How to Become a Warehouse Worker

As a warehouse worker, you will work for one large firm with a huge storage facility or several medium-sized warehouses. Some of your employers require you to concentrate heavily on digital orders. In a small company, you are commonly in charge of most of the operations of the warehouse. Some of your duties will look like the following: 

• Receive shipments
• Process and package outgoing shipments
• Package goods or shipments to relocate them
• Organize the warehouse, moving goods to designated areas
• Load and unload delivery trucks
• Place inventory on pallets
• Label products
• Build or put together customers' orders
• Select various docking locations

When you work as a warehouse worker, finding an efficient way to move heavy items is one of your priorities. Keeping track of inventory is another. While a pen and notepad are handy, the main equipment you will use includes: 

• Smartphone 
• Desktop computer 
• Pallets with wheels 
• Packaging supplies 
• Forklifts, hoists, conveyor belts
• Inventory control device
• Calculator

Warehouse workers typically operate in a large storage building with inefficient temperature control, although you have shelter from the wind and precipitation. Another challenge is the humidity. Unless you have a management role, you will be on your feet moving about the facility. Some warehouse workers have multiple facilities they visit. Others mostly operate forklifts. In these cases, they sit behind the wheel. If you perform a lot of deliveries, you will drive between warehouses or even to clients' residences. Work inside the warehouse involves bending to lift items, twisting to load them, and stretching to reach overhead goods.

You will be in the company of a lot of other personnel as a warehouse worker. Some of your colleagues will include

• Forklift operators
• Assemblers
• Material handlers
• Warehouse managers and supervisors 
• Auditors 
• Warehouse associates

As a warehouse worker, expect to work a little less than 40 hours a week. The distribution of your hours plays more of a role in your warehouse worker schedule than how many. Warehouse workers average about 38 hours weekly, but weekends and holidays are critical periods for the industry. You are not often on call for warehouse work, but some employers offer bonuses for picking up extra or unwanted shifts.

There will be many opportunities for advancement in the field of warehouse work. 

• Warehouse manager
• Inspector or auditor
• Executive 
• Consultant 
• Shipping supervisor

Use Spherion's large network of business associates to find the job of your dreams. Whether your vision is to work at a local family shop in the private sector or find higher-paying opportunities in a large public firm, Spherion is a helpful resource. Spherion will match you with available warehouse worker jobs based on your skills. Spherion not only matches you with jobs that fit your expertise but also with positions that match your working style. Whether you want to work with a large team or in a more intimate setting, Spherion will guide you in the right direction. Spherion offers numerous job advantages: 

• Assistance to secure career advancements 
• Flexible schedule 
• Option to get paid weekly
• Personal assistant 
• Quick and easy interview process

While you do not need an academic background to perform warehouse work, you often need to be able to lift a minimum amount of weight. Some companies require proof of physical health from a doctor. You frequently need to stand and walk for several hours. Gaining an associate degree or certificate in supply chain management increases your indispensability to your company. An ASCM certificate opens the door for promotions and higher pay. A benefit is that you do not have to attend a special school but can take requisite courses online and on your schedule. The program teaches you the ins and outs of distribution as well as warehousing. You will learn about:

• Packaging 
• Inventory management 
• E-commerce 
• Shipment scheduling and tracking
• Distribution center troubleshooting

If you want to operate a forklift, you need a forklift certificate that states you completed the appropriate training. Many state laws require a forklift driving certificate regardless of whether you have a standard driver's license. If you perform warehouse deliveries, some companies also require you to have a commercial driver's license (CDL).

As a warehouse worker, you will benefit from the following skills: 

• Time management 
• Excellent organization skills 
• Great communication skills 
• Ability and training to operate a forklift 
• Tolerance for variable climate conditions 
• Physical abilities 
• Spatial awareness 
• Math skills 
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks efficiently and accurately
• Good at following instructions
• Ability to be on your feet for extended periods

Job descriptions will outline the qualifications you need to work at a specific company. Most warehouse jobs require you to be able to not only stand but also move freely throughout the building for several hours of the day. Physical requirements also include the mobility and flexibility to move heavy goods from the floor to a shelf or pallet and from the truck to a loading dock. Finally, you need the strength to lift up to 75 to 100 pounds.

You will readily find work at any company that has storage needs for a large supply of products. Prospects include working directly for storage facilities, restaurants, or toy stores. Companies can range from huge distribution corporations to private hair salons.

Applying for a job as a warehouse worker is easy with Spherion. You can search for warehouse worker jobs on Spherion.com by job title and location. If you don't see the perfect role, you can submit an open application. Once you submit your contact information and resume through Spherion’s open application, a recruiter from the office closest to you will reach out with details about potential warehouse worker roles that fit your skill set and professional goals.