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Want a stronger resume? Use our extensive library of job-ready resume examples as practical starting guides. You’ll also find ready-made content with our helpful Resume Builder – simple click, customize, and download.

Find out what is the best resume for you in our Ultimate Resume Format Guide.

How to Format a Freight Forwarder Resume

You can format your freight forwarder resume in one of three formats. We strongly recommend using a chronological or combination resume format. These two resumes use section headings easily recognized by human hiring managers and digital applicant tracking systems (ATS). Candidate A, for example, uses a combination resume to describe their previous jobs and prioritize a short skills list near the upper part of the page.

Since Candidate B has less than three years of experience with one job, on the other hand, their application could benefit from using a functional resume. This skills-based resume lets them create multiple sections dedicated to shipping skills like importing and exporting knowledge, client management and contract negotiations.

Combination Resume

Candidate A

  • 7 years of experience
  • 2 years at this job
  • HS High School Diploma

Work History

Freight Forwarder, Port of Long Beach
April 2021 – now, Long Beach, CA

  • Review and process shipment transactions for four main accounts, including all related activities. Each client holds an annual value of $3 million.
  • Provide proactive and timely customer service for each internal and external account stakeholder through detailed profiles and procedures that properly represent import and export processes.
  • Receive, review and process high-volume and complex import/export transactions for major accounts, including booking, billing, classifications and processing data.

Functional Resume

Candidate B

  • 3 years of experience
  • 3 years at this job
  • HS High School Diploma

Professional Skills

Import/Export Knowledge

  • Three years experience in Ocean Import logistics.
  • Two years of Ocean Export experience.
  • Familiarity with domestic and international geography, primarily with Atlantic trade routes.

Customer Service

  • Process high-volume and complex import/export transactions for major account clients.
  • Extreme attention to detail, including predicting and circumventing issues before they occur and taking the proper corrective action.
  • Careful account management of three key accounts and their related stakeholders.

Freight Forwarder Resume FAQ.

How do you write a freight forwarder resume?

Follow these simple steps to write an informative and persuasive chronological freight forwarder:

  1. State your name, current job title and contact information.
  2. Introduce yourself and a key accomplishment via a resume summary.
  3. Craft a summary of your past jobs and responsibilities under your work history.
  4. Provide a list of unique skills related to the job.
  5. Summarize your education. This academic information can include degrees, certifications or training related to the shipping, receiving and freight industries.

Learn how to write a freight forwarder resume by viewing how fellow job seekers write and format their documents with these resume examples.

What are the responsibilities of a freight forwarder?

A freight forwarder works with import and export companies to safely transport goods and services cost-effectively. Their daily responsibilities can include:

  1. Preparing all import and export documents.
  2. Analyzing and selecting transportation services to move goods from point A to B.
  3. Negotiating freight rates and contracts on behalf of clients.
  4. Consolidating shipments to reduce cost and wait times.
  5. Overseeing custom clearance for clients.
  6. Troubleshooting transit delays or issues on behalf of clients.

What skills do you need to be a freight forwarder?

Featuring the following skills on your resume may help you find your next freight forwarder job:

Technical freight forwarding skills

  • Supply chain planning software such as Shipedge, 3PL Warehouse Manager or CobbleStone Contract Insight.
  • Develop and maintain business relationships with suppliers and clients.
  • Direct the movement of goods, people or supplies, such as readily available consumer goods or specialized military supplies.

Transferrable hard and soft skills

  • Active listening skills
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Time management
  • File organization
  • Critical thinking
  • Shipping and transportation regulatory knowledge
  • Negotiation skills
  • Networking skills