If you’re thinking about working in a warehouse, you might already have an idea about how each day could pan out. You walk in, start loading and unloading, picking products and completing reports. But there’s much more to warehouse work than you may think!

Warehouse work is essential

Warehouse work is essential for offices and businesses worldwide to function well. In fact, warehouses are the backbone of every company! Storing, sorting, and shipping items to-and-fro to help businesses, offices, and even residential households run smoothly.

Warehouse work may be entry-level, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. By working in a warehouse, you’ll lay the foundation for other businesses to receive the goods they need quickly, safely and efficiently while building a career for yourself, too.

Soft skills play a huge role

When it comes to getting (and holding down!) a warehouse job, you’ll need to express a variety of soft skills including interpersonal skills, organisation, time management, and technical skills.

Interpersonal skills, also known as people skills, allow warehouse workers to get along with their workmates and function productively as a team. Interpersonal skills you’d need for the job include:

• Great verbal communication
• Expert active listening skills
• An ability to understand and follow detailed instructions

Organisation and time management are equally important. Great warehouse workers know how to use their time well and stay focused throughout their shift. By staying organised, you’ll save time and energy, and you’ll ensure all work is completed to a high standard.

Now come technical skills. You’ll need basic maths and computer skills to get far in a warehousing role. Counting inventory, checking incoming shipments and writing reports require a good understanding of maths while updating inventory requires good computer skills.

A technical certificate such as a Certificate IV in Warehousing Operations can prepare you for working in a warehouse. You’ll develop your soft skills as well as hard skills which will carry you towards a prosperous career as a warehouse or distribution supervisor.

If you’ve got the above three skills down-pat, you’re well on your way to becoming a valued warehouse worker.

Internal promotion is common

Wherever possible, warehouses tend to promote from within. While you may begin working as a receiver, if you show gumption and dedication to your work, you may be promoted to a supervisor role within a year.

Warehouses gravitate towards internal promotion because existing employees know the job. They understand the ins and outs of how the warehouse works, giving them the edge over external applicants.

Sometimes, warehouses will specifically look for workers who are keen to develop their skills and progress within the company.

Conditions vary greatly between companies and industries

If there’s one job role where things are never the same, it’s warehousing. If you jump from one industry to another, say, from food distribution to furniture – you may switch from packing boxes in a crisp, cold warehouse to loading boxes outdoors in the scorching sun.

Similarly, smaller and family-owned warehouses will offer very different conditions to their larger, corporate counterparts. While warehouses owned by big companies may offer higher wages, you may not receive the same level of care and dedication as you’d find working for a local business.

Connections matter – and good connections can lead to better job prospects. Big and small companies both have their benefits and drawbacks, so it’s worth thinking about which conditions seem right for you.

Hiring managers definitely notice little details

Tiny details matter with job applications, and warehouse job applications are no exception. Hiring managers will look out for discrepancies like:

• Grammatical and spelling errors
• Missing information
• Gaps in job history
• Incomplete applications

Make sure to completely fill out your profile when submitting an application. If you have gaps in your job history, it’s not a deal-breaker, but you should be prepared to explain the gap when you go for your interview.

Another interview tip: do your research! Show up with questions about the company, making it clear that you’re interested in the company specifically, and are keen to progress in your career.

Keen to work in a warehouse?

If all of the above sounds like something you’d be interested in, it’s time to take steps towards your goal. The manufacturing and warehouse management course can give you the confidence and know-how to progress in your warehousing career.

To learn more about the courses at Triumph Training Academy, get in touch with us today.