As a complete wannabe with no history in freight, I have questions as to how to make myself as attractive as possible to employers in this market. I'm not sure how a recruiter is paid but I wonder if my performance has anything to do with it. Say I run more miles in the 1st year, do they get a better bonus or something? My situation is I have absolutely no obligations and am willing to do just about anything. I understand, from reading here, there are a lot of folks that have experience willing to do the same just to run. Basically, all things considered, will I stand a better chance getting on with a decent starter company if: I'm homeless, literally. I stay with family and I'm not hurting for an address but am willing to "relocate" anywhere. Also, I really don't want any hometime, see above, and when I do it can be just about anywhere. (I'm in TX now but wouldn't mind landing in TN or mid-south region) I put myself through a good PTDI school, and come in with a Hazmat, TWIC & Passport. Willing to run Canada. What is the deal with that anyway, is it just the Customs and DOT hassles that put people off? Willing to run team, might even try to bring in a buddy that I could deal with. Willing to haul just about anything as long as it pays. But I want to start and stay OTR if at all possible. Have a decent work history, last 10 years with the major telecom. No MVR or criminal history. Anything else I might have missed? It seems a lot of the companies are only hiring experienced drivers right now. Considering the above, would it be enough for a recruiter to try to push through an application?
Sounds to me that your resume and application will look as good as it can with everything you stated. Being able to stay out for long periods of time will help you as well. IMO just portray a respectable professional attitude and approach and you should do fine. Most of the bigger companies that are still hiring students will require lengthy amounts of time away from home not all but most so in your situation that would be ok. "Living on the road" for weeks or months at a time is not for everyone. I'm sure most of us have done it at some point but it does get old after a while. Sounds like you have a good approach and attitude so you should have no problems. Just remember that there will be times when you want to beat the hell out of your dsipatcher or strangle a shipper/receiver or anything like that and this is the road you have chosen to live your life on all pun intended. Good Luck.
Make sure your shoes and liipstick don't clash with your blouse Your credentials are there for a start-up company. Just keep pressing forward. 9.5% national unemployment makes it hard for everyone. Some will only hire from their own school so that may be another option even tho you have already gone to school and recieved your CDL. In the door is in the door. Good Luck.
What's your driving record like? Nothing will keep you from driving OTR faster, than a bad DMV record. A flawless DMV record, should put you at the front of the line. Trucking companies are very sensitive to their insurance costs right now, and will avoid applicants with less than perfect records like the plague.
Dave, I am in nearly the same boat. I'm so clean I can't consistently identify a cop, excellent credit, employment, bachelors degree, retired military, dedicated, disciplined, take pride in my appearance, DMV record to die for, so stable I have even been married to the same woman for 38 years. I have a management background so I won't be complaining about the little things in fact I could do a driver managers job without angering the drivers working for me. I can even go forward and backwards safely and up and downshift flawlessly. Hell, I am a real catch!!! Maybe we should keep in touch and share successes and defeats!
