In case you are a student in food science or you are nearing your graduation, chances are you will start to look for employment shortly. Education is much valuable but a big number of food companies require people who are well-versed with production management, quality assurance, and research & development. However, all is not over and if you put into consideration guidelines such as explained here, you can still get a job.
You need to seek for positions that can help you to get started. The great aspect with a big number of food production facilities is that there are plenty of diverse positions and companies see it good to hire from within. All the positions require doing and you may utilize a skill you already possess to get started. If you prove you are a good employee, you can get promoted from a production line post to a quality assurance technician or an R&D position. Do not fear about starting at the bottom as you’ll get started and gain valuable experience.
Make sure you research a potential company. Generally, it is vital to possess some general info regarding a prospective food company such as its offerings and special procedures its production line uses. With such info, you can express your readiness in joining the company to the interviewer hence appealing to them.
You should consider asking a potential food production facility to take you in as an intern. Internships are a good way of obtaining industry experience. You are going to be limited concerning what you can do because you aren’t employed on a full-time basis but don’t get discouraged. You can use this chance to show yourself as a reliable worker, a thing that can lead to you getting a full-time job.
Ensure you consider using connections with professionals and your school. A good way of complementing your resume is with great references. Going a step further can present you with long-term benefits when you’re looking for a referee or recommendation letter. For example, you could ask your meat science lecturer to be a referee when you’re writing an application to work with a meat plant. Moreover, you can attend professional meetings, for example, IFT and discuss with professionals requesting them to be your referees, find out possible chances, and grow professional associations.
You should highlight special professional affiliations, interests, and school projects. If you’re a member of a professional association or group, highlight in your CV, at the interview, or cover letter and say what you do as a member. This will demonstrate your industry passion and that you’re posted on the latest trends.