How To Become A Freight Dispatcher
A career in logistics is full of all kinds of benefits and experiences and working as a dispatcher is always full of exciting new challenges. You’ll want to make sure you get the best training possible if you want to access the best opportunities out there. Luckily, Freight University.com has all the resources you might need to thrive in this industry.
What exactly is a Freight Dispatcher?
When it comes to logistics, there are plenty of moving parts, and freight dispatchers are the glue that holds it all together. Society quite literally depends on the supply chain moving efficiently in order to live and work. That’s why it’s becoming increasingly important to have high-trained freight agents working in these positions and performing dispatch duties.
When you work as a freight dispatcher, you are working within a freight broker company and you’re essentially representing the freight on behalf of carriers. You have legal capacity under the guidelines of the FMCSA to solicit carriers, work and represent them, and find freight from other brokers.
Working as a freight dispatcher, you set up drivers with their routes, you’ll have to source freight that needs to be shipped, and you manage the movement of the freight load while working on behalf of your carrier. Once you have built enough freight load information, you’ll move into negotiations with brokers and eventually be able to set up various routes directly with a shipper as a Broker and continue the relationship with your carrier.
What background do you need to become a trucking dispatcher?
Luckily, you don’t need any fancy degree or special experience to become a trucking dispatcher. All you need is the motivation to go through the right training! Some employers might prefer a high school degree or GED, but sometimes even that isn’t necessary. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is looking for a “career” but doesn’t have the formal qualifications that many entry-level positions require. Nowadays, even some of the most basic administrative positions prefer college-educated applicants, whether it’s truly necessary or not. A career in logistics is both lucrative and accessible to everyone, all you need to do is take action when you find resources available.
If you do have formal education, you might be able to move up faster, though. Individuals with degrees in subjects like logistics, transportation, shipping, business, and project management will generally have an edge in the field. Dispatching is a good starting point for anyone with an educational background in these areas. So, if you’re considering a career change or wondering what you’ll do after graduation, you’re already on the right path.
However, nothing will prepare you more than job-specific training from professionals in the industry. It’s one thing to understand concepts in conversation, but it’s a very different experience to put that knowledge into practice. Freight University.com offers Job placement for trained freight dispatchers.
Why is Dispatch training so important?
Dispatch Training is a crucial component of any broker agent job, regardless of which logistics industry. However, when it comes to logistics, human error can lead to devastating consequences. A miscommunication could cost another person’s business a loss in revenue or disrupt a very carefully calculated trucking route. When it comes to these plans, each and every moment is accounted for. If you try to carry out your dispatching responsibilities without any training, the job will feel next to impossible. However, when you get the right training, work becomes a breeze, challenges feed productive rather than painful, and everyone gets their shipments when they need them. Even in situations that are beyond your control, specialized dispatching agent training will prepare you to react well to the unexpected.
Training also allows you to put your current dispatcher skill set to the test. Some common skills required for a truck dispatcher are:
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Organized
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Knowledge of Freight
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Focused
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Attention to detail
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Ability to multitask
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Adaptable
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Confident
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Excellent Communication
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Self-control
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Empathy and compassion for others\
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Ability to negotiate
As you move along in your training, you might notice areas that might need improvement as you gain more understanding of what the job requires. Don’t become intimidated by this list though, these are all traits that can be worked on over time. At the end of the day, the quality of your training is what will really set you apart from other people in the field. After gaining some experience, you’ll notice these characteristics improving and even affecting other aspects of your life. When you’re confident in your dispatcher career, you stand to feel good in other areas of your life, making the time you spend outside of work even more enjoyable and valuable.
How can Freight University.com help me jumpstart my career?
If you’re thinking about a career in logistics, then working as a freight agent and performing Dispatch services is an incredible way to get your foot in the door as well as hands-on, practical experience with trucking industry professionals. After your training is complete, we will help place you with Dispatcher job opportunities using our valuable connections in the industry.
At Freight University.com, we offer only the best freight dispatcher training. Using our expertise, we ensure that all agents have everything they need to perform at their best. When you work with us, you can expect the following:
• Commission paid weekly via ACH Direct Deposit on confirmed transactions. (We don’t believe agents should have to wait to be paid what they’ve earned)
• A non-exclusive agreement that will ensure both parties fully understand what is expected so both are satisfied.
• No territory restrictions and no agent saturation.
• An assigned “Agent Manager” will assist you with any issues over all departments and will check in consistently to make sure your needs are being met and working conditions are satisfactory.
• We handle the back office work associated with the job, you just focus on sales and operations.
• Our billing and collection service will save you tons of time, not to mention headaches!
• $75,000 surety bond.
• Professional marketing materials to best prepare you for negotiations.
• TMS and EDI capabilities.
• A/R insured (no bad debt liability)
• Home office support and pricing assistance
• Family company culture that supports one another and encourages growth.
• A team that quite literally exists to help you reach your full potential.
Don’t waste another minute hesitating about your future. Start working towards the future you deserve and check out our Dispatcher Training course today! Our team is always happy to answer any questions you might have so you can feel confident making a small investment in your future.