How difficult is it really for new Driver to find employment?

I went through a community college school. I only applied to 4 companies. Averitt, Watkins Shepard, maverick, and Big M. I had open offers from all of them to be hired once I called saying I had passed my driving test and had my CDL. I chose to go with Watkins Shepard, because they would get me home every weekend and the terminal is 30 mins from my house. I called them on Friday when I got my CDL in hand and I was sitting in conover nc on Sunday to start orientation on a Monday. Been here 11 months, got a offer from one of the better companies in the industry to go to work for, and am seriously thinking I may just stay at Watkins. They are that good to me.

 

There's a couple dozen companies that hire new cdl grads that live in Tampa area.
Keep studying for your cdl and the endorsements.
CTL Transportation has their tanker training in Tampa, if tanker work interests you. Good money in pulling tankers.
Attend a 160 hr. private or community college cdl school or a trucking company cdl school and you can go to work immediately after graduation and it doesn't matter if you live in NYC or Tampa. You can submit job applications during the first week of cdl school.

 

I'm usually the one talking about these kids and their push-button phones and their fancy color televisions.

You can also get a smartphone App called Burner that generates throw-away phone numbers

 

For your first driving job, you will need:
original birth certificate
original social security card - not laminated

Jim Palmer Trucking has cdl school and hires in Florida and most other states.

 

Have they started hiring newbies again?. I contacted them in April and I was told they are only hiring experienced otr drivers. Wiltrans said the same

 

From my understanding, the only newbies they hire are graduates from their own cdl school; otherwise must have 6 mos. experience. If you learn of anything different, let me know.

 

That would explain it then. I was a newbie with a really old license.

 

Lots of opportunities to work for almost nothing your first year out of school.
Minimal opportunities to make a decent living your first year out of school unless you want to do LTL

 

First welcome to TTR and this forum. However be advised that free advice is just that, free. If you otherwise qualify for a CDL your OK driving history wise. At this point your biggest enemy is things like DUI/DWI. Once you pass your skills testing there are several websites that will look at you and what qualifications you have and share this with carriers. Most likely you will get an offer from a starter company like Swift or USA Truck. I advise you to take this offer and get through that first year. During that first year try to get Hazmat/TWIC, Tank vehicles and doubles added to your CDL. After this year you can take your pick of many different companies. One more thing to remember about soliciting advice. Carriers are not as bad or as good as you will see in comments. Most of these people are leaving small but very important things out. Welcome to the world of trucking. Keep your tin foil hat and your BS meter handy!

 

Also Google Voice.