Cargo and Freight Agents Go Back to List Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals, and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Procurement software

Tasks
	Negotiate and arrange transport of goods with shipping or freight companies.
	Advise clients on transportation and payment methods.
	Determine method of shipment and prepare bills of lading, invoices, and other shipping documents.
	Estimate freight or postal rates and record shipment costs and weights.
	Enter shipping information into a computer by hand or by a hand-held scanner that reads bar codes on goods.
	Retrieve stored items and trace lost shipments as necessary.
	Pack goods for shipping, using tools such as staplers, strapping machines, and hammers.
	Direct delivery trucks to shipping doors or designated marshaling areas and help load and unload goods safely.
	Inspect and count items received and check them against invoices or other documents, recording shortages and rejecting damaged goods.
	Install straps, braces, and padding to loads to prevent shifting or damage during shipment.

Skills
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Knowledge
	Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

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Education & Training   Education:   These occupations usually require a high school diploma.   Related Experience:   Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $73,794.00 $35.48  $20.97  $23.42 - $38.80  Bridgeport/Stamford $85,973.00 $41.33  $21.77  $24.06 - $41.30  Hartford $65,830.00 $31.65  $21.53  $23.70 - $37.17  New Haven $54,406.00 $26.15  $19.22  $19.01 - $25.17

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   73   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow faster than average, but the number of annual openings will offer somewhat limited job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.