Truck driver recruiters were nonexistent in the trucking business thirty years ago.
Mostly because it was not essential; it was unheard of. Trucking was a well-paying, well-regarded vocation, so trucking firms had no problem hiring drivers for their vehicles.
The need for truck drivers has increased recently, yet there are not enough qualified individuals to fill the positions.
What to expect from the recruiter for CDL truck drivers
Since businesses are paying their drivers less and showing them less respect, it is not unexpected that the number of truck-driving professionals is declining. Consequently, numerous trucking firms use driver recruiters to get their trucks on the road.
You will almost certainly have to deal with one of these recruiters if you are a new trucking driver.
When you initially join a firm, one of the most stressful experiences for you may be the interview with a recruiter for truck drivers.
Yet, there is no cause for concern. We will provide you with some insider advice on how to handle a driver recruiter like a boss.
What is a recruiter for truck drivers?
Formerly, a truck driver seeking employment might speak with a carrier or a friend who owned a few vehicles and needed drivers.
Sometimes they would buy a truck to operate as an owner-operator. They traveled to the places they believed would provide the highest money.
With deregulation, as the bigger trucking corporations gained greater control over the sector, they gradually reduced driver compensation. Consequently, truck driving jobs are no longer as well-paying as previously.
The same trucking firms started to notice that there were not enough truck drivers applying for positions and banging on their doors.
The businesses still needed to fill the vehicles’ seats. They then developed truck driver recruitment campaigns to address this shortfall (which they had caused themselves).
To get their trucks moving, businesses engage recruiters to get drivers to join their teams.
Sadly, recruiters are not always sincere in trying to entice drivers, which is bad news for new truck drivers. Recruiters often offer bonus-based schemes as an incentive to join, but these may, at best, be deceptive.
To enhance the attraction of their business, they also utilize flowery language, which may range from a distortion to an actual falsehood.
There is a very strong possibility that if you are considering applying for a job with a carrier, you will have to deal with one of these truck driver recruiters.
ALWAYS BE MINDFUL! You are more needed by these recruiters than the trucking company.
Many trucking positions are open, but there are not enough competent drivers.
Hence, do not fear the recruiter.
Getting Ready for Your Truck Driver Interview
You should do a few fundamental things to be ready for your encounter with a recruiter for the trucking industry.
1. Take initiative during the interview
First and foremost, remember that they will try to steer the conversation and do most of the talking. They are giving you their sales pitch to get you to join up.
You should approach the situation with a list of questions in mind and the intention of receiving appropriate answers.
You should be prepared for the interview at each firm you apply to since the answers to these questions are crucial to you.
These questions also reveal to the recruiter for truck drivers that you have goals for the business you decide to work for.
2. Record your interview notes
Make notes of the recruiter’s responses as you review your questions list.
You can track which firm is providing different rewards by taking notes. You may compare your notes afterward by going back and reviewing them.
The recruiter will be kept on their toes and, perhaps, become more honest if they take notes, which is the most crucial benefit.
3. Ask the driver recruiter all the intelligent questions
We like categorizing the queries we get. As much as you can, order them based on your priorities. Have those questions answered first.
i) Mileage, Costs & Pay Rates
Your wage should not be the only thing that pays rates cover. You should be compensated for whatever you do while working. Every truck driver has to wait. No driver can afford to wait around unpaid for an unknown time. Go here for a more comprehensive list of driver recruiter interview questions.
- How much is the paid mileage rate?
- What software is used to calculate the distance for each journey? “PC Miler” Hub mile program? Or any other program?
- How much are pick-ups and drops paid? (This is required so you can ensure you are being paid for all of your miles by cross-checking your pay stubs.)
- What is the hourly pay rate for waiting?
- How will you be compensated if your vehicle is in the shop and you must wait for it to be ready? Fixed price? Hours worked?
- Will the firm reimburse you for the time spent doing a H.O.S. reset if you have to do it while driving? Or are you supposed to spend the 34-hour reset sitting in your vehicle without being paid? Does the employer at least cover your accommodation and food during the reset if they do not pay for the reset time? Ask whether you may do your resets at home if the firm does not pay anything.
- Who covers the toll costs? How are you compensated if it is the business?
- Who covers lumping fees?
ii) Salary and Other Information
All of the following questions should be able to be satisfactorily answered by the truck driver recruiter.
If they cannot, you should go on to the next business.
- Which pay schedule is in place? Weekly? Biweekly? Bimonthly?
- Advance and recurring payments?
- What is the amount being held back?
- Am I vying for cargo with corporate trucks?
- First in, first out method of dispatch?
- How many kilometers are anticipated each week?
- How often will you be traveling? When/for how long is home time?
- Can you bring a passenger with you?
- Can you bring a pet with you?
- Where are the goods lanes located?
- What is the fleet’s average age of trucks? This data is important since it will show you how much downtime you could have due to breakdowns.
- Does the business allow you to return the vehicle to your house after the workweek?
- Which fuel cards can the business use? This is significant because, as a driver, it is beneficial to have a fuel card that is widely accepted so that you may often utilize the decent, clean truck stops’ gasoline, restrooms, and dining options. Utilizing fuel card points for free meals or showers is another benefit. The greatest option is a gasoline card that can be used almost everywhere, so you are not restricted to dingy, obscure truck stations.
Benefits, Insurance, and Discounts for Owner Operators
The owner-operator needs a clear answer to these questions.
- Does my employer provide a gasoline discount? Due to their large fuel expenditures, large trucking firms often get discounts on gasoline rates.
- Do tires, components, etc., come with a discount?
- Exists a firm shop that can do repairs?
- The cost of license plates is borne by whom? The amount? How often is this taken out of the salary settlement?
- Who covers insurance costs? The amount? How often is this taken out of the salary settlement?
- What is the amount of the insurance deductible?
- What options does the insurance buy-down program offer?
- To learn more about their benefits package, enquire about it (for company drivers too)
4. Watch out for Sign-On Bonuses
Driver recruiters often utilize sign-on incentives to get new drivers to join their organization.
Even though they may be written to seem quite nice, they will ultimately be of little use to you.
A DIRTY CONTRACT REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE: SIGN-ON BONUS WARNING
A driver joins a significant business. The offer letter mentioned the location of his job and the need to refund his sign-on bonus.
This is an identical copy of the original contract that I duplicated (except for names).
The Contract
It gives us great pleasure to confirm the specifics of our offer for the job of TRUCK DRIVERS Business Name-CITY, DE, Band XX, based in CITY, DE, reporting to NAME.
You will take part in or be qualified for the following pay and benefits:
REPAYMENT & BENEFITS
Sign-on bonus: Subject to any relevant taxes, you will receive a sign-on bonus of $X,000.00 to be paid in X installments. Throughout the first 30 days of your job, roughly with your second or third paycheck, the first payment of $XX.XX will be made.
At the end of the first four months of work, the second payment of $XX.XX will be made.
After six months of work, the third payment of $XX.XX will be given.
The bonus will be given to you after you start working. By accepting the terms of the offer letter below, you agree to reimburse this sum in full, less any relevant taxes, if you leave your job before serving the company for a full year.
The bonus will be given to you after you start working.
By accepting this offer letter below, you agree to reimburse this sum in full if you leave your job before serving the company for a full year.
Something to Be Wary Of
Be aware that this business has several locations. The offer letter identifies one location alone.
NOW, we learned throughout this driver training time that this spot is empty owing to downsizing.
It is not intended for drivers to operate from the location specified in the offer letter.
The driver believed he would work from that place after being recruited.
Yet, it is hinted that he will be required to reimburse the bonus if he quits the firm due to the location.
The firm never revealed the length of training or the fact that no drivers were employed at the location where he was recruited!
If a judge finds that the location requirement was a material element of the contract will decide whether or not the driver must pay back the incentive.
The solicitor advised the driver to anticipate conflict at all times.
I detest witnessing situations like these since the driver almost always loses. Either you put up with it, or you have to engage in a battle that may or might not be worthwhile.
Drivers will be warned when they see a bargain like this in the future. BE AWARE.
5. Wait to Sign-On
Inform the driver recruiter you need to consider it before choosing your interview. Give the recruiters something to work for by making them wait if they want you to sign up that day.
Recruitment agencies know that there are more open truck driving positions than drivers.
They are attempting to seduce you. All of your inquiries should get suitable responses from them.
Do not bother with them if they can not explain how the business manages health benefits, wages, layoffs, fleet, dispatch, and other possible concerns.
Now is the moment to thoroughly compare the outcomes of your interviews.
Comparison shopping is necessary when you are looking for a job. Do not accept any employment, however. You are looking for the ideal position.
Ready for the Driver Recruiter Interview?
Interestingly, not many other occupations have recruiters, such as crab fishermen or oil rig employees, who work in appalling circumstances.
As the remuneration for these roles is quite competitive, they do not require recruiters or consultants. The recruitment is done for the money!
In trucking, however, that does not appear to be the case. So take caution. Do not let someone convince you that you are receiving a good bargain.
Remember that truck drivers and trucking business recruiters need you more than you need them.
Good driving positions are available. Nonetheless, it will need some dedication and work on your side. Do not give in!
