Job satisfaction is as much about growing as a professional as pay (but both are important)

Love what you do. Do what you Love.

Often employees gather for safety meetings or to prepare for achieving the day’s performance goals. Typically, these meetings are led by a supervisor or a team lead.

While our supervisors and team leads are seasoned and committed leaders, we often find time to stop and celebrate the positive growth of team members. Each day, like other manufacturers we gather to start our day in a team huddle. Unlike most other manufacturers and distribution facilities, it’s our team, not our supervisors who are responsible for completing our S.A.F.E. Team Activity Boards. Each team has direct control of what it will do for the day.

We call ourselves Food Professionals for a reason. We take what we do very seriously. Each week, the products that Harlan Foods creates feeds nearly 33,000,000 people across the U.S.

The reason there are so many happy faces is because our teams are truly teams and this is what makes them as a group and individually successful.

In our team huddles, part of the work we engage in daily is the professional advancement and improvement of each Food Professional as well as recognition of a job well done. Yesterday, some of our team took a moment to do that and we thought we’d share that moment with you.

We are a close-knit group who are proud of what we do and who we work with on a daily basis.

If you like what you see or if our approach sounds like something you would like to be a part of, or even know a little more about, then reach out and set up a time for us to meet and allow us to introduce ourselves to you.

Click here to get started!

Job Seekers Want More Today. Employers Should ALWAYS Invest in Quality!

Are looking for a new job? Does your current place of employment no longer excite you?

Maybe it never did. Or, possibly what was advertised wasn't exactly the reality you go into each day.

There is a big difference between a job where you trade your time for a paycheck, and a place that values you and excites you. A place where you feel you are making a real difference in your life and the lives of others.

Don't settle for trading your time for a paycheck. We only have so much time and can never get it back!

As valuable as you are, you should always be investing in yourself and you should look for an employer who does the same. Hiring bonuses and hype around 'find a new career' isn't about you, it's about a company trying to fill an empty slot. So look for more. Look beyond the signing bonus. What happens next? What is that employer doing every single day to help you feel fulfilled and to increase your professional value.

Why would they do this? Simple...

73% of Gen Z are motivated to do a better job when they feel their supervisor cares about them.
Employees involved in mentoring are promoted 5x more often than those not involved in mentoring.
Those who serve as a mentor are 6X more likely to be promoted to a higher position.
Millennials are more likely to quit because of a lack of career advancement opportunities (35%) and a lack of learning and development opportunities (28%).
Gen Z strongly believes in learning, as 76% see learning as critical to their career advancement.

Take a look at the infographic we put together that contains a few more interesting facts about Mentorship programs and also Mentorship here at Harlan Foods.

If you would like to know more about open positions and opportunities for growth here at Harlan Foods, click here.

Did you know Harlan Foods feeds 1 in 10 Americans? If you are interested in learning about the wide variety of foods we make which make their ways to grocery, club stores and quick serve restaurants around the country every single day, click here.

If you would like to hear from one of our Mentors, you can hear his advice by clicking here.

6 Insider Tricks to Getting a Better Job

Insider Job Tips from a Certified HR Professional

Our HR Director Rebecca Ehsan, PHR, SHRM-CP is a Human Resources insider with a load of practical knowledge on how to assess an employer and the questions you should ask before talking a job. Each week, Rebecca's team interviews dozens of candidates for one of Harlan Foods open AFP (Apprentice Food Professional) classes.

You can see the first episode here.

Harlan Class of New Hires learning a job

A recent class of Harlan Foods Apprentices going through job shadowing

New hires go through on-boarding, mentorship and training as a group, or a class. This way, new employees have a group of peers to better support them.

There are a lot of jobs open but like employers they are all not created equal. What looks good on the surface might not be what you thought 6 months later. Don't waste your important time in the wrong job!

Take a look at this helpful video and learn from the insights Rebecca shares!

Let's break down Rebecca's advice here:

Career Advancement Tip #1

Look for an organization that is growing. Ask this question of your prospective employer. This helps to better understand what opportunities for personal growth and upward mobility exist with that company.

Fact:

In the past 3 years, Harlan Foods has nearly doubled its size.

Career Advancement Tip #2

Look for job stability. Steer clear of firms where the majority of the open positions are tied to seasonal fluctuations or temporary positions. Look for firms that are classified as 'Essential Employers'.

Fact:

None of Harlan Foods positions are seasonal or temporary. Harlan Foods is an Essential Employer.

Career Advancement Tip #3

Look for employers with an active mentorship program. Ask for details about the program.

Fact:

Less than 1/3 of employers have a mentorship program. 87% of employees who participate in mentorship programs have higher job satisfaction and receive higher pay.

Career Advancement Tip #4

Look for employers who can demonstrate they reward employees who proactively step up, perform and lead.

Fact:

Harlan Mentors are volunteers who go through advanced training and are well compensated for their mentee's success. Harlan Foods has several similar programs that reward employees beyond base pay.

Career Advancement Tip #5

Look for organizations that have a learning driven, team oriented culture.

Fact:

Harlan Foods has a wide variety of training and educations programs designed to engage employees and provide the tools and knowledge required for greater job satisfaction and upward mobility. This includes Harlan's SAFE program (Standards Based, Accountability Driven, Food Excellence) and Harlan Food Manufacturing Professional Certifications.

Career Advancement Tip #6

Make sure the employer isn't just using the word 'career' to attract your attention. There is a big difference between a career and a job. Career means a consistent path of employment in an area of specialty or consistent employment with a single employer who affords you growth and advancement opportunities.

Fact:

Over 20% of Harlan employees have been with the company for a decade or more. Most team leads and supervisors have risen to their management posts from entry level jobs. Harlan Foods promotes from within.

Career Advancement Tip #7

Invest in yourself.

Look for growth opportunities.
Make sure career paths are documented and available to you.
Find out how much time and what is required to move up the various career paths.
Find out who makes up team lead roles and supervisor positions. How did they get there?

Fact:

Harlan Foods career paths are documented. We promote from within.