Questions to ask recruiter

Accessorial pay is all other pay besides pay per mile.Say you do a 300 mile trip at .40 per mile. You have two drops on that trailer and you get $30 a drop.You had to tarp that load so you got $25 tarp pay.You got to the receiver and had to wait 3 hours so you got payed $12 for one of those hours.See how all that accessorial pay starts to add up.Lanes are like a company does a lot of Chicago to Atlanta or Atlanta to Dallas.I believe flat bed and car haul has the best accessorial.The name of the game is to get payed more for driving less.A short trip with a lot of accessorial pay will beat out the same load with no accessorial pay

 

You are an expert at this!

 

My biggest concern is miles, even moreso than cpm or accessorial pay.i need to knoe that there is steady work. A company can promise you $.50 per mile, but you sit every other load, what good is that?

 

Just make sure if you ask a driver about the company they work for to tell them that you're not going to put them in for a referral bonus before you start asking questions. A lot of drivers are motivated just like recruiters when there is a bonus involved in getting someone hired on to the company. You would be surprised how many drivers got upset when I tell them I'm not putting them up for a bonus. One last thing to look out for is if the driver has nothing bad to say about the company. No company is perfect there is both good and bad so if all they have to say is good they're most likely not telling the whole truth.

 

Make a list on word. I have about 60 questions that I ask every recruiter. I can post if you like. I interview them instead of being interviewed. I have a process for researching companies that takes a few days per company.
I go through the companies entire site, every page.
I then search you tube for vloggers and anything related to that company and watch them.
I then search FB for drivers of that company and reach out to them. I'll send them something like:

Hi Fred I'm looking into joining ABC Trucking. I'm reaching out to current drivers to get their opinions (Good/Bad) I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts if you have the time.​

Then I come here and 1 other forum and research posts related to said company.
Then I'll fill out the full Application, call the recruiter and ask them if they have about 30 minutes because i am currently researching companies trying to decide which one I'd like to work with for the long haul.

 

Here is the list. I'm constantly adding more questions as I go.

Do you offer paid cdl training?

If yes, what is the contract length for that to be considered paid in full? What would happen if I left sooner than that?

If yes, will I be paid during the cdl schooling?

If yes can you explain all the phases, pay and timeline for the training?

If no, do you offer tuition reimbursement and how much a month?

Where is orientation held?

Is transportation covered to get to orientation?

Is the travel, meals and hotel covered during orientation?

Do I get paid during orientation?

If I get sent home at any time during the orientation or hiring process who pays for that?

Where are your terminals located near me?

Is there a sign on bonus for my experience level and if so how much is it and how is it paid out?

Are there any restrictions or certain obligations to earn the sign on bonus?

Is there an agility test requirement?

How long is the wait for a trainer after orientation?

During my time with a trainer would I be the only one running our would we run as a team?

How much experience do your trainers have?

At what point could I be a trainer?

How much more do trainers make?

After training are you forced to go team or can you run solo?

What’s the starting CPM (cents per mile?)

How is the CPM calculated? Zip to Zip, Loaded only, Loaded and empty, Shipper to receiver etc.?

Do you offer pay advances?

How often does the CPM pay increase and the average amount?

Is per diem offered and is it mandatory?

What do you offer for vacation and holiday pay?

Do you offer paid sick days?

Do you offer retention bonuses?

Do you offer breakdown pay?

Do you offer detention pay and at what point does that start?

Is there multiple stop pay?

What % is drop and hook?

Is there unload pay?

What Benefits do you offer and when do they start?

Do you require Hazmat, tanker or doubles endorsements?

Do you require TWIC or a passport?

How many miles a week can a driver average?

Do you have an idle policy?

Do your trucks have APU’S-(Electric or diesel) and inverters?

Do you reimburse for scales and tolls?

What is your home time policy?

What is the maximum amount of days in a row for home time?

Is there slip seating? (Having to use different trucks)

What is the driver turnover rate?

What is the pet and rider policy?

Is there forced dispatch?

Is there forced dispatch to NYC?

What type equipment do you offer?

What divisions do you have? (Dry van, Reefer, Flatbed, Tanker)

What do you have available in my area?

Do you have autos or standards?

What amenities do you offer in the truck? (tv, fridge, microwave)

Do the trucks have drive cams/Dash cams? Outward facing or inward or both?

What are the trucks governed at? Pedal/Cruise?

Do you have referral bonuses and how much?

What is the number 1 reason to drive for you?

Do you have a clear career path for someone looking to grow? I.E. Company driver to Owner/Operator

How long would I have to wait to become an O/O?

Do you offer lease, lease to purchase?

Is the finance done through you or a 3rd party?

 

If you follow a good research system like outlined then you can usually sift through the ######## and formulate your own opinion on who is truthful.
I haven't had one act negatively yet. I have a little thing that I tell them that lets them know what i'm doing. Sometimes at first they will ask you some questions to pre-qualify you (which is fine) and some will start telling you info. then I usually tell them. "So I have about 60 questions I'd like to ask you. Do you have about 20 minutes right now? OK Great! So we both know that the turn over rate in this industry is at an all time high of 80-100% What I'm doing is trying to find a company that is a good fit for me and I'm a good fit for them. I want to avoid all the job hopping that is happening. I'd like to find a company and stay with that company long term." At this point they are usually good to go and very receptive

I definiately recommend starting a spreadsheet with the companies name listed on the left and all the info important to you on the top and just fill in the info as you go. The info for each company will start to run together after several calls.

Mainly just the ones that I'm interested in. But if you want to gain some experience with the asking the questions then you can fill out others as well.

What state are you in?

Feel free to add me here if you like.

Abro