| There is a growing demand for people with Six Sigma | | | | Belts as needed. These positions will require the |
| certification and expertise as companies realize the | | | | highest level of Six Sigma experience and |
| many ways in which the Six Sigma methodology can | | | | qualifications. |
| help their organizations grow and improve. Six Sigma | | | | Meeting Six Sigma Job Criteria |
| has grown beyond its manufacturing origins with many | | | | The primary requirement for a Six Sigma job is, of |
| government agencies and service providers now | | | | course, to be trained in the Six Sigma methodology, |
| advertising for Six Sigma help. More importantly, even | | | | ideally as a Six Sigma Black Belt. This requires formal |
| small companies are taking on Six Sigma consultants | | | | training from qualified Six Sigma consultants who have |
| or full-time staff, which implies that the demand for Six | | | | long experience in training and implementation of Six |
| Sigma professionals will only increase in the coming | | | | Sigma. Often, a request is made for those with a |
| years. | | | | specific background such as in Six Sigma DMAIC or |
| Six Sigma Job Categories | | | | DFSS methodology. |
| There are many junior- and senior-level Six Sigma | | | | Companies recognize experience as being the best |
| openings across a wide range of industries. The | | | | teacher, however, so many establishments express |
| positions and job descriptions are oftentimes unique to | | | | strong preference (if not outright demand) for people |
| the company and its requirements. Admittedly, many | | | | with hands-on experience in completing at least one |
| of these positions are filled internally, as companies | | | | Six Sigma project. |
| train their own people in the Six Sigma methodology so | | | | Aside from Six Sigma training and project experience, |
| that people already familiar with the corporate culture | | | | companies have a preference for those with |
| are provided with the needed skill sets. On the other | | | | background experience (usually at least five years) in |
| hand, these same organizations often reach outside | | | | their particular industry or business. Management |
| for help, seeking out experienced people to either lead, | | | | experience is another plus factor and this is usually a |
| or implement full-scale Six Sigma projects throughout | | | | requirement by companies looking for a Six Sigma |
| the company. | | | | project team leader. Managing projects within |
| Six Sigma Job Openings | | | | structured environments, and proven management |
| Many companies openly advertise job opportunities | | | | skills (as indicated by successful project |
| that are clearly Six Sigma based (e.g., Six Sigma | | | | implementation) will be a definite advantage in your |
| Analyst or Six Sigma Black Belt). Others, however, | | | | favor, because companies in the initial stages of Six |
| advertise openings for positions that are not obviously | | | | Sigma application will be looking for people who will |
| Six Sigma openings such as Functional Project Lead, | | | | lead and facilitate business teams as well as Black |
| Director of Operational Excellence, Business Project | | | | Belts and Green Belts through the process. |
| Manager, or Senior Projects Manager. | | | | Other requirements |
| Job openings such as these are usually for people with | | | | If you are applying for a Six Sigma position, you need |
| Six Sigma Black Belt capabilities - someone trained in | | | | to show that you have an excellent understanding of |
| the Six Sigma methodology with experience in leading | | | | processes and quality methodologies as well as a |
| cross-functional process improvement teams. These | | | | willingness to grab the initiative and take the lead in |
| people are tapped to lead individual Six Sigma teams. | | | | making changes. |
| Companies sometimes advertise for Six Sigma | | | | Another vital skill will be the ability to link strategy to |
| Master Black Belts to fill organization-wide Six Sigma | | | | execution. You need to show that you are able to look |
| program manager positions, in effect taking over very | | | | beyond surface issues and concerns: consider |
| senior positions within the organization. The successful | | | | strategic business issues from a detached, clinical |
| applicants will be tasked to lead the company's Six | | | | perspective, and use this as a springboard for |
| Sigma implementation, oversee Black Belts and | | | | developing and implementing creative and practical |
| process improvement projects, and guide the Black | | | | solutions to problems identified. |