It has always been one of the most requested jobs, both by companies and by job seekers. Being a warehouse worker really means doing a lot of things, crucial in the production environment in many sectors. And this is even more true today: with the boom of e-commerce and home deliveries, the figure of the warehouseman plays an increasingly important role in trade and sales.
There are so many companies that today are looking for not only good workers, but professionals specialized in warehouse management.
If you too are looking for a job as a warehouse worker, there are two tips we have for you: get informed and, above all, trained. As? Let’s see it together.
What the storekeeper does
To better understand what a warehouse worker does, close your eyes and try to imagine a huge warehouse, full of boxes, raw and finished materials, with lots of people moving, handling, organizing. Here, welcome to the world of the warehouse worker.
In this context, the warehouseman is the professional who, together with other collaborators, has the task of managing the warehouse and everything that revolves around it, thus taking care of reception, storage, and the shipment of the goods.
That might sound simple, but it’s one of the most diverse professions in the business world. Specifically, the warehouseman takes care of:
- receive the goods and check the documentation;
- inspect incoming goods, so that it is correct and intact;
- to store the goods in the areas of competence;
- organize the maneuvers of picking & packing;
- manage customer withdrawals ;
- prepare the products for delivery;
- take inventory of the warehouse;
- check stocks and coordinate with the purchasing department.
This long list describes completely the duties of the warehouse keeper, but this figure is not always required to perform them all. The companies that publish multiple job offers for warehouse workers are engaged in the logistics, retail (this also includes e-commerce), and wholesale sectors. From the largest to the smallest, they all have their own warehouse to manage, but remember: the larger the company, the more the job offer will be specialized.
How to become a warehouse worker: training
The warehouse worker is, according to common opinion, a job that does not require much training. Maybe this was the case once, but over time things have changed, and to make many stages of production and sales more effective, work in the warehouse has also been optimized. This has led to the birth of new tasks and specific skills, which today become an important card to play in the selection phase.
If it is true that to be a warehouse worker a high school diploma is enough, it is equally true that today’s training does not stop there. If you aspire to a prominent position within the warehouse of a company (especially if it is large), it will be crucial to attend a professional training course. In these programs, it is taught how to use the main machinery involved in warehouse tasks, how to approach the different devices for handling packages, how to deal with transport and administrative documentation.
Besides, it is good to remember that without a license for driving forklifts and pallet trucks you cannot go anywhere inside a warehouse. Since it is a fundamental requirement, do not wait for the company to offer you the course, play in advance, and come to the interview with a license. The course is not expensive but remember that it has a duration of 5 years, after which you will have to renew it with a 4-hour update.
The 5 most requested skills for warehouse workers
If you want to find a job as a warehouse worker, the first step is to work on your presentation and strengthen your Curriculum Vitae. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to do it, here are some good tips for you to validate your application, focusing on the most requested skills:
- Having a good administrative base.
It is true, you are not an accountant or an administrative employee, but the warehouse manager’s duties also include managing the transport documentation, both paper and computerized. Build a good understanding of the main management software used in the industry, learn about the latest code reading and product identification technologies. - Being familiar with handling vehicles.
We have already talked about the importance of having a license for forklift and pallet trucks, but we repeat it because of all the skills, this is undoubtedly one of the most requested. Practice as much as possible with these means, to gain confidence and dexterity in using manual and motorized tools. - Knowing foreign languages.
Surprise! The knowledge of at least 2 foreign languages is one of the most appreciated skills in the selection phase for the job of a warehouse worker. Working in the world of transport (in a more or less direct way) means coming into contact with people of different nationalities, and therefore it becomes strategic to know other languages besides Italian. Take advantage of it. - Being meticulous and reliable.
Among handling vehicles, large shelving, warehouse supplies, and official documentation, it is essential to prove yourself up to the task not only in terms of training but also personnel. One of the most appreciated features in the selection of warehouse workers, in fact, is precision, which together with reliability creates an essential combination. - Knowing how to work independently.
As you will have clear, there are really many activities that interest a warehouse worker. This is why a spirit of initiative and a good dose of autonomy are very popular ingredients for companies that hire warehouse workers. There is not always time to explain and deepen, the more you can do it yourself, the more you will be helpful for the whole team.