How to Prepare for a Warehouse Associate Interview

Warehouse associates are vital for keeping all warehouse systems running smoothly. This is a great entry-level position for those looking to get their foot through the door of the warehouse industry, but it can also be an excellent temporary work opportunity for anyone who has the organizational skills and physical stamina the position requires. If you don’t have any prior experience, don’t be afraid to go ahead and apply for the position anyway. Your staffing agency can help you find the job right for you and help you make the best impression with your application. You can best prepare for your warehouse associate interview by remembering the following information. 

The Work of a Warehouse Associate

Perhaps you aren’t quite sure whether you want to be a warehouse associate. Before you apply and interview for the position, it’s best to consider what you can expect from the work. Warehouse associates can have many different responsibilities, but they often include the following: 

• Receiving delivery trucks and shipments
• Ensuring that fragile merchandise is labeled and handled correctly
• Tracking and documenting shipment and departure times
• Tagging and labeling merchandise for tracking purposes
• Stockpiling merchandise according to size, shape, or type
• Recording and organizing damaged goods
• Preparing all orders for shipment
• Entering inventory data and logistics into company software
• Operating equipment used for handling and organizing materials 

The Skills Looked For in a Warehouse Associate

There are specific skills that the company you’re interview with will be interested in. During your application and interview, find ways to highlight and illustrate the following skills: 

• Communication: keeping those around you informed about important information
• Organization: keeping everything clean, orderly, and labeled
• Time Management: not wasting time, able to multi-task, and respectful of others’ time
• Reliability: showing up to work on time and not calling out without a reasonable explanation 
• Physically agile: the ability to lift heavy objects without worry or complaint

Prepare Your Answers to Common Questions

As with any interview, it is helpful to list questions you may be asked and prepare your answers. During a warehouse associate interview, you may be asked the following: 

• Why do you want this job?
• What experience do you have that prepares you for this position?
• What are your strengths? 
• What are your weaknesses? 
• Describe a difficult situation you dealt with in the past.
• Can you describe an example of when you had to multi-task?
• Do you have any physical restrictions?
• When can you start? 

By preparing for your warehouse associate interview properly, you can make the impression you want to make with your recruiter. This can get you started as soon as possible on your new warehouse career.

Let First Team Staffing Be Your Employment Solution

First Team Staffing, located in Baltimore, MD, specializes in the recruitment and placement of professional and temporary workers. The company, founded in 1982, is now a national leader in our industry. In our 35+ years of business, First Team has remained hands-on, relationship-based, and dedicated to partnerships we forge with our clients. We are proud to help our clients achieve their goals by providing them with a flexible and qualified workforce while providing genuine career opportunities to candidates. First Team Staffing has offices in Baltimore, Aberdeen, White Marsh, Columbia, Bowie, and Sparrows Point, MD. We have recently opened offices in Tennessee, located in Nashville, La Vergne, and Mount Juliet. Visit us online or in-person today to start your job or employee search, or reach us by phone at 410-719-0404. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for employment advice and company updates.