JACK TURNER’S SUMMER JOB AS A JUNIOR LOGISTICS MANAGER: Hapag-Lloyd, San Diego, CA. Summer 2010 Job Requirements for a Logistics Manager Logistics Management Logistics management involves the flow of materials and goods through a business. Logistics workers, or supply chain managers, oversee the departments that receive materials and supplies into a business. The manager supervises the warehousing and stocking departments, and shipping operations. Businesses rely on the efficiency of the organization’s supply chain to meet customer demand and deliver finished products on time and within budget. Job Description and Duties Logistics managers oversee the movement, distribution and storage of materials in an organization. Managers control the flow of incoming materials and outgoing finished products to ensure customers receive products on time. Logistics managers oversee warehouse, inventory control, material handling, customer service, transportation and planning workers. They hire, train and evaluate employees. Managers prepare worker schedules and ensure warehousing and distribution workers follow safety rules. The manager may prepare reports for upper management; negotiate shipping and supplier costs, and work to improve the efficiency of the company’s supply chain. Education Required According to ONet Online, most logistics managers have a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degree programs in supply chain management, logistics or business administration can provide the education to work in the logistics industry in a management position. Courses in a supply chain management or logistics degree program include distribution, purchasing, warehousing and storage, and operations in logistics. Degree programs also include business management courses such as accounting, management, business law and economics. Courses such as purchasing or procurement cover subjects such as supplier negotiation, contracts and outsourcing. Students may also complete coursework in lean manufacturing, which is a production practice that minimizes waste and requires an efficient flow of materials into a company. Work Experience In addition to college coursework in logistics and supply chain management, employers may prefer job candidates with experience in logistics operations. Some employers select logistics managers with experience in the particular industry, such as electronics manufacturing. Logistics managers with experience in an industry understand the special requirements that may be needed when storing or transporting raw materials and finished goods. For example, electronics manufacturers may prefer job candidates with experience packaging and handling products sensitive to electrostatic shock. Food manufacturers may hire logistics managers with experience in the storage and distribution of perishable food items. Skills Logistics managers must have good verbal and written communication skills to direct employees and prepare reports for upper management. Managers have the ability to act decisively to resolve problems. Logistics managers must have the skills to perform any of the duties in the warehousing and distribution department of a business. Managers must have strong interpersonal skills to motivate and instruct employees in the company. JACK TURNER BIO and SUMMER INTERN EXPERIENCE EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts – International Business, Rice University, Houston, TX December 2011 Master of Science – Logistics Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX May 2012 Background and Future Plans My name is Jack S. Turner. Right now, I live in Houston in an apartment at 1423 Jamison Ave, #222, but not for long if I don’t find a job before I finish school. My dream job would be to work as a logistics manager for a major international container shipping line. I can’t expect to walk right into this job, so settling for an entry level management position may be within reach. I’ll graduate college in December from Rice University with a B.A. in International Business. Internship Duties and Responsibilities with APL Lines, Houston, TX Summer of 2008 & 2009 I know my experience is pretty close to what companies might want given I’m just finishing school and haven’t had much direct experience. I did land an intern position APL Lines the summer of 2008 where I worked in export documentation and created international bills of lading for global accounts. I learned all about shipping lanes, how goods are rated for shipping cost, insurance, arrival times, and even restrictions on goods going to certain countries. During the summer of 2009, I worked at the same shipping line but as a dock worker loading shipping containers. It’s a good thing there is a port in Houston, I would not have been able to learn about commercial merchant ships, the speed, the design, the crew compliment, and loading the containers. I even learned how the ships are loaded using cranes that run alongside the ships, how they are secured for storms at sea, and how they are manifested aboard the ship. Soft Skills Jack has Learned from his Hands-On Job Experience I’m hoping my summer jobs will be enough to land a good entry level position because it’s rare to have related skills right after you graduate. Both summer experiences really helped me to see that international shipping is more than just filling out paperwork. There’s a lot to learn when it comes to the actual physical work that is involved, the ships that carry the goods, and the high risk of shipping over the ocean rather than by air. There are certain soft skills I have learned from just working alongside my coworkers. Things like good communication skills, and problem-solving skills are a must in this industry. Solving problems, particularly safety problems require strong critical thinking skills. Just wearing a tie or nice trousers looks good, but it’s also good to be able to say I loaded the container. I know that being a good leader, being able to get people to work together to complete tasks on time is a must. A strong manger has to be trusted by his coworkers, so he has to behave in such a manner that will instill trust so that workers will fulfill their duties without question. In other words, just getting my hands dirty is not all that it takes to be a good international shipping logistics manager. I bring relevant experience to the table so my prospective employer will not have to worry about training me after I get hired. Besides, I’m disciplined, energetic, and a quick-learner. Yea, I feel pretty good about myself given the economy. So good, I’ll write to the human resource offices in the states at two major container shipping lines line Maersk and Evergreen. GIA – General Inquiry Application Letter Point Value: up to 100 points Format/Layout: Modified-Block Style Parameters: This type of letter will require a different approach because there is no actual posted position. You will need to adjust your opening claim paragraph referring to a possible ‘future position. You will be required to assume the ‘Jack Turner’ identity again. Review his biography and job experience in the attached files • Refer to the spacing illustration in section 6 of the textbook as your formatting guide for modified block. • Refer to the Toulmin illustration in section 6 of the textbook as your guide for placement of Toulmin Elements. • Refer to the letter style, ‘modified-block format’ in section 5 for an additional example. Instructions: Compose one ‘general inquiry letter in modified- block format. You will need to include 3 Toulmin elements in this letter: claim, support, warrants. Be sure to include ‘soft skills’ in your warrants paragraph. An example of a warrants paragraph is located in the attached file on the ‘soft skills’ tab above the RTA Assignment function. Submission: Save your document as a word document or rich.txt file using the file name: then submit as separate attachments using the assignment function. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Legend figure 6.3 1. "Writer identifies self and purpose. THIS IS THE CLAIM. 2. Writer relates specific qualifications from his resume to the job opening. THIS IS THE SUPPORT. 3. Writer addresses the expectation level of the employer demonstrating knowledge of what the writer feels the employer wants in an employee. THESE ARE YOUR WARRANTS. This paragraph can also contain relevant interests. 4. Writer continues to address areas he feels the employer wants in a strong applicant. THIS IS BACKING for the warrants. This area should focus on soft skills. 5. Follow up statement. Keep it short and simple." Figure 6.3 is the attached image. Legend for Figure 6.4 1. "Return address begins at the 1 inch top margin default. It is centered between the left and right margins. Each line should be aligned on the left. 2. 6 line spaces between the return address and the inside address. 3. 1 line space between the inside address and the salutation. 4. 1 line space between the salutation and the subject line. Subject line must be underscored. 5. 1 line space between the subject line and the first paragraph. 6. 1 line space between each single spaced paragraph. 7. 1 line space between the last paragraph and the closing. 8. 4 line spaces between the closing and the printed signature. 9. 1 line space between the printed signature and the enclosure notation 10. Both the return address and signature block should be centered between the left and right margins with the text lines aligned on the left." Figure 6.4 is the image attached (next page). Toulmin in the Toolbox We need tools to fix a variety of things, say perhaps, fixing up your future to be everything you want it to be, promising! In any given workplace, every employee should have a personal tool box, that is, a repository of skills that will help you to be successful such as good time management skills, organization skills, and analytical skills. Think of the Toulmin Model as another type of toolbox. If you remember, there are six elements in Toulmin. You do not have to include all six in a business document. Three are mandatory: claim, support, warrants. Three are optional: rebuttal, backing, qualifiers. In the case of job application letters, the three mandatory elements are essential. But above all, keep your application letter to ONE PAGE. The Three Essentials: CLAIM SUPPORT WARRANTS [audience] The Beginning of the Letter - Consider this your opening paragraph. Claim - Your claim is a straightforward declarative statement. It will contain three key pieces of information: the job for which you are applying, some knowledge of the company that has opened the position and a reference to you as the perfect fit.' Here's an example: I am writing to apply for the project management position in systems research. Martin Electronics is widely known for its advancements in commercial robotics systems. I am convinced my experience, education, and enthusiasm will be of great benefit to your company. The Middle of the Letter Consider this the body. It should be no longer than a second or third paragraph. Support - There are two approaches you may take. If you currently hold a job, this part should emphasize your work experience. The support for your claim will be your prior job experience that addresses the specific requirements of the position. It can also include certifications, special skills like speaking more than one language, computer software, or any other special training that will speak to your credibility as a viable candidate for the job. If you are recently graduated from college, emphasize your academic record, special coursework, assistantships, awards, community service, or extra curricular activities. Whichever approach you use, always write to what you believe is the employer's main interests. At the same time, support your claim. That is, focus on the evidence that promotes you as the best person for the job. The End of the Letter - Consider this your last paragraph. Warrants - Remember, warrants mean audience. Your readers are your audience. Warrants are very important because they will address the expectations of your audience which may be a prospective employer. You should make it your priority to know what employers value most. Every perspective employer will have unstated expectations over and above the basic requirements. For example, an employer will expect you to report to work on time and not abuse breaks and lunch hours. This is a given and is not usually found on a list of job requirements. When you write your warrants, you will need to figure out what those unstated expectations will be and explain how you will fulfill them. So if we're dealing with timeliness to work and at work, you would write a sentence something like this: My excellent time management skills not only help in meeting project deadlines, they ensure reporting to work on time and keeping to scheduled lunch hours and breaks. Closing Lines Make sure you request an interview. Include times of availability and be sure to reference possible interview times 'at your employer's convenience.' If my credentials are to your satisfaction, I would welcome an interview at any time that is convenient for you. My schedule is very flexible. Please phone or email any afternoon.
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