Some jobs require employees to work under pressure, so some interviewers like to see how an applicant handles tough questions. There are many questions meant to put the interviewee in an awkward situation
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
Logistics is a fast-growing sector with numerous career growth opportunities. Also, I am passionate about this line of work, and I believe my skills and experience will significantly benefit your organization.
2. What Are The Roles Of A Logistics Analyst?
- Oversee the entire life cycle of a product, including purchase, distribution, release, clearance, and dispatch
- Assist employees in enhancing their performance and reducing inefficiencies.
- Selecting the mode of transport.
- Managing storage and warehousing departments.
- Packaging selection
- Precisely forecasting inventory requirements
- Production planning
- Procurement
- Maintaining high standards of customer service
3. What Are The Qualities That A Logistics Analyst Needs To Be Successful?
- Ability to visualize processes from start to finish, i.e., capacity to see the bigger picture. The supply chain process could experience unexpected setbacks and everything going wrong, from packaging to shipping and delivery. A combination of critical thinking skills and prior work experience often plays a role in a logistic analyst’s ability to handle the situation effectively.
- Adaptability and flexibility. The supply chain sector is complex, with current trends affecting changes. As a logistics analyst, you must possess adaptability skills to evolve with processes within the organization.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure. The supply chain industry is often fast-paced, with each step relying on the successful completion of the previous process. For instance, insufficient or wrong material supply may lead to massive losses and a complete shutdown. A logistics professional should be able to devise instant solutions to arising setbacks.
- Continually improving skills
Understanding logistics and supply chain is expected. But, knowing the scope and understanding the organization’s goals can make any logistics analyst perform better.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face In Your Last Role, And How Did You Manage Them?
One major challenge I face is keeping up with modernization and technology. New processes and software are consistently emerging and keeping up is a constant challenge. I create time and enroll for online courses to update myself on new trends.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As A Logistics Analyst?
On my typical workday, I get to work an hour early and start by checking my work-related emails. I can respond to any client concerns or requests and get organized at the beginning of the day. Then, I read through my to-do list and get started on top priority projects. I spend most of my morning overseeing a product’s entire life cycle, including purchase, storage and warehousing, packaging, release, and material handling. I am more productive in the morning, which is why I do most supply chain processes in the morning.
After lunch, I begin working on more analytical aspects of my job, such as product planning for the next day’s shipment, inventory forecasting, and customer service. I analyze each supply chain process and streamline it to simplify processes and make things run more smoothly.
Each week, I compile a report and present it to my team. I find that this helps our collaboration and productivity efforts.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience?
My years of experience have adequately prepared me for this position. I developed extensive logistic skills, which have helped me serve customers better. Our customer service department discovered a rise in customer approvals and ore sales.
You mentioned that team management is a big part of this vacancy. I spent two years working in a busy organization whereby I mobilized teams and developed systems that increased efficiency and productivity.
7. What Are Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Required For This Role?
To succeed in this role, I ensure to:
– Start early – I assess the task at hand and carry out extensive research on the same.
– Know what the customer wants – identify customer necessities, product requirements, geographical location, and shipping logistics. Please do some research about the customer to familiarize yourself with their preferences. – Know yourself. Assess your strengths and weaknesses. Delegate tasks unfamiliar to you.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge You Foresee In This Job?
In one of my previous roles, a client wasn’t happy with our service. I offered to reach out to him and took the time to listen to his concern. After a lengthy discussion, I discovered that this mess stemmed from a communication barrier between him and the procurement department. I offered him various options, and after he was satisfied with his purchase, I integrated a project management software that significantly improved inter-departmental communication. I was able to retain a treasured customer while improving efficiency using technology.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated?
Knowing the time frame of a project keeps me motivated, s I always try to complete work in good time. Coming up with new ideas to improve a logistic setback gives me the satisfaction that I am making a difference.
10. Describe A Time You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned?
As a recruit, I once had an opportunity to service one of the biggest clients within that company. I ambitiously told them that all their orders would be ready in a few short hours in my eagerness to please the client. I thought that the time frame was adequate.
However, instead of several hours, the consignment took two days. I realized I should have been more conservative in my time estimate. I noticed that clients don’t get angry when giving them an accurate picture and expected delivery time. Although this incident led to a few cancellations, I positively took the experience to help better handle a similar situation in the future.
I have learned to manage customer expectations in the projects that I supervise. For instance, during a similar project that I was overseeing, I told the customer the work would be ready in five working days, but we were done in three days, which greatly pleased them.
11. Why Do You Feel You Are Qualified For This Role?
Having worked in this industry for ten years, I know that I am qualified for this position. I also have acquired the necessary skills and experience to match. You need someone skilled at handling and motivating teams to increase efficiency and production based on your job description and requirements. I streamlined collaboration between departments and increased production by 20% in my previous role. If given a chance, I will reciprocate and integrate a similar strategy for our company’s success.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement
My most outstanding achievement was winning the Employee of The Year Award organized by the Certified Professional Logistician Organization. It was so unexpected and came as a surprise to me. My passion and dedication to my work helped me get the most prestigious recognition. This has taught me to work selflessly, irrespective of whether I receive recognition.
13. Do You Have Any Knowledge Of International Organization For Standardization?
In a previous job position, I was tasked with the company’s safety responsibilities in compliance with ISO. Additionally, I have attended conferences and workshops for supply chain professionals each year since 2015.
14. How Do You Maintain Relevance Or Stay Up To Date With The Latest Trends And Industry Best Practices?
I have set goals that I must attend professional workshops and conferences in line with my job description each year. I also read journals and industry newsletters during my free time, a practice that keeps me informed.
15. Explain The Process Of Organizing Storage Area For Bulk Items?
The storage location facilities can either be single, double, or multiple, and the storage method is carried out in any of the following ways:
- Bulk storage in a straight or vertical direction
It is a standard method of organizing the container whereby storage is done vertically.
- Bulk storage at an angle.
It is a good storage option where space is limited in accommodating containers. However, this method is applicable on special occasions only, depending on the products it carries.
16. Define These Terms
Deadweight Tonnage
Deadweight tonnage refers to the distinction between the ship’s laden and unladen weight, which means the weight of everything the ship carries, excluding the ship itself.
ASN (Advance Shipping Notice) Refers To?
ASN is a notification sent to the client detailing the shipment information before delivery. It mainly includes transportation and consignment information such as delivery time and expected arrival time.
What Does The Term TEU Mean?
TEU is the process of calculating vessel capacity and is a term that refers to the Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit. The calculation process involves twenty feet long unit containers. For instance, a 40-foot-long container measures 2 TEUs.
What Does The Term LTL Mean?
LTL stands for Less Than Truckload, a contract between the delivery service and transport owner. In this type of contract arrangement, shipment pricing is done according to the freight weight and mileage.
What Does Afreightment Mean?
Affreightment refers to a contract between the dealer and shipowner, whereby the shipowner rents space in the ship for the dealer at an agreed fee and a specific period. According to the terms of this contract, the dealer is liable for expenses, whether the ship is ready or not for shipment.
What Does Declared Value Of Carriage Mean?
The declared value of carriage refers to the worth of goods as declared by the transporter on the bill of lading to assess the limit of the carrier’s liability.
17. What Do These Terms Mean
- Supply Chain Management,
- Cross Docking,
- Advice Of Shipment
- The Term Anti-Dumping Duty
- Export Declaration
- Advising Bank
Supply chain management involves an integrated process of arranging, executing, and monitoring the flow of information, resources, and services from raw material to the final product for the ultimate dispatch to the client.
Cross-docking means off-loading materials from an incoming truck and directly loading them into outbound trailers to minimize handling and operating costs and inventory storage.
The advice of shipment is a notification sent to either a foreign buyer or local dealer informing them about the shipment status, including packing information, routing, and tracking information. A copy of the invoice is sent together with this notice. In some instances, a copy of the landing also accompanies the consignment.
Anti-dumping duty refers to an import duty levied in instances where the imported merchandise is priced at a lower rate in the exporter’s local market and results in losses for the local industry of the importing country.
An export declaration is a government document filed by the exporter that defines the goods shipped out of that country.
Advising Bank is a term that refers to a bank operating in the seller’s country and handles credit letters on behalf of the foreign bank.
18. What Is The Operational Level Process In Logistics?
There are varied activities taking place at the operation level in logistics, and they include:
- Goods receipt verification and checking.
- Load scheduling
- Bulk storage
- Picking of orders.
- Returns
- Staff availability
- Stock top-up
- Order organizing
- Stock update
- Document completion and update.
19. What Does Freight Class Entail?
Freight class is dependent on several factors that include:
- Density – weight per cubic foot
- Cargo stability includes the length, width, and shipping mode in line with the set rules and regulations.
- Ease of handling – evaluating the process and effort requirements during transportation.
- Liability – this mainly involves liability to damage, breakage, perishability, and vulnerability to theft.
20. What Is Added In A Bill Of Landing?
- Name and address of the concerned parties, i.e., transporters and recipients.
- Product description – name, the material of manufacture, handling information, etc.
- A declaration stating the value of goods
- A notice is accompanying harmful substances in the consignment.
- Shipment weight, including individual and collective weights.
- Freight classification is in line with the National Motor Freight Classification.
- Tracking order information.
- Shipment date
- Total number of shipping units
- Packaging types include cartons, skids, drums, or pallets
21. What Professional Qualifications Do You Have?
In addition to being a Supply Chain Professional, I am also a Certified Logistics Analyst Specialist. While on campus, I studied procurement and supply chain management. I recently completed a one-year mentorship program on business management and practices.
Some certifications that I have acquired in my professional journey include: Certified Professional Logistician (CPL) qualification, Certified Logistics Technician (CLT), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), and Certified Masters Logistician (CML).
Having worked in the procurement and supply chain sector for over ten years while starting as a logistics clerk, I have gained extensive experience handling supply chain processes and tracking each step. My hard work and dedication to my professional growth have seen me rise through the ranks to the position of senior logistics analyst in my previous job posting.
22. Have You Ever Worked On A Challenging Project, And How Did You Motivate Your Team?
I joined a new company and launched its supply chain department. I faced many challenges coordinating the different associated departments. The breakdown of communication led to numerous misunderstandings among team members, and we could not beat set deadlines.
As a solution, I integrated project management software which helped streamline processes at every stage. Errors were drastically minimal, and efficiency and production improved.
23. Where Do You See Yourself In The Next Three Years?
In three years, I would like to perfect my skills and grow with the company, learning as much as possible and giving back my services. This I hope to achieve by enrolling in training opportunities. I want to participate in a leadership project if the opportunity arises. Later, it would be an honor to be considered for a supervisory position.
24. What Additional Training Have You Obtained From Your Work, Education, And Training, That You Know Will Support Your Logistic Analyst Career?
My work ethic, which includes paying attention to detail and completing tasks, ensures I work with excellence. I have gained research skills to analyze information and utilize logic to address work-related issues.
25. As A Logistics Analyst, What Additional Training Courses Or Seminars Will Help Improve Your Work-Related Performances?
Key competencies of a professional logistic analyst include:
- Networking abilities.
- Being a team player.
- Being strategic and forward-thinking.
- Effectively handling documentation.
Any training opportunity to help me sharpen these skills is highly appreciated.
Conclusion
Being adequately prepared is the best thing to do, to ensure your interview bears fruit. Ensure that you do a background check on the company you hope to join. Taking time to prepare will give you the much-needed confidence that you must have. While you may not know the specific questions that your recruiter will ask, you will be at ease answering a wide range of questions but only if you adequately prepare.
If you desire to be a logistics analyst and have no idea how to prepare for a job opportunity, these questions will give you pointers to know what to expect. Having an idea of what to expect will give you confidence. Before meeting that recruiting panel, go through these questions and know the answers. It could have an impact on the outcome of the interview.
