Checking In, First Introduction

Thanks, everyone for the feedback so far. I really appreciate @Chinatown and @lual for the time they took to offer multiple suggestions.

I have tried Labatt. I haven't heard anything back and it's been a while so I will get right on that again. Same for XPO (although that link shows the listing has expired).

Jakes is a suggestion I hadn't been aware of before. The only driving position they show is up near Dallas but I'm going to apply anyway to see if I can speak to someone and see if I can be of service to the Dallas to Houston line they mentioned in the job description. I'll try this Opulent posting also. I've seen it before but hadn't applied because I've received tons of no's due to the 1-year experience requirement. As @lual said; Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained.

I have 3 current applications with Sysco (2 delivery drivers and a shuttle driver). I received a "thanks, but no thanks" email on one of them yesterday. I happened to see one of their drivers unloading on my way to the bank yesterday and I stopped and introduced myself to him. I mentioned to him I am a recent grad and asked if he had any tips or a contact name. He told me they're constantly hiring, but it's not local anymore. Everything goes through a corporate office in Chicago now. He didn't give me a name when asked because he said they don't do driver referrals anymore. I think this speaks to the comments @201 made. I agree the consequences of the decisions I made in the past are that it's been incredibly difficult to find work with my background, it is the reality of my situation and I still have bills to pay and mouths to feed. This is a challenge I have to overcome.

@Lazer I appreciate your suggestion of the Midland / Odessa area, I am able to relocate within the state according to parole, but right now, I'm thinking my wife would veto that decision. I haven't gotten myself in trouble with her yet today, but it's still early...

I'm planning on completing applications with the suggested companies I've received then, jumping on LinkedIn and trying to find and touch base with a hiring manager, then I'll print off some resumes and a list of my professional and character references and head on over to these facilities and see if I can get some face time with someone.

Keurig / Dr. Pepper is an awesome suggestion. It's about a 1-hour 45-minute drive from here. I do have an app in with Coca-Cola SW in the North Point area that I haven't heard back on and I have a paper application filled out for Grocers Supply that I'll deliver today.

Any suggestions on how to find distribution centers or companies near me aside from Indeed postings or Glassdoor? I've also tried Craigslist but am leery of what I'm seeing posted there.

Thanks again, guys. I really appreciate the support! I'm excited to try these new opportunities.

 

As a quick update, I've applied to everything recommended in this thread.

I also went to Texas workforce solutions and registered on their website and got a few leads that I hadn't seen on Indeed or Glassdoor.

I've received a 2nd no from Sysco (that's 2 of 3 so far) and quite a few other no's. Mostly due to experience or "due to other applicants more closely matching their qualifications". Opulent Transport was an automated "No" after doing their follow-up questions and indicating I have less than 1 year of experience, although, I did E-mail their HR and Admins and inquire about their flatbed division. I found out about this by reading the "news" on their website. About half of the local refuse companies gave a polite "thanks but no thanks" already for the roll-off and container-based jobs. The local route jobs are still pending.

I was moved ahead in the process for Coke so far, whatever that means. (they have 3 active listed driving positions currently) and I applied as a dockworker to XPO because I had thought the driver position @lual had linked had expired before I got to it, but in fact, I have an application in for that from 5/30. I completed the requested 30-minute "virtual tryout" from XPO for the dockworker position. I'm hoping this position may lead onward and upward.

Does anyone know how to find positions with local grocers? I've found one for HEB that requires 2 years of experience. I can't find any driving positions for Kroger, Target, etc., through their normal websites. Many carriers have a place to submit an app to drive even if they don't have anything available listed on their site in my area, but I don't see anything like that for non-carrier chain stores.

I found 2 dairy companies near me and applied to both. One put me "on their list" in case a position opens up but she mentioned to me that as a new driver, I'd have to agree to a 2-year contract or a $1,500 buyout.

I also found a seafood company by searching for grocery jobs.

There are all kinds of trucks and freight moving around here. How the heck do I get the 3, 6, or 12+ months needed to get my foot in the door?

 

Hey @ddordek thanks for stopping by and posting. Nice introduction.

As for me, I'm still looking.

As an update, my current retail job had a small promotion available to a keyholder position that came with a small raise and a long commute to the Gulfgate area. I also have averaged 55 hours a week the last month (on top of the 2.5-hour round trip commute) so I'm making a little better money but am really frustrated with the lack of time I have to search for jobs.

I haven't heard anything more from any of the companies I last mentioned (Coke, XPO, etc.) I never heard back from the 2 FedEx and Amazon Sub-Contractor companies. My phone calls weren't returned either.

CRST calls about once a week for OTR out 3 weeks at a time with-a-trainer position.

The dairy company called back looking for OTR drivers; .47/ mile out 2 weeks at a time. Said I'm still on the list for local...

I had a second interview with the Seafood company and did a driving test with them. They said I did really well on pre and post and they have no concerns with my skills and abilities in the truck. I felt really comfortable and I'd like to have the job. That was 6/20. I followed up on the 26th and was told they are "working on my offer. Just waiting for HR to get back to them". So that sounds promising but I had to initiate the (2nd) contact to get the update and haven't heard anything since.

I stopped into Workforce Solutions to get some leads and I texted my case manager at the driving school I graduated from to get more leads. I touch base with him about once a month. I have 6 current leads I'm applying for today and will follow up with Monday or Wednesday (due to the holiday).

On the way home today I saw another company hauling a Borden's trailer I hadn't noticed before so I made a mental note and I'm on the hunt to see if they need help.

@ddordek I appreciate the offer. Any help is appreciated.