Working in the freight brokerage industry is not a simple task, and it takes a certain type of person to make a successful shipping agent. If you are thinking about entering this career field, you should first take a look to see if you have some of the most important characteristics needed to be a great shipping agent.
PEOPLE SKILLS
Any professional that works in the freight brokerage industry will need to have good people and communication skills. It is important to remember that you need to have a good relationship with your clients in order to earn your living, so you’ll need to go the extra mile to make them happy. By nurturing this relationship, you can help to develop a long-term business partnership that will provide you with a steady stream of income.
TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE
Freight brokers spend a lot of time working with professionals in the transportation industry, specifically those who work in trucking. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you know about the environmental and safety regulations that surround this industry. You will need to be updated on transportation costs like fuel prices, and you will also need to find the most honest and reliable companies to transport your client’s freight.
TOPNOTCH OFFICE SKILLS
As a shipping agent you will spend most of your time in your office, in front of your computer, and you will rarely make contact with any of the freight that you are having shipped. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you have advanced computer skills, and you will need to be highly organized to ensure that shipments are arriving at the correct destination at the right time. You will also need to find cost-effective transportation, so being skilled in research and negotiation will also be helpful.
PROFESSIONALISM
As a freight broker, you will deal with a variety of shippers on a daily basis, so you will need to interact with them in a professional and courteous manner. It is imperative that you project the image of your company as one that is professional so that your customers feel confident that their freight is being handled with care. You should also ensure that you are being honest with your clients and refrain from engaging in unethical activities that could jeopardize your integrity and reputation, as this could be detrimental to your business.
Source:http://www.americanfreightways.net/blog/4-characteristics-of-a-great-shipping-agent/
