Production workers, also known as factory workers, are involved in manufacturing goods and warehouse distribution. Oftentimes, in production and distribution warehouses, work can be physically strenuous and wages typically lean toward the lower end of the pay scale. Turnover in these positions is common and the cost associated with recruitment and training can be a burden that effects the entire company. To avoid the revolving door syndrome, job skills need to be clearly communicated to potential employees and pay rates should be competitive. You can always expect some turnover, but following due diligence during the recruitment process can help yield quality workers that are more likely to stick around for years, rather than months.

Quality production workers need to have good practical skills, work quickly and accurately, and work well among a team. They will also need the ability to concentrate over long periods, take instruction well, and most commonly, they need to have accurate language and math skills. Production work usually requires working as a team under the supervision of a shift leader, carrying out several tasks within the same shift. Efficiency and time management are key qualities to look for in a candidate. Job demands may include full-time or part-time work, covering a variety of shifts, including days, nights and weekends, often with overtime available. Therefore, flexibility is also a key quality to look for.

Now that we’ve identified the skills needed to be successful in production jobs, here are some interview tips on how to find and identify the right candidates for your open positions?

Finding Candidates

There are two key ways to find qualified applicants in order to fill industrial positions with better candidate matches; employee referrals and the use of an industry focused staffing agency.

Industry focused staffing agencies can help sort through an abundance of candidates, weeding out unqualified applicants. Automation Personnel Services strives to learn firsthand our client’s needs and we aim to understand the atmosphere of each position so that we can select the right candidates and better prepare their expectations for the position.

Also, we encourage employees to refer a friend whenever possible. Not only are you likely to find a quality applicant who has already been made aware of the demands of the job, but the employee who made the referral feels as if they’ve made a valuable contribution to the company. A referred employee of Automation shared his experience by saying,

“I appreciated the insight into the company culture and work environment, it made the interview process more relaxing and let me know what to expect during those discussions.” – Mark

While we are aware that there is NO way to predict how well an employee will perform over time based on an interview, applicants often reveal much about their work ethic and their motivation for employment within the industry based on the answers they provide to tactfully constructed interview questions.

Applicant Screening

While drug tests, background checks, and resumes cover the basics of finding talent, the types of questions asked during an interview are essential to finding the right employee. When conducting interviews, focus attention on the applicants character traits and personal attributes. It is just as important for an applicant with knowledge and skills to also have integrity and a willingness to take direction. Focus your questions on determining “What is their behavioral style? and What is their motivation and approach to the job and to challenges in general?”

We all know that placement of an employee in a position for which they are not suited results in challenges for everyone from our hiring managers to our clients to the employee him or herself. Automation Personnel Services, Inc. screens candidates to determine their ability to stay focused, motivated and displays the potential to be a long term employee. Our job at is to preselect the candidates with the skills and natural talents that are the best fit for our client’s needs and then match them to an appropriate job that allows them to grow and our clients to succeed. Contact your local Automation Personnel Services branch to speak with a representative about how we can further serve your industrial and manufacturing employment needs.