Truck Driver Jobs – Non-Traditional Recruits Sought For Truck Driving Jobs

For many of this country’s largest trucking companies, reducing turnover and retaining truck drivers is a primary ingredient to remaining profitable. The professional truck driver labor pool market is the tightest it has been in 20 years, and the turnover rate at large trucking companies exceeds 100%, according to the American Trucking Association.

Recent statistics indicate the long-haul segment of the trucking industry has a national shortage of 20,000 drivers. It predicts the shortage will increase to 111,000 by the year 2014 given the current demographic trends. A severe shortage of drivers could hurt the U.S. economy. Trucks carry more than 75% of domestic goods we consume on a daily basis, and without enough well trained truck drivers to haul the nation’s products, consumers will be subject to unexpected delays on those items they both want and need. And if the supply/demand ration continues to result in an ongoing shortage, compensation will continue to rise to find and keep good truck driver talent. As a result, we will all see higher prices in everything we purchase.

The trucking industry admits it has a critical problem and has been focusing on new, creative recruiting strategies to enhance the levels of CDL truck driver applicants, and recruit new people into the industry that keeps our national economy moving. To fill the increased demand CDL truck driving jobs, trucking companies and truck driving schools are appealing to demographic groups, such as women, retirees and husband-wife teams, who traditionally have not fit the trucker stereotype. Women are perhaps the fastest-growing group in the field. Since 2002, when only 5% of the nations truck driving jobs were filled by women, most nationally known truck driving schools are experiencing a 50% growth rate in the number of female applicants as compared to men applying for the same positions.

Another employment pool niche that being tapped into to fill some of the truck driver shortage gap are former factory workers. There are now 2.7 million fewer manufacturing jobs in the USA than there were 10 years ago. With factories expected to do little hiring in coming years, many former workers are seeking a new career. Truck driving jobs give these often displaced workers an opportunity to start a new, productive career.

Often times, Individuals with the ability to retire from 20-25 year careers in manufacturing often take advantage of financial assistance programs offered by the government. The bottom line is the government supplies displaced workers with tuition and free cdl training school opportunities. This is a golden labor pool for trucking companies as many of these new found recruits are dependable, reliable and often times in very good health.

Minorities have also become a favorite recruiting target for trucking companies. Well structured programs are producing strong results. One recent training program sponsored by a Latino community organization tracked their results and found 70% of the 50 students who attended these classes found CDL truck driving jobs earning average annual compensation of $47,580.

Good luck in your truck driver job search. Be patient, persistent, expect good results and you will see positive results far sooner than you think!

If you found this article worthwhile, you will finde several more highly informative career development articles from our staff including essential strategies to consider when choosing the best truck driving schools and understanding the abc’s of CDL training requirements to land one of premier, high paying CDL truck driving jobs found at one of the top 8 trucking companies in the USA.

Author: Michael Ottman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Truck Driving Schools – Essential Tips to Finance Your Truck Driving Training

Face it, truck driving school is not cheap and it can be hard to manage the financial burden of truck driving school if you have not been saving up for the financial expense. If you dream of being an owner operator on the open highways of this greatest nation on God’s green earth, listen up, we have some essential tips that may help you accomplish your truck driver training requirements without draining your bank account.

Research and locate progressive trucking companies.

Recent statistics indicate that the over the road truck driver shortage is close to 80,000 in this country alone. One way to get the training you need without having to take out a second mortgage on you home is to go with Carrier Sponsored Training. Other than a clean driving record and no felony convictions during the last year, most trucking companies require little to no experience, no tuition down payments and fast turnaround time for getting your license. Just make sure you get all of the basics you need to safely operate the vehicle on the open road.

Tuition reimbursements are common throughout the trucking industry.

Other training facilities offer tuition reimbursements plans through the carrier company provided you work for them at least a year after completion of training. This is a good option since you are guaranteed a position after graduation and will get your tuition reimbursed in the process. These schools may have some stricter requirements like background checks, the ability to pass a DOT physical and drug test, as well as having no felony convictions in the last seven years or currently being on parole.

Look for truck driving schools and trucking companies that make safety a priority.

Safety is top priority for first rate truck driving schools and trucking companies. If safety training is a major part of the truck driving school’s curriculum and is mentioned multiple times during your interview, rest assured that you are in the right place. You want to make sure the training you receive will keep you (and others) safe on the road.

Regardless of what route your choose to finance your truck driving education, do your research and make sure you are comfortable with the terms – i.e. job placement in lieu of tuition, carrier sponsored training, etc. We encourage you to talk to at least 3-5 truck driving schools, check graduate references and speak to the truck driving school career counseling department before you make your final decision.

If you found this article of interest, you can view other related articles including insight into the the process to acquire a class-A CDL license or understanding the ABC’s of CDL training

We also list the top 8 companies that many professional truckers believe are the best CDL trucking jobs in America at http://www.truck-driver-jobs-online.com

Author: Michael Ottman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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CDL Truck Driver Jobs – How to Get Hired at the Best Trucking Companies

Here is a great article from a contributing author regarding CDL Truck Driving Jobs. Feel free to comment on any of the articles from our contributing authors. CDL-B-Jobs

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As if a career as a professional owner operator CDL truck driver isn’t challenging enough, the thought of trying to conduct an efficient job search at the same time can be an overwhelming proposition. Attempting to maintain a positive job search attitude while trying to navigate your way though a myriad of trucking companies recruiting platforms can be overwhelming and frustrating. The end result is that some will give up, throw in the towel and forget trying to upgrade their standard of living and find the best CDL truck driving jobs.

Well here’s a secret that might really shock you. Did you know that most trucking companies use multiple sources to recruit and fill their best truck driving jobs? Many of the best truck driver jobs in America are snagged by fellow truck drivers long before the job opportunity ever made it to the marketplace. Unusual, you say? Not really. It’s actually very common in most other industries but those are career marketplaces with fewer openings and significantly more talent available than there are jobs to fill.

It is believed that up to 80,000 truck driver job positions are available today. However, there are only about 15%-20% of those that would be considered the “best” truck driving jobs. In order to stay connected to what’s happening and have the best opportunity to land one of these jobs you need is a set of eyes and ears keeping a finger on the pulse of the industry while you’re out making a living to support your family. And the best part is that these eyes and ears are paid for by the very companies looking to fill the best CDL truck driving jobs in America.

Listen carefully! Advance your career and grab the truck driver job you deserve.

The single most important step to maximizing your career job search and to have the best chance to grab the premium trucking jobs is to enlist a professional recruiter.
Specifically, one that has good standing relationships with the best trucking companies. He/she should have more than 5 years experience in successfully placing independent owner operators in the highest paying CDL truck driving jobs. A professional recruiter has established contacts throughout the trucking industry and can work for you while you are making a living managing your business. There are thousands of professional recruiters and a certain percentage of them work in the trucking industry.

Are there different types of recruiters for different types of trucking companies?
Absolutely. When dealing with a professional recruiter you will find two types of recruiters. There are those that will charge you a fee to market your skills to several trucking companies and/or the highest bidder. Or, there are recruiters who are paid by the trucking companies to bring them the best qualified candidates to fill their truck driving jobs.

Why should I enlist with a professional recruiter? There are five key reasons to consider and enlist a professional recruiter.

They have industry contacts you would only dream of having. A successful professional recruiter spends a large amount of time networking with trucking companies and hiring managers.

They will review and help prepare a professional resume with quality references. This is one of the biggest benefits you will find in dealing with a professional recruiter. If this service is not offered to you, move on to the next office.

They will help with preparing for pre-employment screening tests including background checks and credit checks. Professional recruiters know what perspective trucking companies are looking for in new hires. They will guide you and advise you on how to stand out above the crowd.

They will prepare you for the interview. A seasoned recruiter will have an established relationship with the person who will be interviewing you for the position. This will provide you a great advantage over your peers.

They should help you prepare and present a well organized portfolio of success. By presenting an organized portfolio of your accomplishments as a professional truck driver, you will not only knock the socks of the future employer, but you will have positively impacted the level of compensation package that will likely be presented to you.

What should you do before you contact a professional recruiter? Get your financial and legal affairs in order before you apply for your dream job. Professional truck drivers with clean driving history, good credit and good citizens of the community are worth their weight in gold. Trucking companies will pay a significant premium to hire these individuals so you will be a very valuable asset to a reputable recruiter.

If you found this article of interest, you may want to check out the follow up to this article that focuses on truck driver jobs and specific job interview tips.

If you’re wondering which trucking companies feature the best CDL truck driving jobs in America, we list them for you at http://www.truck-driver-jobs-online.com

The author is a twenty five year veteran of the automotive industry.

Author: Michael Ottman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Pressure cooker

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The CDL B JOBS Team

Truck Driver Jobs – Top 5 Secrets to Successful CDL Job Search

As a sales and marketing professional with many years in the trucking industry, I have witnessed professional truckers who have spent many years in good paying CDL truck driver jobs. Only to watch them stretch to maintain a continuous and effective job search. Primarily, these pour souls are always searching for the world’s best truck driving jobs.

In this article, we will share a limited number priceless job search secrets and strategies. If implemented correctly, you will put yourself in a position to land your dream truck driving job and negotiate the best possible compensation plan for you and your family at the same time.

Before we begin, keep in mind that the probability of these priceless job search techniques ever being uttered from the mouths of trucking company hiring managers or truck driver job recruiters are slim at best. Why? The primary function of a trucking company hiring manager is to staff its local truck driving jobs at the lowest possible cost to it’s bottom line and to maximize its profits.

The primary goal of a truck driver job recruiter is to collect commissions for getting you hired on to one of his clients. Their concern for your compensation package is not on the top of their priority list.

All too often a trucker will leave behind a good CDL truck driving job at a company with a solid business model and a good record of taking care of their drivers. Only to realize that they could have avoided making an incredibly bad career move, had they only thought it through more carefully. If there is one common mistake that I have seen dedicated, hard working truck drivers make through the years, it is poor career decisions.

Hopefully our top 5 secrets to a successful truck driving job search will help you avoid a poor career move in the near future. They include:

1. The key to a successful truck driving job search is to plan your work and work your plan. The first step in any considerable life changing move is to be realistic with your expectations and create a list of objectives and strategies to achieve your short and long term goals.

Many professionals in search of the best truck driving jobs fail to set realistic job search career goals. If you were an Olympic archery expert would you not agree with me that you would be highly focused on your target during your event. Of course you would. Setting career goal strategy has two major benefits. First, it helps you develop laser focus in establishing career priorities. Second, it will dramatically improve your self esteem for this highly stressful process.

2. Prepare a list of short and long term career goals. Before you start your career search process, spend some serious time laying out on paper 1,3 and 5 year goals. Is you long term goal to become and independent owner operator, or are you more likely to work for a trucking company? There are positives and negatives with each opportunity. Most employers consider an employment package to include approximately 70% salary and 30% benefits. This may be more suited for someone with a young family with a wife who has decided stay at home with the children. Whereas and owner operator may make more money, they usually have to acquire benefits on their own which can be an enormous expense.

Bottom line: As an employee of a trucking company, you’re more likely to be offered a compensation package that includes salary and a benefits package.

3. Inadequate pre-employment research is the primary reason why professional truck drivers is unhappy 1-2 years following a job change from one company to another. The last thing you or your family wants to do is to accept a new truck driver job position by hastily jumping to a company that offers you $.50 more per hour or $.05 more a mile. Far too many times good truck drivers make a quick move from an established company that has treated you well to a company that offered you the sky for a small, short term economic gain. This can ruin your mine emotionally and inflict real havoc on your family.

Bottom Line: It is imperative that you take this process seriously and spend the necessary time researching all truck driver job opportunities.

4. Evaluate your current job satisfaction. Keep a written journal of your daily reactions to your job situation for at least 30 days. Along the way look for recurring themes or events that bring pleasure to your mind and soul. This will help you focus in on which aspects of your current truck driving job deliver the most positive and negative job satisfaction.

Bottom Line: You must determine whether or not your primary positive and negative responses related to the duties related to your job, the company culture or the individuals with whom you work everyday. This will go along way in helping you pinpoint key job satisfaction areas for your next truck driving job career move.

5. Contract with a professional trucking jobs recruiter. Listen carefully. A successful truck driving job search is a full time job and unless you can be in two places at one time, this is the best investment you can make. In most cases, with an 80,000 job shortfall, a successful recruiter would gladly take a phone call from an educated, professional owner operator looking at make a career move. A reputable recruiter will have established relationships with the key decision makers you are looking to connect with and in most cases their fees are paid for by the trucking companies. They will make sure your resume is professionally prepared and provide you with a customized cover letter. The additional services of resume/cover writing and interview preparation are skills you should definitely consider investing in.

Key Point: Contact at least 2 or 3 professional trucking industry recruiters and meet with them to discuss your results from the previous step.

Always remember this, trucking company human resource personnel do not have your best interests in mind. All companies have one primary objective. Obtain the best talent available for the least amount of money. In today’s economic climate, as long as that industry’s job market is tight, the hiring managers have the upper hand. However, with the trucking industry’s current truck driver shortage, a professional OTR independent owner operator has more room to negotiate the best compensation package available.

If you found this article of interest, you may want to check out the follow up to this article Truck Driver Jobs – Job Interview Tips. If you want to know the top 8 trucking companies featuring the best CDL truck driving jobs in America, we list them for you at http://www.truck-driver-jobs-online.com

Author: Michael Ottman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger