Best Warehouse Jobs for People With No Previous Experience

If you’re looking for a job, but don’t have a lot of professional experience, gaining work experience in a warehouse could be the perfect fit. Now is a great time to start looking for warehouse jobs! With the COVID-19 pandemic leaving people more reliant on online shopping and delivery, jobs in the supply chain are in huge demand, which includes warehouse jobs.

This kind of supply chain work isn’t just growing fast due to COVID-19 — it’s expected to remain in high demand even after the pandemic has passed. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirms that a general trend toward e-commerce in the retail industry will continue to drive up employment in the warehousing field through 2028. This is a big deal given the fact that overall employment growth is expected to slow down during that same time frame.

Warehouse jobs offer promising prospects, but just what does working in a warehouse entail? There are a few different roles available for those with no experience necessary. This guide provides information on some of the most common entry-level jobs and even gives you pointers on how to get a warehouse job with zero experience.

One advantage of warehouse work is the flexibility that comes with it. Warehousing is a constant business. Major retailers like Amazon warehouses and fulfillment centers never sleep. People are shopping 24/7, which means the supply chain is also running 24/7. You can select from a variety of shifts, including daytime, evening, weekend, and nighttime shifts.

The flexible schedule of warehousing means you can pick up warehousing work as an extra gig alongside another job with more traditional hours. It's also great if you have other obligations, like school or child care. You can even pick up an open position temporarily if you’re just looking for extra income. Many warehouses hire seasonal entry level positions with an immediate start around the holiday season to help meet the added demand.

Another benefit of warehouse work is the possibility of upward mobility. You can simply take a job as a side gig, but if you want more, the option is readily available. Warehouses generally prefer to promote from within. Temporary warehouse team members with a high school diploma or GED who show dedication and an interest in advancement can work their way up different job types. Full time positions might include warehouse associate, delivery driver, front-counter representative, and beyond.

Warehouse workers also earn a decent pay rate. Even without experience, a general laborer or operator, like a forklift operator or packer, can expect to earn a median salary upward of $30,000. Those who go on to more advanced roles, such as logistics management, can earn even more. Logisticians make a median income of $74,750 per year, according to the BLS.

Finally, there is the fact that you don’t need a lengthy resume to get hired. If you don’t have an advanced degree or years of experience, you can still get a warehouse job. Read on to find out what options might be available to you.

Not every warehouse role involves lugging boxes. There are different roles suitable for different fitness levels! Here is an overview of some basic warehouse positions that you might consider applying for if you’re just entering the field.

Shipping and receiving associates are at the heart of the warehouse environment. They handle and inspect the goods that come in and prepare the customer orders that go out. The work might entail general labor, like packaging shipping containers and boxes, or checking returned items to ensure that they are in an acceptable condition.

You should have solid reading and writing skills to work as a shipping and receiving associate, because you will also have to count inventory, track orders, and document your work. You may also be required to liaise with customer service representatives regarding shipments or returns.

A material handler moves products from point A to point B. If the warehouse is connected to a production facility, this could mean taking items from production to shipping. If the warehouse is just a drop-shipping facility, the role will simply entail withdrawing products from shelves and transmitting them to shipping.

In some cases, material handlers must use heavy machinery, like forklifts, to move heavy pallets of materials. In this case, you do need to have the appropriate industry certification to drive such a vehicle. This isn’t always necessary, however, and small-scale material handlers are also needed in many warehouses.

Sometimes referred to as a general laborer, this jack-of-all-trades role performs a variety of duties. Possible tasks include loading and unloading stock, helping maintain a clean and orderly space, labeling and packaging products, and even performing some minor product assembly. The precise job description will depend on the warehouse.

That said, in general, this is an active role, so you should be prepared to spend time walking and standing on your feet, in addition to doing some heavy lifting. You should also be flexible and adaptable since your tasks will vary. You need to be able to work independently and have good problem-solving skills so you can identify when and where a helping hand is needed.

Not every warehouse job has to require immense amounts of muscle power. If you aren't interested in a physically demanding role, a warehouse clerk job might be a better fit for you. Depending on the size of the warehouse, you might be supervising the shipping and receiving associates, material handlers, general laborers, or all three.

You will also serve as a point of contact between these groups and higher-ups, like warehouse managers, and provide them with important updates such as new products, for instance. This job requires great communication skills and an ability to mesh with all types of people, from senior management to lower-level workers.

You’ll need to prepare a resume and line up references before starting your warehouse job hunt. Although the educational and experience job requirements for these entry-level warehouse jobs are minimal, there are still a few basic characteristics that will help you thrive in these positions. Highlighting these traits in your resume and via character references will increase your odds of getting hired.

Here are some characteristics warehouse employers look for:

• Solid communication skills.
• Basic reading and writing ability.
• Good organization skills to keep track of inventory.
• Reliability, as it’s important to show up for shifts on time.
• A fitness level that allows you to meet the physical demands of the job, such as lifting, standing, or pushing — if needed.
• A strong understanding of safety rules. Warehouses are big spaces that house heavy machinery and large loads. Employers need to know you’ll follow safety and security regulations so you don’t endanger yourself or others.

With your resume and references ready to go, you can start scouring the job market for warehouse work. Here are some tips for finding your first warehouse job.

Staffing or “temp” agencies are a good place to start looking for warehouse work, especially if you’re interested in seasonal employment. The agency acts as a middle man between employers and job seekers, allowing for more efficient hiring. There are privately and publicly owned agencies. These tips for choosing a temp agency can help you find the right one to suit your needs.

Some companies advertise warehouse jobs directly via their online careers pages. Smaller businesses in particular may rely solely on their own websites to find team members, skipping the fees that come with a temp agency. Just make sure to read the job descriptions thoroughly before applying since different companies use different terminology for the various warehouse jobs described above.

Last but not least, the internet is a great resource when looking for warehouse jobs. Online search technology allows you to browse for work based on factors that matter to you, such as location, part-time versus full-time work, and the level of experience required. Many online job search platforms also let you sign up for email job alerts so you can have new job openings delivered directly to your inbox.

Start your warehouse job search with Joblist — we’ve got loads of resources to help you find work you love, from primers on how to write a resume if you have no experience to what you can do to stand out in a crowded job market. Find a warehouse job on our site now!