Took a bad job after layoff...what to do with applications now

After working for the same company for over 5 years I was laid off because of COVID. I had a good experience overall with this company and was happy. Was able to run legal and things were more or less what was advertised. With the way things are going I don't think I'll have an opportunity to work for them again for quite some time.

Took the first local-regional-ish job I was offered (have been gone from home most of the past 7 years) and was immediately let down. Got a "dedicated" run where I would end up sleeping in the truck when I was supposed to be home daily. The equipment was in terrible shape...trailers with no paperwork, bald tires, lights ripped off the trailers with wires hanging out and no facilities to remedy anything. My second day the load I got was re-powered from someone who had been put OOS. This job was paying a little over half of what I used to make.

I've had my CDL for 7 years and I guess I've been lucky to work at 2 companies in that time that did things right. With one ticket in the past three years (personal vehicle) and fear of doors being shut on me, I didn't like where this job was headed and after two weeks of consistently seeing the same thing I quit.

Going forward what is the best way to handle job applications...should I say I worked here or just continue my layoff period? Companies want you to have a spotless record, but they never want you to hop jobs either. Would this temporary employer show up on my driving record/background checks, or are potential employers just verifying the driving experience you've put down?

Not trying to be sneaky, but it seems like you always get punished for doing the right thing. Worried that if I'm honest I'll get passed over in the application process, but if caught then I'm toast. I know people quit when they realize they got into a bad situation, just wondered how most people handled it.

 

Houston

Would really like to be home everyday. Linehaul would be my first pick. Even in a food service company. Coremark and US Foods seem like they're shut down right now. Jake's has a Dallas-Houston shuttle run, but not once starting in HOU. I've worked in the oilfield before so at this point would prefer something that is mostly driving if possible. No accidents ever, one ticket in my car in the past three years. Nothing else bad in my background. Don't mind working nights.

I've applied to LTL companies like SAIA, Central Freight, and Central Transport. Grocers like HEB and Kroger. Cryo jobs. Not crazy about food stuff but did apply at Panera. Applied with Penske for some local stuff, even class B in an effort to stay local. I tried Highway Transport regional and was told not hiring right now. Tried some fuel stuff like Love's and KAG and haven't heard anything. Trimac had a local job that I applied to as soon as it came up. I've applied to lots of others as well, but welcome any suggestions.

Applied at Clean Harbors in La Porte and had an interesting experience. Had a 2.5 hour interview with a safety guy and he really seemed to like me. Told me more than once that I would get a job offer from the terminal manager the next day. Told me I would be categorized as an operator and wouldn't necessarily be driving much. Told me I probably wouldn't be certified by Clean Harbors to drive until at least six months. Basically you're a tank cleaner is how I took it. Since I needed a job I was happy to take it. He inferred the terminal manager would try to seriously lowball me and I should push for 25.00. Five days went by and I finally got a call. Told him I was still interested in the position and he told me the pay would be between 22-24. I told him ok and asked what he planned on offering me. He told me he'd have to look up my paperwork and get back to me. WTH? He called me. Never called me back. The payroll lady had walked in to my interview and started complaining to my interviewer how the terminal manager had messed up something and she wasn't going to be able to close out payroll on time. Did not get a good feeling from the whole experience. Felt like at that terminal at least, I dodged another landmine. I've heard good things about them, so it sucks my interview experience wasn't good. I guess I can try again but I had applied to something that was labeled as a driver not operator.

Feeling pretty frustrated. Seems like companies think I rolled a truck, got a DUI, and committed a felony ever since COVID hit.