Can I apply to Goodwill as a donation attendant without forklift certification?

[Joe917]

I need a job and noticed goodwill is hiring for a donation attendant. I worked there before for my community service and it was pretty chill. I was looking at the job posting and it said I must be forklift certified, but I've never used a forklift. Should i apply anyway?

[abc3643]

Well, you probably won't get it. Likely, they need the forklift certification for liability reasons.

41 years ago in the summer of 1985, I was driving a forklift for the 7-Up Brooklyn Bottling Company and I wasn't certified. They needed me to help load trucks, so I just got one on one, learned the few controls, and drove it. But that was 41 years ago before lawsuits were ubiquitous and companies were constantly worried about liability. Back when life was simple.

I have to admit, driving a forklift is a fun and interesting experience. Definitely different than driving a car. For one this, a forklift steers from the back wheels. And, you learn to drive backwards a lot. You will become an expert driving backwards even in your car after you've got some experience driving a forklift. Getting back in my car after my night shift, I had to reset my brain to drive a car. I am serious about that; they are two different types of vehicles (and my gear shifter was on opposite sides of the steering wheel). After a minute, you're fine, but that first minute driving a car after driving a forklift, take it easy as your brain reprograms itself for car driving.

That said, consider getting a forklift certification. You learn to drive a forklift, you'll likely have a job for the rest of your life... until you are replaced by robots. ;) You may end up joining a union though; I had to become a Teamster.

[Massageman]

Goodwill has workers that restock shelves, etc. by walking around, pushing a cart. While you are doing that, perhaps they would get you forklift certified. Try anyway, although there are many other "donation places" too. (Part of Goodwill is supposed to be to train people, so keep them honest).

[WhitneySnow]

No. I heard jobs are pretty strict about requirements like that.

[AI Opinion]

You should still apply.

In a lot of retail/warehouse-style roles I’ve seen, “forklift certified” is listed as a requirement, but employers are willing to train and certify you after hire, especially for entry‑level roles like donation attendants.

Here’s what I’d do:

- Apply and be transparent on your resume/application (don’t claim certification).
- In your cover letter or interview, say you’re eager to get certified and learn equipment safely.
- Emphasize your past Goodwill experience and reliability.

Lack of certification alone usually isn’t a deal‑breaker.

[NathanDavis]

no... that would be very bad will...

[Jmmmfi4]

Fork lift easy to learn

[Joe917]

Im just gonna go in there today and tell them I want to apply for the job and just tell them I dont have fork lift experience. See what they say.