4 Questions to Ask Every Trucking Recruiter
When deciding which trucking company is going to be the best fit for you, it’s important to gather the right information. Making an initial call to a company recruiter can be intimidating for anyone, but it shouldn’t be. Consider these questions when doing research.
1. What are the pay and benefits, and how soon before they kick in?
Be sure to know if a company pays during wait time at a shipper and how many miles you should expect. Also, are they going to have your wheels turning enough to consider you full time for benefits? Ask about how often to expect home time and how much time to expect. Do you have assigned equipment or are you hopping trucks every run? And can your loved ones (including the pets) ride along? Your company should want you to enjoy the road so you’ll want to stick with them for the long haul.
2. What is the trucking company’s safety record?
You’re making career choices that will follow you wherever you go in trucking. It’s important to partner with companies that are going to give you a good reputation if you leave them. Keep in mind that the trucking world is a tight community and word spreads. Ask a recruiter about their fleet’s safety numbers.
3. Does the trucking company have room for advancement and promotion?
The best management members in any trucking company are usually going to have been drivers themselves. They understand the demands of the job and the needs of their drivers, and they lead by example. If you’re thinking down the road that you might want to come off the truck, former drivers make great fleet managers, recruiters, and all the way up the chain.
4. What freight lanes does the company run?
It’s important to know in which direction the loads are going to take you for several reasons. First, you’re going to want runs that bring you close to home so that all of your home time isn’t spent moving between the truck and the house. Second, some areas might mean more pay, like trying to navigate New York City. Third, each region comes with different loads, different weather, and different terrain to navigate. Be sure to ask when looking at hiring areas.
Don’t feel pressured to sign right away with the first company you call. You’re building your resume, and it’s just as important for you to be interviewing the trucking companies as they are you. Dynamic Transit is happy to answer your questions. Feel free to contact us.