Forwarding
Forwarding, also known as freight forwarding, is a service that helps companies move their goods from one place to another. Think of forwarding professionals as travel agents for cargo - they organize shipments, handle paperwork, and make sure products get from point A to point B efficiently. They work with different transportation methods like trucks, ships, planes, and trains. This role is crucial in international trade and supply chain management. When you see this term on a resume, it usually indicates experience in coordinating shipments, managing logistics documentation, and working with customs regulations.
Examples in Resumes
Managed international shipments as a Forwarding specialist handling over 200 containers monthly
Coordinated Freight Forwarding operations between Asia and Europe
Supervised a team of 5 Forwarding agents for air and ocean shipments
Typical job title: "Freight Forwarders"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Freight Forwarders
Professional Associations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where a shipment is delayed due to customs issues?
Expected Answer: A senior forwarder should explain their problem-solving process, including communication with customs brokers, clients, and carriers, knowledge of documentation requirements, and alternative routing options.
Q: What strategies have you implemented to reduce shipping costs for clients?
Expected Answer: Should discuss consolidation of shipments, negotiating with carriers, choosing optimal routes and transport modes, and understanding of seasonal pricing variations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Explain the difference between FCL and LCL shipping.
Expected Answer: Should explain that FCL (Full Container Load) means one client's goods fill an entire container, while LCL (Less than Container Load) means sharing container space with other shipments.
Q: What documents are required for international shipping?
Expected Answer: Should list and explain basic shipping documents like Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Certificate of Origin.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are Incoterms and why are they important?
Expected Answer: Should explain that Incoterms are standardized international trade terms that define responsibilities between buyers and sellers for the delivery of goods.
Q: How do you track shipments?
Expected Answer: Should mention using tracking systems, communicating with carriers, and updating clients about shipment status.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic shipping documentation
- Tracking shipments
- Customer service
- Data entry in logistics systems
Mid (2-5 years)
- Route planning
- Rate negotiation
- Customs documentation
- Problem-solving for shipping issues
Senior (5+ years)
- Team management
- Strategic planning
- Client relationship management
- Complex logistics solutions
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic shipping documents
- Lack of experience with logistics software
- Poor understanding of international trade terms
- No experience in customer service or communication
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