Have you been considering a career as a warehouse associate? If you have, then you might already have an idea of what to expect in mind. However, if all you know about working in a warehouse comes from what you’ve seen on the television and in movies, then you might be in for a surprise.
There’s so much more that goes into this career than you might believe. It’s completely different than what’s shown on TV. If you’re serious about starting a career as a warehouse associate, then you’ll need to understand what the job’s really like.
Continue reading below for some amazing facts about warehouse management:
- You Have an Important Job
If you think that working in a warehouse means getting an easy job that doesn’t hold too much importance, you couldn’t be further from the truth. As a warehouse associate, you’ll have a very important job to complete. We all know just how popular buying items online is.
Each year that goes by, more and more items are shipped out from warehouses all around the globe! The online warehouse management software plays a large role in ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Have you ever paid for expedited shipping?
Have you received most of your packages on time or even before the scheduled delivery date? You have the warehouse associates to thank for it!
- You’ll Find Plenty Opportunities
Becoming a warehouse associate opens the door for several other opportunities. Starting a career in this field does not mean you’ll be stuck in a dead-end career. Although there might be some hiring from the outside from higher-up positions, most warehouses tend to do their best to hire from within.
If they see that you’ve put in hard work and are dedicated to the job, you’re more likely to be given a promotion rather than them bring in someone new. This is because people who already work in the warehouse understand the system and how it works, making them the right fit for the job.
- You’ll Need to Be Independent
This isn’t a career where you can sit around and gossip with co-workers daily. You’ll need to have enough independence and dedication to truly be successful. There are plenty of new things that you’ll need to learn.
Some of those things include learning how to operate a forklift, how to use a scanner, and how to meet measurable goals. For example, your team might have a specific number of packages that each team member needs to scan for the day. You’ll need to work hard and have the motivation to meet this goal each day.
And because there’s so much going on in the warehouse at all times, there won’t be a supervisor there to follow you around throughout the day. This means finding your independence and getting the job done right without someone managing you directly.
- Conditions Are Not All the Same
Not all warehouse conditions are the same. Each company has its own policies, equipment, and overall conditions. Some warehouses might be hot year long while others are cold throughout the year.
The temperatures might depend on where the warehouse is located and what type of stuff is being stored in the warehouse. For example, if a warehouse holds produce, then it’ll be chilled. These are things that you want to take into consideration before starting the job.
The job is also a very labor-intensive job. You’ll be doing a lot of lifting and such, so it might be better to go with a cooler warehouse if given the opportunity. Either way, ask to do a tour of the warehouse before joining the team. Take notice of the industrial stairs, which are made specifically for warehouses.
Check out the conveyor belts, and other warehouse equipment that you might not be used to working with. It’s a good idea to get a feel for everything before your first day.
- You Might Become a Jack of All Trades
Get ready to become a jack of all trades as well. In most cases, you won’t be assigned to one and only one type of task to complete each day. As a warehouse associate, you can be a packer, a picker, a sorter, and so on.
There are so many tasks that need to be completed within warehouses that there’s no telling what you might be doing day to day. It mostly depends on the warehouse and its specific needs. And what one warehouse needs from you in the position, another might need something else.
Ask your hiring manager about what specific positions he or she will need you to do each day. You can then make a rational decision about the job.
- You’ll Learn How the Supply Chain Works
At the very least, working in a warehouse is going to give you experience working with the supply chain. You’ll start to get a better understanding of how it works. Once you have a solid understanding of the supply chain process, you’ll have a one-up on others when it comes to advancing in your career.
There are many opportunities in the supply chain management field and this could be an awesome career for you.
After reading through this post, do you believe you have what it takes to work in a warehouse? There’s more to working in a warehouse than you think, but the pros and cons mixed together do create some pretty amazing opportunities!
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