Warehouse Worker Jobs Overview
If you're good at organizing and multitasking, you might make a great warehouse worker. The demand for warehouse workers is growing as more and more people rely on online shopping. The predicted growth for warehouse worker jobs is 5% over the next decade, which is quicker than average.
There are large warehouses, midsize facilities, and even micro-warehouses. They are scattered throughout the country in rural and urban areas. Warehouse workers cover daytime, evening, or overnight shifts.
In this role, you may receive and process orders. There are often inventory control and quality measures to monitor too. Additionally, you may oversee some automation features and help ensure timely fulfillment of orders.
Warehouse Worker Salary
There are several classifications of warehouse workers and laborers. Vehicle and equipment cleaners had the lowest salaries while refuse and recyclable collectors earned the highest salaries. Two of the most common types of warehouse workers are order fillers and order pickers. Order fillers and stockers typically earn more than order pickers and packagers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for warehouse workers was $34,960 a year. Use Monster's salary calculator to check your city or state’s median warehouse worker salary.
How to Find the Warehouse Worker Job That Fits You
First, define your future career goals. Do you want to become a warehouse manager someday? Spend some time researching which career paths and advancement opportunities interest you.
Decide what you want from a job. For example, maybe you prefer a flexible schedule that accommodates your family life and leisure activities. Perhaps you attend college classes during the day and prefer an overnight shift. Pinpointing your needs makes it easier to find suitable warehouse worker jobs.
Determine Your Qualifications
Carefully read through the job requirements and responsibilities to see if your abilities match. For example, some jobs may list inventory management, packing, picking, and loading goods as job duties.
Some warehouse worker jobs require experience or special training. For instance, you need training to operate a forklift. If one company does not provide training, the good news is that other warehouses do.
Research the Warehouse
Is the warehouse an independent facility or part of another company? Research it to find out more about the entity’s mission, values, and culture. If they align with your views, you may be a great fit.
See if you can find information about the workplace. Is there a large workforce or a focus on teamwork? In some micro-warehouses that use more automation, the team size may be smaller, while there are usually more human workers in large warehouses.
Is social responsibility important to you? See if the company helps charities or has a good reputation for giving back to the community.
Identify Growth Opportunities
Some warehouses offer training, development, or advancement opportunities for their workers. Others may offer tuition reimbursement.
If you have advancement goals, see if the company offers options that align with your needs. Also, think about how the warehouse job fits into your long-term goals.
How to Apply for Warehouse Worker Jobs
Look for the qualifications and skills that match yours. As you complete an application or touch up your resume, be sure to include those skills. For example, perhaps the job requires your existing sorting, organizing, and packing skills.
Does the employer list any special requirements? Be sure to follow all the instructions carefully.
Create an Effective Warehouse Worker Resume
Look for keywords in the job posting’s skills, duties, and qualifications sections. For example, imagine that a job requires knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and machine troubleshooting. If you have relevant experience or training, be sure to include those as keywords on your resume.
Use a simple design for your resume. Software programs scan most online resumes, so an optimized design is important. If you include references, ensure that their contact information is current.
Since warehouse jobs can be multifaceted, it may seem difficult to decide which skills to list. Check out our warehouse associate resume sample to get some ideas.
If you want to optimize your resume, consider having an expert write it for you. The Monster Professional Resume Writing Service can provide you with a polished application document.
Write an Effective Cover Letter
Although not all warehouse employers may require a cover letter, it helps to include one. Think about what made you want to become a warehouse worker as you write it.
Read through the job description to look for important details. For example, perhaps the job posting emphasizes the use of automation systems. If you have automation experience, mention that in your cover letter.
Keep the cover letter under one page. Concisely express your interest in the job, and specify what you like about the company. Mention your relevant experience.
This logistics cover letter sample is for a position in a similar field and so may be helpful inspiration. It stands out because of how the candidate states familiarity with the company’s policies.
Submit the Application
Are you confident about your resume and cover letter? Apply easily for warehouse worker jobs by signing up for a free Monster account. You'll also get recommendations for matching jobs and a free professional resume review.
When you're ready to electronically submit your application, read over your information twice. Verify that numbers, dates, and other details are correct.
Following Up With an Employer
Not all employers respond promptly, so it's good to follow up. Since hiring managers may have many applicants to consider, wait about a week to reach out.
Follow-Up Tips
How you follow up is important. Whether you contact the company by phone or email, plan your follow-up message. Make it concise and meaningful.
Who to Contact
See if the job listing specifies a contact person. Is the individual a hiring manager, a warehouse manager, or an HR representative? Try to find the person's name and title.
If the listing doesn't include that information, look on the company's website. As a last resort, call the company to ask who makes hiring decisions.
Interviewing for Warehouse Worker Jobs
You were invited to interview at a warehouse. Now what? Proper preparation can increase your chances of getting hired.
Research the Warehouse
Research the warehouse or the retail company that owns it. Search for reviews from others who held the same position. Doing this can help you understand the warehouse's culture and values.
Preparing for Your Interview
Practice interviewing with a friend or family member, and consider these common interview questions for warehouse worker jobs. You can also prepare by picking out what you'll wear to the interview. Business-casual attire helps make a great first impression.
Understanding the Interview Process
Some companies may only conduct one interview. Others require two or three rounds of interviews. Many interviewers will tell you what to expect before or during the first interview.
Interviews may take place on a video platform. Some warehouses still conduct in-person interviews. Others do phone interviews.
A hiring manager or supervisor may conduct a warehouse worker job interview. Who conducts it often depends on the size of the facility's workforce.
Maintain your authenticity during an interview. Be confident and positive.
Competency and behavioral questions are common during interviews for warehouse worker jobs. The interviewer wants to see if you know how to handle different situations, problems, or processes.
If the questions seem to test your behavior, it helps to use the STAR method. This addresses situations, tasks, actions, and results so your answers are as powerful as possible.
Imagine that an interviewer asks you why warehouse teamwork is important. You may state some reasons and provide an example based on your experience. You may recount a specific situation, the required task, what you did, and the positive outcome.
Following Up
Follow up within a day or two with a quick email to thank the interviewer. Make it brief, just one or two paragraphs.
Wait about a week before you contact the person who makes hiring decisions again. You may follow up by phone or email to express your interest in the job.
What to Do if You Get a Job Offer
Congratulations! Do your happy dance. Then decide whether to accept it right away or keep looking.
There's nothing wrong with asking questions before you accept. First, thank the interviewer for the offer. If you need time to consider the offer, specify how long you need.
Some important things to consider are benefits, hours, and pay. You can research salaries and benefits for similar jobs to see if the offer is reasonable. Also, see if the job requirements or duties are reasonable.
If you're unhappy with something, you can try to negotiate. For example, maybe the pay is a little low for your experience. Perhaps you need a different schedule to allow time to take your kids to school.
Warehouse hiring managers appreciate you communicating your needs. Politely let them know if you require more pay, a schedule adjustment, or something else. Many are willing to accommodate reasonable requests.
Warehouse Worker Career Paths
What do people who become warehouse workers do for long-term careers? Most wind up advancing to higher-paid roles.
Warehouse workers may train to become forklift operators. Some also become machine operators.
When warehouse associates advance, they often become warehouse supervisors. They may also become warehouse managers.
Some warehouse workers may study logistics, business management, or supply chain management in college. With a bachelor's degree or higher, warehouse workers may become facility or operations managers. They may become supply chain specialists or logistics managers.
Consider your unique talents, preferences, and salary goals. Those points will help you set the right advancement goals for your needs.
Also, be sure to network with people who may help you advance. If the warehouse offers training or tuition reimbursement, take advantage of programs that help you grow.
Operations managers and top executives can earn six figure salaries. If you want to work your way toward a great-paying career, warehouse worker jobs provide lucrative opportunities.
Similar Occupations
Are you considering other occupations? These are similar to warehouse worker jobs: