What You'll Do

  • Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
  • Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
  • Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
  • Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
  • Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
  • Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
  • Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers.
  • Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
  • Inspect and count items received and check them against invoices or other documents, recording shortages and rejecting damaged goods.
  • Install straps, braces, and padding to loads to prevent shifting or damage during shipment.

Essential Skills

Speaking 3.62/5
Active Listening 3.5/5
Reading Comprehension 3.25/5
Critical Thinking 3.25/5
Negotiation 3.12/5
Time Management 3.12/5
Writing 3.0/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Service Orientation 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Stress Tolerance, Adaptability/Flexibility, Dependability, Independence

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.25/5
Written Expression 3.12/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.12/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Brokerage software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite Database software Email software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft OneNote Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Operating system software Posting software SAP software Spreadsheet software Transportation management software Transportation management system TMS software Web browser software Web-based dispatch software Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.77/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.52/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 4.33/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.29/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 4.08/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Air Export Coordinator Air Export Specialist Cargo Agent Cargo Router Cargo Warehouse Agent Container Coordinator Drop Shipment Clerk Export Compliance Specialist Export Coordinator Export Specialist Freight Agent Freight Booker Freight Broker Freight Broker Agent Freight Clerk Freight Coordinator Freight Forwarder Freight Receiver Freight Representative Freight Router Freight Shipping Agent Freight Specialist Import Coordinator Import Customs Clearing Agent Intermodal Dispatcher International Coordinator Load Planner Logistics Assistant Logistics Clerk Logistics Coordinator Logistics Service Representative Logistics Technician Ocean Export Coordinator Ocean Import Agent Ocean Import Coordinator Ocean Import Specialist Operations Clerk Receiver Route Agent Route Clerk Ship Broker Shipping Agent Shipping Coordinator Shipping Processor Traffic and Documentation Clerk Transportation Agent Transportation Broker Transportation Clerk