How to Be Shipping Worker - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 14, 2021 / 4 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The lack of efficient shipping workers can lead to serious problems for businesses. Companies may experience delayed deliveries, damaged products, and decreased customer satisfaction. In addition, the cost of transportation may be higher due to increased labor costs and the need for additional resources.

This can result in lost revenue and an overall decrease in productivity. To prevent these issues, businesses must invest in trained shipping workers who can ensure efficient and effective delivery services. This includes providing adequate training, equipment, and technology to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the shipping process.

By investing in quality shipping workers, businesses can ensure customer satisfaction and a successful shipping process.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED. Most employers prefer to hire applicants who have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Obtain a commercial drivers license (CDL). Depending on the type of shipping job, a CDL may or may not be required.
Gain experience in the industry. Look for entry-level positions with local shipping companies or warehouses.
Complete any required training. Most employers require forklift certification, first aid and CPR training, and hazmat handling certification.
Become certified in hazardous materials or hazardous waste operations. This is typically a requirement for many shipping jobs.
Stay up to date on industry trends and regulations. Make sure that you are always familiar with the latest safety regulations and procedures.
Maintain a clean driving record. Most employers will not hire applicants with a recent history of moving violations or accidents.

As a shipping worker, it is essential to stay competent and updated in the industry. This can be done by obtaining the necessary educational qualifications, keeping up with the latest technologies, and staying informed of new regulations and trends. Having a good understanding of the processes involved in shipping is critical, as this will help you to provide efficient and accurate services.

taking part in relevant training courses or seminars will help to keep your skills and knowledge current. Finally, networking with other professionals can be beneficial as it allows you to gain insight from experienced colleagues and industry partners. By doing all of these things, a shipping worker can ensure that they remain competent and up-to-date in the field.

You may want to check Driver/Courier Worker, Technical Support Worker, and Assembly Worker for alternative.

Job Description

Load shipments onto delivery vehicles
Sort and package items for shipment
Check items against order forms
Operate shipping software
Label and address packages
Prepare customs documents
Inspect packages for damage
Track shipments
Receive incoming items
Unpack and check incoming shipments

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent communication skills
Ability to lift and carry heavy objects
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to operate machinery
Knowledge of shipping software and packages
Knowledge of packing materials
Ability to follow instructions
Attention to detail
Good organizational skills
Ability to work independently

Time management is an essential skill for any Shipping Worker. Without the proper ability to keep track of deadlines and tasks, projects can quickly become disorganized and fall behind schedule. This can lead to costly delays and mistakes in the shipping process which could ultimately impact customer satisfaction.

Having the ability to prioritize tasks, plan ahead, and remain organized are all important elements of time management that will help Shipping Workers ensure their shipments are delivered in a timely and efficient manner. good communication skills are also key for Shipping Workers, as they often need to coordinate with other teams and stakeholders in order to ensure that shipments are sent out correctly. By having these essential skills, Shipping Workers can help ensure that the entire shipping process runs smoothly and that customers receive their products on time.

Logistics Worker, Heavy Equipment Operator Worker, and Utility Worker are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in shipping and receiving?
How have you handled customer complaints regarding shipments?
Describe a time when you had to quickly prioritize tasks in a busy shipping environment.
What methods do you use to ensure accuracy when packing and shipping items?
How do you stay organized when handling multiple shipments at the same time?
What safety procedures do you follow when handling packages?
How do you ensure packages are properly labeled and shipped to the right destination?
Have you ever worked with hazardous materials?
Describe a time when you had to work with a tight deadline while packing and shipping items.
What methods do you use to keep track of shipments and inventory?

Common Tools in Industry

Hand Pallet Jack. Used to move and transport heavy pallets of goods. (Eg: Moving boxes of canned goods from the loading bay to storage)
Forklift. Used to transport pallets of goods to and from storage. (Eg: Moving large pallets of paper products from storage to the loading dock)
Tape Dispenser. Used to quickly and efficiently seal boxes with tape. (Eg: Sealing boxes of books for shipment)
Computer/Scanner. Used to scan barcodes and track shipments. (Eg: Scanning incoming shipments for tracking purposes)
Label Printer. Used to quickly and efficiently print labels for shipments. (Eg: Printing return labels for customers who need to return items)
Box Cutter. Used to quickly and efficiently open boxes of shipments. (Eg: Opening a box of electronics that needs to be checked before shipping)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Warehouse Logistics Association (NWLA)
International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA)
National Association of Shipping and Receiving (NASR)
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA)
National Retail Federation (NRF)
National Association of Professional Logisticians (NAPL)
International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW)
Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC)

We also have Welding Worker, Line Worker, and Maintenance Worker jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Shipping Container. A large, durable, standardized container used to store and transport goods.
Warehouse. A facility used for the storage and distribution of goods.
Bill of Lading. A legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of goods being transported.
Cargo Manifest. A document listing all cargo being loaded or unloaded from a shipping vessel.
Inventory Management. The process of tracking and managing stock levels and ordering items as needed.
Packaging. The process of wrapping, protecting, and labeling items for shipping.
Shipping Rates. The cost associated with shipping goods.
Customs Clearance. The process of obtaining permission to move goods through customs in a foreign country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for a Shipping Worker?

The hourly rate for a Shipping Worker typically ranges between $13.00 and $17.00 per hour.

What type of duties does a Shipping Worker perform?

A Shipping Worker typically performs duties such as packaging, labeling, loading, and unloading goods, operating machinery, and verifying orders.

What qualifications are necessary to work as a Shipping Worker?

Qualifications to work as a Shipping Worker include a high school diploma or equivalent, basic math skills, the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, and the ability to stand for long periods of time.