Interview Questions for a Warehouse Position Interview at Screwfix

Screwfix belongs to the Kingfisher group and markets themselves as a ‘convenient, straightforward and affordably-priced’ DIY store.

Interveiw questions for a Screwfix warehouse position are in the main situation interview questions. The interview will last between 30-45 minutes where interveiwers will do their best to make applicants to be relaxed – there are no tricky questions, in the main Screwfix are trying to learn about a candidates experience to see if they meet the job criteria.

10 Interview Questions for a Warehouse Interview at Screwfix

Below is an example list of commonly asked Screwfix warehouse interview questions and an explanation of how to approach each question.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself, your warehouse experience and your key skills?

At the interview answer start, talk about any warehouse, production and construction-related job experience, highlighting key skills and experiences.
Screwfix value the following skills; teamwork, communication, H&S awareness, accuracy checking, ITC skills and self-motivation.
At a personal level talking about personal DIY tasks and work ethic answers work well here.
The ideal structure, to answer this question is; Experience, an example of using skills within a workplace and end with something personal.

What do you know about Screwfix and our values?

First and foremost read Screwfixes ‘about us’ page and reference your research within the answer; Screwfix offers over 11,000 products available for pick up from 704 stores nationwide.
When talking about company values reference how you yourself have similar values – this highlights how you would work well within the company culture.

Why is health and safety important in a warehouse environment?

The short answer as it reduces injuries and a reduced number of staff absences due to injuries ensure that day-to-day tasks can be completed increasing production.
When answering the H&S question, state how you are aware of H&S regulations and that you always follow H&S policies.
More importantly, give a real-life example of following &H&S in a previous role. Explain and potential H&S incident and what steps you took to ensure the safety of you and your team.

Teamwork is highly important in a warehouse, how would you add value to the Screwfix team?

There is always ‘teamwork’ questions in all warehouse job interviews.
Examples work best here. During the example state, the objective and barrier the team were facing. Go on to explain what steps you and the team took and the outcome from the work of the team.
End the interview answer by making it clear that teamwork is an important part of your role.

If you didn’t have a license would you use the FLT to load goods if you were on a tight time limit?

The short answer is ‘No!’
Employers, hiring warehouse staff, need to ensure that any new employee will follow all H&S regulations. Warehouses, these days, are filled with various machinery and equipment. For each of these staff needs to be trained before they use it.
State clearly that you would never use any equipment unless trained and given permission to operate it.
If you wanted to embed an example interview answer, you could tell about a time when you were asked, by a colleague, to operate the equipment, explaining how you responded to the request.

What is the maximum weight you can pick up by hand?

The weight question is referencing ‘manual handling’ not parcels lifted by an FLT as an example.
The weight details can be found here: manual handling lift weights
All warehouse managers know the maximum lift weights, what they want to hear is your approach when moving goods around the warehouse
Explain how you check the load size, test the weight before committing to lifting any goods and how you first review the walkway from pick-up to destination.

How do you ensure you know where all the goods are in the warehouse?

As part of a warehouse position, employees need to be able to recall goods quickly to ensure a quick turnaround between orders and dispatch.
Explain the system you prefer to remembering the location of materials. This could be as simple as spending additional time at the start of a new job memorising the warehouse layout or using memory techniques such as the ‘pegging’ system.

What would you do if you had a spillage?

Spillages are common incidents in a warehouse. This question is mainly asked in production warehouse interviews but also asked by employers who move a lot of goods, including high volumes of small items such as screws, as they can be disruptive if spilled.
Explain how your focus is health and safety – and by sealing the area off reduces the likelihood of a slip or fall. Next discuss how you clean up the spillage and inform the warehouse manager and, finally, explain how you would find a replacement to fulfill the order.
Screwfix will have their own process for dealing with a spillage, what they are looking for here if that the applicant is aware of H&S, communication and fulfilling the order request.

If you saw a colleague steal some Screwfix goods what would you do?

Questions discussing potential thefts are not asked in all interviews, only when there are issues with security in a particular warehouse.
For some, this question or the reality of this situation can feel awkward. The best approach for this interview question to reference policy and procedures. Organisations require theft to be reported. If a high number of employees were stealing, the collective cost of the theft could lead to job losses due to a reduction in company profit.
Be confident and clear when answering this question.

Why are delivery notes so important?

Delivery notes, at a basic level, are designed for accuracy.
Give an example of completing a large order where goods were being dispatched to various locations, and how you were required to check accuracy via checking the delivery notes.
Delivery notes also pass on responsibility. Once a logistics company signs off the delivery notes they are now responsible for the goods.

How would you handle an angry delivery driver who was trying to rush you?

Working with external delivery companies, frustration can be created through the values of each organisation. As an example, the warehouse team may focus on accuracy which creates delays, whereas the driver, who has to think about time, desires a quick turnaround.
As accuracy is key for a warehouse staff member, you can’t let the pressure of a driver divert you from your key objective.
Using an example answers this question in a way that helps you highlight your temperament. Give an example of a ‘pushy’ driver and make reference to how you kept calm and professional and completed the job to the requirements of the warehouse company.

What is more important getting the job done quickly or quality?

The quick vs quality interview question is very similar to the above ‘pushy’ driver interveiw question.
The same approach, using an example, can be utilised here. An example could be an external driver or even a team member who wanted to leave early.
Again, focus the answer on your behavior – how you focus on quality, accuracy while following the company procedures

What would you do if the newly delivered stock was damaged?

As mentioned earlier, the delivery note is a pass-over of responsibility. Once signed for the damaged stock becomes the responsibility of the warehouse.
Employers ask this question to help understand if candidates understand the process of receiving goods.
Explain how for each goods-in delivery that you check the number of actual goods against the delivery note. nd how you inspect for damage – and if damaged how you either refuse the goods or make a note on the delivery paperwork.
Also, discuss how any errors/damages are reported to the warehouse manager.

Do you have any questions for me?

What is an average day in terms of workload/tasks?
How large is the warehouse team?
Do you use any technology/equipment within the warehouse?
What training is available to new staff members?
Are there many promotional opportunities?