What to Know Before Going to Work for a Moving Company

work for a moving company

If you’re looking for a job, a moving company might be a good place to start and end your search (with a new job). But before you settle for securing a job at a moving company, you need to be prepared. You need to be sure if it’s the right job for you. Is a labor intensive job like this something you’re prepared to do? What are the qualifications and how much would you make working for a moving company?

 

Find out everything you need to know before going to work for a moving company.

 

Educational Requirements

What educational level should you have attained before you can be employed at a moving company? The thing is, there’s really no set standard, and it varies from employer to employer. However, generally, a high school diploma is usually enough to bag a job with a moving company. Have you got a high school diploma? Good! It’s time to check out the other requirements you need to be employed with a moving company.

 

Physicality

How much can you take? Do physical activities exhaust you? If you can’t handle heavy lifting or you think it’s so much stress and headache, then maybe a job at a moving company might not be a good idea for you.  There are times when you may have to move- or at least assist in moving- furniture from one place to another: dressers, bed frames, desks, tables, couches. You need to ask yourself, can I endure these rigors? Yes, you will load, you will move, you will stack, you will unload the trucks, and most of the time, you will do it all on the same day. Ask yourself: Do I have the physical endurance and resilience to work these long hours without giving up? If your answer is yes, then it’s time to move on to the next thing you need to consider before going to work for a moving company.

 

Salary

How much will you earn working for a moving company? Well, that depends on the company you work for. In any case, an average range will do a lot to set your expectations on alignment. 

 

As a professional mover, ideally, you should not earn any less than $19,000, and while you may earn more than $55,000 a year.

 

Are you comfortable using hand or power tools?

Let’s face it; you’re not just going to be there to move boxes and dressers. There are times you might need to unscrew or fasten some screws back in place. When these moments come, will you be able to wield hand tools like a champ, or would you crawl into the shadows with your hands folded behind you? Professional movers are comfortable using all kinds of hand and power tools, so if you can handle hammers, dollies, and electric screwdrivers, you’re closer than ever to securing a job at a moving company.

 

Are you a team player?

Employees that can effortlessly relate with clients at just about any location cement themselves as indispensable and are consequently worth a lot more than their colleagues. 

 

The good thing is, you don’t need years of experience to become a team player. It starts with a desire, and actual repetitive efforts forge your commitment into a habit.

 

Are you organized?

You’ll be responsible for packing someone’s items and belongings. If you’re clumsy the slightest bit, you might break a few things and leave both the client and your employer unhappy. On the flip side, being able to organize and arrange the customer’s belongings efficiently is a plus for every moving institution. Being organized does not only mean you’ll keep the clients happy. It might also, in some moments, translate to more money in your bank account.

 

The hiring process

If you meet all the basic requirements and are okay with the salary structure, then you might as well go on to book an interview with a moving company looking for extra hands on the job. But what should you expect going into an interview? Say you showed up for an interview. What are the things you should expect that the interviewer would look out for, and how do you prepare yourself to be the perfect match? Let’s find out.

 

Educational Background vs. Physicality

Your interviewer may not be too particular about your educational background, but he definitely wants to know if you can get the job done, so expect him to test your physicality in more ways than one.

 

Other essential traits your employer will look out for

Now, let’s explore some of the other traits your employer may want to look out for.

 

Your Background

Your employer may want to be able to vouch for you any day. It’s reasonable for him to expect that you are someone that can be trusted. You’ll be going out into people’s homes at different locations to move boxes and furniture. He needs to be sure that he can feel safe with you on the job; that essential items won’t disappear into thin air while you perform your duties. A clean record goes a long way to help prove that you’re someone he can trust.

 

Besides, it wouldn’t help if you have a track record that screams unemployable. The company doesn’t want someone that will halt their progress of the company so expect that you may be screened for drugs, criminal behavior through background checks, and your credit may be checked too.

 

Driver Requirements

You can load and stack all day. Eventually, you have to move the items to a new location. Expect that you might be called for driving duties. Most moving companies usually prefer their employees to have driving certifications like the Commercial Drivers License before allowing them to drive the company’s moving truck. A permit and license provide sufficient proof that you’re competent enough to handle large trucks over short and long distances.

 

Bottom line

On-the-job training can eventually prepare you for your operations at a moving company. What’s most important, however, is your commitment to learning and doing a great job. Be a team player, be someone your employer can trust, and make sure to relate well with your clients. Best of luck in whichever new career you choose!

 

If you’re ready to start your moving jobs search, then look no further than MovingWork.com.