Potential employment history issues

Underdog....

You could borrow a page or two from my previous playbook.

When I started driving the big rigs.....I also had a sketchy work history.

I had been away/off from other payrolls for several years.

Thus -- going in, with no previous experience...I knew I had a serious problem.

In my favor:

• Clean driving history
• Clean criminal history
• NO DRUGS -- could ace a drug screen, anytime, anyplace...anywhere
• No real health issues -- could pass a DOT physical
• Single, with no dependents...or pets
• Very little real debt
• 2 working vehicles -- to commute to/from a carrier's terminal

To defeat/get around the work history issue, here's how I played it:

• Using available grants & scholarships -- I went to a nearby CDL school, & took night classes...& got that CDL ON MY OWN
• BEFORE FILLING OUT THE FIRST CDL JOB APPLICATION -- I picked up the tanker, hazmat...& doubles/triples endorsements; also, I acquired a "TWIC" card (for tanker duty)

What the above did for me:

• I already had a CDL on my own -- so if a carrier canned me for any reason -- I was not responsible to reimburse them for that time/training
• The endorsements (& the TWIC) distinguished me from the other applicants who did not have them; also, it showed potential carriers that I had a clean background -- & that I was serious.....definitely not a "fly by niter"

I then applied to several different carriers; note that this was back before covid, when freight was at much more attractive volume levels -- & rookie carriers were still hiring rookies at respectable levels (now -- many of them instead want previous experience from elsewhere ).

Long story, short: no one made me an offer, except Schneider.

Schneider has a terminal pretty close to you -- in Charlotte, NC.

I trained & stayed with them....for almost 2 years.

Fast forward to the present: if you have not already applied to Schneider -- they may (or may not) later give you an offer.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

When you get a "free" CDL thru a carrier:

• You have to do/learn A LOT of material in a super-hurry; it's like being fed thru a firehose....& thus, it's very stressful
• You are basically their "slave" until you work their contractual obligations off -- its kinda like sharing a jail cell for a looooooooooong time with the wrong kinda cell mate (wink, wink -- nudge, nudge)

On the flip side -- taking classes at the nearby tech school community college offers a much more relaxed environment -- you learn the info & how to shift gears, etc....at your own pace -- & not like responding to a fire.

If you have not already thoroughly investigated other grants, scholarships, etc....in your area...I would encourage you to do so.

Also -- as you go through the classes at your nearby tech school/comm college -- different carriers will likely pay your class a visit; this of course expands your first CDL list of possibilities -- instead of just hoping/betting only one will treat you right until you work off your obligations there.

If you have a spouse/breadwinner who is encouraging you to do this -- your later carrier will pay back most (or even all?) of your tuition, through tuition reimbursement. Many starter/rookie carriers offer that.

Anyway....just some food for thought.

Best of luck...given the current CDL job market...you'll need it.

-- L

 

You should definitely look more into WIOA, you said you’re not qualified. I think you may be mistaken and could qualify.

 

If you’re working for a temp service you’d just list the dates you were with the temp service. You wouldn’t have to list all the places they sent you. And your 1099 jobs are easy to prove. You don’t have anything to worry about other than the current market conditions that are out of your control.

 

I waited over 6 months for my grant to be approved. Here’s a little friendly advice. Visit and call often. They always have money available. Always. Always. Always. It’s basically up to one person to decide to approve it or not. Approval means paperwork for them. Denial just means they say no. Expect yo wait about 1 month before you get a yes. Don’t accept no. Be extra friendly and patient. There is ALWAYS money available. No matter what they tell you. Just remember them saying yes means they have to do work, when they can easily just say no and do nothing instead. Is it right, is it fair? Who cares. Get your CDL for free and move on with your life.

 

Funding for WIOA is based on Fiscal Year; not Jan. 1st to Jan 1st.
Some funding may us fiscal year such as 12 months Oct. to Oct. or Nov. to Nov.
Ask the person at WIOA when new funding starts.
This is Jan. so should be plenty of funding still available.

 

Question; I’m sure your other half knows you want to get into trucking, and OTR, how does he feel about it ? You most likely will training with the opposite sex ….

 

Start building a timeliness of your employment and include an explanation for EVERY gap in employment 30 days or more. If you have or can get ANY documentation to support your gap explanations, get it. It's a pain the first time to build, but once you have it you just spend 5 minutes adding an entry in the future.

IMO, companies want SOMETHING for any gap 30 days or longer. By something they prefer paperwork not just some words you make up on the spot. They are looking for some proof you weren't in jail under a different name or living under a bridge injecting heroin for 100 days between trips to the hospital & rehab.

While building this timeliness, It's a good time to update & confirm contact info for past employers. These days it's pretty easy to create company letterhead and write a letter saying what you remember/need it to say for companies that are out of business or have changed names, or to document some volunteer activities. There is the ever popular taking care of a family member during some emergency/medical situation.