How Do I Get a Job in Logistics?

The field of logistics contains a diverse variety of career avenues, and there’s a high demand for upper-level positions in almost all departments. With their high salaries and great potential for individual growth, it’s no wonder your job search led you to logistics. You know the next step is to apply to a position, but how do you find the one that’s right for you? And what do you need to know about the application process? With everything the industry has to offer, you might be wondering: “How do I get a job in logistics?”

Applying for a job in logistics might seem daunting, but there are several steps that you can take to improve your chance of being hired.

• Find what interests you

• Research jobs in logistics

• Consider getting a degree

• Get an internship
• Update your resume
• And start applying as soon as possible

Find What Interests You

If this is your first time applying for a job, you might feel a little lost. You might even need guidance if this is your second or third time looking for a new career. Getting a job is never an easy task!

Everyone is different. We all have different hobbies, strengths, and weaknesses. Understanding what yours are will help you determine what kind of career in logistics you should try to pursue. What is right for one person might not be right for you. Remember, the most important thing to consider about finding a job is selecting one that you’ll enjoy.

Take some time to think about what you want to do on a daily basis. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What are your long term career goals? Try to think about your soft skills as well, like interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and working under pressure.

In addition to thinking about what you want to do, take some time to consider what you will not do. Maybe talking on the phone isn’t your forte, or you hate sitting at a desk all day long. Don’t be afraid to take these things into consideration! You deserve to feel good about the job you’re getting, and these preferences don’t restrict you from working in a logistics position.

Be honest with yourself, or you may end up unhappy with your job.

Research Jobs in Logistics

Now that you’ve taken the time to think about your preferences and expectations, you can compare those to the types of jobs within a logistics company.

To help get you started, here’s a brief list of examples.

• Customer Service: If you’re sociable and love helping people, you might be a good fit for a customer service position.
• Information Technology: If you can’t get enough of computers, you’d fit right into a technology related position.
• Inventory Management: If you’re good at keeping track of things and planning ahead, chances are you’d be great at keeping inventory.
• Marketing:
• Operations Management: If you’re analytical and punctual, you might work best in an operations position.
• Project Management: If you can keep a budget, and you’re good at keeping yourself and others on task, you might find yourself in a project management position.
• Sales: If you’re an influential person who’s good under pressure, a job in sales could be your calling.
• Transportation: If you’re technical and good with keeping things on schedule, you could work well in a transportation position.
• Warehousing: If you’re tidy and organized, you have a good chance of excelling in a warehouse position.

Consider Getting a Degree

You do not strictly need a degree in order to work in logistics, so don’t let that stop you. There are still plenty of positions available to you if you choose not to go to college. However, the rate of growth for high-level logistics jobs that do require educated people is growing at 30% annually, which means the demand for those with bachelor’s degrees in the logistics industry is skyrocketing. Having a little college experience will also make you more likely to be considered for promotion, compared to non-college-educated peers.

Here are some options for bachelor’s degree programs that would be helpful within the logistics industry:

• Advertising
• Business
• Communication
• Engineering
• English
• International Affairs
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Project management

Get an Internship for More Experience

While you are in college, set aside some time for a semester or two to take advantage of the internship opportunities available to college students. Most companies are easier to get into as an intern, and they can offer you training and hands-on experience that you can add to your resume for when you start applying for a full-time position. Working as an intern for a while will also let you confirm whether the position is right for you, or if you should keep searching. Even if you decide that you wouldn’t want to return to a position like that, you still gain valuable information from the experience that you can take into your next job.

Update Your Resume

As with any job, you should keep your resume current and accurate. There are many resources out there for helping you with your resume, but in general, you don’t need to get fancy. Here are some general tips for helping you turn your resume into something that will make employers notice you.

• Keep the design simple. Your potential employer likely won’t be impressed with flashy designs or unnecessary details, so keep it simple and readable.
• List your true skills. The last thing you want to do is stretch the truth on your resume, and then not be able to perform on the job.
• Don’t be afraid of leaving some white space. If there’s too much text, your resume will be difficult to skim quickly. Employers rarely dedicate more than 30 seconds to each application, so make sure yours can be read in that amount of time.
• List some of your soft skills, but do not dedicate too much space to them. You should show off only your strongest skills, like time management or working under pressure, and leave out the ones about aren’t as impressive.
• Try to keep it professional, but leave something memorable in there to break the ice during the interview. Maybe you coach soccer on weekends, or you rebuild cars as a hobby. It makes you stand out from the other applicants, and shows off some of your other skills, like being able to manage a team or solve problems.
• Finally, proofread! You wouldn’t want to notice a spelling error after you’ve already submitted it to an employer.

How Do I Get a Job in Logistics? Start Applying

When it’s finally time to apply for a position, you’ll need to find an opening in the area. There are many ways of doing that, but the most common one in today’s day and age is to browse openings on a job listing site. If you find a position you’re interested in, send in your resume, and fill out any application forms they may require, even if you aren’t sure you’re qualified for the position.

If you don’t get the job immediately, don’t get discouraged! Determination is key, and if you hold out for just a little while, you’re bound to land an interview. Utilize job search apps to aid in your search too. 

Good luck!