Ground Floor

 It's my first full day on the floor. I grab my scanner and wait for Start Up.

There's a stand up meeting for each shift, one at the start time and one after lunch. An Operations leader shares some site news or business update while a video demonstrating suggested stretches plays in the background. The big news today is the Holiday Meal. This will be accompanied by an extended 45 minute lunch, the extra 15 paid. 

I'm off. It takes me a minute to find a cart. I grab a tote and start picking. Our metrics are not tracked for the first few weeks, but I know eventually I will be obligated to meet my pick rate goals of 80 picks per hour. I try to find a good flow. I'm getting the hang of this. 

We're coached to not overfill the tote; items can fall out or jam on the conveyor. My tote is about halfway full when I'm assigned to pull five more items from one bin. No problem, I have plenty of room. Most of my picks have been compressed clothing or jewelry boxes.

This is five boxes of solar string lights. They're each the size of a tumbler, five boxes. Shit.

I can't fit them all in the tote. They're spilling over, it's too much. What do I do?

I need to call Problem Solve for the first time. My trainer went over this yesterday. There are computer stations dotted throughout the aisles. Each desk has a walkie talkie tethered to it. I speak into the radio and give my location. There's a muffled response. Where am I? I repeat my coordinates, the aisle location. The muffled voice responds with.... something? I scan the desk. There's an identifying number: Alpha ##. Shit!

A kindly Process Assistant comes to greet me. She's very nice and remains chipper as she gently admonishes my many errors:

Shows me how to use the Problem Solve station 

Corrects my use of bin vs tote: bins are what we pick from in the aisles, the totes are what we pick into and transfer to the conveyor belt once closed out

Notify my manager if I need to note ant Tome Off Task (TOT)..... but not to worry, she will take care of this time.

Don't overfill the tote, close it out and drop it off any time you're close to a conveyor belt

Shit, shit, shit!

The PA follows with a flurry of activity; unloading the tote and re-stacking Tetris-style. The end result is still an overstuffed tote, but it's now packed tight and just peaking out the top. I'm sent on my way.

Crestfallen, I attend lunch. There's a long line ahead of me; a catered barbecue lunch is being served by the Operations team. It's good; my sorrows are soon drowned in turkey and cheesy potato casserole. Good timing.

The second half of my shift is slow but steady. No more calls for help needed. This marks the end of my three days of training. My feet throb, but I can feel the toe box of my shoes start to break in. From here on out I will be scheduling my own time as a part-time Flex associate. It will be a couple of days before I'm back out on the floor again.

And Another Day 1..

The Amazon philosophy includes the saying" "every day is Day 1". It's meant to encourage curiosity and improvement. I can empathize with this slogan for now; my training period is full of firsts.

The next two days of training are primarily on the floor. We start in a different classroom, where the new hire group is once again broken up into small teams lead by a yellow and blue stripe vested Learning Ambassador. My new instructor is a petite lady who has been at this fulfillment center for five years. She whisks us through the front of the building to a rack of scanners. We each take one, and she directs us to a break room near the first floor Pick area. We take a seat at one of the tables. She has a tablet, and she's reading a presentation regarding our first tasks. She's soft-spoken and it a little hard to hear her over the sounds of associates on their break and the wall-mounted TV. I think I get the gist; safe bending practices, navigating the aisles with a cart, using the ladder and step stool. 

She hands us a number of laminated cards with holes punched in the top, to loop through our lanyard hooks. Little cheat codes for us to reference; the break schedule, how to log into the scanner, and what to do with damaged or missing items. They help fill in the blanks.

Now we take to the floor. We're picking! Two of my classmates take off; it's their second time at Amazon, they've done this before. Myself and two other students remain glued to the teacher. She finds us a cart, a couple of yellow totes, and we get to picking. We share one scanner and take turns. I go first; the scanner shows us the item to be picked at a location. It takes us a minute to orient ourselves among the rows, but we find it. The bin is packed with small items and I have to empty some of the items into the spare tote to see what's left. We find it, one down!

We slowly make our way to the next bin. More small items, I can't find what we're looking for. we go through the missing item procedure, scanning everything. I'm not off to a great start.

I pick three more items; thankfully they are easily identifiable and (relatively) quick. I had the scanner over to my teammate. everyone seems to experience a similar picking cadence; we take a beat to locate our bin; and check the scanner for an image, description and barcode details. Everyone seems to the same mix of simple picks and the more labor-intensive small or missing items. We get turned around easy, confusing the aisle location with the bin number. we all get more comfortable using the scanner gun.

We break for lunch and when we come back, we're on our own. I grab a scanner, and make my way to the pick area. I grab a cart, and scan a new tote. The instructor comes to check on me every once in a while, but I'm left to work independently for the most part. The afternoon moves fast as I pick my way through the minutes. Some Amazon fulfillments centers are fitted with robotics that makes the picking process a standing activity, where automated pods come to you at an assigned station. Here, picking still means walking up and down aisles, and sometimes different floors. I'm sure to get my steps in.

Tomorrow is my first "real" day on Pick, another Day 1.

Day 1

My new position starts with three 10-hour days of training. I walk over to the Day 1 desk for orientation; it's the same lobby area I first entered for my pre-hire appointment. There's one person, another new hire, waiting.

A few more folks file in. We exchange polite glances and wait. An employee, sporting an Amazon shirt and badge comes in from the side door. She doesn't day anything; just opens the classroom door to one side and closes it behind her. She's setting up a laptop. A few minutes later another employee (we would come to find out they are part of the Learning Department) comes in and greets us. We're instructed to form a line outside the door. 

I take my place in line. It's now almost 7am, out start time. People quickly line up behind me, there would be over 100 by the time the line starts moving. I see other associates make their way into the main entrance, darting around the new seasonal associates blocking their path.

The line starts moving; both employees are set up at the Day 1 desk in front of laptops. We're called up one by one. As I approach, I give my name and confirm I have my safety shoes on (the Airwalks!). They pull my info up and I'm handed my white seasonal badge. I'm directed to the side door leading to the warehouse entrance to wait. There's a group of us huddled in the corner as associates make their way through the badge-operated turnstiles. One member of the Learning team gathers us up to escort through the secured area and into a classroom located on the main floor.

I take a seat. There's a clear bag in front of me, about the size of a lunchbox; only clear bags are allowed in the facility. There's a water bottle, also clear. A lanyard, a notebook and pen, all with the Behind the Smile (the name of Amazon onboarding program) prominently displayed.

The new hire groups are separated in two. One for full-time associates, they're sitting in the classroom up front next to the Day 1 desk. I'm seated with the other part-time associates; there's about 40 of us. We wait about 20 minutes before class starts; our instructor comes in and out attending to set up and talking with colleagues.

We begin with a slide presentation that would guide most of the day. Our instructor is kind, sharing her history with the company and welcoming us to our new career. We watch videos where other associates share their career journey; starting as seasonal associates that moved into senior operations roles. 

We break to perform a group activity. We're asked to fill out a form containing various "fun facts". We travel around the room to find people who can sign off on each topic. It's as awkward as it sounds, but I've weathered much worse icebreaker sessions. We're encouraged to ask questions but most of us end up just trading forms to fill out silently. After about 10 minutes we return to our seats. Our instructor asks to identify who collected the most names. A couple of folks gathered 16; the prize is the satisfactions of winning.

We continue to watch videos and slides on safety, the Leadership Principles, and other company policies. The sections are interspersed with questions; the class offers murmured replies in return, much to delight of our enthusiastic teacher.

At one point several employees in blue vests appear; the Learning Ambassadors. We are separated into small groups for a facility tour. Our guide takes us on a whirlwind journey along the Green Mile; the taped off area that marks the main walkway (green tape of course). We see the rows that makes up the Pick ares, where we will be assigned. We visit the mezzanine, we see Pack stations and various conveyor belts carrying totes and packages. We stop at each break room to note the location. 

Once we're back, We take a test regarding Dangerous Goods (it sounds scary, but it's really about safe handling of things like batteries and aerosol cans.) We break for lunch. When training continues, we meet representatives from Operations and HR. Slides and videos continue. The group is growing restless but we're reaching the home stretch.

We are once again broken up into smaller groups and led to Safety School. In this section of the warehouse, there are pieces of equipment set up specifically for new hires to practice their skills. I volunteer first to navigate a pallet jack through an obstacles course marked by cones. Success! The rest of the group follows suit. we then to move on climbing up and down a ladder, and unlocking the brake on a cart. It feels good to moves after sitting for so long, although I know tomorrow will be a long day on our feet.

We come back to the classroom to wrap up our final videos. Our instructor bids us good luck and farewell; we will be working with other associates in the coming days. Tomorrow training on the floor begins; let's go!

The First Steps: A Part of the Crowd

When I interviewed for my director role, it was a multi-day, multi-faceted process. First, I interviewed with the hiring manager, my future boss. Then, I was asked to prepare a Powerpoint presentation about myself, my experience and the 30/60/90 day plan I would support in this new position and company, in front of an interview panel followed by Q&A. Lastly, I spoke with the regional president and head of HR in a separate meeting. I've been through my fair share of interviews, but this was definitely the most in-depth, creative (and honestly kind of fun) process I experienced in a job search. I had been looking for some time (while still employed) and been through several interviews. It took a bit more effort, but I appreciated the opportunity to share more about myself and what I bring to the team beyond my resume. I felt seen as a person. And I got the job! I would work for this company for three years before being laid off. I think back to that interview process and wonder if it was the right decision. 

In just a couple days, I start a new role as part-time seasonal Fulfillment Center Warehouse Associate. I'm reflecting on the hiring process for this position. While I did not expect a presentation or interview panel, I'm nonetheless intrigued by the orderly minimalism of Amazon recruitment. No interview, lots of digital tools and a choreographed dance through the in-person processing that reflects what I assume gaggle of Lean Six Sigma engineers proclaimed is the most efficient process.

First, you have to be quick in selecting a position. This time of year, roles are posted for the upcoming Peak season when holiday spending means a big spike in volume. I would monitor the hiring site for jobs in my area; it seemed to change every day. New schedules would be posted and removed (seemingly all taken?) at all hours. A few days go by and I spot the role I was waiting for: part time, "Flex" (meaning I would have the ability to choose shifts) and working in the Fulfillment Center located in my town. I apply.

Immediately the hiring process starts. A few questions; age, birthday, the last two positions/companies you worked for (just the facts, title, company name, dates.... no filler).

There's a personality assessment. The kind where there's no wrong answer (is that really true?). I'm a little surprised this is included is what appears to be as-bare-bones-as-possible mass hiring tool. Not to mention the recent criticism in the last few years for use of personality tests in the modern workplace. But here we are.

And now there's an offer! Contingent of course. I agree and am invited to schedule a Pre-Hire appointment. 

I have an account for Amazon's hiring page now, complete with My Job. In this section, I have a to-do list at the ready to guide me through the journey to becoming an Associate.

My pre-hire appointment at the Fulfillment Center is set for the next morning. In the meantime, there's a number of activities available for me to complete online. Each comes with a satisfying checkmark and status change to Complete (I'm a sucker for a gold star). 

I upload pictures of my passport, my daughter takes a picture of me for my badge photo, and I watch a short video that explains what I expect when I get in the warehouse.

I arrive early to my appointment. The building is huge, but I find the main entrance and a parking spot easily. The recruitment office has it's own door off to the side. I walk in to what looks like a small lobby with a desk and a conference on the left, but they're empty. I walk down the small hallway and am met with another open space. There's a desk at the front, the lady kindly asks my name and appointment time. I'm asked to take a seat. There are plastic chairs all facing front and equally spaced in the center of the room. I see three desks lined up to my right, where HR coordinators are talking to applicants. There are laptops set up directly behind me on high top tables. On my left, there are more high-top tables and tablets positioned on them. There are people scattered among all the stations. I wait my turn. More people are coming in.

After a few minutes, the woman from the front desk comes over to address me and a few others waiting. She tells us Amazon now requires an English comprehension test. She gives us each a piece of paper and directs to a laptop. I put on headphones, enter the code from my piece of paper, and perform the sound check.

I briefly question my English skills in spite of it being my only language. Here goes.

The test takes maybe ten minutes. You repeat back phrases and answer some basic questions. At the end you have to recite back a couple of stories that feel more like a memory test than anything. Once complete I and am asked to sit back down in open space.

It feels a little bit like Musical Chairs. As the coordinator finishes with one applicant the next in line in called over. Each time we get up from our chairs and move to the next one, snaking through the line. More people are entering as I wait, and the room quickly fills up. I see all types of people, but it's definitely a younger crowd for the most part. Some folks have missed their appointment time, some are missing  their ID. The line builds up in the hallway. 

It's my turn. The HR coordinator looks up my information. She explains my three training days, verifies my identification, and explains I may be a seasonal employee for up to 11 months before I may convert to a regular associate. 

She takes me to perform a drug test. This is the last station with the tablet. I'm given a bags with all the contents to perform a swab test. The instructions are presented on the table and I start the time for ten minutes with the swab in my mouth. Apparently it became obvious I need help when I was just a few minutes from the timer going off and the swab did not indicate it was ready. The original lady from the front desk (who addressed me by name, very nice) came by and encouraged me to put my head down to allow the saliva to flow freely. I obliged, and was greeted with the blue indicator signaling completion about 45 seconds later.

That was it. I followed the directions to complete and seal up my own drug test, dropped it off in the labeled bin and went on my way. The line to come in was now almost to the entry door as squeezed by.

Spoiler Alert: I passed. It's almost Day 1.

These Shoes are Made for a Fresh Start

When I scanned through the safety shoe options available on the Zappos website, there was one brand that caught my eye: Airwalk.

Airwalk was the popular "skate" shoe of my teenage years. Far from a skater myself (that would require some semblance of physical stamina/dexterity..), I was nonetheless drawn to the 90s alternative aesthetic. This style shoe was a perfect complement to flannel and baggy jeans. Eventually I would grow to favor Vans, followed by Doc Martens, then onto more boring footwear as adulthood sucked all of the fun out of my clothing choices. 

It seems Airwalk has been through a bit of an identity crisis since its heyday 30 years ago; from youth culture fashion icon to discount store regular. Now they have entered the composite toe safety world and back into my orbit. I'm here for it; nostalgia wins and I add the Mongo Mid Comp Toe to my cart. The Amazon subsidy discount is applied; the shoes will cost me nothing. Order is placed.

Next week I attend Orientation to start work at my local Amazon fulfillment center; not a position I saw myself in just a couple of months ago. 

I was laid off in September. While it was not a complete surprise, the experience was jarring nonetheless. Throughout my career of 20+ years, I had steadily risen the ranks; from temp, to clerk, to analyst, team lead, manager, and finally a director role. I navigated acquisitions, restructures,  a few different companies (and industries) for career growth and continuity. Luck, privilege and hard work all cumulated in my favor and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities that allowed me to build a good life.

It still sucks to lose your job over a Zoom call.

I'm metaphorically pounding the pavement with my updated resume, application after application. Messages with former colleagues. "Networking". My efforts have yielded no results, yet. This is going to be tougher than I originally anticipated.

At first, the extra time wasn't so bad. I did some projects around the house; went to the gym. My family and I went on vacation; a pre-planned (and paid for) trip we had been looking forward to, and it was amazing!

Then reality set in. There was delays to my unemployment claim. I wasn't getting even a callback on my many applications. We're in the fourth quarter, many companies will delay hiring into the new year. 

Oh, and multiple large companies are announcing mass layoffs, AI is taking over entire job segments, the economy is unstable and the country is fiercely divided. The algorithm that runs through our connected world is not kind to those freshly unemployed and looking for community.

I had to do something. I needed structure to my days and to feel productive; I can't seem to muster this motivation on my own. What can I do now, to bring in a little bit of income, get me out of the house, and still give me space for job hunting?

Enter Amazon! We are fast approaching the holidays and Amazon is hiring seasonal workers. A part-time, temporary position is available. After discussing with the wife (more like convincing..), I apply. The process is fast; I'm in my recruitment office the next morning, taking an English comprehension test, drug test and presenting my ID. I can track my screening results online, I come back cleared a few days later. Soon I will be entering a warehouse as a temporary worker for the first time in decades.

Wish me luck; let's hope the Airwalks keep me walking!