CV Writing Tips for Freight Forwarding Industry

Before you start putting your CV together, it’s important to think through what hiring managers in the freight forwarding industry will be looking for. This will depend on job level. Management positions, for example, will need a CV that can evidence experience using certain programmes and systems as well as leading people, whereas experience won’t necessarily make or break an entry-level application – here, soft skills will come into their own. If you’re applying for a leadership role, you’ll also need to convey an ability to strategize, organise, and motivate others, and be able to demonstrate the measurable impact of your actions.

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Opinions are divided when it comes to the objective statement, but for managerial positions in freight forwarding, a short, professional summary can be useful. This short, concise statement at the top of your CV should be used to establish your goals and management style as well as list key accomplishments and core competencies. It can also outline how you will help the company further their commercial ambitions within the industry.

The way you format your CV can have a big impact on its effectiveness. Above all, keep it clear, well-spaced, and decluttered, and choose a professional font like Arial or Calibri. Whether or not the hiring manager uses an applicant tracking system (ATS), they will probably be skim reading, with many employers only spending 6-7 seconds on each CV! For that reason, it’s important to structure the document for quick comprehension with lots of bullet points, sections, and subheadings to highlight important information.

For all roles, but particularly those that require lots of experience like managerial or leadership positions, the work history section is critical. Here, employers will expect to see evidence that you have the core competencies required to lead people and achieve their commercial objectives.

To do so, list each position you’ve held in reverse chronological order, and use bullet points underneath each one detailing your responsibilities and accomplishments. For each bullet, use an action verb like “coordinated” “led” or “organised” rather than simply saying “responsible for”. This makes a direct link between your input and the outcomes achieved.

If you’re applying for a high level role in freight forwarding, you’ve probably held many different roles during your work history – maybe even in many different countries. At this stage, there’s no need to list entry-level positions and jobs you held when you were fresh out of college or university! Prioritise the skills, experiences, and qualifications which are recent and directly relevant to the position – perhaps from the past 10-15 years. It’s tempting to include as much information as possible to increase your chances of success, but doing so will only distract attention from the details that will actually win you the job.

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Keep it specific and avoid vagueness. Don’t say you’re a hard worker; say you achieved x within a deadline of x, demonstrating your ability to deliver results under pressure. Depending on the role in question, there will be certain non-negotiable skills and certifications you need to include. For managerial positions, familiarity with certain software and processes used within the freight forwarding industry will be essential.

It’s also vital you use appropriate keywords in your CV – especially if the hiring manager pre-screens their applications through an ATS. These should be split into different categories, e.g., leadership skills, people skills, etc. With freight forwarding such an international industry, listing any language skills is also a good idea.

When writing your CV, there’s a balance to be found between providing suitable detail and keeping the document clear and concise. 1-2 pages is typically considered the ideal length, but only 32% of recruitment consultants actually say this is important to them. Still, it’s good practice to try and cut your CV down if you can – stripping out all the waffle and hedging so it packs more of a punch. However, don’t refrain from adding a relevant skill, experience, or certification in the interests of succinctness. For those applying for high level roles in particular, the more experienced and qualified you seem, the better your chances.

It’s easy to say something, it’s less easy to do it. Most people claim to have a series of hard and soft skills in their CV. What makes one CV stand out from another is the use of clear evidence and examples to back up vague terms like “good people skills” and “hard working”. Take every statement you make one step further with real world examples that prove you have the qualities in question, and explain how you benefitted the company. In this way, you’ll be turning everyday duties into exciting accomplishments – immediately catching the attention of your prospective employer.

Entry-level applicants in freight forwarding might be able to get away with vague assertions, but managers will need to provide quantifiable evidence of their successes. By this, we mean facts and figures that showcase your skills and provide a metric for your professional impact. Even if you don’t have specific numbers, showing a range or ballpark figure can still be effective, e.g., managed a budget in excess of $1m. Simply put, the right data can make your CV stand out from the crowd – drawing the employer’s eye and making sure your CV is at the top of the pile.

Tailoring your CV to the role you’re applying for is critical. If a hiring manager suspects you’re taking a scattergun approach to your job search, they’ll immediately be put off. Even if you are applying for multiple roles, it’s important to make sure the person reading your CV thinks you want their position at their company in particular – especially for managers.

To tailor the document to the position, make sure you include reference to all the essential and preferred skills in the job description, along with any non-negotiable qualifications. It’s also a good idea to research the company in question so you understand their commercial objectives and company culture and can align your skills and goals accordingly.

A Guide to Jobs & Careers in Freight Forwarding >

Poor spelling and grammar just doesn’t look professional, so proofread your CV with great care before you finally send it off. Getting someone else to read it though can be extremely helpful, as they might spot errors you haven’t noticed yourself. It’s not all about grammar and spelling though; make sure you also proofread for readability. For managerial positions, employers, hiring managers, and recruitment consultants alike will be expecting perfection, so make sure you deliver it.

Your CV is an employer’s first impression of you – and first impressions count. If you want to make sure your CV stands out from the rest, why not work with a recruitment agency? Not only will they be able to help you tailor your CV and prep for interviews, but they’ll also have inside knowledge of how the process works. Choosing an agency like Midas that specialises in the freight forwarding industry can help you optimise your CV for this dynamic and fast-paced field. When it comes to something as important as your next exciting career move, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Finding your dream role in the freight forwarding industry is easier than ever with Midas Recruitment on your side. Our team of friendly recruitment consultants care about finding your next golden opportunity. We’re in the business of making perfect matches – and we don’t settle for anything less!

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