Warehouse work can be an excellent career choice. It pays well, and you don’t need a college degree. It’s also pretty recession-proof since businesses and consumers will always need goods and supplies. You can generally work your way up the ladder, starting as an associate and eventually becoming a shift leader, floor supervisor, or other managers. Many warehouses provide on-the-job training, so you don’t necessarily need a lot of specific skills. But if you happen to have any of these top warehouse skills, they can make you more competitive.
What Skills Do You Need for a Warehouse Role?
Hard Skills
These are the skills that are required to perform specific job tasks. Common hard skills for warehouse workers include, but are not limited to:
- Machine maintenance
- Picking and packing
- Forklift operation
- Quality control
- Inventory management
If you don’t have these, it’s okay. But if you do, be sure to list them on your resume.
Tech Skills
Many warehouse jobs don’t use any tech skills at all. But as warehouses continue to automate, it’s becoming increasingly more likely that warehouse workers will need at least basic computer literacy. If you have any tech-related warehouse skills, such as supplies procurement, database management, or scheduling software, they can put you ahead of the crowd.
Soft Skills
Soft skills have to do with how you get along with people. They easily transfer from one job to another, so you may have some of these even if you have never worked in a warehouse:
- Ability to learn quickly
- Communication
- Flexibility
- Leadership
- Organization
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
Personal Traits
People from all backgrounds and walks of life can succeed in a warehouse job. But there are certain basic traits that all warehouse workers need, including mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and reliability. In addition, this type of work is highly physical. You don’t need to be a gym rat, but you should be in good shape with plenty of stamina. You should also be someone who likes being on your feet all day, working with your hands, and doing a variety of different tasks.
Ready for a New Position?
If you’re ready to jumpstart your career, Pirate Staffing can help. Take a look at our open opportunities or simply submit your resume today!