The logistics, transportation, and freight forwarding sector isn’t like other industries; cargo doesn’t wait, and neither do clients. Employers want candidates who can navigate shifting schedules, customs regulations, and carrier relationships without losing sight of service or profitability.
If you’re preparing for an interview in this field, here’s how to stand out with specific, role-relevant strategies.
1. Speak in Lanes, Modes, and Volumes
Generic answers won’t cut it; quantify your experience.
- Sales roles: Mention specific lanes you’ve grown (e.g., Asia–U.S. West Coast, Transatlantic, cross-border Mexico)
- Operations roles: Share your average weekly/monthly shipment volumes (e.g., 50 TEUs/month ocean import, 20 air export shipments/week)
- Project cargo roles: Describe complex moves (e.g., 300-ton transformer via breakbulk, 10 RORO units for mining project)
2. Demonstrate Regulatory & Compliance Awareness
Interviewers want to know you won’t cause delays or fines.
- Reference Incoterms and when to apply them
- Highlight familiarity with HazMat classifications and DG paperwork
- Discuss customs clearance experience (AES filing, ISF, FMC guidelines, CTPAT compliance)
Even if you’re not a compliance officer, showing awareness builds confidence in your professionalism.
3. Name the Systems and Tools You’ve Mastered
Don’t just say you’ve “used freight systems,” name them.
- TMS/WMS: CargoWise, Magaya, BluJay, SAP TM
- Tracking & Visibility: project44, FourKites
- Carrier Portals: Maersk, MSC, FedEx, DHL APIs
Employers like hearing that you can hit the ground running without a steep learning curve.
4. Show Crisis Management Skills with Real Scenarios
Every logistics professional has “port strike” or “container roll” stories. Share a brief, structured example:
- Situation: Vessel delay caused a missed delivery window for a high-value client
- Action: Re-routed via alternative port, expedited via FTL to consignee
- Result: Delivered within revised deadline, maintained customer relationship, avoided penalty fees
5. Understand the Commercial Side
Logistics isn’t just moving freight; it’s moving revenue.
- Sales roles: Know your numbers! Discuss GP targets, revenue retention rates, and upselling strategies
- Operations roles: Show how you’ve reduced demurrage, detention, or chassis fees
- Management roles: Highlight how you’ve improved margins while maintaining OTIF (On Time In Full) rates
6. Ask Questions That Show You Get the Business
Skip “What’s the culture like?” and instead ask:
- “Which lanes or trade routes are you prioritizing for growth this year?”
- “How does your team handle space allocation during peak season?”
- “What percentage of your shipments are contracted vs. spot market?”
These questions prove you understand industry dynamics and care about performance.
Final Takeaway
In logistics interviews, specificity wins. Be ready with your shipment volumes, lane experience, systems knowledge, compliance awareness, and real-life problem-solving examples. The more concrete your answers, the more you’ll stand out as someone who knows the business inside and out, whether it’s 1 pallet or 1,000 TEUs.