What Freight Candidates Really Want in 2025

Everyone’s hiring in freight forwarding right now. But standing out? That’s another story.

Top candidates aren’t just scrolling job ads — they’re evaluating real opportunities. And if you’re not speaking to what matters most, they’ll move on.

So what are they prioritising?

Here’s what candidates are telling us:

🔹 Work-life balance

Freight is fast-paced, but burnout isn’t a badge of honour anymore. Flexibility, smart leadership, and realistic expectations matter. If your culture normalises long hours and weekend emails, expect pushback.

🔹 Career progression

People want to know they won’t be stuck doing the same tasks five years from now. Show clear growth paths — not just "future potential," but actual examples of how team members have advanced.

🔹 Company stability

The industry’s seen some volatility. Candidates are looking for signs of a steady pipeline, loyal clients, and leadership with a plan. If your team is growing, say so. If you’ve retained accounts through market shifts, highlight that.

🔹 Leadership & culture

A decent salary gets them to the table. Good leadership keeps them there. That means backing your team, being accessible, and fostering a culture where people actually want to show up.

🔹 Speed in hiring

The best people move fast — and so do the companies who get them. If your process is dragged out or inconsistent, they’ll accept an offer elsewhere before you even finish shortlisting.

Final Thought

If you’re hiring, ask yourself: Are you selling the opportunity — or just posting another ad?

The market is busy. The talent is there. But attracting great people means being just as intentional in how you hire as they are in choosing where they work.

Need help tightening your hiring message or finding off-market candidates? That’s what we do.