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Industry Tips for Answering Top Logistics Interview Questions

Posted by [email protected] on Jun. 14, 2021  /  Subscribe 0

You're in the outer office waiting for your in-person interview for a position in supply chain management. You're nervous, excited, self-conscious, and a dozen other emotions as you wait for the starting gun. You know you have the skills, experience, and education to do the job; the question is, what will the interviewer ask? 

Seeing what the future holds is impossible, but as all good supply chain and logistics professionals know, being prepared for any outcome is essential in this industry. So, without further ado, here are a few pieces of industry advice on answering your logistics interview questions with confidence, nailing the interview, and securing a career as a logistics manager. 

Pick a Card, Any Card

Just like a magician can manipulate a deck of cards with 52 choices to choose from, so does a logistics manager when it comes to finding a position that suits their talents and interests. There are so many positions and careers to choose from in the logistics industry that deciding on a day-to-day job can be a little daunting, to say the least. 

Logistics jobs in inventory management, logistics processes, transportation, supply chain oversight, customer service, and many other positions make the decision both easy and hard. Easy because there is no question that a great position is waiting for you; hard because the choices are so varied. Each has a variety of working conditions, environments, locations, and other important factors to consider.

How Do I Prepare for a Logistics Interview?

Experts say prior planning prevents poor performance, and they're right. Preparation is everything in logistics and supply chain management, especially when it comes to interviewing for a position. The same rules apply today as they did 50 years ago:

1. Look Sharp, Feel Sharp, Be Sharp

If your appearance isn't first-rate and professional, the interviewer won’t take you seriously. Dress for the occasion, just the same as you would for a formal meeting. Remember, you can always dress down and remove your tie if need be, but you can never be too prepared. 

2. Bring All Necessary Paperwork

Resume, letters of recommendation, certificates of training, a diploma from your school, and any other form of written documentation that shows your background, education, skill, and expertise in your chosen field will always be welcome. 

Organizing the documents into a proper presentation folder as opposed to laying them loose in a manila file folder is an extra touch that can rank you above your competition.

3. Smile!

If you know you can do the job, you should be confident, and your smile demonstrates that confidence. A positive attitude and gracious manner will be much better received than a frowning, worried, and sweaty appearance. 

You might not like having to do the interview, but you might as well try to brighten the day of your interviewer—what have you got to lose?

4. Look, Listen, Think, and THEN Speak

Don't get caught looking out the window or checking out your shoe shine while you're in front of the interviewer. When questions are asked, be sure to take the time to listen thoughtfully. Don't jump right in with an answer; rather, wait a couple of seconds to contemplate your response before speaking. 

This will let the interviewer know you are an attentive listener and careful speaker, not a knee-jerk reactionary. Use proper English without slang, and be sure to sit upright without unnecessary, distracting movements.

Question One: Why Do You Want to be in Logistics?

The first question every interviewer is going to ask is pretty simple: Why do you want to be in logistics? It's a seemingly simple question, but its answers are seemingly just as endless. So, how do you answer such a general question with a specific answer? 

The answer interviewers are looking for is just as simple. You want to be in logistics because it is a constantly evolving environment that challenges your skills, intellect, and capabilities daily. 

Essentially, the interviewer is asking if you're a good fit for the position. They’re looking for someone who is good with problem-solving and maintaining efficient, organized systems, and you just told them your attitude toward solving problems is "Bring it!"

What Are the Questions Asked in Logistics Interviews? 

Where the interviewer takes the interview process next will depend on your answer to the first question. The bottom line is that the approach each interviewer takes with their questioning process is unique to the individual. And this only makes sense because HR professionals in each organization work with different concerns, issues, requirements, and environments. Logistics jobs come in all shapes and sizes, so it tracks that the questions concerning them will vary as well. 

Good job candidates will have done their homework on the company, its background, present activities, future directions, and any other data that will help the candidate better understand their interviewer. Depending upon the position, the questions asked will tell the candidate if they are heading in the right direction or veering off the path to employment. Understanding potential questions will help the applicant know where they stand in the process.

A few common logistics interview questions include:

• In your opinion, what are the key competencies for logistics professionals?
• How will you achieve 99.9% accuracy in the inventory?
• Describe a situation when you were under pressure at work. How did you handle it?
• What do you believe is the most important consideration in warehouse management?
• What type of warehousing and transport management system applications have you used in the past?
• How would you reduce distribution costs?
• What are the most important logistics KPIs you have used to drive process improvement?
• To deliver improvements, which warehouse activities would you focus on?
• What are the major supply chain trends to consider in today’s market?

What Skills Are Needed for Logistics Jobs?

Like every other job applicant, it will be your skills that will get you in the door. No skills = no job. Great skills = endless employment potential. Obviously, having an education in logistics disciplines is going to go a long way toward landing the position. Certifications from a recognized logistics industry educational institution will speak volumes about your skillset. Graduating with certification in specific areas of logistics operations will be immeasurably helpful in securing a position. 

On-going education classes not only assure continued awareness of changes in the logistics industry; they also provide opportunities for peer-based communications and membership in professional organizations. And all together, these efforts demonstrate your commitment to your career and their company.

Questions to ask yourself to determine if you have skills and attributes logistics interviewers are looking for include:

• Do you have the ability to zoom out and see the bigger picture
• Are you adaptable?
• Can you remain calm under pressure?
• Are you an effective problem solver?
• Do you act with honesty and integrity?
• Are you hyper-focused on continuous improvement?
• How are your project management skills?

A Final Piece of Advice for Logistics Interviews

Interviewing for a position in logistics can be made a lot easier if you can get a better understanding of what the job you seek will be like. To do that, you should try to find someone who already has the same position or a similar position to the one you're seeking. See if you can shadow them for a day or two to observe what their daily routine is like. This not only tells you what you will probably be experiencing every day, but it will also let you know if you'll be a good fit for the job or not. 

Sometimes, being in the position is different from seeking the position, and it's better to know if you're not going to be compatible with the workflow before accepting an offer. Taking the right steps before, during, and after the interview are key to employee satisfaction and career success in supply chain and logistics management.

Ace Your Logistics Interview—ASCM Houston 

Interviewing for any job position can be nerve-wracking, but as we said before, having the right skills, education, and experience is the first step to acing your logistics interview. Whether you’re an industry veteran looking to gain new skills and advance your career or a novice logistics manager just breaking into the industry, ASCM Houston offers courses to further your education and help you achieve success in the supply chain and logistics industry. 

Join our chapter’s 800+ members to gain access to certification classes, professional development meetings, plant tours, and more helpful resources to answer your logistics interview questions with confidence.

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