What Does A General Warehouse Worker Do?

December 14, 2021 | Career Blog

No matter where you live, you’re likely to see postings for warehouse workers during your job hunt. However, as we’ve talked about before, some of the job titles can be a bit confusing if you’ve never worked in the warehouse industry previously.

Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the role of General Warehouse Worker. This is often an entry-level position, so it’s a good one to familiarize yourself with if you’re looking to change careers or just pick up some extra cash.

An Overview of the Job

General Warehouse Workers are responsible for receiving and shipping merchandise to and from the warehouse, loading and unloading delivery vehicles, and storing items properly. In addition, they will often be called upon to operate forklifts, fill orders from the warehouse inventory, and secure orders to pallets.

General Warehouse Workers must do well as part of a team and be physically capable of lifting inventory for as long as their shifts require. This job is sometimes referred to as a Warehouse Associate, and many employers use the terms interchangeably.

Skills and Qualifications

Even though General Warehouse Worker is an entry-level position, there are still some key factors to consider before applying.

1. Physical Stamina

Warehouse workers must do a lot of manual labor while loading, unloading, and storing inventory. Therefore, it’s critical that you have the physical stamina to keep up with the job’s demands. If you have problems with your back or knees, for example, keep in mind that you will not have much time for physical recovery between shifts.

2. Time Management Skills

In this position, you’ll be responsible for moving large amounts of inventory. You must have the time management skills to pace yourself correctly. A miscalculation can lead to trucks waiting at the loading dock when they should be back on the road.

3. Communication Skills

General Warehouse Workers need to be part of a team. Effective communication is critical if you want to avoid confusion and unnecessary rework. This is especially important when explaining where things stand when you hand off a partially completed job to a coworker between shifts.

4. Valid Driver’s License

You’ll often be called upon to drive company vehicles such as trucks, vans, lifts, and forklifts. Many warehouse companies prefer workers with a current driver’s license. Even if it’s not mentioned in the job description, this can give you an edge in the hiring process.

5. Forklift Operation Certification

While many companies will list forklift driver positions separately, having a forklift operation certification will definitely help your chances. You can get certified through classes at vocational schools and even through online courses.

6. Previous Experience

Again, entry-level positions won’t actually require you to have any previous experience, but it’s a definite plus. Make sure to have references available from any previous warehouse jobs you’ve had. Depending on the company, previous experience may even qualify you for a bump in pay right out of the gate.

Find a General Warehouse Worker Position Today

Allegiance Staffing is always looking for qualified candidates for warehouse positions. Now that you have a better understanding of the General Warehouse Worker role, it’s time to see if your skills and experience are a good fit for one of our many open positions.

Take a look at what’s currently available, then contact Allegiance Staffing to get started.