How should I explain a long retirement?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BarnDog, Dec 14, 2010.

  1. BarnDog

    BarnDog Light Load Member

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    I have been "retired" for ten years, supporting myself with personal savings and investments. I left my last job in 2000 after resigning voluntarily, with no employment issues there, or anywhere else that I worked over a 25 year period.

    I know trucking companies want to see three years job history (if non-trucking), or history going back ten years if it included CMV employment. I think this is based on federal requirements, if I understand what I read.

    So, I don't know what they will want to know in my case. Would I put down just the last three years as retired? Or the last ten years as retired? Or go all the way back to the last three years that I worked before I retired?

    I just don't really know what they're going to be looking for.
     
  2. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    Personally, I would be honest, and say my last job was in 2000. Tell them the reasons why, and hope for the best.
     
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  3. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You may say you were retired, but the truck companies will look at it with raised eyebrows, because no one in this country can afford to kick around for 10 years.
     
  4. BarnDog

    BarnDog Light Load Member

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    Maybe in your world...I live in America, where some of us can figure it out. But that's my world, not yours I guess.

    Thanks. Maybe someone will come along with something productive to add.
     
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  5. SheepDog

    SheepDog Road Train Member

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    Truth is always the best policy.. meaning, if you retired, than you were retired. Whats wrong with being retired. I am sure you are not the only one to have to come out of retirement lately. I wish you the best.

    SheepDog
     
  6. BarnDog

    BarnDog Light Load Member

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    Thanks Dieselgypsy. I intend to be completely honest, 'cause I have nothing to hide, squeaky clean all the way.

    I think there's some kind of legal requirement, so I'm just trying to figure out where my situation fits in.
     
  7. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    The truth is that trucking companies will look at the 10 years of retirement negatively, even though you could afford to be off that amount of time. The real world of trucking does not like gaps in employment no matter what the reason, bad driving records, criminal records, and a whole host of other things. The real world of trucking is not a walk in the park!
     
  8. SheepDog

    SheepDog Road Train Member

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    You are right lilbit, company's don't like gaps...my son is learning that first hand as we speak. I have a feeling that BarnDog can account for all his years so though he may have to start like a newbie he will be able to start, I believe. It is when you can't come up with anything that makes them nervous, like my son...LOL

    SheepDog
     
  9. rocknroll nik

    rocknroll nik High Risk Load Member

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    Gotta agree with you on this Allow Me. Most trucking companies frown on 6 months of no work let alone 10 years. But let the know it all's come on out into the trucking world. At 53 not many companies are gonna rush to hire you especially seeing as how you KNOW how to work to system so you could take 10 years off when you were 43........musta been nice whatever....good luck...but obviously you don't realize that getting into trucking right now is a mistake......there is NO DRIVER SHORTAGE...and even with CSA 2010 there will be no driver shortage. And the more people like you that come into it the more trucks sit in truck stops not making money
     
  10. Strider

    Strider The Info Monster

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    "... supporting myself with personal savings and investments"

    BarnDog,

    Have you been actively investing during the past ten years? If so, "Investor" is an occupation, one you may be able to rightfully and truthfully claim, leaving NO gap in your employment history.

    Just a thought...