How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the CDL Human Resource portal at cdl.zohorecruit.com.
Master the Freight Control Workflow
This role sits at the nerve center of import and export operations, where a missed document or a delayed follow-up can stall an entire shipment. Hiring managers will look for candidates who can juggle multiple files, coordinate with inspectors, and keep clients informed without dropping the ball.
1. Show your hands-on experience with CargoWise: If you've used CargoWise or a similar TMS, highlight it clearly on your CV and be ready to walk through specific tasks like opening files, generating shipment numbers, and tracking milestones. If you haven't, take a quick online tutorial to at least understand the core modules.
2. Prove your customs and KEBS knowledge: Be prepared to discuss the inspection process with bodies like SGS or Intertek, and explain how you've handled COC, PVOC, and exemptions. Give a concrete example of a time you navigated a tricky customs requirement.
3. Emphasize your follow-up discipline: This role is all about relentless follow-up with suppliers, agents, and internal teams. Share a story where your persistence prevented a delay or resolved a documentation issue before it became a problem.
4. Prepare for scenario questions on shipment coordination: Expect questions like 'What do you do if a shipment arrives without a COC?' or 'How do you handle a client who wants a status update every hour?' Practice clear, step-by-step answers that show your process thinking.
5. Highlight your customer service mindset: Since the role involves direct client communication, show that you can explain complex logistics in plain language and keep clients calm during disruptions. Mention any experience with COD arrangements or billing.
6. Brush up on your MS Office skills: You'll likely need to prepare manifests, invoices, and reports. Be ready to demonstrate your Excel proficiency, especially with formulas and data sorting, and your ability to draft professional emails.
7. Show you're a team player: Freight control works closely with pricing, operations, and finance. Give examples of how you've collaborated across departments to get a shipment cleared or resolve a discrepancy.
8. Ask smart questions in the interview: Show genuine interest by asking about the company's main trade lanes, the volume of shipments handled monthly, or how the team uses CargoWise. This signals you're already thinking about how to contribute from day one.