Important International Logistics Manager Interview Preparation Guide

Download PDF

Motivation is a key management requirement, and your answer should stress strong values like positive reinforcement for performance, training in higher duties, and other incentives.

This is another question that allows you to show off your employer research and your understanding of your chosen career path. You'll want to come across as enthusiastic, but not arrogant. Tailor your response to reflect the nature of the organisation, the sector, and your own experiences and skills. Specific details will impress.

This is another frequently asked question. Everyone has weaknesses, but when answering this question in a job interview, stay away from personal qualities and focus on professional traits. Describe what steps you taken to overcome your weaknesses so that you can demonstrate areas of improvement.

I am always working on improving my communications skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters which I find very helpful.

This is an open ended question, and you can use it very effectively as a statement of your abilities. You will need to address each area of the logistics manager job's responsibilities, showing strong values and experience in each area.

When a recruiter asks how you manage your time, don't just give an example of a time when you did this successfully. Your interviewer wants to know your tactics and strategies for getting yourself organised, so whatever approach you use to prioritising and listing your tasks, you should be ready to describe it.

Be prepared for this question because this answer will sell your story. Know clearly what you bring to the organization such as your knowledge, skills, experience, education/training and personal qualities that demonstrate why you are the best person for the job. Be able to show how you add value to the company. Always qualify your answers with quantifiable results you have achieved in previous jobs or assignments. This will add tremendous credibility!

I think I am a great match for this position. My degree in management coupled with more than 10 years of experience managing 100+ employees and delivering top notch training, helped me to improve staff productivity by 30% and reduce employee turnover. I believe that I can do the same for your organization and would be a great addition to your team.

OHS is critically important in all areas of supply chain work. You need to cite a working example of full OHS awareness programs, including training where required.

This isn't an invitation to boast - you are being asked to match your strengths to the qualities needed to do the job. Don't forget, it's a very specific question. Why are you suited to this job, as opposed to any other? Thorough employer research will save the day, as it will enable you to match your skills, interests and experience to the job role and the company.

Feel free to reframe the question. This is similar to asking 'Can you give an example of a time when you had to cope with a difficult situation?' or 'Give an example of a time when you had to cope under pressure'. However, 'crisis' is a much stronger, more emotive word. You may find it easier to give an example if you think back through your work experience, study, extracurricular activities and travel and come up with a time when you had to cope with an unexpected problem.

Always be prepared to ask the interviewer a few questions as well. This helps to demonstrate your preparation and interest.

Sample questions might include:

☛ How would you describe a typical week/day in this position?
☛ Is this a new position? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
☛ How would you describe the company's management style?
☛ Who does this position report to? If I am offered the position, can I meet him/her?
☛ How many people work in this office/department?
☛ Is travel expected in this position? If so, how much?
☛ What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
☛ What would you say are the best things about working here?
☛ Would you like a list of references?
☛ If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start?

Some forms of performance management encourage increased participation by staff, involving training programs, extra duties on a career track basis, and other incentives. Your answer needs to outline clear standards in this approach.

Behavioral interview questions are widely used by employers to gauge a candidate's leadership skills. For example, an employer might ask the following: "Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills." Working in logistics requires tremendous versatility and a can-do attitude, so be prepared to answer a few tough questions.

The key here is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.

Within 5 years, I would like to become the very best mechanic your company has on staff. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely on. Hopefully, this will allow me to take on greater responsibilities with the company if the opportunity arises. I am also working towards additional certifications in the field to enhance my career potential.

Customer relationships are a key point in logistics manager jobs. This is also a problem solving question, requiring you to illustrate the situation, define the customer relationship issues, and how you solved the problem.

Almost everyone has been in this situation. If you say no, intervieweres will usually dig deeper until you can give then an answer. The key is to show how you reacted to the conflict and what you did to resolve it.

I think that everyone at some point has had a conflict at work whether it's with a supervisor or co-worker. I've found that when I'm in a difficult situation, it helps to communicate with the other person, understand their perspective and try to work out a collaborative solution whenever possible.

This question requires a full answer detailing particular systems you've worked with in the past. The interviewers evaluate this experience in relation to the job requirements.

Lateral thinking is the ability to use your imagination to look at a problem in a fresh way and come up with a new solution. Companies prize employees with lateral thinking skills because without them, they can't innovate and create new products. Think about times when you've been faced with real-life problems and have somehow managed to overcome them. Chances are your solution involved an original, creative approach, and that's what employers want to find out about.

☛ Why did you choose this particular vocation?
☛ What interests you about the work you do?
☛ Why do you want to work for our company?
☛ Why do you want to leave your current employer?
☛ What have your achievements been to date?
☛ What do you know about our company?
☛ What can you offer our company?
☛ How do you respond to pressure?
☛ Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss?
☛ When was the last time you had an argument at work?
☛ What qualifications do you have that make you feel that you will be successful in your field?
☛ What do you think determines a person's progress in a good company?
☛ Can you get a recommendation from previous employers?
☛ What contributions to profits have you made in your present or former position to justify your salary level there?
☛ Can you take instructions without feeling upset?
☛ What is your greatest weakness?
☛ What reservations would I have about you as an employee?
☛ What motivates you?
☛ Are you willing to relocate?
☛ How do you spend your spare time? What are your hobbies?
☛ What type of books do you read? How many books per year?
☛ Have you saved any money? Do you have any debts?
☛ What job in our company do you want to work towards?
☛ What jobs have you enjoyed the most? The least? Why?
☛ What are your special abilities?
☛ How do you approach difficult or complex tasks?
☛ What types of people seem to rub you up the wrong way?
☛ Do you like regular hours?
☛ What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you handle it?
☛ What have you done which shows initiative and willingness to work?
☛ Do you prefer to work alone or in a group?

☛ What have been the biggest achievements in your procurement career?
☛ What do you like most and least about procurement?
☛ Give an example of a time when you have had a difficult experience with a stakeholder and how you resolved it.
☛ What tools and techniques would you use to implement a company-wide operational change driven by a procurement need to save money? And how would you get buy-in from stakeholders?
☛ What has been the hardest lesson you have learnt in procurement?
☛ Give an example when your perseverance resulted in a win for you and your organisation?
☛ Who has had the biggest influence of your career? And how have they helped shape you?
☛ What ongoing education are you undertaking?
☛ What would you like to be doing in two or three years? And what is your career goal in 10 years' time?
☛ What attracted you to apply for this role and to work this company?

Some employers may ask you this to check your knowledge in purchase. It can be quite difficult for prospective employers to work out whether potential candidates are good, so this is your chance to shine.

When answering this question you could split up into following points:

☛ By alternative procurement
☛ Alternative supplier sourcing
☛ Vendor increases in different items
☛ Reducing production cost
☛ Procure best quality products
☛ Procure by ensuring product lifetime by supplier, which is most effective way of cost minimization.

When answering this question, always focus on the positive: You are looking for a new challenge, more responsibility, more experience or a change of environment. Never be negative about your former or current employers or talk about negative experiences you had there.

I feel that the time is right for me to transition the outstanding skills and experience I obtained during my last four years in the military to the civilian job market. I received great training and/or education in the Army and have been given job assignments that have enhanced my technical skills, leadership ability and taught me how to meet deadlines and multi-task in a very fast-paced and often stressful environment. I can bring these same skills to your organization.

Graduate recruiters use some questions as much to see how you cope when you're put on the spot as to elicit a truthful answer. This question is a test of your ability to think on your feet and come up with a diplomatic response. Whether you sidestep the question by saying you've always got on well with your employers, or describe a tricky situation you've experienced that highlights your potential, you need to avoid attacking your previous employers. Also, take care not to incriminate yourself.

If you're a recent grad, this might be tough one, but not impossible. An internship provides you with the experience employers want, perhaps more importantly, you'll have an opportunity to network with other logisticians, perhaps securing a job after you graduate. It's important though to balance internships with work because generally work experience is more highly sought after.

Employers are asking this question to check your problem solving skills to improve the present situation and to check how much you are updated with the present market challenges.

So, a good answer probably, that as companies are challenged with finding ways to meet ever-rising customer expectations at a manageable cost. To do so, businesses must identify which parts of their supply chain process are not competitive, understand which customer needs are not being met, establish improvement goals, and rapidly implement necessary improvements.

This is one question that you know you are going to be asked so be prepared! Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four proficiencies such as your ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal, etc.

I have very good organizational and time management skills, but my greatest strength is my ability to effectively handle multiple projects and deadlines.