A job in logistics can be in any number of industries, the government, retail merchandisers, internet providers and the medical field. It is becoming a global economy, where many purchasers are located overseas, and this creates the need for logistics positions, both in import and export of products. Logistics positions involve the transport by truck, train, barge or air.
Jobs in logistics may involve a transportation broker, carrier, and railroad and may be performing tracking, scheduling, paperwork, customs paperwork, payment to carriers and suppliers of shipments. Many logistics positions may involve a filing clerk, an accounting position, and a freight scheduler that act as intermediaries on parts or products and getting them from Point A to Point B.
It is possible to start your own business as a licensed and bonded transportation broker for third party logistics, where you arrange the transportation between outside entities, the seller and the buyer, and the transportation and payment. You must pass a transportation broker test with a minimum of a 70% score and there are schools available for courses, or the Transportation Brokers Manual for study, which is much cheaper.
Some import/export logistics companies may start you out as a step in the process, say, a filing clerk or a scheduler, and offer you promotions and may send you through internal courses of study or pay for tuition assistance in getting your transportation brokers license.
Since logistics is a growing occupational field due to the globalization of the economy here and overseas, it is easy to advance you career in logistics, once you have obtained an entry level job in the logistics chain. Import and export jobs in logistics may pay more than domestic transportation or logistics, since there will be more paperwork and coordination involved.
Many logistics positions are in the health care field, which is rapidly increasing as the population ages. The supply line for transport of pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies is ever increasing.
There are other types of jobs in logistics such as merchandisers, purchasing agents and material handling agents that deal with import, export, domestic transportation and logistics. Retail and fashion merchandisers are becoming more dependent on export logistics positions, as more products and fashions are made in the overseas market. Many of these entry level logistics jobs lead to management jobs in their specific area.
To be successful in logistics positions, it helps if you are detail oriented, understand the terminology and methods used to schedule pickups and deliveries and what means of transportation will be the cheapest and more efficient method of getting the supplies or products where they need to be.
If you develop a customer base or familiar sources of transportation, you could advance your career by obtaining your transportation broker license and setting up your own transactions, as they normally receive a fee or percentage of the shipment, and can make very good money.
Export and Import logistics positions are in high demand, and the majority of them will be brokered through English speaking brokers, but not all, depending on where the export is going or the import is coming in from. You can advance your career if you speak multiple languages, as these are specialized logistics positions.
The best way to advance in logistics positions is to do a job search on a website that specializes in logistics, and find positions willing to train or an entry level position with opportunity to advance in a large company.
These specialized websites have researched and combined all the positions in the field from job boards and Fortune 500 companies. It saves time when it comes to finding and qualifying for a logistics position, and many times you can apply for the positions online or submit your resume via email.
Logistics shipping positions are increasing, while other jobs are being downsized. It is possible for many people to change careers to get into logistics in their own industry or company. It certainly advances your career to look into getting your transportation brokers license and taking courses to improve your knowledge or getting an associates degree in international business for import and export logistics positions.
If you search the internet for a jobsite that specializes in logistics positions, you can browse the market and qualifications for different positions, and determine the quickest career direction based on qualifications you may already have. It is also a good way to see what additional training you may need for positions that you want to advance to in the future. Once you have started an entry level logistics position, it makes it easier to advance to a higher paying job in logistics.
In summary, since the global economy is demanding more import and export business transactions, logistics shipping positions have expanded beyond the domestic transportation jobs that only involved one means of transportation or currency exchange of payment. By searching a reliable and comprehensive job website for a job in logistics, you will be able to quickly find a suitable position to break into this growing field.
