There are many freight companies out there, but how do you know which are the best freight shipping companies to work for? You must do your research in order to find out which one has the best reputation and delivers as it promises. Doing a quick search online will allow you to see what others are saying as far as how the business operates for employees as well as the service that they provide. Do you want to work for a company that people look upon favorably or a less than reputable company that might have you out of a job in a few months? Here are a few simple things to look for when searching for a job with a freight company.
What do you Want to Do?
The first step is determining what type of job you want. Do you want to be the person shipping the freight – meaning driving it to its location and delivering it or do you want to be in control of the logistics to get the products to their designated place? This will help determine where you begin to look for a job. If you want to be in charge of the logistics, you can look for a job as a
- Dispatcher
- Freight Forwarder
- Import/Export Clerk
- Shipping Coordinator
- Shipping/Receiving Manager
If you would rather be on the road, delivering the goods, you will need to determine if you want to be an over-the-road driver or local delivery driver. An over the road (OTR) driver can be away from home for days or weeks at a time depending on the final destination and the number of stops along the way. A local delivery driver, on the other hand, handles expedited deliveries that are in the local area, but gets to remain at home overnight. Both jobs have their pros and cons that depend on your situation. If you have a young family, being away from home for a few days or weeks at a time might not be ideal, but if you are single or have the ability to be away, an over the road job can pay quite well.
If you are just starting out in the business of shipping freight, explore all of the possibilities for your employment. Working as a freight forwarder, dispatcher, or clerk means you will be in an office working normal business hours (or close to it) while working on the road as a driver means that you are out and about dealing with the freight itself.
No matter which route you decide to take, make sure to do your research to find the company that not only treats its employees well, but also provides a quality service to its customers. The opportunities are there for you to make the world of shipping freight a better place.