Stockers look after the stock of warehouses or stores. They ensure shelves, displays and aisles are adequately stocked. According to the labels and instructions, they receive, unload, unpack and stack items. If you can separate items, store them accordingly, and act fast and efficiently when tackling unexpected situations, you can get a job as a stocker. Need a resume for this job? Read on for tips and examples to help you write an effective resume that can get you the interview.
Let’s start by looking at three examples of how different candidates leveraged the resume format to fit their unique qualifications.
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Job duties of stockers
In this role, you perform general stocking duties like storing products and being friendly and energetic when assisting customers. The following are common job duties you may have as a stocker:
Receiving stock and ensuring all items are present.
Marking supplies with price tags and control codes while ensuring all titles are visible.
Using electronic scanning devices to log in items for inventory.
Operating machines like trucks and forklifts.
Moving products or materials between departments.
Arranging items neatly in displays, shelves, pallets, racks and refrigerators.
Helping customers find products and providing them with information.
Keeping the work area clean.
Ordering replacement merchandise and removing damaged items.
Keeping records of sales and reordering items when needed.
Completing customer orders.
Following all safety measures.
Stocker median salaries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median average salary of stockers is $31,010 a year as of May 2020. Employment in this role isn’t projected to grow much, with only 0.8% expected growth. Compensation may vary from $21,410 to $42,930 depending on experience.
Top skills for stockers
Stockers are an essential part of any warehouse or retail store. You’ll perform duties such as managing stocks, assisting customers, and keeping the work and storage areas safe and clean. To be able to fulfill these duties, you’ll need a specific skill set:
- Basic computer skills: Stockers have to maintain electronic records of items and their quantities within the warehouse or the retail stores. For this, you should be proficient in MS Office or other commonly used software that generates reports.
- Industry-specific technology knowledge: To track all items, you’ll need to scan codes and compile them accordingly. You should be familiar with industry-specific technology tools like bar code readers, RF scanners, price tagging guns and labeling machines. Proper use of these tools increases efficiency and improves your qualifications. Plus, a stocker should use various devices such as forklifts and pallet jacks to move inventory in the warehouse. You may be required to have or get experience in operating these machines safely and in multiple environments.
- OSHA safety standards: Stockers handle various machines and merchandise at their workplace. It is crucial to know all the safety standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It’s important to master machinery and regulations because retail stores can have items that are considered hazardous and require careful handling. A solid understanding of OSHA safety standards will help you perform the necessary tasks carefully and without incident.
- Communication: A stocker has frequent contact with customers and management. You may be required to search for a specific item for a customer, provide them with directions and communicate available options. Sometimes customers will ask questions regarding a product, and you must use your store knowledge to politely answer their questions or direct them to a supervisor when you cannot assist.
- Mathematical and analytical skills: Stockers should be well versed in basic mathematical functions to track and manage inventory. You should be able to assess current stock and ensure proper item quantities are maintained. Using your analytical skills, you will decide what products must be ordered so that the store is never out of stock and can cater to customer demands.
- Physical stamina: Inventory is often stored or showcased in hard-to-reach places. In many cases, customers will need a stocker to retrieve items for them. To assist, you should be flexible and use tools such as ladders or high-reach clothing hooks to collect items safely. As a stocker, you will be required to stand for long hours, so maintaining your stamina is a vital part of the job.
Educational requirements for stockers
Degrees
You don’t need any degrees to be a stocker, but a high school diploma or a qualified General Education Development Test (GED) may be required. The GED consists of tests administered to students who could not complete their high school education. When students pass all their tests, they are awarded a GED certificate recognized in the U.S. as equivalent to a high school diploma.Certificates
Stockers should develop specialized skills to improve their work efficiency. The best way to grow your skills is to stay updated with new technologies and acquire relevant certificates. Standard tools of a stocker include machines like forklifts and pallet jacks, both of which require special skills obtained through a certification course. The minimum requirement to pursue certification as a forklift operator is to be 18 years of age and possess a GED or high school diploma.
Universities and colleges: Stockers should be well-versed in MS Office. You may choose to take the certificate course to prove your skills. Many institutions like Lehman College and American Public University offer a certificate course in MS Office. Lehman College offers the certificate as a part of its continuing education program. You will be required to take a test and pass it to get the certification. The certification courses grant access to the Microsoft Suite of products, including MS Word, MS Excel and all other components of MS Office.
Industry-specific certification: Stockers should know all safety standards and laws related to their job. For this, you can obtain an OSHA training certificate. Various institutions offer this certification, including Prologistix Logistics Workforce Specialists or Georgia Tech Professional Education. Each institution provides a similar curriculum consisting of a 10-hour general industry course. This course will help you identify, avoid, control, and prevent hazards. Attending this course will help you increase safety and reduce injury to yourself and your co-workers.
Member association: A stocker should be aware of multiple ways to manage inventory and stock. Associations like the American Purchasing Society and Association for Supply Chain Management offer courses for managing and supervising inventory for various levels through certification programs. This certification helps you understand and implement essential concepts and strategies to improve day-to-day operations.
Tool education: To widen job prospects, stockers should be certified to operate forklifts and pallet jacks. There are various organizations like Certifyme.net and Leavitt Machinery that offer certificate courses in pallet jack operation. Both of these organizations offer online courses to give their students flexibility. You are provided a printed handbook and brief online lessons followed by an assessment to receive your certificate.
Stocker resume-writing tips
A wide variety of options are available for writing stocker resumes, but to grab the employer's attention, you should keep the following tips in mind:
- Mention Experience: For the post of a stocker, having experience is always beneficial. You should always mention your previous roles with the organization’s name and the date you started the job. Don’t forget to focus on the tasks and skills you did for each employer! Doing so will help you get the recruiter’s attention because they will clearly understand your capabilities and fit for the role.
- Be precise and clear: The main motive of submitting the resume is to prove your candidacy. Your resume should be straight to the point so that it gives a clear insight into your skills. Employers tend to receive hundreds of resumes, so to make your resume outshine others, you should write it in such a way that skimming it is enough. The employer should get a glimpse of who you are as a professional quickly. You can use bullet points to highlight key points and avoid wordy or lengthy sentences.
- Mention your career objectives: Career objectives are written at the top of a resume. Thus, as the first thing an employer notices, it is essential to write it clearly and formally. The employer should get the impression that you have the qualifications and desire to work with them. You can accomplish this by targeting your objectives to the particular company. The best way to tailor your resume to mirror what the employer is looking for is to use the keywords they used in the job ad to describe their ideal candidate. However, make sure you add only the skills and experience; after all, employers don’t expect candidates to match 100% of the role’s requirements.
FAQ
Do I need to be certified for using a pallet jack?
Yes, you need a certificate for using a pallet jack as it is a heavy machine that needs to be used with precaution. Otherwise, it can be hazardous for you or your colleagues. Without proper training, you will not be allowed to work with these machines. However, many employers offer on-the-job training.
How can I prove I am a good stocker?
First, you should have all the relevant skills for the role. Suppose you don’t have experience in a similar job. In that case, you can always use a functional format resume to detail any transferable skills you may have from other work, volunteer experiences or even school. You should also draw attention to some soft skills like communication skills, honesty, teamwork and flexibility since the role of a stocker requires many technical skills that can be learned on the job.