- Are you physically agile and dexterous, and why would you say so? …
- Could you give me examples from past experience where you organized items in an easily accessible manner? …
- Which methods did you use in previous positions to clean and maintain equipment, and your work environment?
Picker/Packer Interview Questions
15 Order Picker Interview Questions and Answers
How would your warehouse colleagues describe your work ethic?
By asking the candidate to describe how their colleagues would characterise their work ethic, the question allows you to evaluate how the candidate sees themselves. What to look for in an answer:
- Critical thinking skills to see different perspectives
- Communication skills to describe ideas and concepts
- Interpersonal skills for interacting with others in the workplace
What valid certificates do you hold for using warehouse equipment?
To comply with workplace safety in your province of operation, you may require certified employees to use warehouse equipment. The goal of the question is to determine what qualifications a candidate currently has. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience with company-specific equipment
- Valid safety certifications for warehouse machinery
- Understanding of safety protocols in the workplace
How do you ensure accuracy when picking complex orders?
An order picker must be able to gather customers’ orders accurately. The question’s goal is to determine how the candidate maintains a high level of accuracy in their role. What to look for in an answer:
- Attention to detail to ensure properly picked orders
- Ability to follow processes and procedures in the workplace
- Willingness to improve job accuracy and efficiency
Tell me about a time you disagreed with a coworker.
Even though the work of an order picker is often solitary, the role interacts with coworkers, supervisors, and sometimes even customers. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate’s communication and interpersonal skills in the workplace when dealing with others. What to look for in an answer:
- Communication skills to interact in a respectful and positive manner
- Interpersonal skills to build relationships with colleagues and supervisors
- Willingness to resolve conflicts with mutual agreement
How do you ensure a safe working environment?
The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate’s ability to follow safety protocols and their awareness of creating a safe work environment. What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to follow company safety procedures and processes
- Willingness to be proactive and create a safe workspace
- Communication skills to express any safety concerns as needed
The position requires the ability to move up to 30 kilograms. Are you able to perform this physical requirement?
You will typically require an order picker to perform many physical requirements within the job. The goal of the question is to determine if the candidate can fulfil the job’s physical needs. Asking in this way promotes inclusivity. What to look for in an answer:
- Willingness to work within the physical requirements of the job
- Ability to think creatively and problem-solve
- Communication skills to express safety concerns
What process do you follow to minimize picking errors?
The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate maintains accuracy and consistency in their work. What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to follow company procedures and policies
- Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy when gathering orders
- Willingness to improve their performance continuously
What computer software and technology are you familiar with using in a warehouse environment?
Warehouses typically have warehouse management software. The goal of the question is to determine what experience the candidate has with software and technology related to the role. What to look for in an answer:
- Familiarity with warehouse and inventory software
- Ability to use a computer and other technology in the role
- Ability to follow company procedures and processes
What unique qualities do you have that make you stand out from other candidates for the role?
The question’s goal is to determine the candidate’s special skills, abilities, and characteristics that make them unique. What to look for in an answer:
- Communication skills to express thoughts and ideas
- Creativity and critical thinking to apply knowledge and experiences to the current situation
- Positive attitude and interpersonal skills
How do you feel about working nights or weekends?
Order pickers work in shifts, sometimes during nights and weekends The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate’s availability, and willingness to work during undesirable hours. What to look for in an answer:
- Open availability
- Positive attitude
- Desire to do what’s best for the team
How do you deal with a high-priority deadline?
There may be times when you have high-priority orders that your employees need to complete with utmost speed and efficiency. The question’s goal is to determine how the candidate handles work deadlines and pressure in the role. What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to remain calm and composed under tight deadlines and in stressful situations
- Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy at all times
- Time management and organisational skills
How do you maintain a safe environment while still hitting production targets in the warehouse?
Creating and maintaining a safe working environment is everyone’s responsibility. The question’s goal is to evaluate the candidate’s awareness of safety protocol in a warehouse environment while maintaining efficiency. What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to follow safety regulations and procedures
- Communication skills to express safety concerns
- Ability to maintain a high level of productivity within safety protocols
Describe a time you didn’t make your picking quota.
It is common for warehouse employees to have specific quotas that you need them to meet every day. The question’s goal is to see how the candidate handles situations when they cannot perform to the expected standards. What to look for in an answer:
- Communication skills to express concerns that may affect their productivity
- Time management and organisation skills to maintain efficiency in their role
- Accountability for their performance
Tell me about a time you caught a colleague’s picking error.
The question’s goal is to evaluate how a candidate handles a potentially difficult situation with a colleague. What to look for in an answer:
- Communication skills to address a concern with a coworker in a constructive and respectful way
- Willingness to lead by example and be an effective role model
- Interpersonal skills to create positive relationships with others
What do you enjoy most about working with minimal supervision?
This question’s goal is to evaluate how the candidate works with minimal supervision while maintaining accuracy and productivity. What to look for in an answer:
- Communication skills to express concerns and thoughts
- Ability to work without direct supervision
- Time management and organisational skills to maintain work standards
Can you tell us something about yourself?
How you talk matters more than what you say. Because this is an icebreaker interview question, and more than anything else they try to quickly assess your communication skills, and motivation.
Do you articulate clearly? Do you talk to the point? Is it easy to understand you? Can they hear some enthusiasm in your voice, or is it clear from the first moment that you apply for the job only because you have to get any job, because you need to earn money?
Try to talk with some enthusiasm. You can talk about school, any former jobs you had (but do not mention too many of them, to not look like a job-hopper), what you enjoy doing in your free time, and so on.
The key is to talk clearly, keep an eye contact with the interviewers, and do not look like someone who’s forced to be in the room.
Why do you want to work as a picker?
I probably won’t surprise you saying that not a single kid in the world (or at least certainly not in the US) dreams of working as a picker in a warehouse once he or she grows up. And interviewers are not naive either.
Still, you should find something positive about the job, or at least clearly explain what role in plays in your life, at this stage of your professional career. Maybe you are just starting out after school, and cannot hope to find something better. But you like logistics and hope to work in the field for many years to come. Job of a picker is a decent start in this case.
Or you’ve been unemployed for a longer time, and basically will take a job in any place where they give you a chance to prove that you can still handle the workload, and take care of your duties.
You can also say that you read the job description carefully, and think that you will (at least somehow) enjoy the work pickers usually do, that it is a type of work you feel comfortable doing, and that’s the reason why you decided to apply with them, and not in some other place.
In any case, they should get an impression that this isn’t your last choice, and that you see some good things about the job.
How do you imagine a typical day at work at this warehouse/distribution center?
It is important to show realistic expectations. And to ensure them that you expect to have your hands full. Most likely you will move to and fro between warehouse premises and expedition, receiving orders (typically electronically), and following the orders picking the right items from the shelves, and preparing them for expedition.
You may or not respond for packing, and you may or not work with a forklift–check the job description to be sure. It is also important to mention some secondary duties, such as keeping your workplace clean and well-organized.
Again, try to show some enthusiasm when talking about your duties. You should not sound like you hate the job already, before you even started doing it.
FAQ
What questions will I be asked in a warehouse interview?
- Why do you want to work in a warehouse? …
- What made you interested in our company? …
- Can you perform the essential requirements of this job with or without accommodation? …
- Can you tell me about your experience working in warehouses or similar environments?
What are the duties of a warehouse picker?
- Receive and check incoming pick tickets.
- Locate products using technology.
- Retrieve orders according to quantity, size etc. …
- Build pallets with orders and position them to loading docks.
- Wrap orders before loading on trucks.
- Re-stock inventory manually or with warehouse equipment.
How do I pass a warehouse interview?
- Know what hours you can work. …
- Be prepared to discuss your previous employment. …
- Write a list of questions for the interviewer. …
- Dress professionally. …
- Research the company. …
- Update your application documents. …
- Practice, practice, practice.
What skills do you need to be a picker?
