We do an awful lot of writing about how to get a job in the trucking industry and how, now especially, the demand for professional drivers is higher than we have seen in over a decade. And yet, there seem to many drivers out there that just can’t seem to get on with a company.
There are many reasons why you may be overlooked by trucking companies that seem desperate to hire.
#1 You Have too Many Driving Infractions
Safety is the highest priority for most trucking companies. If your driver’s abstract is riddled with safety infractions, you will be quickly overlooked. Even infractions that you may consider minor, such as not wearing a seatbelt, are considered a big deal by trucking companies.
Every ticket or warning that you receive is reflected on the Company’s Safety Rating. Poor CSA scores; accumulated by unprofessional drivers or drivers who believe that they are the only ones affected by their actions, can lead to an increase in insurance rates, loss of business, a reduction in rates and even the suspension of a company’s ability to operate.
#2 You Jump Ship Quickly
If your list of past employers is as long as your arm, you will be quickly overlooked. Hiring a new driver is an investment, not only in the company but in the driver being hired. If you are forever chasing the ‘grass is always greener’ scenario, then companies will not want to invest in you because there is no guarantee that you will be around six months from now.
#3 You Have Unrealistic Expectations
The job is, what the job is. When drivers start making too many demands, organizing the fleet become difficult. Walking into an interview with a list of places you will not go, or the notion that you will be home every weekend, or your straight up refusal to unload a trailer when needed, is going to be a problem. There are certain expectations that companies look for. They want drivers who will add value to their team (you know the fleet of other drivers who also work for the company) not make life more difficult not only for dispatch but for every other driver who works for them.
#4 You Just Don’t Have What it Takes
Getting your CDL is relatively easy. You take your classes with a professional training school, pass your test and luckily find a company willing to hire you. The thing is, your training school doesn’t really prepare you for life on the road or the actual demands of the job. Some people just can’t adjust and adapt to the long haul.
Becoming a seasoned, professional truck driver takes years of driving experience to fine-tune and develop. If you are unable to adapt and grow into the profession, you will have a hard time finding and keeping work in this industry.
#5 You Have a Bad Attitude
Signs of this may show on your safety record, through your employment history, or through your interview, but trucking companies may also contact previous employers and references to get a feel for your attitude. Many companies are also starting to check into your social media posts as well. Ultimately the recruiter is trying to develop an understanding of your professionalism and attitude towards the job and the industry. We know that it isn’t always easy to maintain and present a positive image or demeanor in this industry, however calling out, being negative and badmouthing former employers, their clients, or sharing images and videos of you being unsafe on the road, is not going to help you further your career in trucking.
