Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

labor pool

live and in person!

Congratulations! You got the call you've been waiting for and you've scheduled an inperson interview. But that doesn't mean you can relax. Even though you've been in the business a while and have a wealth of supply chain and logistics expertise to offer, you can't expect that to carry you through. You still have to sell yourself to the interviewer.

So don't take this interview lightly. Your resume may have gotten you in the door, but it's the interview that will get you the job. As always, preparation is the key. Here are some tips for preparing for an inperson interview:


  • Start Googling. If you haven't done so already, research the company. Look at both its consumer and its investor Web pages. Visit the Web sites of trade publications and check their archives for articles that might provide some insight into its inner workings and business challenges. Your objective is to walk into the interview ready with a detailed and compelling explanation of how you can solve the company's problems or improve its operations.
  • Don't overstate. It's important to come across as enthusiastic and confident during the interview. But don't promise more than you can deliver.
  • Look the part. No matter how unbuttoned the operation may appear or how casual the employee dress code, you, as an interviewee, must show up in formal business attire. This means a dark suite, collared shirt and tie for men, and a business suit for women. Fair or not, the impression you make in the first five minutes is the impression that lasts. Be conscious of your body language during the interview. If you appear too stiff, people may assume you're not approachable. If you seem too relaxed, they might decide you lack energy and motivation.
  • Don't leave home without your resume. Bring several crisp, clean copies of your resume with you, especially if you e-mailed or faxed the first one. If you have samples of your work or documentation of your accomplishments, bring them as well—as long as they're relevant to the position you're seeking.
  • Do a dry run. Before you go, prepare your responses to standard interview questions and practice answering them. It's much easier to formulate responses in the privacy of your own home than on the spot at an interview. Be ready to answer questions like: What are your strengths and weaknesses? and Where do you see yourself in five years? If you have gaps in your resume, rehearse your explanation. Exercise discretion when it comes to answering the inevitable questions about why you left your last position. Resist the urge to engage in boss bashing or provide a long-winded critique of your former employer's business plan or operations. Be professional, be terse, and be polite.
  • Prepare some questions of your own. Asking questions will demonstrate your interest in the company and the position. But choose your questions carefully. Keep them focused on the job's responsibilities; the hierarchy of the department and/or company; and expectations related to budgets, productivity and other aspects of the department. While it is acceptable to ask about the job's salary range, don't dwell on money or benefits. You risk giving the impression that you're just looking for the highest bidder. A better strategy is to use the interview to convince the interviewer that you're the best person for the job. Once the company has decided you're the person it must have, you'll be in a stronger position to negotiate salary and benefits anyway.

Editor's note: This is the fourth of a multi-part series on job hunting. Next month: preparing for the telephone interview. Read part one: landing your dream job | Read part two: writing a killer resume | Read part three: you've sent off your resume, now what?

The Latest

More Stories

kion linde tugger truck

Kion Group plans layoffs in cost-cutting plan

The German forklift vendor Kion Group plans to lay off an unspecified number of workers as part of an “efficiency program” it is launching to strengthen the company’s resilience and maintain headroom for future investments, the company said today.

The new structural measures are intended to optimize Kion’s efficiency, executives said in their fourth quarter earnings report.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

map chart of truck freight shipments

U.S. Bank report: the truck freight market reboot is not here yet

The truck freight market continued to contract in the fourth quarter, closing out 2024 with further declines in shipments and spending, according to the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index.

By the numbers, fourth quarter shipment volume was down 4.7% compared to the prior quarter, while spending dropped 2.2%.

Keep ReadingShow less
volvo and waabi self driving truck

Volvo deepens partnership with Waabi for self-driving truck tech

Volvo Autonomous Solutions will form a strategic partnership with autonomous driving technology and generative AI provider Waabi to jointly develop and deploy autonomous trucks, with testing scheduled to begin later this year.

The two companies said they will integrate Waabi's virtual driver system, the Waabi Driver, into the Volvo VNL Autonomous, Volvo’s autonomous truck with redundant systems for enabling safe autonomous operations. The Volvo VNL Autonomous will be produced at Volvo’s New River Valley assembly plant in Dublin, Virginia, and be designed to support diverse operational needs, use cases, and Volvo Group truck brands.

Keep ReadingShow less
containers stacked on a ship in harbor

Average container transit time in Q4 climbed from 60 days to 68 days

Businesses dependent on ocean freight are facing shipping delays due to volatile conditions, as the global average trip for ocean shipments climbed to 68 days in the fourth quarter compared to 60 days for that same quarter a year ago, counting time elapsed from initial booking to clearing the gate at the final port, according to E2open.

Those extended transit times and booking delays are the ripple effects of ongoing turmoil at key ports that is being caused by geopolitical tensions, labor shortages, and port congestion, Dallas-based E2open said in its quarterly “Ocean Shipping Index” report.

Keep ReadingShow less
chart of women's portion of transport and storage jobs

Women hold only 12% of transportation and storage jobs worldwide

Women are significantly underrepresented in the global transport sector workforce, comprising only 12% of transportation and storage workers worldwide as they face hurdles such as unfavorable workplace policies and significant gender gaps in operational, technical and leadership roles, a study from the World Bank Group shows.

This underrepresentation limits diverse perspectives in service design and decision-making, negatively affects businesses and undermines economic growth, according to the report, “Addressing Barriers to Women’s Participation in Transport.” The paper—which covers global trends and provides in-depth analysis of the women’s role in the transport sector in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA)—was prepared jointly by the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the International Transport Forum (ITF).

Keep ReadingShow less