Basic Requirements for Quality Control Jobs
As with most entry-level jobs, you're not going to need to meet a great deal of requirements in order to break into this area. However, you should be aware that the more you can bring to the table, the more likely you are to beat the competition.
Generally, most of what you are going to learn is done on the job. That means you should be prepared for some intensive training in jobs for quality assurance. You can bring some education and experience to your resume and job interview even though you will need to do some training. In fact, showing that you can learn quickly can be a tremendous asset when you are applying for any type of job that is going to require training.
The amount of education you would be required to have for a position will vary depending on what type of industry and quality assurance jobs you are looking for. If more complex evaluation or equipment usage is required for your job, you may find employers will expect postsecondary education. Otherwise, a high school diploma or GED would be sufficient. To give yourself the best chance, you should consider at least pursuing an associate's degree related to quality assurance at a vocational or tech school in your area.
A growing trend with these types of positions is that they are moving away from manual inspection and towards automated inspection. Because of this change, you may want to consider developing a strong background in computers and software. In fact, you may want to check with community colleges about quality management degrees which would better prepare you for these types of jobs.
Regardless of your education, you must be able to demonstrate an ability to pay attention to details. You may be expected to pass examinations in order to qualify for these positions, too. Math, mechanical, and communication skills are also going to be important.
Preparing for the Position
Not only do you need to be prepared in terms of education and basic skills but you should also have a good idea of what will be involved in the position. You don't want to invest too much time and energy pursuing a job that won't make you happy or mesh with your personality.
Be aware that you will most likely be working in a manufacturing facility. Although some people who work in quality assurance may have an office or separate area, many work directly on a shop floor. You may also be required to stand for long periods of time, which can be hard on your body.
In manufacturing, you may face mandatory overtime, especially to meet tight deadlines. You may also be required to do shift work. Most factories have second and/or third shifts in addition to the standard 9-to-5 positions. Because you will be the ''newbie'' in the company, you will most likely be placed on the shift where help is needed. As you gain more seniority, you may be able to move around.
Looking for the Position
If you're still convinced that you would like a job in quality assurance, the first thing you need to know is that competition is going to be stiff. Because of the increasing switch to automated inspection, fewer quality assurance jobs are available. The field is actually expected to see a decline of about 7% by 2016.
Another concern is that most manufacturing companies will search for people to fill their quality control positions from the factory floor. This makes sense since they will already understand the product and its production. In fact, you may find yourself competing with current employees for these available positions. Even when this is not the case, many aspects of quality assurance are being turned over to the factory workers themselves.
On the bright side, some positions currently held will be freed up thanks to retirement. If people within the company are advanced, entry-level jobs may open and this could give you an opportunity to get into the company.
One consideration you need to think about before starting your search is that the average salary for these positions is under $30,000. You need to decide if that warrants relocating in order to obtain one of these positions. If you already live in a manufacturing district, however, you may not need to relocate.
Your best option for securing one of these jobs when they become available is to search online. There are sites available that specialize in listing quality control-related positions from a variety of industries. Having access to these sites will give you an advantage in the long run.
