Freight handlers manage the coming in and going out of large trucks containing items for storage or delivery. They assist truck drivers into and out of loading docks by guiding them. They may also spearhead the installation of other items that may help guide these drivers.
They also take care of the loading and unloading of the items in the trucks. They check these items and ensure that they are correct before clearing them for storage or for departure from the warehouse. Sometimes, they may also assist in maintaining the systems in the warehouse to ensure that everything is in order. They may also help in managing the maintenance and the cleanliness of the whole place.
Freight handlers should be able to work with heavy equipment and should know how to operate large vehicles as well. In this job, you need to have a presence of mind, strong organization skills, and good interpersonal skills. In terms of educational background, a high school diploma or a GED would be enough. However, a certification in operating forklifts may also be required.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a Freight Handler. For example, did you know that they make an average of $16.3 an hour? That's $33,913 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 156,200 job opportunities across the U.S.
There are certain skills that many Freight Handlers have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed Customer-service skills, Hand–eye coordination and Listening skills.
If you're interested in becoming a Freight Handler, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 12.4% of Freight Handlers have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 1.2% of Freight Handlers have master's degrees. Even though some Freight Handlers have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a Freight Handler. When we researched the most common majors for a Freight Handler, we found that they most commonly earn High School Diploma degrees or Associate Degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on Freight Handler resumes include Diploma degrees or Bachelor's Degree degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a Freight Handler. In fact, many Freight Handler jobs require experience in a role such as Cashier. Meanwhile, many Freight Handlers also have previous career experience in roles such as Sales Associate or Material Handler.