How to respond to question at interview..

Employers are not required to speak about a former employer and, in some states, are not allowed to do anything other than confirm that you were employed there. Employers don't want to comment on your details because it opens them up to lawsuits.

 

Don't give the interviewer any extra info unless its all positive stuff.When you first enter the room smile and shake the interviewers hand.Stay positive and professional turnout the entire interview also dress for success.There's no specific way to answers questions but stay positive with your answers.Companies do hire the one with less or no exp first if he really stood out during the interview.You need to sell yourself in a professional manner.Show the person interviewing you that you're the right candidate for the job.

 

Doesn't matter if it makes a sound... if someone is walking through the forest and see a tree laying on the ground they will know it fell...

Just because it isn't on your DAC doesn't meant that the recruiter or company won't find out as we use more than just the DAC... for example, any DOT drug test that employers or DOT gave you... don't list a company becaue it isn't on your DAC.. but you have a drug test for a company and it will seem suspected...

Actually, being fired 5years ago for buying some beer does not need to be a negative... In fact, it can and should be a positive.. if you explain it correctly and here is how..

I was fired for buying some beer on my way home, at the time I didn't realize what a stupid thing it was to do, I was on my way home and just thought I would pick some up for when I was off work and at home. However it was against company policy and I should of known better. Some saw me buying it and rightfully turned me in and I was fired. It was a costly lesson that cost me my job and I learned a lot from it, now I make sure I know company policies and procedures so I won't make the same mistake again.

In that statement you are saying everything they want to hear.. your honest, you take accountability, your learn from your mistakes and you want to do right and follow company rules. Also, you were not negative about the person who reported you or the company.

I think it is great that you are seeking information and advise on interviewing.. although not common in the trucking industry.. in other industries job seekers and candidates pay good money to go through mock interviews or seminars... I hold monthly seminars on it and they are always full.

 

Good post Pattyj... However I would say be clean and dress in nice appropriate clothes for the job... don't want to show up in a suit or over dressed.. assume they will have you do a pretrip and take you for a road test.. so wear boots or good shoes, not loafers...

Also, go in prepare and get out of the gate right away..
What I mean is, go to the companies website and see what they pride themselves on.. new equipment, getting driver home, not forced dispatch... read their mission statement of company history...

Then when you go in and meet the interviewer or hiring manager.. stand tall, smile and give a good handshake.. don't muscles them and try to crush their hand.. just a good firm handshake and come out of the gate with..

"Thank you ( Their name) for seeing me, I have been looking at companies and really like what (Company Name and what you got from their website) has to offer, newer equipment, getting your drivers home, add the benefits package and pay you offer and (Company Name) is definitely at the top of my short list."

To break that down and why it works...

> using their name.. people like to hear their name, and it builds rapport.. makes you likable and friendly.. and people hire who they like...

> using the company name and what they pride themselves on... shows you are prepared, do your homework and like the company this guy works for.. make him feel good about himself and he will like you, and again people hire who they like...

> short list... this gets the competitive juices going, takes you from a desperate job seeker to a candidate with options... they are not your only option but just one of your choices... and they may want to snag you before one of your other choices.. it changes the tone of the interview into your favor.

 

One of the questions I get asked frequently is "What can an employer say about former employees?" Some job seekers presume that companies can only legally release dates of employment, salary, and your job title. However, that's not the case.

Can an employer say a former employee was fired or Terminated for Cause? How about saying that you quit without notice or your attendance record wasn't good? Are there limits to what an employer can say about you?

There are no federal laws restricting what information an employer can - or cannot - disclose about former employees. If you were fired or terminated from employment, the company can say so. They can also give a reason. For example, if someone was fired for stealing or falsifying a time sheet, they can explain why the employee was terminated.

That said, because of laws regarding defamation (which is slander or libel) companies are usually careful about what information they provide to hiring managers confirming employment or checking references What they say has to be the truth or the company can be subject to a lawsuit from the former employee. Legally, they can say anything that is factual and accurate.
If you have been fired or terminated, check with your former employer and ask what information they will give out when they get a call to verify your work history. If they do give out more information than the basics, what they say may be negotiable and it can't hurt to ask

It's important that your story and your former employer's story match. If you say you were laid-off and the company says you fired, you're not going to get the job.

 

Dress for success I'm saying dress accordingly.If this job stands out from other driving jobs then dress nice not a suit that's over dressed.

 

I do see where you are coming from and agree mostly.

However, as a recruiter/staffing agent it is my job to make sure when a truck company that I am contracted with calls and says they need 3 drivers that I can send them pre screened qualified drivers quickly. For a company looking for 3 drivers I am going to find and send them at least 15 pre screened qualified drivers to interview and hopefully hire 3 of them.

So, as many good recruiters do, I don't wait until the company needs drivers to find them. I already have a number of pre screened qualified drivers, driving for another company waiting for an opening at the company calling me for drivers. So, as soon as the company calls me, I make my calls and set up interviews.

Then I place a job posting to restock my driver pond, where I have time to get the background checks, employment history checks started and done.

Current trends in recruiting is to place job postings before there is a need or opening. It is what gives a recruiter the competitive edge. If I already have candidates, pre screened, qualified and interview ready when a company calls, I am ahead of the race while other recruiters waiting for the job opening to show on the splits board... that's right, Truckers have load boards.. recruiters have splits board basically a job board...

So given that, going in with the attitude that the company needs you more than you need the company doesn't always hold water.. when a company know that no fewer than 5 candidates will be sent to them for each opening..

As for the resume.. for some industries a good resume or CV (Curriculum Vitae) is importan... for some industries not so much.
In the trucking industry.. for medium to large carriers no need to take your resume to orientation... most utilize online application and applicant screening software, usually uploading a resume is only to auto fill the application. With small companies, a resume may or may not work... I have one small company that the son, a college graduate took over his fathers business, a resume would be good with him, and the interview will take place in his office with him behind his desk... I have another company, where the son started working for his father as youngster, dropped out of high school and now runs the business.. very smart hard working man.. and the interview will take place wherever he is while he is doing what needs to be done, so it may be in the office, it could be in the yard or even in the shop.. I sent one guy overor an interview and Chuck was just heading out on a local run to deliver a tank load of chlorine, the interview happened in the truck.. so, a resume not a necessary or even a good idea with chuck, good hand shake, good eye contact and jawing with him is more important.

But, I absolutely agree that that an interview is a two way street and that the candidate is interviewing the company as well, and that confidence is important.