Advice on what to look for in a company.

Pay per mile. Detention pay. Breakdown pay. Vacation pay.
Time off policy. Pay raises. Rider policy.

 

First, put you location on your profile. Second, list what is important to you. What are you goals? How old are you? What kind of shape are you in? Do you have a family? Do you like making your own choices? At what age do you want to retire?

Life is like trucking. You have to do a trip plan. You should do a pretrip inspection to see if you are ready. Then head off for your goal. Remember to refuel along the way.

Trucking is not just a job. It is a lifestyle. What is the lifestyle you want? Once you know that, then you can find a company that fits into that lifestyle.

You can bet, the first company you choose, won't. Your first company is all about survival. Learn what you can about trucking and about yourself. You will make money in trucking but if you hate the lifestyle, how much money is worth it.

 

All good stuff already posted. I'll add this ....as you're getting experience look at companies that drivers have 10 or more years seniority. Folks don't hang around at a company for that long for nothing. And believe it or not , money should not be the corner stone of a great job. Money " comes along " with the other benefits of gamefull employment. Also scan the roads and places you deliver to for company names that don't advertise for drivers. The really good ones don't advertise , they don't have to.

 

Follow advice posted above, read every thread you can about the companies that would consider a newbie for hire, toss out any company that has multiple horror stories about them and roll the dice.
Looking forward to reading about who ever you hire on too. -good luck driver.

 

I really dig reading all the replies from the experienced pros.

 

After training with a trainer will you be running with another new driver as a team? If yes stay away from this company.
Will this company lease a truck to a new driver just out of truck driving school? If yes stay away from this company.

 

No matter what others say, it is the ability to openly communicate with mutual respect of one another to resolve issues or to know what's going on.

Without communications any job is worthless.

 

Which ever company you are considering, talk to as many drivers from that company as you can. Recruiter adds are like military service adds of old, they only tell you what they think you want to know. Take your time when choosing, the trucking industry isn't going anywhere. Find a company that has a terminal close to where you live. Should things go bad, it makes the truck turn in process a whole lot easier and less expensive on you.

 

Excellent advice posted above.

Let us know your city/state and any endorsements you have.