Do you like working in a warehouse setup and have good organizational skills then you can be an order selector! In this article, we will be sharing some of the questions with answers that you might be asked in your interview as an Order Selector.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
I have great organization skills and I applied for this role at your organization because I have always been impressed with your super-fast deliveries. I have been a customer myself and I would like to sit on the other side of the table with you to help in my professional capacity to achieve more together.
2. What Are The Roles Of An Order Selector?
- Understanding the order slip to read correctly,
- Finding the items from the warehouse as per the order,
- Using warehouse machinery like forklifts to prepare orders,
- Understand the labels used on the packaging because that will help in sorting the packaging and routing them correctly,
- Organizing the warehouse properly all the time for smoother operation every day,
- Record keeping of items that have been packed and moved.
- Manually loading the packages into vehicles. It can be from the truck to the client or from one truck to another. It depends on the nature of the warehouse where you are working.
- Safe handling of all packages at all times
- Ensuring on-time delivery of goods because everyone wants a package to be delivered on time and without damage.
- For tracking purposes, all packages should be scanned. Use scanners to track parcel information, such as receipt or condition.
3. What Are The Qualities That An Order Selector Needs To Be Successful?
Having experience in warehouse procedures is a brownie point for any associate. Overall, an associate must have attention to detail to make sure items are stocked and can order can be processed. Also, the associate must know how to read and fulfill work orders. For physical qualities, an associate should be able to lift heavy objects and work in a loud environment. The role also demands physical stamina since he has to stand or walk for up to a minimum of 8 hours every day. This job requires good coordination between arms and hands so that package can be moved at speed to the required location. The package can be of any size and weight so physical strength is important. Another important skill is good customer service to make sure customers are happy!
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
In my previous role, I had long working hours that exceeded 12 hours normally. I felt that my health started declining due to this and the staff shortage was taking a toll on me. Due to pandemic restrictions, a lot was going on in the company and everyone was concerned as well. I discussed my issue with my supervisor and he also understood that long hours are affecting my efficiency and together we need to find a solution for every worker at the warehouse. With the help of HR, we worked out a shift plan and discussed it with everyone. It helped everyone. I believe that it is important to take your supervisor in confidence regarding any work-related problem so that your productivity is not at stake due to any issue. Good communication between the teams is important!
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As An Order Selector?
My all day is spent working on different tasks and I do enjoy the variety of tasks coming my way. Every morning, I start my day by receiving and loading boxes as a first task. It involves taking off boxes from carrier trailers and moving those to designated warehouse space. As they move, I scan the pallets and boxes and check the damages if any. Once it’s done, I remove the wraps and outer material from the boxes. Later, I stack the items in carriers so that space is secure and optimized for the next shipment.
After this, I move on to order assignments and pick items from the warehouse shelves. I use a barcode scanner to verify the items in every order. Once an order is complete, I pack the orders as per instructions and verify the box weight as I apply the printed labels.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience?
I started working in the Returns and Exchange Unit at a local firm. My responsibility was to put items back after opening them and ensure that there was no damage done in the transit. As I stock back, I had to update the inventory. In 6 months, I was given a few more tasks as I got promoted and I started working in Order Fulfillment Department. I believe I have gathered a lot of experience by serving in different departments since the start of my career. This has truly helped in upscaling my skills and basic knowledge about the warehouse and processes to keep it running. I have gotten a chance to work at FedEx as an internee which developed my interest in this career path.
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Are Required For This Role?
Attention to detail and interest in this service industry is the requirement of this role. One must stay organized and have a clear focus while packing the order and make sure that it goes out well to the logistics department.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge You Foresee In This Job?
To be able to maintain physical health after long working hours! The 8-hour standing job requires good stamina. To beat this challenge, I make sure that I stay active and choose a healthy lifestyle over easy options. I have invested in good shoes that do not hurt my feet and I do not smoke because it will affect my stamina directly.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated At Work?
Achieving my set targets every day keeps me motivated at this job. I make sure that I can keep the pace at work while fulfilling the orders so that organization has a good customer service rate because it helps the business grow and teams grow like this too. During my shift, I take a 10 min break if I feel stressed out or overburdened due to work. Sitting in the fresh air helps clear my mind and I am back to my efficient mode with little activity outside the working unit. I make sure that I am giving my best energy during working hours so that it is reflected in my work too.
10. Describe A Time You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned?
I overcommitted the number of orders that will be packed by me at the very beginning of my career to impress my boss. It was humanly impossible to achieve and I started getting burnt out. My boss was a keen observer and he immediately found out that I am facing issues. He appreciated the enthusiasm I had but also told me to stop being a robot. I learned that slowly and steadily does win the race after all. I need to make sure that I don’t overcommit and ignore the perfection I can provide with a calm mind.
11. Why Do You Feel You Are Qualified For This Role?
I have experience working in a warehouse setup and I feel that I can apply my learning and skills at this organization too. I have good organization and time management skill that gives me a brownie point for getting this job.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement
In my previous role, I got awarded as best employee of the month as I was in charge of loading and unloading packages up to 4 delivery vehicles every day. I made sure that I am reliable to my organization and that my supervisor could count on me while he was away for some meetings. I was able to lead teams as per requirement.
13. In Your Opinion, Is In-House Order Fulfillment Beneficial? Share Your Views With Us.
I believe that it is beneficial as long as you have full control over all the business activity. From training resources to managing the workforce, it’s all your headache. It does give you full control over all phases of business operation related to orders but requires a lot of storage facilities. Having full control overall operations of a business is a good idea but managing every affair of a business yourself and having full responsibility also involves some limitations and risks.
14. Can You Operate A Forklift? Do You Have OSHA Certification Including 30 Hours?
Yes, I am certified to operate a forklift as per OSHA and I have taken 30 hours of training as a requirement of the certification. It has taught me:
- Occupational safety.
- Forklift training safety.
- How to properly drive a forklift.
- Safety rules and regulations.
- Hazard reporting in the area of work.
- How to be safe while in the workplace.
15. What Is Your Tip On How To Handle Packages In The Time Of COVID-19?
Ensure your safety at this time. You can give it a quick wipe down with disinfectant wipes. Also, make sure you’re washing your hands after having contact with any packages that come from outside your home.
16. What Are The 3 Primary Steps Of Order Processing?
First, there should be a slip on the package that mentions the warehouse location, material that is inside along with the quantity and instructions if any. Instructions may include fragile or placement requirements for the liquid product. The package must reach the customer in perfect condition. The instruction on the package should be followed because it ensures the safety of the item inside the package.
17. In Your Opinion, How Can The Order Packaging Process Become Efficient?
Following are a few of my suggestions to improve the efficiency of this process
- Using automated taper – The conveyor feeds an automated taper that folds the flaps of the box and applies tape.
- Using an In-line scale to capture the weight quickly
- Pre-printed pack slip – Operators pick a preprinted slip instead of waiting on one to print, which often leads to a bottleneck in the packing process.
- Tamp machine – The shipping label is automatically printed and applied to the package.
- Verification scan – The shipping label and box are scanned to confirm the match
- Automated confirmation – Another check is done to confirm if the shipping weight matches the system’s estimated weight within a specified tolerance.
18. What Is A DO?
It is a standard document i.e. delivery order. The document ensures that all items match the quality and quantity of the purchase. With the DO, you receive the right amount of things you send/receive. In a warehouse, a DO is written and signed off by the supplier or even the sender. The items are double-checked and the quantity has matched the requirement.
19. Have You Ever Worked With Voice Picking Product Technology At A Warehouse? Do You Feel It’s Beneficial?
I am in all favor of technology! Instead of checking each and every order through the manual method, the technology helps in reading the order and provides an audio cue that makes the process efficient. It speeds up the process and reduces the chances of any error. It is an extremely effective and accessible innovation that can quickly streamline warehouse operations and ensure that storeroom aptitude mirrors the rest of the organization for optimal throughput capabilities.
20. Do You Think Inventory Management Is Important For This Role?
In my opinion, it is a skill that should be a requirement for this role because you will be able to track every single item. If you sell 50 different products, it is important to know how much of each product you have. It is possible to manage this if you have the skill to help you. It is an asset of the company most of the company’s money is tied up in the stock it has. That being said, it is important to know that skill to perform better in this role. Moreover, It can save a lot of cost for a business as it will be delivered fast and efficiently.
21. Are You Familiar With The Pick And Pack Staff At The Warehouse? What Are Their Roles?
Pickers are trained specifically to look at your order manifests, find the bins or internal SKUs containing the appropriate items, and get them ready for shipping.
Packers check that all the items on the manifest have been collected, providing you with a second pair of eyes to ensure that nothing was overlooked. Once items are checked, the packaging is done by the packer, and labels are added in case of fragile items or any other required label. Both are equally important in the process chain and need a lot of attention to detail and skill to process each order.
22. What Is The Difference Between Select Pallet Rack And Push Back Pallet Racks?
The selective pallet racks are the most popular style used in a warehouse across the globe. With its use, the floor space is utilized to the maximum, and load and unload time is minimized. Businesses with large SKUs in terms of variety prefer this.
Push Back Pallet Racks are designed for high-density, multiple-product storage that minimizes your space requirements while still providing excellent selectivity.
23. What Do You Know About The Different Types Of Packaging Used Today?
There are three primary types of packaging: primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging. Primary packaging is the smallest unit of the package and typically is in direct contact with the product. Primary packaging typically only contains one item and is sold or displayed in this very package. Secondary packaging is the type of packaging that a few of the primary packaging arrives in. Typically, secondary packaging consists of a corrugated cardboard box that contains a few smaller items of the same sort. Finally, tertiary packaging is most often a larger cardboard box that contains an assortment of secondary packaging boxes. The function of tertiary packaging is to help to ship and receiving departments process large orders efficiently.
24. Do You Think Protective Packaging Can Help In Avoiding Transit Damage?
It is important when you are dealing with fragile items because it will reduce the number of items that are being damaged in transit. This in turn will reduce the number of returns, and reduce customer dissatisfaction. As there are fewer returns, there will be fewer resources and costs spent on sourcing and replacing damaged goods.
25. Do You Think The Warehouse Should Add Security Cameras To Its Location?
I believe that it’s for safety promotion and should be added without any question. Like an organization takes care of its employees, It has to take care of the inventory as well.
Conclusion
Smile as you greet the interviewer and be confident as you answer their questions. Carry your updated resume with you. These 25 questions are surely going to help in acing the first round of interviews as an Order Selector. Good luck!
