by Richard C. Wilson on May 7, 2013
We all have times in our careers when we lose interest – lose momentum. If you have found that you have lost your commitment to your supply chain management career and are interested in recommitting yourself, here are some tips to help you get refocused and recommitted to your career.
- Remember what you loved about your career and focus on that aspect. What attracted to you to your career? Think about what you love about your job in supply chain management and then focus on that aspect for a while to help you re-ignite your love for your career.
- Read. A great way to get engaged in your supply chain management career is to read up on the latest news and developments within the supply chain management field. Read journals, books, and magazine to help you get excited about your career again.
- Network. Sometime you need to meet some new supply chain management professionals to help you feel engaged and interested in your career again. Join a professional organization, get involved in discussion groups and forums online, and network in your community and online to become more active in the supply chain management field.
- Find a mentor. If you don’t have a mentor, get one. You will find that having someone to talk with that has worked in the field longer, or has moved up into a job that you are interested in within the supply chain management field, can help you get excited about your career again and have you engaged in your career development in no time.
It is easy to get into a rut. Every supply chain management professional is likely to come to a time in their career where they are not feeling committed and engaged. If that is where you are, just doing a few things to get you excited again about your supply chain management career can be the best thing you can do for yourself and your future in supply chain management.
by Richard C. Wilson on April 29, 2013
Getting through the job application and interview can seem like the daunting part of your job hunt, but once you have received the supply chain management job offer, you still have some work to do. Though you have prepared for your job interview and you have finally been offered the job, you need to make sure you finalize the process and make your decision to accept the job only after you have received the answers to all your questions. You don’t want to accept a job that you truly don’t understand.
Here are some questions you will want to ask once you have received a job offer (though some may be asked before, some are much more appropriate for AFTER receiving the supply chain management job offer).
- What are the principal job responsibilities? This is a question that can be asked during the interview stage usually; however, if you did not get the details in the job interview, you will want to be clear on this aspect before formally accepting the job offer. Understanding exactly what the job entails is vital to success.
- Why is this position open? You can ask this question during the interview stage as well. In fact, you may seem like you are just curious or “gossipy” if you ask after you have been offered the job. You want to know if it’s a new position, if the vacancy is available because the person was promoted up, or whether the last person quit. This can help you understand the climate of the job for which you are interviewing.
- What are the chances and opportunities for raises and promotions? This is a question best left for after you have received a job offer. During the salary negotiations stage is the best time to discuss this. As a supply chain management professional, you will want to understand your advancement opportunities, just make sure you are tactful in how you approach the subject.
- What are the time-off benefits? This is definitely a question for after you have received a supply chain management job offer. You will also want to consider whether it’s important and/or pertinent to ask before accepting the job. If it’s important to you because you need a specific amount of time off or have a pre-planned vacation that you are concerned about, be tactful and honest about why you are asking.
You may have some other specific job questions; however, make sure, when asking, you do not sound needy or entitled. If you really want the supply chain management job, ask only the questions that are necessary for you to make your final decision and then make your informed decision.
