17 Freight Dispatcher Interview Questions and Answers

A freight dispatcher is responsible for the coordination and management of trucking operations within a company. This position is also known as a trucking dispatcher or transportation dispatcher. The dispatcher works with the truck drivers to ensure that the correct type of truck is sent to pick up and deliver the load, and that the load is delivered on time.

If you are interested in becoming a freight dispatcher, you will need to have excellent communication and customer service skills. You will also need to be able to multitask and stay calm under pressure.

In this guide, we will go over some common freight dispatcher interview questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where you have to multitask and prioritize tasks?

Freight dispatchers often work in a fast-paced environment where they have to multitask and prioritize tasks. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working in such an environment. Use your answer to show that you can handle the pressure of working as a freight dispatcher. Explain how you stay organized and manage multiple projects at once.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. In my previous role, I was responsible for managing several shipments at once. I would receive calls from drivers about their location or any issues they were having. Then, I would create new routes based on these calls. I also had to communicate with other departments to ensure all shipments were delivered on time.”

What are some of the skills you have that make you a good freight dispatcher?

Freight dispatchers need to have a variety of skills, including organizational and time management. Employers ask this question to make sure you know what the job entails and whether your skills match up with their expectations. Before your interview, read through the job description to see which skills they mention most often. In your answer, try to show that you possess these skills.

Example: “I think my ability to multitask is one of my greatest strengths as a freight dispatcher. I am able to manage many different shipments at once while still making sure each shipment gets where it needs to go on time. Another skill I have is communication. Freight dispatching requires me to communicate with drivers, customers and other team members. I feel confident in my ability to do so effectively.”

How would you handle a situation where a shipment is delayed and you need to find another way to transport it?

Freight dispatchers often need to find alternative ways to transport shipments when the original plan doesn’t work. This question helps employers understand how you would handle a challenging situation and shows them your problem-solving skills. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to solve this issue.

Example: “If I needed to find an alternative way to transport a shipment, I would first check with my team members to see if anyone had any ideas or suggestions. If we couldn’t come up with anything on our own, I would contact the client to see if they could help us find another solution. I would also look at other transportation companies in the area to see if there were any available trucks that could transport the shipment.”

What is your process for confirming that a flight plan is correct before confirming the shipment?

Freight dispatchers often need to confirm that the shipment information they are receiving is accurate before confirming it. This question helps employers understand how you ensure accuracy in your work and whether you have any special processes for doing so. In your answer, describe a specific process you use to confirm flight plans or other shipping details.

Example: “I always check the shipment’s destination and weight first. If those numbers don’t match up with what I’m expecting, I will contact the driver to make sure there wasn’t a mistake. After checking those two things, I then look at the pickup and drop-off locations to make sure they’re correct. Finally, I double-check the customer name and phone number to make sure everything matches.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer and how you resolved the situation.

Freight dispatchers often have to interact with customers, so employers ask this question to make sure you can handle customer service situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation and how you handled it.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their shipment on time. I listened to the customer’s concerns and apologized for any inconvenience. Then, I looked up the tracking information to see when the shipment was supposed to arrive. It turned out that the shipment arrived two days early, but the customer never received the notification. I explained this to the customer and offered them a discount on their next order.”

If you could only choose one mode of transportation to ship a product, which would it be and why?

Freight dispatchers need to be familiar with all modes of transportation, so interviewers ask this question to see if you have a preference. They want to know that you can use each mode effectively and understand the benefits and drawbacks of each one. In your answer, explain why you chose that particular method and what makes it better than the others.

Example: “I would choose rail because I think it’s the most efficient way to ship large quantities of goods over long distances. It’s fast, which means companies save money on fuel costs, and it has more capacity than other methods. However, I also understand that there are some places where rail isn’t an option, so I am well-versed in trucking and shipping by air as well.”

What would you do if you entered a shipment into the system and realized you entered the wrong pickup and delivery information?

Freight dispatchers often work with a lot of information, so it’s important to show that you can handle mistakes and learn from them. Your answer should include steps you would take to correct the mistake and ensure the shipment is picked up and delivered correctly.

Example: “If I made a mistake entering pickup or delivery information, I would immediately contact the driver to let them know about the change. Then, I would enter the new pickup and delivery information into the system and send out an email to all parties involved in the shipment to make sure they have the most recent information.”

How well do you perform under pressure? Can you give me an example of a time when you had a tight deadline to meet?

Freight dispatchers often have to meet tight deadlines. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the pressure of working in a fast-paced environment. In your answer, share an example of how you met a deadline in the past. Explain what steps you took and why they helped you succeed.

Example: “In my last job as a freight dispatcher, I had to meet a tight deadline every day. One time, we were running behind on our deliveries because of bad weather conditions. I gathered all of my team members together for a meeting. Together, we decided which drivers could take longer routes to deliver their shipments. This allowed us to get all of our shipments out by the end of the day.”

Do you have experience using logistics software? Which programs are you most familiar with?

Freight dispatchers use a variety of software to complete their daily tasks. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience using the specific programs they use in their company. Before your interview, read through the job description to see which software the employer prefers. In your answer, let them know that you are familiar with these programs and can easily learn any new ones if necessary.

Example: “I am very experienced with all major logistics software. I’ve worked for three different companies over the past five years, each one requiring me to learn a different program. I enjoy learning new things, so it’s never been an issue for me. If there is a specific program you use at this company, I would be happy to learn it.”

When is it appropriate to call a “no-go” on a flight plan?

Freight dispatchers often have to make decisions about whether or not a flight plan is safe for the driver. This question helps an interviewer determine how you make these important calls and if you can do so in a way that protects drivers from unsafe conditions. In your answer, explain what factors you consider when making this decision and give examples of times you’ve done so successfully.

Example: “I would call a “no-go” on a flight plan if I thought it was unsafe for the driver to travel at the time they were scheduled to leave. For example, if there was ice on the roads, I might decide to cancel a shipment because I don’t want to put the driver in danger. Another reason I might call a no-go is if the shipment wasn’t ready to go by the departure time.”

We want to become known for having excellent customer service. What is your strategy for maintaining strong customer relationships?

Freight dispatchers often interact with customers, so it’s important to show that you can provide excellent customer service. Your answer should include a specific example of how you have helped a customer in the past and what your goal is for interacting with clients.

Example: “I believe that having strong relationships with our customers is essential to providing quality service. In my last role as a freight dispatcher, I had a client who was shipping some expensive equipment. The driver accidentally damaged the shipment, which caused the client quite a bit of stress. I stayed on the phone with them until they felt comfortable enough to sign off on the delivery. They were very happy with the resolution we provided.”

Describe your experience with hazardous materials.

Freight dispatchers often need to know how to handle hazardous materials. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the experience needed to work in their company. In your answer, explain what types of hazardous materials you’ve worked with and how you handled them. Show that you can follow all safety procedures when handling these materials.

Example: “I’ve had some experience working with hazardous materials. I was a freight dispatcher for a shipping company that delivered chemicals. We were required to complete extensive training on how to handle these materials safely. I learned about proper storage and transportation methods. I also learned how to communicate any issues to my supervisor so they could take action.”

What makes you the best candidate for this freight dispatcher position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities while also mentioning any transferable skills you have.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great fit for this freight dispatcher position. I understand the importance of being able to multitask and work under pressure, so I know I would be able to handle the responsibilities of this job well. My previous experience as a freight dispatcher has given me valuable insight into what it takes to succeed in this industry.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working with?

Freight dispatchers often work with a variety of industries, so employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working in their industry. Before your interview, read through the job description and highlight any specific industries they mention. In your answer, explain which industries you’re familiar with and why you feel qualified for the position.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily with the construction industry, but I also have experience working with the transportation industry as well. My previous employer was a construction company that needed freight services, so I learned how to coordinate shipments between our locations and shipping companies. This experience has given me valuable insight into the transportation industry.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a freight dispatcher to have?

Freight dispatchers are responsible for coordinating the movement of freight from one location to another. They need to be organized, detail-oriented and able to multitask. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand what skills are important in this role. In your answer, explain which skill you feel is most important and why it’s so important.

Example: “I think the most important skill a freight dispatcher needs is organization. Freight can get lost or damaged if someone isn’t keeping track of where it is at all times. I am very good at organizing my work and making sure that everything is properly labeled and documented. This helps me stay on top of things and ensures that shipments arrive safely.”

How often do you make mistakes when entering information into the system?

Freight dispatchers often enter information into the system, such as customer orders and delivery schedules. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how important accuracy is when working in this role. In your answer, explain that you take pride in your work and always try to be accurate. Explain that you have a quality control process in place to ensure you are entering data correctly.

Example: “I am very detail-oriented, so I take pride in my work and always strive for perfection. When I first started working as a freight dispatcher, I would double-check all of my work before submitting it to management. Now, after several years of experience, I know what to expect from myself. However, I still use a quality control process to check my work thoroughly.”

There is a chance that a shipment could be lost or stolen. How would you handle this situation?

Freight dispatchers are responsible for the safe delivery of goods. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience handling these types of situations and how you would react if they happened again in their company. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that shipments were delivered safely.

Example: “I once had a shipment go missing during transit. I immediately contacted the driver who was transporting it at the time. He told me he hadn’t lost or damaged the shipment. We then contacted the customer to let them know we were looking into the situation. The next day, the shipment arrived at its destination. It turns out the trucking company accidentally switched trucks with another one.”