Can Entry Level Freight Agent Jobs Work From Home?

the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are opting to work from home. 

If you’re considering starting your career in the logistics industry, you might be wondering whether this trend applies to you. 

Can you work as an entry-level freight agent from home? Is it worth it? And what do you need to get started?

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about working as an entry-level freight agent from home, plus some tips and tricks for getting started. 

Let’s get right into it!

What is an entry-level freight agent?

If you’ve been doing your research as you explore a potential new career in logistics, you’ve likely come across two similar terms: freight agent and freight broker. 

Since these are pretty similar positions, it’s worth defining the differences and considering which is better suited to an entry-level candidate.

Which is a better entry-level role: freight agent or freight broker?

Both freight agents and freight brokers liaise between shippers and carriers to facilitate the transport of goods from one location to another. 

The key distinction is that freight brokers – unlike freight agents – are required to hold an operating license. Similarly, a freight broker can be held responsible for ensuring the safety of your shipment during transit (and will hold the necessary insurance), whereas this doesn’t apply to freight agents. 

This higher level of responsibility that freight brokers hold is typically associated with a higher salary. Still, it also necessitates a higher cost of entry into the role (think: business insurance, licensure, insurance policies, and more).    

With this in mind, if you’re looking for an entry-level role in logistics, then the position of freight agent could be an excellent fit for you. 

Entry-level freight agent job description

So, what can you expect to be doing as an entry-level freight agent?

Tasks will relate to providing customers with access to freight transportation and storage solutions and will typically include:

• Taking orders for freight transportation from customers
• Arranging for freight pick up and drop off
• Preparing invoices and determining shipping tariffs 
• Analyzing shipping information to optimize route selection
• Tracking shipments and providing updates to customers
• Updating databases with shipping and customer information
• Managing administrative elements of the logistics process

Freight agents play a crucial role in liaising between businesses and freight carriers and are responsible for ensuring shipments are retrieved, transported, and dropped off safely. 

Can entry level freight agent jobs work from home?

The short answer is, yes! You can easily work as an entry-level freight agent from home. 

One of the benefits of working as a freight agent is that you don’t need to be physically present on site. As a non-asset-based freight agent without vehicles or other freight assets – you can work from pretty much anywhere. 

Much of an entry-level freight agent’s work can be done either by phone (such as liaising with customers) or online (such as updating shipment information). Connecting with customers in various locations is one of the perks of working as a freight agent. 

The availability of innovative logistics tools and technologies means it’s easier than ever to work remotely as a freight agent. 

Benefits of working as a freight agent from home

Working from home as an entry-level freight agent offers a range of benefits, including the opportunity to: 

• Flexibly set your own hours and manage your time
• Save time and money by ditching the commute
• Cultivate a better work-life balance
• Customize your working environment to your needs 
• Work independently of a set location, and serve customers nation-wide

If the workload and benefits of working as a remote freight agent sound appealing, then the next step is determining whether you have what it takes to get started. 

What do I need to get started as an entry-level freight agent?

To be eligible for entry-level work from home freight agent positions, you’ll typically need:

• A high school diploma or GED certificate
• Basic sales or customer service experience
• Access to a computer, telephone, and a fast internet connection
• Basic math skills 

Although these can be beneficial, you won’t usually need any additional education or training for an entry-level position. 

As you progress in your freight agent career, you’ll gain further skills in sales, customer service, and project management and a higher-level working knowledge of the wider logistics industry. 

As an entry-level position, working as a freight agent provides an accessible entry point into a rewarding industry. With more and more careers requiring 4-year degrees or extensive training to get your foot in the door, getting started as a freight agent is relatively simple. 

Interested in getting started as a work-from-home freight agent?

If we’ve inspired you to kick off your work-from-home freight agent career, then Jansson is waiting to hear from you!

As an independent agent of Landstar, Jansson has direct access to the infrastructure, carrier network, and expertise you need to start your freight agent career with the best foot forward. 

Unlike other logistics firms, Jansson doesn’t require any prior logistics experience. If you’ve got the will to succeed, we’ve got the training, tools, and resources to help you get there. 
To find out more about our freight agent opportunities or to view our other career openings, check out Jansson here today.