Transport and logistics

Freight forwarder CV: example and template

This example is for domestic and international freight forwarders at forwarding companies, hauliers and logistics operators, and for people moving into forwarding from customer service or sales.

A freight forwarder earns money for the company on every order. On your CV, show how many customers and trucks you handle, what margin you make and how you cope when something goes wrong.

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Example CV: freight forwarder

All the details in this example are fictional. Treat it as a model of layout and wording, and replace the content with your own experience.

Michał Dąbrowski

International freight forwarder

Szczecin +48 123 456 789 michal.dabrowski@example.com

Professional profile

International freight forwarder with 6 years of experience in full truckload road transport. I handle 25 regular customers and arrange about 120 loads a month, mainly to Germany, Scandinavia and the Benelux. I work on freight exchanges, negotiate rates and look after the margin.

Work experience

International freight forwarder

05.2021 - present

Freight forwarding company, Szczecin

  • Arranging about 120 loads a month between Poland, Germany, Scandinavia and the Benelux.
  • Winning 9 new regular customers in 2 years.
  • Average margin per order 12% above the department target.
  • Vetting carriers: licences, carrier liability insurance, ratings on freight exchanges.
  • Solving problems on the road: breakdowns, delays, damaged cargo.

Junior domestic freight forwarder

09.2019 - 04.2021

Haulage company, Szczecin

  • Planning routes for the company's own fleet of 15 trucks.
  • Preparing CMR documents and settling orders.
  • Keeping in touch with drivers and customers during transport.

Education

Transport and logistics, engineering degree

2015 - 2019

Maritime University of Szczecin

Skills

  • Freight exchanges
  • Rate negotiation
  • Winning new customers
  • CMR, Incoterms, carrier liability insurance
  • Route and fleet planning
  • TMS and Excel

Certificates and training

  • Certificate of professional competence in road haulage
  • Training in transport law and the CMR Convention, 2022

Languages

  • English: B2
  • German: B1

Additional information

  • Category B driving licence

I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (GDPR).

How to write a freight forwarder CV

Professional summary

Say whether you work in domestic or international forwarding, which routes and types of transport you handle and how many orders a month. Add your languages, because they are essential in international forwarding.

Domestic freight forwarder with 2 years of experience in groupage transport. I arrange about 60 loads a month, work on freight exchanges and make sure deliveries arrive on time. I speak English at B2 level.

Experience: duties and achievements

Show the numbers the head of forwarding cares about: orders, customers, margin, new customers, routes. Add crises you have solved, because they are part of everyday work in this job.

Weaker: Arranging transport.

Better: Arranging about 120 loads a month on routes to Germany and Scandinavia.

Weaker: Winning customers.

Better: Winning 9 new regular customers in 2 years.

Weaker: A good margin.

Better: Average margin per order 12% above the department target.

Skills worth listing

A freight forwarder is part salesperson, part logistics specialist. Show your knowledge of transport and documents as well as your ability to negotiate and react quickly.

Professional skills

  • Freight exchanges
  • Calculating costs and margins
  • CMR documents and Incoterms
  • Vetting carriers and their insurance
  • TMS
  • Route planning

Personal skills

  • Negotiation
  • Quick decision-making
  • Handling stress
  • Building customer relationships
  • Multitasking

Licences, courses and certificates

The certificate of professional competence in road haulage is a big plus, especially at haulage companies. Add training in transport law, the CMR Convention and sales.

Freight forwarder CV with no experience

People often move into forwarding from customer service, sales and logistics. Describe your experience in talking to customers, negotiating and working under time pressure.

Add your languages and any transport-related education. Many companies hire junior forwarders and teach them to work on freight exchanges from scratch.

Tailoring your CV to the job offer

A forwarding company looks for sales and winning customers, a haulier for planning its own fleet, and a logistics operator for handling long-term contracts. Move what the job ad is about to the top.

The most common mistakes on a freight forwarder CV

Questions and answers

What should a freight forwarder put on a CV?

The type of forwarding and routes, the number of orders and customers, margin, customers won, knowledge of freight exchanges, CMR documents and Incoterms, and languages.

Does a freight forwarder need a foreign language?

In international forwarding, usually yes, most often English or German. In domestic forwarding a language is a plus, but not always a requirement.

Can you become a freight forwarder with no experience?

Yes. On your CV, show sales or customer service experience, languages and how you handle stress. Companies often train junior forwarders.

Create a freight forwarder CV in the builder

In the CV Majster builder you enter your details step by step and see right away what the document looks like. You can copy the wording from this page and adapt it to yourself. The finished CV as a PDF costs a one-off PLN 5, with no subscription, and you see the preview before you pay.

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See also

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