If you’re looking for work in a field that offers on-the-job training and lots of room to grow, why not consider a warehouse career?
There are many reasons why warehouse work can be a good career move. Among other things, these jobs offer flexibility, variety and lots of opportunities for growth.
Still, you might have heard a lot of different opinions on whether a warehouse career is a good idea. While some people see it as a great career choice, others don’t see it as a viable profession.
Wondering if a warehouse job might be a good fit for you?
We can help you make an informed decision.
5 Reasons to Consider Warehouse Work
It’s a booming industry.
The warehouse industry is continuously expanding. As e-commerce grows and online retail becomes more and more popular, warehouses are in increasingly high demand.
Even in a challenging year like 2020, this sector expanded while others didn’t do so well. In fact, 2020 saw over 100,000 new warehouse jobs created.
This continued growth means that warehouses are constantly hiring new workers to keep up with consumer demand. So if you are looking to get to work fast, a warehouse position might be a great option for you.
And since warehouses are always so busy, not only are they always hiring, they also often offer plenty of opportunities for overtime. It can be a great way to earn some extra income if you’re open to working extra hours.
What’s more, working in a booming field also means better job security, since these employers tend to be more stable than companies in less healthy sectors. You won’t just get a quick gig and opportunities for extra income, you’ll get a job that’s here to stay.
Entry-level warehouse jobs are a good foot-in-the door.
A lot of entry-level warehouse roles such as Warehouse Associate or Order Selector don’t require much, if any, previous experience.
That’s because hiring managers care more about non-technical skills, or soft skills, when hiring people for these roles.
So if you display good communication and organization skills, proven reliability, and ability to work independently, that will go a long way to getting your foot in the door.
In fact, team leaders and managers are often willing to do on-the-job training for entry-level positions. They know that they may be able to train you on hard skills necessary to do the job, but they cannot teach things like reliability and hard work.
This emphasis on soft skills rather than experience, makes warehouse work an ideal choice for recent graduates, people looking to expand their skill set, or anyone wanting to transition into a new industry.
Warehouses often have opportunities for growth.
Many entry-level warehouse jobs offer training in a variety of desirable skills such as forklift or machine operation. These skills can lead to higher paying, more specialized positions.
It’s also worth noting that warehouses often like to promote from within rather than bringing in outside hires. Managers would rather give a higher role to someone who is already familiar with their environment and how they function rather than someone they have to train from scratch.
If you start in an entry-level warehouse position, you will have many career paths to grow into, each offering a bump in responsibility and pay. Depending on your particular skills and interests, you could be promoted to a range of positions, from team lead, to shift lead, logistics manager, and even facility supervisor.
The key to being considered for these growth opportunities is to first prove yourself to be a valuable team member by coming to work on time every day, showing a good attitude and expressing a desire to learn.
If you show dedication, you will set yourself up for success and help ensure that you are considered for advancement opportunities.
Warehouse work offers flexibility.
One of the best things about working in a warehouse is that you will get many schedule options.
Warehouses usually operate around the clock, so they tend to have multiple shifts to choose from. Depending on your needs, you can select to work on a variety of shifts such as day, swing, night, or weekend shifts, or even a rotating schedule.
This variety of schedule options is great if you have other obligations such as childcare that might make it difficult to work on a traditional nine to five schedule. It’s also great if you have another job and simply need something extra to supplement your income.
And if you need flexibility because you have an irregular schedule, a lot of warehouses also hire temporary workers. You can work short-time jobs that fit your current needs and shift your schedule around when needed.
Whatever your schedule is like, you can find warehouse shifts that work best for you and your needs.
Warehouses provide variety.
Another great thing about warehouse work is that no two warehouse environments are exactly the same. In fact, they can vary greatly, depending on the size of a warehouse, the type of product it stores, and who owns it.
So think about what kind of workplace you are more interested in. For example, do you thrive on multitasking and love to learn different skills? Then a smaller warehouse with less automation might be a great fit for you.
Conversely, do you prefer to have one job to focus on? Do you have really good focus and attention to detail? Then a larger warehouse in which you perform one repetitive task might be a better fit.
Not only are all warehouses different, warehouse jobs themselves also offer more variety than people might think. Depending on your skills and interests, you may enjoy a wide range of warehouse roles. For example, some positions such as Material Handler are more physically demanding and are great for people who love to be active on the job.
Other roles such as warehouse clerk are less physically intense and are good fit for people with great communication skills and attention to detail. Whatever your skills and wants are, there might be a warehouse job for you.
Try it on for size.
If you’re looking for work, or simply considering shifting careers, there are many reasons warehouse work could be the right move. So why not give it a try?
If you’re not convinced, take a look at these success stories and read about people who are thriving in warehouse jobs:
- After moving to Seattle 8 years ago, John Haven was looking for a job that would help him pay the bills. He took a chance on a temporary warehouse position, and it turned into a successful, long-term career! (Check out John’s story.)
- Torique Bond was searching for a career home. He had no previous warehouse experience but gave a material handler position a try. Not only does he love his job, he’s already gotten promoted to a lead role. (Check out Torique’s story.)
- Anthony Sedillo needed a well-paying, steady job to provide for his family. He found both job and income stability in a warehouse position. Even better, he loves his job. (Check out Anthony’s story.)
And don’t forget that you don’t have to make a long-term commitment if you’re unsure whether warehouse work is right for you. You can always start with a temporary position. Read this article about why temporary work might be the right option for your next job.
How TERRA Can Help You Start a Successful Warehouse Career
TERRA Staffing Group is a leading staffing agency, headquartered in the Pacific Northwest. We work with many companies across a variety of industries in the Seattle-Puget Sound, Portland, Phoenix, and Denver-Metro areas.
We specialize in temp, temp-to-hire, contract, and permanent staffing and can connect you to many employers currently hiring near you.
Here’s a sample of some of the warehouse jobs available:
- Warehouse Associates
- Order Pickers and Packers
- Forklift Operator
- Machine Operators
- Inventory Clerks
- Material Handlers
Our recruiters want to help you find the right fit. They will get to know you and what you’re looking for, so they can make sure to place you in a job that meets your needs and career goals.
Want to learn more about the warehouse jobs currently available through TERRA? Check out our job openings. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, call us! New jobs become available daily.