20 OEC Group Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to logistics, OEC Group is a company that knows its stuff. Offering ocean freight, air freight, and export services, OEC Group has a lot to offer potential employees. But before you can start working for this top-notch company, you’ll need to ace the interview.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common OEC Group interview questions. With these questions and answers in your back pocket, you’ll be one step closer to getting the job you want.

OEC Group Interview Process

The interview process at OEC Group is generally pretty smooth and efficient. After applying, candidates can expect a phone call from HR to schedule an initial interview. This will be followed by one or two more interviews with managers. The entire process usually takes about two weeks.

Candidates report that the interview questions are fair and relevant to the position they applied for. However, some have said that the second round of interviews can feel more like an interrogation than a conversation. It is important to be prepared to discuss your experience and skills in detail.

Overall, the interview process is positive and professional. Candidates report feeling respected and valued throughout the process.

1. What do you know about OEC Group?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your research skills and see how much you know about their company. It’s important to show that you’ve done some background research on the company, including what they do, who they are and any other information you can find.

Example: “I know that OEC Group is an international logistics company with headquarters in New York City. You provide ocean freight, air freight and export services to companies around the world. I also know that you have been in business since 1999 and have over 1,000 employees.”

2. Why did you apply to work at this company?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for their company. They may want to know what attracted you to this role and how it fits into your career goals. You can answer this question by explaining why you are passionate about logistics or international trade.

Example: “I applied to work at OEC Group because I am passionate about international trade. I have always been interested in learning about different cultures, and I think that shipping goods across the world is a fascinating process. I also love being able to solve problems, and I believe that working as an export coordinator would give me plenty of opportunities to do so.”

3. Provide an example of a time when you had to prioritize multiple projects, how did you decide which ones came first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and attention to detail. It can also show them that you have experience with managing multiple projects at once, which is a common responsibility for many logistics managers.

Example: “In my previous role as an export manager, I had to oversee several shipments at once. One shipment was going from California to New York City, while another was going from San Francisco to London. I decided to prioritize the shipment going to London because it was more valuable to our company. The shipment going to New York City would be handled by one of our other employees.”

4. What is your experience with ocean freight?

Ocean freight is a major part of the OEC Group’s business, so it’s important that you have experience with ocean freight. If you don’t have any experience with ocean freight, consider getting some before your interview to show that you’re willing to learn and develop your skills.

Example: “I’ve worked in logistics for five years now, and I’ve always been interested in ocean freight. In my last job, I was able to work on an ocean freight project where we were tasked with finding the best shipping rates for our client. We used several different websites to find the best rates, and I learned how to use each website effectively.”

5. How would you handle a difficult customer or situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you’re able to work with others, solve problems and remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my last position as a customer service representative for an export company, I had a difficult client who was upset about our services. They were threatening to take their business elsewhere, but I remained calm and listened to what they had to say. After hearing them out, I explained why we couldn’t accommodate all of their requests and offered alternative solutions. In the end, they were satisfied with our compromise.”

6. Do you have any experience working in the logistics industry?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your background and determine if you have any relevant experience. If you do, share what you learned from that job and how it could be useful in this position. If you don’t have logistics experience, you can talk about a different industry that has similar duties to show you understand the role.

Example: “I worked as an assistant manager at a shipping company for three years. I helped manage customer accounts and shipments, which taught me how important communication is when working with clients. It also showed me how much there is to know about international shipping.”

7. Explain what LCL and FCL mean in regards to shipping.

This question is a basic knowledge test that the interviewer may ask to ensure you have the necessary skills and experience for this role. In your answer, explain what each term means and how it applies to shipping in general or OEC Group specifically.

Example: “LCL stands for Less than Container Load, which refers to shipments of goods that are less than the capacity of a 20-foot container. FCL stands for Full Container Load, which refers to shipments of goods that fill up a 20-foot container. At my last job, I was responsible for organizing LCL and FCL shipments.”

8. Describe a time where you were able to effectively communicate information between two parties.

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your communication skills and ability to work with others. Use examples from past experiences where you had to relay information between two parties, such as a supervisor or client.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for communicating the status of shipments to clients. If there were any delays in shipping, I would immediately inform my supervisor so they could contact the client. My supervisor and I worked together to find solutions to any problems that occurred during shipping.”

9. Which computer programs are you most familiar with?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your computer skills. If you have experience with the company’s software, mention it in your answer.

Example: “I am most familiar with Microsoft Office programs and I’ve used OEC Group’s shipping software before. It was easy to use and helped me complete my tasks quickly. I also know how to use Google Docs, Dropbox and Slack.”

10. Tell me about your sales experience.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your sales skills and how you might fit in with their company. If you have experience selling, describe what you did and how it helped the company or organization. If you don’t have direct sales experience, you can talk about any other customer service experience you’ve had that relates to this job.

Example: “In my last position as an export coordinator for a shipping company, I was responsible for finding new clients and maintaining existing ones. I would call on businesses every week to see if they needed our services and offer them discounts for signing up. This helped us grow our business by 10% each year.”

11. If hired, how will you contribute to our team?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and how you can contribute to the company’s success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific skill or quality that you have that will help the team achieve its goals.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, which I think would be beneficial to the team because I could ensure all shipments are properly labeled and documented. In my last role, I was responsible for managing inventory and shipping orders, so I’m familiar with the processes involved in these tasks. I also enjoy working as part of a team, so I’d love to learn more about what each person on the team does.”

12. Are you comfortable using Microsoft Office products like Excel and Word?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience using the company’s software. If they don’t use Microsoft Office, they might want to know that you can learn their proprietary system quickly. In your answer, let them know that you are familiar with these programs and how you would apply those skills in this role.

Example: “I am very comfortable using Excel and Word for my work. I’ve used both of these programs extensively throughout my career, so I’m confident that I could adapt to any new systems or processes that OEC Group uses.”

13. Can you explain the difference between air and ocean freight?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the logistics industry. It also allows you to show that you have experience with both types of freight services and can compare them. When answering this question, it’s important to be clear about what each type of service offers and how they differ from one another.

Example: “Air freight is typically more expensive than ocean freight, but it’s also faster. Ocean freight takes longer because it has to travel by sea, but it’s usually cheaper than air freight. Air freight is best for transporting smaller shipments while ocean freight is better for larger shipments.”

14. Give us an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult client, how did you manage it?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation where a client is upset or dissatisfied with the services you provided. In your answer, try to show that you can remain calm and professional while also resolving any issues.

Example: “I once had a client who was unhappy with our ocean freight services. The client claimed they were not receiving their shipments on time. I listened carefully to what they had to say and asked for more details about the issue. After looking into it further, I discovered that the shipment arrived on time but the client never picked up the shipment from the port. I explained to them why the shipment wasn’t delivered to them as expected and offered to reschedule the delivery.”

15. When was the last time you worked on a project that required collaboration between many different people?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your communication skills and how you work with others. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your ability to collaborate with others, communicate effectively and solve problems together.

Example: “At my last job, I worked on a project that required collaboration between many different people in order to complete it successfully. The company was expanding its services into new markets, so we needed to create new shipping routes for our cargo trucks. This meant working closely with other departments like sales and marketing to ensure we were creating routes that would be most beneficial for customers.”

16. Have you ever handled overseas shipments before?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with OEC Group’s services. If you haven’t, you can explain what shipping methods you’ve used in the past and how they compare to OEC Group’s offerings.

Example: “I’ve shipped goods overseas before, but I usually use a freight forwarding company that specializes in international shipments. My previous employer had an account with this company, so we would ship our products there for them to handle. However, I’m familiar with the process of using OEC Group because my current employer uses your services.”

17. At OEC Group we value teamwork, tell us about a time when you had to work on a team.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time you worked on a team and the results of that teamwork. This can help employers understand how you might fit into their company culture.

Example: “At my previous job, I was part of a team that had to work together to meet an important deadline. We all had different responsibilities but we were able to communicate well with each other and support one another when needed. In the end, our hard work paid off and we met the deadline.”

18. As a Customer Service Representative, what would you say are the most important qualities for success?

Customer service representatives are often the first point of contact for customers, so it’s important that they have strong communication skills and a friendly demeanor. When answering this question, you can list qualities such as patience, empathy and problem-solving skills to show the interviewer that you’re qualified for the role.

Example: “I think the most important quality for success in this position is being able to communicate effectively with others. I am always willing to listen to my customers and find solutions to their problems. Another important quality is having a positive attitude. It’s essential to be upbeat when speaking with customers because it makes them feel more comfortable and confident about doing business with us.”

19. We pride ourselves on being extremely efficient here at OEC Group. What are some ways you can help improve efficiency?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you’re a problem solver and can help the company improve its processes. You can answer this question by giving examples of how you’ve helped other companies or organizations streamline their operations in the past.

Example: “I have experience working with several different types of businesses, so I know what it takes to make sure they’re operating efficiently. For example, at my last job, I worked with a client who was having trouble managing all of their shipments. They were using multiple shipping services, which made it difficult for them to keep track of where each shipment was. I recommended that they consolidate their shipments into one service, which would allow them to better manage their inventory.”

20. The ability to multi-task is very important for the role of Logistics Coordinator, give us an example of a time when you had to juggle multiple responsibilities.

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to manage multiple tasks at once. Use an example from a previous job where you had to complete several projects or assignments simultaneously and how you managed the workload successfully.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing all of our shipments while also ensuring that we met all deadlines. One day, there were three shipments due to leave the warehouse within the same hour. The first shipment needed to be delivered by noon, the second shipment needed to arrive in California by 3 p.m. and the third shipment needed to arrive in Florida by 5 p.m.

I knew that if I split up the work among my team members, we would not be able to meet these tight deadlines. So, instead, I decided to handle all three shipments myself. I worked with my team to ensure they could cover any other duties I couldn’t get to during the day so I could focus on getting the shipments out on time.”