Warehouse jobs are the backbone of our economy and our every-day life. According to Forbes, they rank the third most in demand jobs as of December 2021. And they’re continuing to soar. So what does that tell you? We, as a society, need warehouse workers.
Since the start of the pandemic, so many people have reverted to ordering everything brought into their homes online. Pretty much anything that you can “add to cart,” a warehouse worker is behind it.
That should make you, as a warehouse professional, feel pretty good. Because it’s not just individual people that need you. Businesses stay alive because of their warehouse employees. From food distribution, home goods, office supplies, medical equipment— the list goes on and on. You make just about everything we do possible.
So how do you move your career forward?
We can help.
We’ve put together some simple tips that will excel in your warehouse career.
Here are 5 tips for success in a warehouse career
Be consistent.
It sounds really simple, but being reliable is a super important part of the job.
Just imagine this from your supervisor’s perspective: you’re a rock star employee on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but on Thursday and Friday, you don’t get that much done. Would you have confidence in you?
But here’s the good news: it’s easy to avoid a situation like that. Just do the best you can every day.
Showing up every day, on time and ready to dive in and help is an easy way to impress any supervisor, as is doing good work. Because it means they can count on you.
Consistency builds trust and credibility. It can help you stand out as a great employee, because it demonstrates that your job matters to you.
Offer to help.
Regardless of your experience level, show your coworkers that you are always open to pitching in. Even if it may seem like “no big deal” to you, your team will notice.
Wondering how you can help? Here are some examples:
- When there is a project that calls for two or more people— volunteer to help! It’ll help build your reputation as a team-player.
- If you see that your coworkers are struggling with something, jump in with a helping hand.
Just offering will make the camaraderie at your workplace that much stronger, and you might even gain more skills. It’s a win-win situation.
Seek out opportunities to learn.
Warehouse jobs are a great avenue to try something new, because there are so many different roles.
You might want forklift training, or even better, to become forklift certified. Or maybe you’d like to become more familiar with using a computer. There may be a data-entry aspect of your workplace that you can help with.
No matter where you’d like to grow, consulting with your supervisor is a great first step.
So if there is a project at work that sounds cool to you, tell your boss.
Set goals for yourself.
Goals help you focus on the bigger picture when you’re in the middle of a busy work day. And they’ll prevent you from losing your drive.
So, once you’ve mastered your duties, think about what you can achieve in this job.
Warehouse environments can lend themselves to goal-setting in terms of numbers you can hit.
Create a daily to-do list and see if you can cross out everything you aim to accomplish that day. Then look at everything you got done the week prior, and add to it.
If you’re not sure where to begin, ask your supervisor. They can help you.
Show kindness to your co-workers.
Being a nice employee goes a lot farther than you might think.
Think about it—it’s never fun to work with a grumpy coworker all day. Your attitude has a ripple effect.
That’s why it’s so important to be polite. It doesn’t mean you have to smile and wave to everyone. Kindness can come in the form of a simple “thank you.”
If you’re supportive and respectful, your coworkers and your boss will value that. They’ll see that you’re easy to work with and approachable, which is crucial in any job.
As you can see, there are many different ways to strengthen your value in a warehouse role and grow your career. Trying even one of these tips will help you on your path toward success!
And if you want more information about warehouse jobs or how to do well at work, check out these blog posts!
How TERRA Can Be a Resource
If you’re looking for extra help in finding your next opportunity, consider reaching out to TERRA.
TERRA Staffing is a leading staffing agency with many resources available for job seekers. We partner with companies large and small, across a variety of industries and we can help open the door to new career opportunities.
Getting started with us is simple. Just check out our current job openings. We have offices in the Seattle-Puget Sound, Portland, Phoenix, Denver and Texas-Metro areas.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us! Our expert recruiters are waiting to speak with you.