do I want to work? Do you want to work remotely or in a specific city? How many miles away are you willing to travel?
- Do you want to work full-time or part-time? Would you prefer an employee position with a set salary and benefits, or would you rather work as an independent contractor?
- Do you want to work for a specific company?
Once you know the answers to these questions, you can type in relevant search terms. Remember to experiment with different keywords, and don’t be afraid to eliminate or change words if your search isn’t pulling up any results.
Promote Yourself on Social Media
Let your friends, family, and other social media followers know you’re looking for work.
Posting on social media and announcing that you want to find a supply chain job will help you learn about openings you might not have known about otherwise. You should also update your LinkedIn profile to show that you’re seeking a new career in the supply chain and logistics industry.
Expand Your Professional Network
Networking helps you get to know others in your field — or the field you wish to join. The more people you know, the easier it is to learn about job opportunities and increase your chances of getting hired.
For example, say you know someone whose company is hiring a transportation planner, and they know you’re looking for that type of job. They can refer you to their employer. Having an existing employee vouch for you may give you a competitive advantage over other applicants.
Want to learn more about Networking? Watch: The Value of Networking
Work with a Supply Chain & Logistics Staffing Agency
You can also increase your chances of finding a good job and getting hired by partnering with a staffing agency.
Staffing agencies are dedicated to pairing job seekers with businesses. They will assess your resume and skills and then connect you with employers who could benefit from hiring an employee like you.
The key to getting hired fast is finding a staffing agency specializing in supply chain and logistics jobs. This type of agency will likely have existing connections with companies in the industry and can connect you with a potential employer sooner.
Meador Staffing Services is specialized in finding your dream Supply Chain & Logistics Job! All you have to do is search for your job.
Want to Prepare for your Process with Meador? Read What to Expect When You Apply to have an excellent application process.
How to Apply for Supply Chain & Logistics Jobs
You’ve found some job ads that look promising to you. Now what?
After you have a list of potential jobs, it’s time to start applying. These tips can help you improve your resume and increase your chances of landing an interview:
Read the Job Ad Carefully
Start by reading each job ad carefully. Pay attention to the job title, the position type (full-time, part-time, etc.), and the experience requirements.
You don’t necessarily need to check every single box listed on the job ad, but you should have relevant education, experience, etc. Make sure the job seems like a good fit before you spend time applying.
If you think a position might be a good match, but you’re not sure, do some research on the job title. Learn what a quality systems auditor or a distribution specialist does to determine if you’re the best person for the job.
Adapt Your Resume Accordingly
Once you’ve found a job worth applying for, make some updates to your resume or CV so that it adequately reflects the position. For example, you might need to reword your list of skills to include the terms listed in the job ad.
When you mimic the language of the job ad, you show the hiring manager that you read the ad carefully and have an eye for detail — both of which can help you stand out from other candidates.
Research the Company
In addition to researching the position, it helps to analyze the company as well.
Find out what products or services the company sells, how long they’ve been in business, who their target clients are, etc. Use this information to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job and your potential new employer.
Similar to mimicking the language of the job ad, including relevant information about the company in your application materials shows that you’re detail-oriented and willing to go the extra mile.
Research Top Employees
If possible, try to find out who the top employees are at the company. Pay special attention to department heads, HR representatives, and others who might interview you or contact you during the application process.
If you know their names and positions, look them up on sites like LinkedIn and learn about their career, previous experiences, etc. You can then use this information as an icebreaker during the interview.
Ask an Expert to Review Your Resume
Before you submit your resume, cover letter, and other application documents, ask a professional from the staffing agency to review them.
A professional can alert you to any errors or issues with your application and help you fix them before submitting. They can also offer suggestions to help you stand out from other applicants.
Interview Tips for Supply Chain & Logistics Jobs
Congratulations, you received a call from a hiring manager to schedule an interview!
How do you put your best foot forward and make a great impression? The following tips can help:
Look Up Common Interview Questions
Start by researching frequently asked questions.
Plan answers to some general questions about your career history, your education, or your reason for leaving your last job.
You should also consider your answers to more specific questions about your experience in the supply chain industry, what particular terms mean, or how you would handle typical supply chain-related challenges.
Arrange a Mock Interview
In addition to preparing answers to frequently asked questions, consider sitting down for a mock interview with a professional from a staffing agency.
A mock interview can help you feel more confident and practice your delivery before the big day. It also gives you a chance to get valuable feedback on your appearance, demeanor, and responses.
Prioritize Your Answer Delivery
Sometimes, how you answer a question matters more than the specifics of the answer.
For example, two people could give very similar answers to a question. However, if one of those people is confident and speaks clearly when answering, and the other seems uncertain, the first person will be more likely to stand out to the interviewer.
To ensure you’re answering questions professionally and eloquently, share your responses out loud. Whether you meet with a staffing agent or record your answers and listen back to them, this will help you feel more confident when interview day arrives.
Brainstorm Thoughtful Questions
If you’ve ever attended a job interview before, you know that you’ll likely be asked if you have any questions at the end of the discussion.
Don’t say no to this question! Asking questions shows that you’re genuinely interested in the job.
Think of a few thoughtful questions to ask when the opportunity arises. For example, you might ask questions about the job, your predecessors and what made them successful, or how they would describe the culture of the company.
Arrive Early
When the interview day arrives, be sure to show up early.
Give yourself plenty of time to drive to the company, find a parking spot, locate the office, etc. Arriving early shows that you’re reliable and care enough about the job to plan accordingly.
If the interview takes place virtually, you should still make sure you’re sitting in a quiet room with your computer on, ready to join the meeting at the designated time. Double-check your internet connection, video quality, and sound quality before the interview, too.
Follow Up
After the interview, send a follow-up message.
Thank the interviewer and let them know that you appreciate their time. Remind them that you’re eager to contribute to the company and carry out the responsibilities of the job.
Ask for Feedback
Let’s say you don’t get the job. Don’t let that deter you from applying for additional positions.
If you find out you weren’t hired, ask for feedback on your interview.
Find out what held you back so you can make changes before your next interview. Was another candidate more experienced, or did they seem like a better culture fit?
Treat this rejection as a learning experience and use it to improve in the future.
Land Your Dream Job with Meador Staffing
Whether you want to land an entry-level job or a more advanced position, you have plenty of options in the supply chain and logistics industry. Follow the guidelines discussed above so you can identify and apply for the best job opportunities and nail the interview.
One of the most effective ways to streamline your job search and find a good match is to work with a reputable staffing company.
If you need to find a staffing company in Houston, don’t just search “staffing company near me” and hope for a good match. Reach out to us at Meador Staffing instead.
We’re dedicated to making the right match and can connect you to employment opportunities in Houston and across the nation.
Start searching for supply chain and logistics jobs today.