Choosing a great employee can be difficult, especially in the manufacturing trade where dependability, experience, and work ethic are necessities. Moreover, facilities must also consider how potential hires can adapt to technology-based and assembly-line production as the industry landscape shifts.
Naturally, you want to ensure your team is properly equipped to navigate the floor efficiently and skillfully. For this reason, as managers or business owners, assessing how potential workers will enhance the company is critical.
Here at In-Finite, we understand how one employee can impact overall operations. We’ve compiled 10 essential traits of a good crew member to aid your hiring process.
The Importance of Finding Reliable Hires
The right employees enhance your business as a whole, from maximizing productivity to mitigating potential risks. Strong, motivated team members work together to keep everything running smoothly while fostering camaraderie, positive morale, and passion.
Perhaps most importantly, curating a crew of reliable workers means you can step away from daily operations to focus your attention elsewhere–without worrying about careless or dangerous mistakes. While finding a reputable employee takes time, you’ll find the short and long-term benefits are well worth the effort.
What Makes a Good Manufacturing Employee? 10 Positive Characteristics to Consider
The manufacturing field requires a certain degree of craftsmanship, determination, and industriousness. Without these fundamental characteristics, employees may struggle to fulfill their role responsibilities, ultimately affecting company culture and success.
But, why are these traits so paramount to establishing a thriving business? What else should you look for in prospective candidates?
Using our experience, we’ve provided a list of the top 10 skills every manufacturing worker should possess.
1. Strong Communication
Regardless of the industry, open and honest communication lays the foundation for a well-organized, streamlined organization. Collaborative employees are happy to work through problems and grow together. This characteristic not only boosts team spirit but also helps reduce burnout, job frustration, and misunderstandings.
2. Computer Knowledge
In the modern workplace, general computer literacy is a must. However, this skill is even more essential in manufacturing. Unless you’re still using a tangle file system, most organizational, product tracking, and administrative programs live solely online. Additionally, you likely communicate with suppliers and customers via email.
We recommend assessing every applicant for familiarity with the basics, such as Microsoft Office, Google Workplace, or inventory management software. From there, you can determine if their experience fits the rudimentary criteria for moving forward with onboarding.
3. Critical Thinking Skills
A sharp wit is one of the most valuable qualities of a good worker. An employee who assesses the situation and formulates a solution on the spot can troubleshoot missteps before they turn into substantial problems or emergencies. In the end, you know you can rely on them to effectively handle operations while you’re away.
4. Attention to Detail
Manufacturing is often comprised of intricate processes that mandate meticulousness and a keen eye. A distracted or negligent worker can cost your company thousands, even millions, of dollars in lost products. As a result, you also face the risk of employee injuries and potential legal complications.
Avoid these negative circumstances by hiring candidates who pride themselves in their attentiveness. They will complete jobs to the best of their abilities, prioritizing quality every step of the way.
5. Trustworthiness
Many manufacturing companies are large, employing hundreds or thousands of people. However, dependable and responsible workers ensure the business operates like a well-oiled machine, regardless of facility size. They’ll arrive to work on schedule, follow through on requests, and maintain timeliness. These attributes are unparalleled in this industry.
6. Willingness to Learn
Another characteristic of great employees is a love for knowledge. Those readily willing to learn from you and others are apt to handle the fast-paced manufacturing environment. Better yet, these employees are generally eager to jump into new roles and opportunities where they can explore different skills.
7. Technological Intelligence
The manufacturing industry is constantly evolving. Recent technological advances like AI are revolutionizing production from the ground up. Finding an employee with an interest in these changes can expedite any future transitions from older to new systems.
8. Ambition
Like knowledge-seeking, drive and motivation are key traits of a quality employee. These individuals strive to better themselves by seeking advice, learning from mistakes, and pursuing growth opportunities. Furthermore, ambitious workers are genuinely appreciative of their team members–they want others (and your business) to succeed as much as themselves.
9. Ability to Multitask & Switch Roles
Everyone loves a Jack of all trades. These employees are perfectly capable of filling numerous roles when a team member is on vacation, sick, or a no-show. They can also leverage these skills to train new hires or undertake managerial positions, saving you time and resources in the long run.
10. Positivity
An optimistic attitude enhances the workplace exponentially. An enthusiastic team member aims for the stars, showcasing passion in every assignment. And, as the saying goes, positivity is contagious.
One person can radiate good spirits throughout an entire production floor–pretty soon the whole crew is excited to tackle the day. So, while operations reach new levels of vitality, you can sit back and witness the results of a successful hiring campaign.
Let In-Finite Help You Find the Right Team Members
In-Finite Search Solutions wants to ease the process of finding a reliable employee for your manufacturing facility. Our recruiters have helped thousands of businesses just like yours pinpoint the best candidates for creating a talented team. We’ll ensure you can reach your hiring goals, regardless of your location across the United States.
Ready to get started? Contact us today for more information about our services. We look forward to hearing from you!