What warehouse workers do
England's National Careers Service says warehouse workers load and unload deliveries, move goods to storage and pack orders. The work includes:
- receiving deliveries and checking paperwork for damaged or missing items
- moving goods around the warehouse with lifting equipment
- checking stock levels and storing items safely
- packing, wrapping and loading items for dispatch
- keeping the warehouse clean
Australia's occupation list for storepersons includes checking goods against orders and invoices. It also lists recording stock with software, and using pallet lifters and hand trucks.
Skills employers look for
The UK profile lists skills including:
- working well with others
- attention to detail
- organising your time and workload
- working well under pressure
- being flexible and open to change
- working well with your hands
- using a computer or handheld device
Forklift rules differ by country
If the job includes a forklift, the rules depend on where you work:
- Australia: you need the right high risk work licence and must be over 18 to operate a forklift. Your state or territory regulator issues it.
- United States: employers must make sure each operator is competent, through training and evaluation. Federal rules bar most workers under 18 from operating a forklift outside farm work.
- United Kingdom: the National Careers Service says there is no forklift licence as such. Keep your training certificate for job applications.
Never claim a licence or ticket you don't hold. It's a safety risk, and employers can ask to see it.
How the interviews usually work
Warehouse interviews can be short and practical. Some employers use group sessions, a site tour, a basic numbers test or a trial shift.
If you're asked to work a trial, check whether it's paid. Our guide to unpaid trials and work tests explains the rules in Australia and New Zealand.
Questions that test each skill
These are the kinds of questions that test each skill. They are examples, not a list from any one employer.
- Safety: "Tell us about a time you spotted a hazard. What did you do?"
- Accuracy: "How do you make sure you pick the right item and quantity?"
- Pace: "How do you keep up with a pick rate without cutting corners?"
- Reliability: "Our shifts start at 5 am. How will you get here on time?"
- Teamwork: "Tell us about a time you helped your team finish on time."
- Problem solving: "A delivery arrives with damaged pallets. What do you do?"
What to prepare
- Check the shifts, the site location and how you'll get there for early starts.
- Pick true stories about safety, accuracy, teamwork and reliability.
- Gather proof of any licence, training certificate or safety induction you hold.
- Wear sturdy, closed shoes in case they show you the floor.
- Prepare a question, such as how they train new starters.
A worked answer for a warehouse job
Here is a made-up answer to a question that tests safety.
Made-up example
Ravi, a made-up supermarket night filler applying for a warehouse job
Question
Situation
Task
Action
- I stopped work in that aisle and put out a cone and a sign.
- I told my shift leader straight away, rather than trying to fix it alone.
- We moved the top layer of cases by hand, then re-wrapped the pallet.
- I wrote it up in the incident book with the time, the pallet number and a photo.
- I suggested checking the wrap on night deliveries, and the leader added it to the checklist.
Result
Ravi acts fast, asks for help, records it and helps stop it happening again. That's what safety questions test.
Questions
Do I need a forklift licence for warehouse work?
Not for every job. If the job includes a forklift, the rules depend on the country. In Australia you need a high risk work licence. In the UK there's no licence as such.
Can I get warehouse work with no experience?
Yes, some jobs train new starters. The UK profile notes that employers often give forklift training after probation.
What should I wear to a warehouse interview?
Neat, practical clothes and sturdy closed shoes. You may be shown the warehouse floor.
Sources
Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on . Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.