There are plenty of truck driving jobs to be found if you know what you are looking for. However, many qualified truckers experience unnecessary difficulty during the search and give up before finding the right job because they are not organized. Having everything you need ready and being informed will make it easier for you to find a trucking job.
Don’t feel tied to a recruiter
When you start looking for truck driver jobs, you will probably talk to a recruiter. However, it is important to realize that recruiters are often working for just one company, so you will want to talk to different recruiters. This will give you a better view of the spectrum of available truck driver jobs and find the one that best suits your style. Be sure to keep track of the information that you hear from different recruiters so that you may easily reference the details later when there are multiple positions to consider.
Tell the truth
Whenever you are talking to a recruiter about a CDL job, or at a job interview, it is important to be honest from the very beginning. Even if you have some negative information to share, it is better to put it out in the open yourself than to have it come to light later on.
Have your information ready
When you are applying to a number of trucking jobs, it is important to have some information ready. Some of this may be on your resume, and if it isn’t, make sure that you have it handy. You will need:
- Your current CDL, which should be non-expired and have your correct home address
- At least three years of work history, though more is sometimes wanted by recruiters. If you were not driving during part of this period, be sure to have other professional references that can speak to your working character.
- Names and contact information of all trucking companies and employers that you have worked for. It is a good idea to talk to former employers beforehand to let them know you are using them as a reference.
- If any of the former employers are unreachable or out of business, you should have other proof of work history. This can include letters of reference, DOT numbers, and W2 tax forms from trucking jobs.
- A copy of your driving record.
- Proof of eligibility for work
Know what the recruiters know
Before you can obtain a job in the trucking industry your potential employer will run a background check. This will include pulling any criminal records, copies of your driving records, your DAC report with previous truck driving jobs, accident history, and more. It is important to know what is included in that report and be forthcoming with the information before the recruiter finds it. If the recruiter believes that you were being dishonest or hiding something during the interview, it could cost you the job. Also, if there is any information in the background check that is false, you will want to get it taken care of before interviewing.
Drug testing
Most reputable companies will do drug screening on potential and current employees. If interested, the company may require you to take a drug test on the spot to prove that you are drug free.
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