What to ask recruiter?

Discussion in 'Canadian Truckers Forum' started by kendt, Mar 6, 2015.

  1. kendt

    kendt Bobtail Member

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    I will be attending a recruiting session this week at the local school. I could use some help with what sort of questions I should ask them. You guy,s in the know would think of questions I never would.

    Thanks
     
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  3. lmcclure1220

    lmcclure1220 Light Load Member

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    Doesn't make any difference they probably won't tell you the truth anyway! LOL Or what they tell you isn't what the dispatcher tells you!

    You didn't say what trucking company but I'd want to know:
    Teams or solo
    How many miles
    rate of pay
    benefits
    whether it is an assigned truck or slip seat.
    Home time
    Whether they run toll roads or back roads
    Where are you going to haul
    How many miles per run
    Elogs or paper
    Type and age of trucks
    What can you add to the truck (electronics etc)
     
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  4. kendt

    kendt Bobtail Member

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    Jan 22, 2015
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    Great list, Thanks.
    I believe the company is STS. And yes the fact that they have to recruit drivers right from courses it raises the question "why"
     
  5. kendt

    kendt Bobtail Member

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    I took a quick look. They claim the pay scale as .32-.42 p/m average 2500-2800 m p/w Plus stop and layover pay (no amount).
    Not great but for someone just starting it seems to be the norm.
     
  6. pmcfee

    pmcfee Light Load Member

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    Questions you should ask:

    1) what is your employee turnover rate
    2) how many accidents/violations/citations did you fleet have last year? (check against online safety rating)
    3) do you have on-site shop for repairs
    4) do you have a mentor program for the first few weeks until I am comfortable on my own
    5) how much is layover pay/when does it start
    6) how much for picks/drops, if first and last excluded
    7) do you have a safe driving recognition program
    8] if so, how many drivers with 1 million miles safe
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2015
  7. Snow Crab

    Snow Crab Bobtail Member

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    Listen carefully to how they answer, are they giving straight answers or vague/evasive. Company I worked for you had a heck of a time pinning them down, you usually got answers like"I'll see what I can do, things change, we're working on it" etc. Also, if it's not on paper, it don't mean horse-puckey!
    Check about after-hours emergency phone numbers, and repair/towing availability. When your truck shuts down at 2 AM, at 30 below, you don't want to have to wait till 8AM for super-dispatcher to get into work to send help!
     
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  8. dutchieinquebec

    dutchieinquebec Road Train Member

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    Granby.QC
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    how about this list ????

    Here's a list of questions that company drivers will want to ask recruiters before they decide to accept the job:
    1. Will I be:
    Hired employee___
    Contract driver___
    (A contract driver is usually paid on a percentage basis and taxes are the responsibility of the contract driver. There also must be a contract between the company and the driver. This contract is for the IRS audits and must meet their requirements. A good way to tell is to refer to form SS.
    2. As an employee, how is my pay figured?
    Hourly____ Rate____
    By the mile____ Rate____

    3. If paid by the mile, how is mileage calculated?
    Hub miles____
    Computer program such as PCMiler, HHG, etc.____
    Dispatched miles____
    Loaded miles____
    4. Does the company hold back the first paycheck?
    Yes____ No____
    If so, how long?
    One week____ Two weeks____
    5. Is the driver responsible for loading and unloading?
    Yes____ No____

    6. If not, how is the lumper issue handled?
    Company contract with lumpers____
    Advances for lumpers (deduct from paycheck)____
    Reimbursement for lumper with receipts____
    7. If driver unloads, how is payment made?
    Flat rate___
    Hourly____
    Piece____
    By weight____
    8. What is the company policy on fueling?
    Driver choice of supplier____
    Company choice of supplier____
    Fuel Card supplied____
    Driver pays & company reimburses___
    9. Does the company pay for:
    Layovers____
    Detention time____
    Canceled loads____
    Multiple drops and picks____
    Tolls____
    Truck washes____
    Trailer wash-outs____
    Scale tickets____
    Minor road repairs to equipment such as clearance lights, wiring, etc.____
    10. How many miles per week can I expect to run? ______
    11. How many days/weeks will a driver be kept out? ______
    12. What is the policy on home time? __________________________________________________ ____
    13. What benefits does the company offer?
    Paid vacation ____ After how long ____ How much vacation time ____
    Sick days____ After how long ____ How many sick days ____
    Health/dental care ____Is family included? Yes___ No ____
    Safety awards ____
    Retirement plans/401K ____
    Rider policy ____Company paid? Yes___ No ___ What are the age requirements? ____ Is it limited to family members only? Yes ____ No ____
    Safety bonuses____ Based on: no violations/accidents ____; Customer Service ____; Feedback/complaints from general public____; On-time ____; SO&D ____; Idle time ____; On time ____ ; Fuel Mileage ____
    14. Do you have forced dispatch? Yes____ No____
    15. What regions does the company expect you to run? _______________________________________________; Does the company run in areas that you do not want go, such as Canada, Mexico, or NY? Yes____ No____
    16. Does the company offer dedicated runs? Yes____ No ____; If yes, how do I get one? ______________________
    17. Does driver work directly with brokers (hand-offs)? Yes____ No ____
    18. What is the company policy on check calls (status for the day)? _______________________________________
    19. Does the company allow pets in the truck? Yes ____ No ____ If so, are damage deposits required? Yes ____ No____; If so, how much? _____ Deposit return policy? ____________________________________________
    20. Does company provide cell phones? Yes____ No ____
    21. What kind of truck will I be driving? Year____ Make_____ Model_____
    22. Can driver take the truck home? Yes ____ No ____
    23. What kind of transmission? _________________________________________
    24. What kind of engine? _____________________________________________
    25. What kind of sleeper? _____________________________________________
    26. Can I put my own chrome and lights on the truck? Yes ____ No ____
    27. Are speeds governed? Yes ____ No ____ If so, governed at what speed? ____________________________
    28. CB equipped? Yes ____ No ____
    29. AM/FM radio/TV? Yes _____ No ____,Inverter yes---- no---
    30. Refrigerator? Yes ____ No ____Microwave yes ---- No---
    31. Qualcom? Yes ____ No ____
    32. Air Ride seats? Yes ____ No _____
    33. Engine Brakes? Yes ____ No ____
    34. Opti-Idle? Yes ____ No ____,bunkheather ? yes--- no---
    35. How often does company purchase new equipment? _______________________________________
    36. Can I purchase my truck through the company? Yes ____ No ____ Lease/purchase plan? Yes ____ No ____ Success rate on lease/purchase? __________________________________________________ __________
    37. Does the company provide training? Yes ____ No ____
    38. Is training paid by company? Yes ____ No ____
    39. If company paid, is there a penalty if I leave the company before a specified period of time? Yes ____ No ____; If penalty, how is it calculated? __________________________________________________ ______________
    40. What are trainer requirements? __________________________________________________ ____________
    41. Does the trainer receive extra pay? Yes ____ No ____
    42. As a trainer, will I be able to refuse to train a potential driver? Yes ____ No ____
    43. Is trainer responsible for actions of trainees? Yes ____ No ____
    44. What is the length of training period? __________________________________________________ _______
    45. Will I be assigned solo after the training period? Yes ____ No ____
    46. Are female trainers provided for female trainees upon request? Yes ____ No ____
    47. Is there a smoking/non-smoking policy? Yes ____ No ____
    48. Is an escrow, security deposit, performance bond, or any type of money held back by the company? Yes ____ No ____; If so, what is the required amount, and what is the return policy? ___________________________________
    49. Is transportation provided to orientation? Yes ____ No ____
    50. Motel/Food paid by company? Yes ____ No ____
    51. Does the company pay for orientation? Yes ____ No ____
    52. If I am disqualified or if I choose not to sign on, does the company pay for my transportation back home? Yes____ No ____
    Your personal list of interview questions may grow or shrink as you determine your own requirements, but this checklist is comprehensive enough to give you a good idea of how the company operates. Include the contact person’s full name, company’s name, phone number, and date on your checklist for future reference. You may even want to ask the company recruiter to sign off on it. Don’t count on that happening, but I don’t think this would be a problem for anyone who has answered your questions honestly …do you?
     
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  9. kendt

    kendt Bobtail Member

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    Jan 22, 2015
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    Holy crap! how much time did you spend on that list...lol
     
  10. pmcfee

    pmcfee Light Load Member

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    Pretty sure it was cut and paste from an American website as it has question that as a Canadian you would not ask.
     
  11. belowspeedlimit

    belowspeedlimit Medium Load Member

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    Apr 26, 2013
    Oil country
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    After question 5 they would throw u out of the office
     
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