Question about work history and long term underemployment and unemployment

I plan on beginning training with Central Refrigerated within the next month to six weeks. I'm very excited but other than passing the DOT physical (CPAP issues rehttp://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ap-and-central-refrigerated-specifically.html) I have one other big concern:


How strict or how important in the overall application process is my past work history as it pertains to unemployment and underemployment over the past 4+ years. I lost my last full-time, steady job back in early '08 where I worked for Lowes as a manager for 4 years. From that point on I have worked...

- for about 6 months as a computer researcher and privately contracted
- off and on doing temp labor here and there (which is basically daily manual labor, daily pay taxed) but not that consistent
- and I was trying to start my own photography business with limited success and w/o many paying photo jobs.

Otherwise I have survived by living off my old 401K, stock options that were sold, sold most of my material possessions, a little help from family and I spent time off and on traveling back east to take care of my parents and grandmother. In other words, these last 4+ years have been sketchy as far as having consistent work.

Trust me, it's nothing I'm proud of. I kind of got into a funk after putting in so many applications and resumes and not hearing anything back. Prior to this last 4 years of underemployment I never really had any problem getting the jobs I wanted and never really spent any more than a month or so off between jobs. I'm a hard worker and have always prided myself no matter what occupation I held but these past 4 years have been tough.

I really want this job with Central Refrigerated. I'm hungry, figuratively, and if Central gives me the green light they won't regret it. I'll make them happy, make them money and make a little money for myself I just want the opportunity to prove it.

Does anyone think I have a fighting chance with them? I can't explain every single day and what I did for the past 4 years because, honestly, a lot of days just went by at home just sitting there looking up jobs, applying, researching jobs, etc. It sucks not working and it sucks even more getting turned down. And as anyone knows, the longer you are unemployed the harder it is to find employment because employers view you as "damaged goods" after you have been unemployed/underemployed for so long.

I just need the chance to start and show them what I got.

What do you guys think? Do I have a chance?

 

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Wow, you guys and gals made me feel so much better. It's kind of comforting knowing I am not the only person who has been in this situation.

I'm currently going thru a separation due to the same issues I listed above and I guess I should get my soon-to-be-ex to write something stating that I have been unemployed off and on from the date I lost my job at Lowes until present, with the exception of those times I worked the jobs I listed above. Then I'll (kindly) ask her to go with me to get it notorized and bring it with me to SLC, UT. That is fantastic information that I wouldn't have thought of on my own so thank you guys so much.

I'll try and get in touch with someone from Central regarding exactly what they need because, as I understand it, I hand in this paper application I currently have to one of their supported trucking schools I'll be soon spending a week with working on my CDL permit and then I have another interview or application again once I get out to SLC, UT. I don't want to be missing anything once I'm 1000 miles away from home.

*** Once last question, does anyone know how credit plays into the application process?

My credit used to be pretty good until I lost my job, got married and things had to go unpaid. Now my credit sucks bad but the only way I can begin to fix it is to work yet employers don't want to hire anyone with bad credit. Go figure. I understand where the employers are coming from, to a degree, but I don't think they fully understand what happens when people are unemployed for any great length of time.

Thanks again for your input!!

 

Wow. Good luck with your new career. Swift is my second choice so if Central doesn't take me I'll be applying to Swift.