We get this question all the time, “What exactly are general labor jobs, and are they worth pursuing?” The job board giants over at Indeed have a pretty good definition:
What is general labor?
General labor is any physical job with non-skilled, hands-on tasks, such as cleaning, moving or landscaping. A laborer makes an average national salary of $27,310 per year.
Employees in this career field can find themselves in a variety of environments, both indoor and outdoor. Because of this, a general laborers’ job responsibilities will vary by their worksite. For example, a general laborer working in a warehouse may have to move and unload boxes, a general laborer working in a construction site may have to use tools and build structures and a landscaper who works in various gardens may have to mow lawns, plant flowers or rake leaves.
The keyword in the job description here is “general” labor, but in this post, we’re going to get more specific.
Here’s what we’re going to cover:
- What is Considered General Labor?
- Detailed General Labor Job Descriptions (With Immediate Job Openings Available!)
- Qualifications And Experience Requirements
- Pay Ranges And Benefits
- A Day In The Life Of A General Laborer
So, let’s get started!
What is Considered General Labor?
The high-level definition gives us a pretty good start, but let’s look at some specific general labor jobs.
General labor jobs can be a great way to get your career started, especially if you’re a recent graduate looking for an opportunity to make some money, gain independence, and start building your resume.
In a recent post, we talked about college vs. a career in the skilled trades. General labor jobs can be great gateways to a career in the skilled trades.
Detailed General Labor Job Descriptions (With Immediate Job Openings Available!)
Manufacturing Production Worker
Working for a manufacturing company can be a great place to start your career. General labor is a great place to get some experience in a job that will provide opportunities for advancement. These jobs can range from shipping and packaging, goods and materials handling, warehouse receiving, maintenance, and much more.
Production workers are typically great problem solvers and team players.
Packagers
Virtually every manufacturing facility requires packaging experts and workers. Materials, products, and goods of all shapes and sizes must be prepared, packaged, palletized, and loaded for shipment.
In today’s manufacturing world, packaging jobs play a critical role in the production workflow. And manufacturing companies are looking for intelligent, capable, hard-working men and women to fill them.
We have entry-level manufacturing positions available for immediate start—both temporary and full-time. These are great entry-level positions, and some offer additional benefits and flexible shifts.
Construction General Labor Jobs
A construction labor job can be a great place to enter the workforce. These jobs are perfect for those younger workers looking for physical work. Duties can include lifting, loading and moving construction materials, digging, preparing worksites, cleaning up the job site, and much more.
These jobs require workers that are in good physical condition and have a willingness to work outdoors and in unfinished buildings. They also offer a sense of accomplishment that comes with seeing buildings and infrastructure transform from nothing into finished projects.
Qualifications And Experience Requirements
There is no hard and fast list of qualifications for general labor positions.
But Ziprecruiter offers some good suggestions:
Requirements and Qualifications
- High school degree or equivalent educational experience; vocational school or trade apprenticeships a plus
- State licensure to work with hazardous materials preferred but not required; union certification preferred but not required
- Must be 18 years of age
- Ability to physically stand, bend, squat, and lift up to 40 pounds
- Must be comfortable climbing up tall ladders, working at elevated levels
- Positive attitude and work ethic
- Able to work independently or as an active member of a team
- Excellent interpersonal skills and communication with all levels of management
- English and Spanish fluency a plus
If you’re capable of physical work, like solving problems with your brain and your muscles, and are looking for an entry-level job with potential benefits and the opportunity for advancement, a general labor job might be just what you’re looking for.
Pay Ranges and Benefits
General labor jobs in and around the Witchita area generally pay $11 to $13 per hour. Some of these jobs offer additional benefits, like health, holidays, paid sick time, and PTO.
Again, though, there are no hard and fast rules for compensation and benefits. Get in touch with us today if you’re interested in hearing more about starting a career with a future.
A Day In The Life of General Laborer
A day on the job as a general laborer can be fulfilling and challenging at the same time. The talented people who work these jobs are the backbone of the manufacturing and construction industries.
Expect physical work, some challenging problems, a team-based environment, and opportunities for advancement.
General labor jobs offer a great place to put some money in your pocket, start a career, and participate in meaningful work. You can expect to get up every day with a feeling of purpose and go to sleep at night with a sense of accomplishment.
Interview and Resume Preparation with Top Notch Personnel
Does general labor sound like something you’re interested in? We can help you get started with professional advice on resume preparation and interviewing. After that, it’s our goal to introduce you to your next employer so you can start setting up your direct deposit payroll account!
Career decisions and changes can have a significant impact on your state of mind and your future in the workforce. Always consider these types of changes from all angles. You should also consider engaging with a professional for career assistance.
At Top Notch Personnel, we help you strategically navigate the job markets in the Witchita, KS region. We’re not a job board with millions of candidates—we’ll help you find the best-of-the-best skilled labor jobs available. We focus on candidates just like you, and we take every client’s job search personally.
We want to understand your career goals and job preferences completely before starting our search process. Call one of our recruiting professionals at 316-425-4501, or get in touch online today!
How can you get started on the path to a great career with a challenging job as a general laborer?
Engage with an established recruiting and staffing agency that knows the Witchita region to help you with your search.
A motivated recruiting firm like Top Notch can streamline the hiring process by helping you find the perfect employer.
We want you to work for a company that values your contributions.
Why settle for just any job when you can choose an opportunity uniquely suited to you? Top Notch Personnel is a staffing and recruiting firm based in Wichita, KS, that specializes in helping job seekers throughout the area find their ideal opportunity.
You work hard. Don’t you deserve a job where you are valued and appreciated?
The right job is about more than just matching skills to job requirements. It also requires learning about the kinds of job environments you will thrive in and asking the right questions to ensure that the employer and employee are the perfect match.
Don’t settle for less than Top Notch. Our name says it all.
Top Notch Personnel is what we provide to employers—talented people like you! That’s why our recruiters spend the time and effort it takes to ensure we have the right people with the skills, experience, and work ethic that our employer partners expect. Throughout the entire search and hire process, we will treat you with the respect you deserve.
At Top Notch Personnel, we’ll treat you as an individual, not just a number. When you call our construction recruiters, manufacturing recruiters, aircraft recruiters, or call center recruiters, they will know who you are and will be invested in helping you succeed.
Our recruiters put you first.
Ask about our employee benefits. A great job is only the beginning. Benefits are what transform a job into a career. This means health insurance to keep you healthy, pay cycles you can depend on, career advice that can help you make a great impression in an interview, and someone to help you plan a long, successful career.
Ready to work for a company that values you?
Some staffing and recruiting firms put their clients first. At Top Notch, we focus our efforts equally on job candidates and hiring clients. We can’t succeed unless you’re happy with your job, and we want to make sure that happens.
At Top Notch Personnel, we help candidates, just like you, find their dream job every day!
Call us today at 316-425-4501, or get in touch online. Our expert recruiters are waiting for your call.
