Preparation for job interviews is a very important step along the road to getting the job. If you are unprepared, or do not give the hiring manager what they need, it can come across to them like you are the kind of person who is always unprepared. And ultimately, it could lose you a chance at the job.
Good preparation, on the other hand, can clinch the job. Here are four tips on preparing for a warehouse job interview.
1. Dress for an interview, not for warehouse work
It is all too common for people to think they just put on what they wear to the job for an interview. If t-shirts and jeans are daily work wear, they are ok, right?
Wrong. There is a general rule of thumb that people should dress better for an interview than they do at work. Everybody, for all jobs, follows this rule of thumb. If you do not, it can look like you do not know the unwritten rules of interviewing.
So for men, dress shirts and slacks; for women, dresses or nice shirts and slacks. Make sure your shoes are shined and everything is clean and pressed the night before.
2. Make sure your job application materials are complete
You want to make sure all your job application materials are complete and with you, to give to the hiring manager. Take extra copies of any resume or application form. If the hiring manager does not have one, or did not get one, provide one of your extras.
Go over what you were asked to provide before the interview. Did the employers want any certifications, licenses, or operator cards? Make copies of these, as well.
It is also a good idea to bring reference letters, if you have them, and a reference list.
The key point here is to be prepared. It lets the employer know you can be depended upon to be prepared every day at work.
3. Develop answers to common interview questions
Although no one can completely predict what they will be asked in an interview, there are some common questions warehouse workers are often asked.
Therefore, it is a good idea to develop some answers to these questions and practice your answers with friends or family.
Common questions include:
- Tell me about your experience – Give a brief overview of your experience as it is relevant for the job. Highlight times you were praised for your work, your reliability, or for contributing to productivity. These things focus on your work as a good employee, so employers want to hire you.
- Why do you want to work here? – Most companies want to know if you’ve heard good things about their products, safety record, treatment of employees, or any other factor that made you choose this company.
- Tell me about a time you made a mistake in packing an order. What did you do? – What the employer is looking for here is how you corrected an error. Did you show teamwork? Tell your supervisor? Take responsibility? Don’t focus on the error itself. Everyone makes them sometimes. It’s how you fixed it and resolved mistakes that counts.
4. Read up on the company
It is good to know something about the company you are applying to. It is common for interviewers to ask if you have any questions for them at the end of an interview. Showing you are aware of what the company does and who they are can make you stand out from the competition.
Most companies have websites. Read up on their mission, goals, and history. See if local newspapers have published any news about the company recently. Ask about those stories.
A Staffing Company That Can Help You Find a Job
If you are looking for warehouse work, let an experienced staffing company help. Nesco Resource connects with many different warehouse employers across your area. Contact us today to talk about job opportunities.
