So, you have finished your education, either in high school or post-secondary trade school or both, and you are ready to find that machine shop meant for you. Many people do not take compatibility into consideration when completing their job search, but they should. This is the same concept as hard skills versus soft skills. You may find the perfect machine in the cleanest shop, but if the atmosphere in the shop is not a fit for you then your motivation for going to work may be impacted, and all you have worked to accomplish can vanish into vapor because your personality conflicts with the people who make up the company where you accepted the offer. Let us talk about the steps you can take to best ensure that your expectations, and the companies you apply too are most compatible.

What are your expectations? Are you rigid in these expectations or are they somewhat flexible? Common expectations would be specific to shift, pay, vacation and benefit offerings, size of the company, and culture of the company. Many times, the culture is forgotten, however, this is an important aspect when finding the right fit for your career. The best way to discover more about the culture is to do some research. Look the company up online and read what they have to say about their mission statement and or overall concept of themselves. Use sites where employees can rate their experience in a company and see if you can discern what is truly an objective review versus a disgruntled former employee. Talk to others in your circle, use your network to find the companies you are considering, and, in that action, you will be starting to make a better match between yourself and the potential employer. Gain a clear understanding of the products the company produces and what machines they use to make those products, you should already know what machines you prefer and knowing what the company has will make your decision to send a resume easier.

The match between employer and employee is well-researched from the employer’s perspective. Companies invest millions in occupational psychology studies to better aid their recruiting departments in finding successful candidates for their positions. If the tradesperson also develops an effective strategy for matching themselves to an employer, the process can be streamlined and in essence more successful overall. Take some time to consider these concepts and consider utilizing a career development professional to assist you. A good fit early in your career will benefit you long term and make a large impact on your overall success. You will spend most of your waking time at your employer during the work week, find the best match.