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Get an inside look (literally) at the world of shipping and receiving as a camera records the whole shipping process from inside a package. Does having a hand in this process interest you?

Explore how items from all over the world get to you.

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Find out what it's like to work in shipping and receiving.

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment.

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

Material Recording, Scheduling, Dispatching, and Distributing Workers

Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.

Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.

Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.

Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.

Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes.

Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.

Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.

Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.

Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped.

Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Overview

Career

What Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks Do

Other Job Titles Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Overview

Career

What Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks Do

Other Job Titles Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Related Careers

Related Leaders