Regardless of whether you work as an order picker for a large national distribution centre, or in a warehouse for a small business that serves a limited geographical area, the key to advancing your career is the same. Employers look for responsible and dependable team players who have an in depth knowledge of the warehouse environment, and are dedicated to upholding the highest standards.
In order for a warehouse to be as efficient, and therefore as profitable as possible, inbound goods must be received and then put away in the correct place, and outbound orders must be picked, packed and dispatched in a timely and efficient manner. About 65% of the total costs associated with distribution are accountable to labour, which means that as a warehouse worker you are part of the most important cog in your companies machine.
Achieving your Career Goals
If you have a wealth of experience in order picking, and have recently been overlooked for promotion when a team leader spot became available, don’t be afraid to approach your manager to ask why you were not considered for the role. Keep the conversation civilized and remember that the aim of this conversation is not to get into a massive argument, but simply to find out why you were overlooked. There could be a number of reasons that your manager did not think you were right for the role, ranging from a need to display leadership skills, to associating with people that the management do not see as particularly valuable members of the team. Once you know why you were overlooked, you can work on correcting the issue, your manager may even be able to advise you on the best ways to develop the skills you need in order to be top of the list when the next opening develops.
If after discussing the matter with your manager you feel the reason you were overlooked is untrue or unfair, you could always consider seeking employment with another warehouse. Just contact an employment agency in your area. If you live in the Swindon area, contact Trak Solutions, they have strong connections with some of the biggest warehouses in the south west and almost always recruiting people for warehouse jobs in Swindon.
Write a List of Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Take an objective look at your strengths and weaknesses, then write them all down in a list. You may be able to work on turning some of your current weaknesses into strengths over the coming months, others may be character traits that you just need to accept. By writing your strengths and weaknesses down, and being aware of them, you should be better positioned to plan out a career advancement path that suits not only your experience and skills, but also your personal attributes.
Ask Your Supervisor
By asking your supervisor where they think you will be in five years time, you gain insight into how they feel about your level of commitment to the job, and your abilities. It also lets you know if you get a negative response such as “exactly where you are now” then perhaps you should consider looking for a new employer.
