With demand for talented warehouse help growing at breakneck speed, it’s harder than ever to staff your warehouse with skilled and able-bodied staff. The seasonal needs that many warehouses contend with make it even more challenging to keep up through the busy season.
For these reasons, seasonal warehouse positions are in extremely high demand. Plus, since busy seasons vary depending on the industry, there are usually great seasonal opportunities in your area at any given time. Today, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best seasonal jobs for warehouse and industrial workers and discuss some strategies for landing these jobs.
Forklift Driver
One of the most critical (and high-paying) seasonal jobs at any warehouse is the forklift driver position. Forklift drivers are responsible for moving inventory and equipment throughout the warehouse and ensuring that it’s stored in the correct location. They also may coordinate with shipping and receiving to load trucks for shipment.
When it comes to seasonal work, this is one of the most in-demand positions available. However, it does require some specialized training, and businesses expect you to bring that knowledge with you on the job.
If you aren’t yet a certified forklift operator, you can train online or in your area to become certified to operate this critical piece of equipment. Once certified, you’ll be able to apply for high paying seasonal jobs as a forklift operator.
To excel in this role, you’ll need to be mechanically inclined, organized, and vigilant. Forklift drivers are also in charge of managing their safety and the safety of their co-workers in an extraordinarily fast-paced and potentially hazardous environment.
Shipping and Receiving Associate
One of the most readily available seasonal warehouse jobs is that of the shipping and receiving associate. This position is in exceptionally high demand within businesses with e-commerce operations, as they tend to be their busiest during the holiday rush.
Shipping and receiving associates are in charge of managing everything that enters and leaves the warehouse. These workers prepare orders for shipment, scan them into the necessary systems, and get them on their way to the customer. They also receive everything that comes into the warehouse, including inventory and equipment.
Shipping and receiving staff must also inspect shipments for damage, breakage, or missing components, and documents any instances where the products being received are unacceptable.
In this role, you’ll need to be efficient, motivated, and capable of working on your feet in a fast-paced environment. Efficient time management skills are also a critical skill to have if you’re looking to excel in a role within the busy shipping and receiving department.
Stock Associates
Capable stock associates are another essential piece of the puzzle in a busy warehouse environment, and they help support other members of the warehouse staff by ensuring that inventory is correctly labeled and ready for picking and packing. The position of a stock associate is a plentiful entry-level position, making it one of the most accessible seasonal part-time jobs to get.
Typically, stock associates are responsible for unloading inventory after it’s been received by the shipping and receiving department. From there, they must file the inventory in its appropriate spot in the warehouse and ensure that everything is clearly labeled and ready to be picked.
In this role, you’ll need organizational and time management skills, along with the ability to multitask. The most effective stock associates are clean and organized and take pride in keeping everything ordered and in the right place. It’s also helpful to be in great physical shape, as this role is often physically demanding and requires some occasional heavy lifting.
Drivers
Depending on the company you’re applying for, seasonal driver positions may be available as well. These positions usually pay well, and they don’t require much experience. If you have a clean driver’s license, these positions may be a good fit for you.
Drivers coordinate with other warehouse staff to ensure the timely pickup and delivery of local customer orders, deliveries, and more. To thrive in this position, you’ll need to be a good driver with excellent organizational skills. Since you’ll spend most of your days outside the shop, it’s also helpful to be self-motivated and goal-oriented.
Seasonal Warehouse Manager
If you’re someone who has already amassed some experience working in warehouse environments, you may be qualified for seasonal management positions. As the seasonal staff balloons during the busy season, more managers will be necessary to ensure that members of the support staff are effectively doing their job so that the shop runs smoothly.
Warehouse managers should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They also must be organized, talented multi-taskers, and bring a wealth of relevant experience and knowledge to the table. Like the position of forklift driver, this is one of the few jobs on our list that requires prior experience and education.
Qualified warehouse managers will bring with them years of experience as well as any certifications that may be relevant to the job. Basic certifications such as the OSHA 10 or 30-hour courses for general industry can help add weight to your resume. Depending on the business you’re applying for, more specialized certifications may also be helpful.
What Are Seasonal Jobs?
A seasonal job is any position which the company does not fill on a year-round basis. The reasons for this can be many. For many businesses, there is a distinct busy season, in which the demand for labor is considerably higher than it is at other points of the year.
A seasonal labor force allows the company to fill its labor needs under the premise that this position will only be available for part of the year. These types of jobs are attractive for potential employees because they allow them to take a position when their schedule allows, or during a time where they need extra money.
Finding Seasonal Warehouse Jobs
When it comes to fulfilling seasonal positions, companies use a variety of different resources to get the word out and get these positions staffed. Too often, aspiring warehouse workers will focus their job search in one or two directions, and in doing so, they miss many promising job opportunities.
Companies are using as many resources that are available to them as possible. This means that they may post on multiple job boards and social media sites in addition to more traditional methods like the classified section of the local paper. Some employers will also advertise job openings outside of their warehouse, as well.
Potential applicants would be wise to cover as much ground as possible. Check job boards like Indeed or CareerBuilder, read the local paper, and ask friends and family for word of mouth recommendations. The more ground you cover, the more likely you are to find a seasonal warehouse gig that’s a great fit for you.
Tips For Landing the Job
After you’ve submitted your resume, there’s a strong chance you’ll be contacted for an interview, assuming your experience is in line with what the company needs. Once you’re in the door for an interview, this is when the real work begins.
To separate yourself from the other people who have applied for the position, it’s critical that you know how to differentiate yourself and let the interviewer know that you’re the right person for the job. Here are some helpful tips that will ensure you stand out from the sea of other applicants.
Get an Early Start
Most warehouses try and fill out their seasonal staff a month or more before those employees begin working. In many cases, the best and most promising positions fill up early. So, to be considered, you’ll need to start pounding the pavement early.
Look For Positions With Permanent Potential
Some seasonal workers love the idea of working for multiple companies over a short period of time, while others rely on seasonal work for the flexibility it provides. But most seasonal employees would be happy to consider a permanent position within the company when presented with an opportunity.
Seasonal employment is a great path towards a more permanent position, and for some employers, it represents a sort of try out. Each year, they keep their best seasonal employees on in a permanent capacity.
Of course, the prospect of transitioning to a full-time role after the season isn’t guaranteed, and you should always have an alternate plan should a full-time position not become available.
Be Prepared For Your Interview
Preparedness is critically important when it comes to interviewing for seasonal positions. Well-prepared applicants demonstrate initiative, and they give the impression that they’re reliable and knowledgeable. Of course, applicants aren’t expected to be a font of knowledge regarding the company or position they’re applying for, but some preparation can go a long way. Be prepared to let your interviewer know about your strengths, why you’ll be a good fit, and why you’re interested in working on a seasonal basis. It can also be helpful to know a bit about the company and the position you’re applying for before your interview.
