- Production of a single product at a time.
- Used for small orders (“One-offs”).
- Small number of units produced.
- Highly skilled workforce.
- Appropriate for start-ups.
- Labour intensive.
Advantages
- The organisation of this production method is simple.
- The workforce is motivated.
- Firms produce original and unique products according to the wishes of the customer.
Disadvantages
- High labour costs.
- Lead times can be lengthy.
- May become costly once the demand for the good rises.
FAQs: Production & Product Jobs
These terms cover a broad range of roles:
- Production Jobs: Often refer to roles involved in the *creation* or *manufacturing* of goods, or the *execution* of projects (like film/media production). This can range from factory floor roles and manufacturing engineers to film crew, audio/video production, and general production support. "Job production" or "jobbing production" refers to creating custom or unique items, which falls under this umbrella.
- Product Jobs: Typically relate to roles involved in the *strategy, development, and management* of a product throughout its lifecycle. This includes roles like Product Manager, Product Owner, Product Designer, Product Analyst, and Product Marketing.
Both fields involve overseeing processes, but production often focuses on the physical or logistical creation, while product roles focus on the market need, strategy, and feature definition.
The number of available jobs varies significantly depending on the specific industry (e.g., oil & gas, electrical products, building products, forest products, plastic products, recreational products/toys, film/media) and location. Product Management and Product Owner roles are generally in high demand, particularly in tech. Production roles can be found across almost all industries that manufacture goods or create media. Job boards, industry-specific websites, and professional networking are the best ways to gauge current availability in your area of interest.
Production Assistant (PA) roles, especially in film, TV, or media production, are common entry points. To find and get these jobs:
- Network: Connect with people in the industry. Many PA jobs are filled through word-of-mouth.
- Look on Industry Job Boards: Websites specifically for film/TV/media jobs are crucial (e.g., Entertainment Careers, ProductionHub, local film commission sites).
- Apply Directly: Look for production company websites and check their careers page or contact them regarding entry-level opportunities.
- Gain Experience: Volunteer on student films, short films, or local productions to build your resume and contacts.
- Be Prepared: PAs do varied tasks, often involving long hours and physical work. Show enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to learn.
Landing a Product Manager role, particularly without direct PM experience, requires strategic effort:
- Build Relevant Skills: Focus on developing skills in strategy, market analysis, technical understanding (even if not a developer), communication, and cross-functional leadership.
- Leverage Existing Experience: Highlight aspects of previous roles (e.g., project management, business analysis, customer-facing roles, technical roles) that involve problem-solving, decision-making, or working with product teams.
- Learn Product Management Fundamentals: Take online courses, read books, and follow industry blogs. Understand frameworks like Agile/Scrum.
- Create a Portfolio: Analyze existing products, propose improvements, or develop a concept for a new product to demonstrate your thinking process.
- Look for Entry-Level Roles: Target Associate Product Manager programs or look for companies willing to train individuals transitioning from related fields. Networking is also key here.
While *some* legitimate opportunities exist for paid product testing (often through market research companies, or specialized testing platforms for specific industries like software or cosmetics) or reviewing (primarily for established influencers or professional critics), many online offers promising easy money for reviewing or testing products are scams or involve very low compensation. Becoming a paid Amazon product reviewer or tester, for example, is not a standard job; Amazon Vine is an invitation-only program, and most reviews are unpaid contributions from regular customers. Approach such offers with caution and research the company thoroughly.
Generally, yes, Product Manager is considered a highly desirable and rewarding career path, particularly within the technology sector. It offers challenges related to strategy, innovation, cross-functional collaboration, and market understanding. Product Managers often have significant influence over a product's direction and can see the direct impact of their work. It typically offers competitive salaries and strong career growth potential, although the role can also be demanding and require navigating complex internal and external relationships.
