How to hire a freight clerk

How to hire a freight clerk, step by step

Here's a step-by-step freight clerk hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a freight clerk job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new freight clerk
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The freight clerk hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a freight clerk to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a freight clerk that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of freight clerks.

   Type of Freight Clerk	Description	Hourly rate
   Freight Clerk	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$12-19
   Shipping	When it comes to shipping, a worker is primarily in charge of processing deliveries while ensuring accuracy and timeliness. One of their responsibilities revolves around processing information, maintaining an accurate record of all transactions, inspecting goods, and organizing an efficient transport of goods... Show more	$12-18
   Shipping And Receiving Coordinator	A Shipping and Receiving Coordinator oversees the shipment and deliveries of products in a warehouse or organization. One must have an efficient organization, and communication skills as most of the duties include shipping and receiving merchandise and maintain accurate and proactive control of inventory... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Data Entry
   • LTL
   • Computer System
   • Office Equipment
   • Purchase Orders
   • Sales Floor
   • Hand Trucks
   • Scan Gun
   • Stock Shelves
   • Inventory Control
   • Freight Bills
   • Hazardous Materials
   • AS400
   • Freight Carriers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist in the daily managing of fresh product using the FIFO accounting principal.
   • Answer emails and telephone inquires regarding rates, routing, packing procedures, and LTL transportation procedures.
   • Utilize industrial logistics and strong interpersonal communication skills to develop new business, increase current business, and renew existing contracts.
   • Coordinate with freight forwarders expediting international shipments.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your freight clerk job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A freight clerk can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, freight clerks' average salary in montana is 35% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level freight clerks 38% less than senior-level freight clerks.
   • Certifications. A freight clerk with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a freight clerk's salary.

   Average freight clerk salary

   $15.43hourly

   $32,094 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level freight clerk salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

4. Writing a freight clerk job description

   A freight clerk job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a freight clerk job description:

   Freight clerk job description example

   **About Us**
   
   Freeman is the global leader in events. Whether virtual, in-person, or hybrid, we are on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the world's largest network of experts, our insights are shaping exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. Our integrated full-service solutions leverage a 100-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.
   
   **Summary**
   
   It is the responsibility of the Freight Ops PT Clerk to perform data entry functions into Freeman's computer system for receiving and shipping freight. Work as support staff at the show site for dock freight operations, at the office for the warehouse, and the marshaling yard as needed. Professionally interacts with customers, team members, and third-party vendor/partner representatives to provide the highest level of service excellence.
   
   Freeman is driven by purpose and our values; integrity, empathy, innovation, enthusiasm, performance excellence, and collaboration. Being part of the Freeman team, you join us in making moments that matter.
   
   **Essential Duties & Responsibilities**
   
   + Perform basic computer functions in the Freeman programs to include the following: complete an automated receiving report, print a posted/pending report and manifest, inquire an exhibitor's booth number, freight received from an exhibitor, complete an automated material handling agreement, and perform data entry on the scanner.
   
   + Print and distribute freight operations computer reports.
   
   + Pack marshaling yard show site supplies, computers, printers, and other equipment.
   
   + Assist in the maintenance and inventory of all marshaling related equipment, i.e., computers, printers' signage, maps, driver cards, etc.
   
   + Perform data entry and printing in the computer system and scanners such as target dates, record receipt, and repot generation and printing.
   
   + Mark and distribute floor plans as directed.
   
   + Perform clerical functions such as filing, faxing, alphabetizing, or placing in numerical order as support to exhibitor services, as needed.
   
   + Assist in the training of part-time data entry personnel.
   
   + Assist and oversee the proper data entry of all drivers related shipment information into Freeman computer systems.
   
   + Reconcile completed driver's bills of lading and Freeman's material handling agreement as they relate to the proper transferring of exception notations from driver paperwork to company paperwork.
   
   + Assist in the numbering, weighing, logging, and dispatching of trucks as required.
   
   + Performs other duties as required.
   
   **Education & Experience**
   
   + High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
   
   + Specific experience with computer systems and web-based programs.
   
   + Understanding with: Office software applications including but not limited to email, Microsoft Word, Excel, TSS and Concierge Elite.
   
   + Must have ability to complete online reports, printing, posting, running inquiries and data entry.
   
   **Diversity Commitment**
   
   At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right freight clerk for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with freight clerks they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit freight clerks who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your freight clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit freight clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting freight clerks requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new freight clerk

   Once you have selected a candidate for the freight clerk position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new freight clerk first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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