Writer C. J. Cherryh once said, “Trade isn't about goods. Trade is about information. Goods sit in the warehouse until information moves them.” Her quote highlights one vital fact about warehouses: the goods in them don’t just magically move themselves.

Their movement not only relies on information, like Cherryh’s quote highlights, but also on the right personnel; warehouse workers. While they may not get a lot of recognition for their hard work, warehouse workers are the unsung heroes of any business with a warehouse.

After all, the best ones know all the ins and outs of a warehouse so they can ensure that all on-ground operations function smoothly. They’re responsible for all assortment of critical duties, from picking and filing orders to packing and shipping orders, to processing incoming stock. It’s a job that requires a range of vital soft skills, such as dependability and time management, as well as hard skills, such as data entry and the ability to use certain types of equipment to safely and efficiently manage warehouse stock.

If you’re a warehouse worker yourself, you’ll appreciate that not every job in this line of work is the same. On one hand, there are warehouse jobs that have excellent pay and conditions, with bosses who respect your talents. On the other hand, there are those that are low-paying and have awful conditions, with bosses who frankly treat you like dirt.

To give yourself the best chance of scoring a job you love, your resume will need to be flawless. This goes beyond being mistake-free; it needs to be captivating, well-written, and well-formatted. All of the components need to work together to convince a recruiter why you’re the best warehouse worker for the job.

If you’re ready to make a resume that puts your best foot forward, our guide will give you the expert guidance you’re after. By the end of it, you will know:

• The unwritten format and layout rules you need to follow
• How to beat the ATS
• Which skills are worth mentioning
• What an ideal resume objective and summary looks like
• How to customize your resume so that it’s no longer generic

1. Multiple Template Examples

2. How to Write a Warehouse Worker Resume That Will Get You the Job

How to format your resume

While a job ad may not explicitly state how your resume should look like, keep in mind that there are quite a few unwritten rules that recruiters will expect you to follow. They are generally agreed upon by both human resource managers and resume experts, because they help make your resume come together professionally.

One of the unwritten rules regards your resume format. Without a doubt, the best one for a warehouse worker’s resume is a reverse-chronological format. It is regarded to be the most impactful format, because it effectively draws attention to your professional experiences. Specifically, it presents your work history to a recruiter in reverse-chronological order, so they can see your most recent or current work experience first and foremost.

Another unwritten rule concerns your resume layout. Recruiters tend to take a very conservative approach to how a resume should be presented, so it’s in your best interests to stick to standard resume layout guidelines. To make them crystal clear to you, we’ve shared the most crucial ones below:

• • Number of Pages: No more and no less than 1 page. 
  • Fonts to Use: A clean font that supports comprehension, such as Georgia and Hevitica.
  • Fonts to Avoid: Any font that would startle a recruiter due to its boldness, such as Point Panther and Impact Wrench.
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides.

• Line Spacing: 1 or 1.15.

• Header size: 14-16 point size.
• Text size: 11-12 point size

What recruiters will look for

Before you put pen to paper, you need to know what recruiters are looking for. Surprisingly, the average recruiter spends between 5 and 7 seconds looking at an application. You need to pique their interest fast.

Recruiters are typically looking for warehouse workers who have a variety of technical skills, such as the ability to use tools and machinery. Aside from that, they also require workers with soft skills, such as excellent communication and team working capabilities.

Since the warehouse industry is broad, you need to be specific about your experience. The two main branches of warehouse work can be neatly packed into retail or wholesale. If you have some experience working in either, be sure to highlight that clearly.

How to get your resume past ATS

Welcome to the 21st century, where a robot reads your application before a human does! Around 40% of employers use an Applicant Screening System (ATS) when reviewing candidates. Put simply, this is a type of software that makes it easy for companies to immediately accept or reject your resume.

Since businesses will be overwhelmed with applications whenever they post a job advert, this type of system allows them to whittle down the candidates so they are left with the creme de la creme. Think of the ATS as the gatekeeper to an employer. When sending your warehouse worker resume, you have to get past them first. 

The first step is identifying the keywords relating to the warehouse industry. The software will scan for specific phrases and words to ensure that candidates meet the criteria. Pepper your resume with industry-specific phrases, such as ‘ERP systems’ and ‘maintaining inventories’. Keep things simple so they are easy to understand.

Aside from using keywords, ensure your resume is digestible for the ATS. Go easy on any creative formatting, use plain English, and avoid jargon. As a golden rule, submit your resume in either PDF or Word Doc format, both of which are ATS-compatible. 

Pro tip: When deciding on your resume keywords, pay close attention to the original job advert. The ATS will use the exact terminology in the posting as a reference point, so be sure to use the same wording to get past the system!

What skills to mention and how to do so correctly

Whether you’re an experienced warehouse worker or a newcomer to the industry, your skills are what sell you to a recruiter. Don’t be tempted to write out all of your positive traits. This fast and loose method is unlikely to land you the role. Instead, take a moment to put yourself in the recruiter’s mindset.

To be a great warehouse worker, you need a mixture of both technical and soft skills. Think of the technical skills like the filling of a sandwich; they are the part that truly matters. However, without the bread, you have no sandwich. The soft skills finish things off nicely, showing the recruiter that you’re the whole package.

Chances are, you have a myriad of skills and want to emphasize them. However, it pays to tailor your resume to the original job advert. That way, a recruiter can tell whether you’re right for the role at a glance.

You should include your most relevant skills in two sections: 

1. A dedicated “Skills” section: List 6 to 8 of your most relevant ones.
2. Your “Professional Experience” section: Naturally incorporate a handful throughout.

When it comes to adding skills to your professional experience section, be specific and provide supporting evidence for each skill. 

For example, a job posting may state the company needs a warehouse worker who is proficient in using 4SIGHT software and mathematical skills. First up, let’s look at an example of what not to write as a direct response to this criteria: 

• An understanding of 4SIGHT software
• Good mathematical skills 

While the candidate has highlighted each skill they have, their breakdown is vague. They might as well have written ‘I tick these boxes’. It might be true, but can you prove it? The candidate has not provided evidence to support their skills or quantified them.

So, how can you take the same information and elevate it? Let’s take a look at a better example of how the candidate could convey their underlying skills: 

• Used 4SIGHT software to manage 4,000 orders per month
• Excellent mathematical and statistical analysis skills 

The information in these two examples is strikingly similar. But what sets the second example apart is elaboration. Not only has the candidate demonstrated that they have a knowledge of 4SIGHT software, but they have also quantified their usage of it.

When it comes to the mathematical skills, the candidate has elaborated on the area in which they are experienced. Since a core part of inventory management is statistical analysis, adding this to the skills section is a fantastic way to elevate your resume. Keeping an eye out for these opportunities is always a savvy move!

Unsure where to start when listing your warehouse worker skills? Fortunately, we have some inspiration for you here. Let’s take a look at the top technical and soft skills:

Hard / technical skills

• FIFO inventory management
• 4SIGHT software
• Picking
• Packing
• Forklift driving
• Ability to lift heavy weights
• Mathematical skills
• Shipping
• Record keeping
• Computer skills

Soft / interpersonal skills

• Leadership
• Team work
• Speed
• Efficiency
• Excellent communication
• Physical fitness
• Work ethic
• Attention to detail
• Reliability
• Honesty

Pro tip: Tailor your skills section to the role you’re applying for! While we’ve listed the top skills, the warehouse industry is broad and you need to be specific.

How to list your education

Experience and skills are king when applying for warehouse worker positions. However, you should note that some larger companies will only hire college graduates for these roles. For that reason, be thorough and clear when listing your formal education.

List your education in reverse chronological order. This method makes the most logical sense, but it also works best for the ATS. It’s a win-win. Of course, formatting is equally important. Ensure that your education section is easy to understand. Here’s how you should list your education:

• Degree or program name
• College name
• State the school is located in
• Years attended

For example:

• BS Business Administration in Operations and Supply Chain Management, California State University, CA, 2014 - 2018

Should you have any special achievements relating to your education, you can also list them here too. For example, if you have a GPA of 3.5 or above, it's well worth noting. Similarly, if you received an award as part of your education and it’s relevant, add it.

How to write a resume objective and examples of this

New graduates or those making a sudden career shift won’t have any experience as a warehouse worker. Think of a resume objective like a light version of a resume summary (which we explore in the following section). It focuses on your aims and long-term career goals in the place of your lack of professional experiences.

Before we delve into what makes a killer warehouse worker objective, let’s take a quick look at what not to write:

• Recent graduate hoping to start a career as a warehouse associate. Good time management skills, excellent communication skills, reliable, and friendly. No experience in the warehouse sector, however, eager and willing to learn.

This warehouse worker summary tells the recruiter hardly anything about the applicant. The skills they have stated are not tailored to the job. For example, ‘reliability’ is a trait you would expect from a candidate in any sector. To add insult to injury, the candidate goes on to highlight the fact that they have no experience. Big mistake!

Now that you’re clear on how not to write your objective, let’s take a look at a great example instead:

• Warehousing & Supply Chain Management graduate, skilled in mathematics, record-keeping, and computer proficiency. Boasts excellent communication, great teamwork skills, and reliability. Experience working in customer-facing retail roles for 3+ years. Long-term goal of working in a warehouse management role. 

Like the first example, the above candidate has no warehouse experience. However, they have chosen to focus on the experience they do have. Working in a customer-facing position demonstrates that the candidate has strong interpersonal skills.

The candidate has tailored their objective to the role at hand. Record-keeping and computer proficiency are two skills that are directly applicable to warehouse work. Similarly, they have mentioned their degree, which is in the warehouse niche, and stated their long-term goal to work in the industry. All of the above tells the recruiter that this candidate is serious about their ambitions in the sector.

How to write a resume summary and examples of this

Ready to sell yourself to a potential employer or recruiter if you’re an experienced warehouse worker? Your resume summary is your time to shine. Typically, this section is 3 to 4 sentences long and covers the highlights of your resume. It should be punchy and short. 

If the recruiter were to only read this section of your resume, they should have a clear idea of what you will bring to the role. Much like the synopsis of a movie, this snappy section should pique the reader’s interest and let them know what they can expect from you.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make here is being vague or using ‘fluffy’ language. For example, let’s take a look at a poor example of a warehouse worker resume summary: 

• Smart warehouse associate looking forward to taking on their next challenge. Experienced in picking, packing, inventory management, and record-keeping. Team player offering speedy work and reliability. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

While the above candidate hits some of the major job requirements, this particular example is vague. The line ‘looking forward to taking on their next challenge’ is entirely redundant. The fact that you’re applying for a new role tells the recruiter that you’re ready for a new challenge. It’s a waste of words.

What’s more, the skills highlighted here—picking, packing, inventory management, and record-keeping–are all relevant to the role. However, none of them stand out as exemplary of a solid worker and the candidate has not bothered to substantiate them with evidence.

There’s a certain art to writing a winning warehouse worker summary. Here’s an example of how you can pack the sentences with vital details that will help you land the role: 

• Reliable warehouse associate with 6+ years of experience in the retail sector. Experienced in picking and packing more than 300 parcels per day and commended on excelling industry speed average by 13%. Technical skills include record-keeping, inventory management, and ERP system proficiency. An excellent communicator with long-term leadership aspirations.

Unlike the first example, this warehouse worker summary is specific and quantifies each claim that it makes. For instance, the candidate has highlighted that they have more than six years of experience and that they pick and pack more than 300 parcels per day. This is the type of solid information that a recruiter is looking for when scanning a resume.

At the end of it, the candidate has added some flair by stating that they have ‘long-term leadership aspirations’. That short and sweet line tells the recruiter that they’re considering their future career path and are willing to develop over time.

Pro tip: Ahead of writing your resume summary, take a second to mind-map your most impressive traits and experience. Make a list of what makes you perfect for the job.

How to list any additional details, like certifications, hobbies, interests, and volunteer experience

If you’ve won a cool award, got an interesting hobby, or spent your summer volunteering, you may be wondering where you should list this information on your resume. 

First things first, consider whether your achievement is relevant to the role. You may be extremely proud of volunteering at a cat shelter, but it’s unlikely that the experience prepared you for the world of warehouse work.

You can list any awards in a dedicated “Awards” section. Again, you need to make sure that they are applicable to the warehouse worker role. If you have an additional certificate in inventory management, for example, including it is a no-brainer. Once you’ve decided that the award is worth mentioning, make sure to include: 

• The name of the award
• The organization or workplace who issued it
• The year you obtained it

Pro tip: If you just have one award and/or you’re short on space, you may wish to highlight it in your resume objective or summary instead. 

Any relevant certifications and training you have undertaken can be listed in a dedicated “Certifications and Training” section on your resume. If you have an additional certificate in inventory management, for example, including it is a no-brainer. 

As brutal as it sounds, listing your hobbies and interests is pointless. Unless your hobby is related to the role of a warehouse worker, leave it out. The same goes for volunteer experience. However, there is an exception. If you have volunteered in a warehouse and have no other experience in the sector, you should include it in your resume. 

How to target your resume for each application

Writing a stellar resume is hard-going. So, when you’ve finished the document, you may be tempted to use it for every application. Don’t make that mistake. You need to avoid being generic. Recruiters can tell when you’re using a ‘one size fits all’ approach.. 

Creating an editable resume is the only way to go. When you spot a potential job opportunity, read the description closely, and see how your resume aligns with it. To make sure your application ticks all the right boxes, you will need to edit your resume. Tweak various sections – such as the skills and experience sections – to ensure they match the role. 

You should also consider the terminology used in the job description. For instance, if the advert states that candidates should have ‘inventory management skills’ and your resume says you have ‘stock management skills’, there’s a simple change you can make. Rewording your resume so you use the exact same phrasing will score you extra points.

Pro tip: Research the company too! You can gain a lot of information from the job description. However, to give yourself the edge, look deeper into the business. You may discover that they specialize in a certain area or process you can highlight.

How to make your resume stand out

Every candidate should be looking for ways to strengthen their resume. Fortunately for you, many candidates don’t try to go the extra mile and are content to hand in an average looking resume. Don’t be like them. If you’re ready to learn how to make your resume stand out, pay attention to these tips:

• Keep it uniform: Recruiters highly value uniformity when it comes to your resume’s format and layout. As long as you follow the guidelines we shared above, you’ll be on the right track. However, if you’re tempted to get a bit experimental by incorporating a variety of fonts and colors, or tweaking with standard margin sizes, we urge you to reconsider. All you’ll do is provide the recruiter with an excuse to reject your resume.  

• Remember that order is everything: The order in which you present the achievements you feature in your professional experiences section can make a substantial difference. Remember, a recruiter will likely spend 7 seconds max looking at your resume. This means they may only end up reading the first few achievements for each job role. You can make them count by putting your most relevant and impressive achievements first.

• Aim high: Many job seekers don’t apply for a job unless they’re 100% qualified for it. While it is indeed important to tick many of the boxes a recruiter is looking for, you don’t need to tick them all in order to have a good shot of getting hired. As long as you at least meet the mandatory requirements, we encourage you to throw your hat into the ring. You may have precisely what a recruiter is looking for – even if they haven’t realized it yet!

3. How Resumebuild.com’s Resume Builder Tool Will Help You Create a Resume Recruiters Love

Writing a resume recruiters love is no easy feat. You need to follow all types of rules, guidelines, and tips just toe the line. Then, in order to actually grab their attention, you’ll need to write everything out in an engaging way. Needless to say, that requires writing skills and knowledge that many candidates simply don’t have.

This helps to explain why there are many people who are suitable for a job but don’t make it to the interview stage, while others who aren’t deserving fly right through. For better or worse, it largely boils down to who knows how to write a resume and who doesn’t!

If you’re someone who has everything it takes for a job except the knowledge of how to communicate this all in a resume, we’re here to help. 

At Resumebuild.com, we know how tough great candidates like you have it. The job market is competitive and recruiters are completely unforgiving about any faux pas they spot on your resume. 

That’s why we built our impressive resume builder. We wanted to provide job seekers a way to create a resume that shines, even if they don’t have good writing skills or much time. 

One feature that users particularly appreciate about our resume builder is that it’s designed to keep you on track. It organizes the entire resume writing process for you into digestible steps, so that you never feel overwhelmed. You’re welcome to go at your own pace when completing each resume section and you can even switch between sections as you wish. 

Users also find the range of sleek resume templates and helpful pre-written examples available highly useful. If you’re ready to see what all the fuss is about, it’s time to create your resume using our DIY resume builder.