Not qualified because of work history ( My wife thinks its discrimination )

Can I suggest something "MixedMotives" try ignoring people who say the disrespectful things, when you are only looking for some guidance that would help you out.

There are other companies out there that will hire you hopefully, just keep on keeping on and don't give up. It took me at least 4 years to score a commercial driving job after I obtained my CDL initially. It was rough, I was discouraged but I didn't give up.

I am well on my way to getting my own truck, just keep on keeping on and don't give up. Also, you may have to go for scoring a Class B position with a company that has Class A trucks, and then work your way up the ladder that way doing something locally.

 

Call Schneider or USA Truck.

 

I've seen several people on here with the same problem and they were hired by FFE.
driveffe.com
Apply online.

Why wait 5 more years if you don't have to?

 

or just get your CDL and find something local for a couple of years, dump truck, cement mixer, LTL, farmer etc..

 

I was laid off in 2008, after working for the company 10 years. 55 people were also. They were the older workers who were making top pay. In order to save money, the company decided to start new workers at a lower beginning wage. I mean, why pay someone $17.00 per hour when you could get the same work for $8.50?

I then lost my house because I could not pay my mortgage, and went through at least 5 jobs in 4 years, all minimum wage, part time, and I was unsuited to do the jobs so I lost them. In 2011 I worked the whole year as a part time Deli Clerk for $7.25 per hour. I was near homeless, and sleeping on a friend's couch. In 2012 for most of the year, I took care of a friend who had brain cancer I also went to truck driving school, and was hired by a company, even after waiting for 6 months after getting my license. (My friend needed help every moment of the day, so I could not leave him to work).

The company I went to understood that the economy had been miserable to a few million people, some (like myself) who had run out of unemployment in the first year, and had basically were not counted in statistics-- the "long term unemployed." I think I might have been lucky, but this is a reason why going to a community college is a good thing for folks like you and me. They actually make a real effort to get folks with a "spotty" work record jobs, and some who have even been incarcerated. No one says it is easy, and you might have to start in dump trucks or something less glamorous. You may need to start with a small local company with a few trucks. I am sure you'd rather be doing that, then working at a retail store. (Been there, done that. I hate working in stores).

I think it shows incentive as well. It shows that you are proactive, think for your self, and really want the job.

 

Ok i just tried applying at Gordon and they told me the same thing because i didnt have 10 years of work history im 27 and like i said before im a trainer for FFE and ive been driving for 6 years and 2 of them were tankers in Afghanistan some of these companies crack me up

 

Gentlemen, and Ladies....we have answers to this question on multiple threads already. I'm no expert, but can tell you what I've found out myself from talking to the companies about the work history issue:

You do not need 10 years work history if you have never been a driver. Only 3 years (keep in mind it might vary from company to company, but most I've encountered are only asking for within the last 3 years).

It isn't a matter of just verifying whether you worked or not during the past 3 years. The insurance companies are telling the trucking carriers how much work history is acceptable. So I called talked to the trucking recruiters at a handful of companies, was told need at least 12 months steady work within the recent three years, another said I should get a job for a minimum of 3 months keep working there while applying for the trucking company, and then the recruiter will need to be able to call the company I'm working for to verify employment.

That's what I was told, don't know if they are being straight-up or what. Besides, wouldn't it look funny for the company I'm working with to get a phone call asking about my work history there after only 3 months? Like they would probably think about firing me if it looks like I'm just trying to use them as a stepping stone to getting a different job. Anyway, that's not the point of this thread.

But basically what I'm suggesting is you have to jump through the hoops of what the trucking company requires of you. And you must be honest with them about your situation. Don't try to lie or by-pass the system and requirements. Trust is a big factor in this business because of the value of the truck and cargo they assign to you.

Still, the best suggestion is for you to call some of the trucking companies you might want to work for, ask for recruiting, and talk to them about your situation. Be honest. Most of all BE SURE TO ASK DIRECTLY what you need to do from this point forward to meet their work history requirement so they will be able to qualify you -how many months of work is enough for them? Be sure you get that info from them so you know how to proceed.

If you find out it might take some more time to meet their requirements, at least you will know first hand what they want, then going to have to be patient and basically get the work history they ask of you. But find out for yourself by talking to them. What I've found is the recruiter will be willing to tell you what is needed.

Good luck (to all of us)!

 

Good advice HughJack. I am going to have to do as you suggest because at age 55, I have been self employed for the past 14 years. I am supposed to start my CDL classes in January and this is the first I have heard that my work history may rule me out. Imagine, 10 years in the military, 7 years with a regional grocery chain, and then 14 years self employed, and my work history may be in question

 

As long as you can prove to the company via tax documents or some other way that you were self-employed, I've never heard of a company that wouldn't count it as employment.

 

Exactly. Usually it's the documentation (or lack thereof) that will shoot down a prospective job, not the fact you've been self-employed. Problem is so many people seem to have graduated from the OMSRC (the "Oscar Madison School of Record Keeping").