Cowlitz County Express Job Seekers Blog

We’re wrapping up the last week of safety month with manual material handling safety. There are several risks posed by manual material handling. The most common reported injuries involve strains and sprains, while the most frequent injuries occur to the back, hips, neck, shoulders, and knees. The first thing to consider with manual material handling is where the object is initially picked up and then set down. The ideal safe height to lift an object is between a person’s waistline and shoulders, within one foot of their body. If you are required to do a lot of bending down to lift or lift above your head, that could cause serious strain to the body and potentially cause injury. Another notable risk is repetitive movement. If the material handler is twisting and bending frequently, even with a small object, that can cause more strain and soreness on the body, which could lead to a serious injury. If there are frequent lifts, material handlers should switch stations every 30 minutes to an …

Today is National Logistics Day, and we’d like to honor and celebrate those who work in the logistics industry. First observed in the U.S. in 2019, the holiday highlights the fact that logistics are essential to the economy on a global level. Logisticians are valuable assets to a company and can be found in nearly every industry. Due to supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, 61% of U.S. hiring decision-makers say their company had to alter its hiring practices because of the national supply chain issue. Around 32% say they have hired specifically for logistics/supply chain positions this year. This sector is expected to grow by 30% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Education Logisticians may qualify for some positions with an associate degree. However, due to complex logistics and supply chains, companies prefer to hire workers who have at least a bachelor’s degree. Logisticians typically have a bachelor’s degree in logistics and supply chain management, business, or a related field. …

One of the most critical steps in any job search process is securing an interview with the hiring manager. Whether it’s your first ever job interview, you’re making plans to switch careers, or just trying to brush up on your interviewing skills for a dream job later down the road, preparing for the interview is crucial, regardless of where you are in your career. Take a look at this list of interview basics to help increase your chance of landing the job. Research The Company You may have applied for many positions simply based on the job description. Conduct research on the company you’d like to work for to learn more about its values and mission, as well as the workplace culture and how your skills may help the company. Take some time to look at the LinkedIn profiles of some of the company’s executive leadership and people you may work with within your department. It’s possible that your supervisor or another team member has a similar background to yours, …

The Final episode of Season 6 of the On the Job podcast is now available! The On the Job podcast series shares inspiring stories about the pursuit of work. Jobs give us a connection to our community and the ability to provide for ourselves and our families—On the Job presents interesting stories about the way people work and what it means to be employed. Season 6, Episode 8: Laddering Up to a New Livelihood Jessica Rowland started her own painting business without really knowing it. A champion of the gig economy, her new venture thrived during the pandemic and shows no signs of stopping.

For the fourth week of safety month, we’re highlighting slips, trips, and falls. These incidents are some of the leading causes of workplace-related injuries and fatalities. Slips, trips, and falls are technically three distinct things, although they are often categorized together. Let’s define each term to differentiate each incident. Slips are a loss of balance caused by too little friction between your feet and the surface you walk or work on. Trips happen whenever your foot hits an object, and you are moving with enough momentum to be thrown off balance. Falls occur whenever you move too far off your center of balance. These types of accidents can result in injuries ranging from sprains and fractures to head injuries, lacerations, and back injuries. These can also be fatal.   Housekeeping Housekeeping is crucial to a safe workplace, and when done correctly, it can be effective in controlling and eliminating hazards. Good housekeeping practices are the first and most important step in preventing slips, trips, and falls. This includes: Cleaning up …

What you wear to work is almost as important as what you do, because your presence tells the company’s story and helps shape its reputation in the communities where you serve. Most workplaces have a dress code in place, and each dress code should be appropriate for the work setting. If you work in a corporate headquarters, your dress code may be a little more formal. If you work in a casual setting, you may be able to dress down; but, if you work outside, your attire may include safety items, and your dress code may need to be altered regularly depending on the weather. Here are three common dress codes so you can dress for success. Business Professional Business professional attire is the most formal option in a business environment. Full suits are appropriate for everyday wear in certain professions, for special presentations, and for meetings in more casual atmospheres. Professional dress is also the most appropriate interview attire. Appropriate business professional dress typically includes: Slacks, business dress, or …

Your dad has most likely been the source of some of your most memorable conversations. Many of those lessons can apply to your professional life as well. Let’s look at three generations of fathers and the career lessons they might have to help you succeed at your job. Baby Boomer Dad (1946-1964): If you’re a dad or have a dad who was born during this time, you’ve probably heard detailed accounts of historical, social, and political events like the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the first man to walk on the moon. This type of father finds fulfillment in working as part of a team and developing positive relationships with his coworkers. This father may also encourage you to embrace new work routines that are different from the ones you’re used to and speak with your manager about career advancement opportunities. Here are some of the characteristics of a Baby Boomer Dad: Strong work ethic Competitive Goal-focused Resourceful Team-oriented Disciplined   Gen X Dad (1965-1978): If you’re a …

The latest episode of the On the Job podcast is now available! The On the Job podcast series shares inspiring stories about the pursuit of work. Jobs give us a connection to our community and the ability to provide for ourselves and our families—On the Job presents interesting stories about the way people work and what it means to be employed. Season 6, Episode 7: A Ship Stuck in the Suez In March of 2021, the shipping freighter Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal for six days and captivated the world. In this episode, we dive into what the event says about our economy, and what it says about us.

We’re focusing on forklift-related injuries during the third week of safety month. Across the country, forklift-related injuries take eight more days away from work than other types of injuries. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) study in the U.S. determined about 25% of all forklift-related injuries are related to inadequate training. What are the requirements? The Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) standard covers forklifts and powered pallet jacks, and other ride-on material handling equipment. The standard has two requirements before certification—formal instruction and practical training and evaluation. Practical training and evaluation must be performed on the specific equipment being used. Thus, practical training and evaluation should always be completed by a company or a competent forklift trainer with intimate knowledge of the client’s site and access to a forklift like those used at the client’s site. Certification will always be site- and equipment-specific, as a forklift certification is not a license to operate in every environment, on every machine. What are your options? It’s important companies commit to proper training, …

If you had the option to make money without having to do much, would you? There are jobs where you can get paid to do the things you already do and enjoy doing, so it doesn’t feel much like work at all. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular “do nothing” jobs out there. Get Paid to Binge-Watch If you enjoy binge-watching TV shows and movies on the weekends, Netflix has a sought-after job you can do during the week from the comfort of your couch. In 2018, the streaming service posted a position for a “Netflix tagger,” or editorial analyst. The tagger watches content for the streaming service and assigns relevant tags. Those tags include information like the release date, language, genre, cast and crew members, and types of profanity and violence depicted in the movie or show. Make sure to bookmark the Netflix careers website to go back and check for when a new “tagger” position has been posted. Get Paid to Watch Animals If you like …