Logistics Professional Interview Questions

(With Sample Questions and Answers)

By Indeed Editorial Team

February 23, 2021

Being prepared to confidently answer interview questions as a logistics professional can set you
apart from other applicants. By researching questions and practicing your answers, you can
showcase your knowledge and professionalism. Knowing what to expect and being prepared for
it will also help calm any interview jitters and help you present yourself as a polished, competent
professional. In this article, we outline common logistics professional interview questions and
provide some sample questions with example answers to help you prepare.

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What is a logistics professional?

A logistics professional (also called a "logistician") helps a company run efficiently by
organizing and managing business processes like the supply chain, inventory, distribution,
storage and transportation. Titles in this field range from frontline roles like associate,
coordinator

and engineer to management roles like supervisor, manager

and director. Logistics professionals may hold degrees in logistics or business administration and
may have industry certifications in specific aspects of logistics operations.

Read more: What Is Logistics and How Does It Work?

General questions
Employers hiring logistics professionals seek candidates with organizational skills, project
management ability and interest in streamlining operations to increase efficiency and decrease
costs. You may be asked situational questions—what software and systems you are familiar
with, for example—or given behavioral question prompts that begin "Describe a situation where
you…" Here are some common logistician interview questions and behavioral prompts to help
you prepare for your interview:

 What is your experience using automated warehouse systems?

 What database did you work within your previous position?
 What is the difference between logistics and transport?
  How do you measure transport costs?
 How do you coordinate order shipping?
 What is your area of logistics expertise?
 Are you experienced with freight arrangements?
 What is an anti-dumping duty?
 How do you prioritize processes and tasks?
 What would you consider to be a stressful job situation?

Related: 5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before a Job Interview

Questions about experience and background

You should enter the interview prepared to frame your background in a way that makes you
appear prepared for anything pertinent to the field of logistics. Questions like these help
interviewers assess your practical knowledge and help them compare you to other applicants and
the posted job requirements:

 What project management or logistics tracking software have you used?

 How do you monitor stock levels?
 How do you perform a blind count?
 What is ASN (Advance Shipping Notice)?
 What is LTL (Less Than Truckload)?
 How do you organize a storage area for bulk items?
 In your previous logistics roles, what management methods did you find most beneficial?
 What quarterly goals do you set?
 What annual goals do you set?
 What times of the year, if any, do you think it's harder to get driver supply out?

In-depth questions
Interviewers use prompts to open discussions about more in-depth logistics issues, give you
opportunities to narrate your past experiences and address how you'll meet future challenges. It's
fine to take a few moments to consider before starting your answer to questions and prompts like
these:

 What would you do if there is a misunderstanding about the price between you and the
supplier, but the products have already been delivered?
 Describe a situation where a deadline was changed to an earlier date and what you did to
still meet the deadline.
 Describe a situation where you worked on a challenging project and how you helped
motivate your colleagues.
 Describe a situation where you implemented changes for the improvement of logistics
processes.
 What do you do when an expected incoming shipment misses its promised delivery time
with no notice?
  How much impact do you think availability of personnel has on the other aspects of
operational logistics activities?
 An urgent outbound shipment is missing four boxes. What do you do first?
 What are the major differences when working with international shipments?
 What would you recommend to a midsize company looking to reduce transportation
costs?
 How does reverse logistics impact a company's bottom line?

Sample interview questions and answers

Having your thoughts collected and delivered coolly will be especially important in this field.
Review these example questions and sample answers to help you prepare for your interview:

1. Do you have experience with ISO (International Organization for

Standardization) requirements?

Successful logistics work includes familiarity with the regulations that govern the industry. This
question introduces your potential employer to your familiarity with international standards set
by the International Organization for Standardization. The employer wants to know that you
adhere to industry standards and use recognized best practices.

Example: "I served on my former company's Workplace Safety Committee in compliance with
ISO 45001 and have attended ISO workshops for supply chain workers every quarter since
2018.”

2. How do you define logistics and transport?

This question helps the interviewer evaluate your understanding of the logistics industry,
separating two terms that industry outsiders often use interchangeably. Make sure to keep your
answer clear and concise.

Example: "Transport—the moving of goods from one place to another—is a part of logistics.
Logistics also includes packaging of products for storage, shipment and the distribution networks
which move products inside a company and outside to its customers.”

3. How do you stay up to date with industry trends and best practices?

Your interviewer wants to know that you are aware of industry improvements and are engaged in
your career development. If you've recently completed a professional development course or
have one in mind that you'd like to complete, you can include the exact name in your answer.

Example: "In addition to staying up to date by reading industry white papers and attending
professional conferences, I set news alerts to get phone notifications about new articles in the
mainstream media and from my professional groups.”
4. What relevant certifications do you have?

Being certified in your area of expertise shows that you're committed to being a subject matter
expert and can be relied on as a voice of authority in your work. If you don't hold any active
certifications or if your job doesn't require licensing or endorsement, be sure to mention any
continuing education and training you have undertaken.

Example: "I'm a Certified Supply Chain Professional and plan to take the Certified in
Professional Inventory Management exam in six months through the Association for Supply
Chain Management (ASCM)."

5. Is cross-docking a good idea?

This question is asking if you are familiar with the process of cross-docking and understand its
benefits. When giving an opinion, always state the reasons that led you to that opinion.

Example: "It's a great idea when it's possible. Cross-docking saves handling, operating and
storage costs when you can unload from an incoming truck and directly onto an outbound truck.”

6. How do you know if a bill of lading is incomplete?

This question asks you to identify the essential parts of a bill of lading to show that you'd notice
if one has been incorrectly filled out. It helps to visualize an actual bill of lading when listing its
individual elements.

Example: "Each bill of lading needs to have ship and receive names and addresses, account
numbers or PO numbers, the date, the units shipped, packaging details, freight classification and
product details including value, exact weight, common name, material and hazard notice."

7. How do you determine freight class?

Your interviewer wants to know if you understand the four factors that contribute to freight class.
Since freight classification affects shipping costs, be sure to demonstrate your understanding of
the importance of freight classifications.

Example: "Freight classes are determined by the shipped goods' density, stowability, ease of
handling and liability associated with shipping the goods. Paying close attentional to all of these
factors means you can manage shipping costs to keep them in line with budgets."

8. Describe a situation where you had to deal with a customer complaint

Since many employers believe that past performance is the best indicator of future performance,
they use behavioral prompts to see how you might act in a future situation. Don't worry if you
can't think of an example that exactly matches the prompt. Focus on the main concepts in the
prompt: in this case, "customer" and "complaint."
Example: "Not too long ago a residential customer sent an angry email complaining that an
expected shipment was late. It was in reply to our email linking to the shipment's tracking
history. I politely replied to the email, suggesting that perhaps they had missed the link, and
directed them to try the link I included. I received a thank-you email later in the day."

9. What is a challenging project you've worked on, and how did you help keep
your coworkers on the project stay motivated?

This behavioral prompt gives the interviewer insight into your work as a team member. Talk
about your abilities as a project team member and how you collaborate with your coworkers.

Example: "When the company was updating its website last year, my manager asked me to head
a committee of my peers to review the website's write-ups related to our department. Instead of
dividing up the write-ups and asking the group to go off and review them individually, I set up a
series of short meetings with coffee, water and snacks. We had a roundtable meeting where we
discussed the write-ups. It allowed us to work together and hear what our teammates thought
about the information being reviewed."

Related: Everything You Need To Know About Job Interview Etiquette

Being prepared is the best thing to do to ensure that your interview goes well. Be sure to research
the company you are interviewing with, refresh yourself on job-related terms and definitions and
don't forget to practice your interview answers. You'll never know beforehand exactly what your
interviewer will ask, but you can be at ease answering a range of questions if you properly
prepare.