Well here is my situation. My user name is startingover and it is what I am doing. I worked successfully for many years in freight, sales, management, insurance and teaching. In 2000 my wife relocated and with that move, I lost my teaching job. It was June. In August her boss told us she was comign back to original employer so we re I have been a stay at home dad for the majority of the past 10 years raising our kids and doing what I needed to do to ensure they landed on their feet. I took a year off in 2004-2005 as I got the itch to find work and I landed a job and worked for a major non-profit raising funds for them. I had my mom become caregiver because neither my wife or myself could do it. Well after one year of working it was clear grammas are not great caregivers as they are grandparents. I am sure you all get that. So I resigned and then I came back home with the promise that once I could I would go back to work. Now I find myself on the downside of 46 and wanting to return to work. My daughter is now in college, and my son is into high school. My wife is planning on retiring in 4 years so I need to find something to generate benefits when I need them. It will be my turn to be the provider for the family. I thought long and hard and decided I no longer wanted to be manager, salesmen, director...I didn't want to be anyones boss but my own. After giving it serious thought I decided to get my CDL and enter the world of trucking once again. ( I was a supervisor for Roadway for 8 years right out of school.) So as with other newbies, I have scoured the internet trying to get information on where to go. I started my CDL class this morning and it will be a piece of cake. I will graduate in about a month. Now I have contacted two companies that I felt were potential good places to start. I talked with two recruiters and both said the same thing. "What have you done the past three years?" I said, "stayed home with my kids". They said "So you should probably get through all tests and screenings, but without any history for the past three years it will be difficult to place you". That is my problem. I need some guidance from the experiences of all of you to help me figure out the best way to proceed. I cannot produce any work history for the past three years. I can produce a solid work history for the years from 87 thru 2000 and then again 2004-05. But thats it. I can provide references out the kazoo, I have not been idle for the past 10 years but no work. My fear is that I will be stuck having to enroll in a bottom feeder program. My ultimate goal is local driving. I have a few leads but require experience to apply for them. But if two of the newbie programs feel it will be a problem what am I to do? Can anyone offer any suggestions? Similar stories? Thanks, Startingover
Man that is a tough situation. I wish I had some words of wisdom for you but in reality you may need to start with a bottom feeder. Or possibly get ahold of some local outfit and run for them otr. Smaller companies "might" be able to take you on, but it's a long shot. I wish I could say something better starting over good luck to you sir.
I would think that with your management and sales past that you probably have good customer service skills,... You might look into any of the local beer, food, booze, type distributors,....Many of them are more likely to hire an inexperienced driver with sales/ customer service skills instead of a cranky experienced driver with poor people skills,....
Your wife, was your boss. Have her write you a letter of recommendation. Have you kids do the same. Make sence to me that was your job If they want more bring in a copy of your kids report cards!
