Midwest Companies That Hire Without Experience?

I'm a new grad CDL-A (no restrictions) holder with no applicable experience in the industry. I have my tanker endorsement, and I'm currently waiting to hear back from the TSA about my hazmat. I have a clean MVR and a stable job history in food service as a sous chef. I'm located near Wichita, KS.

From what I've read and experienced so far in my job search, the industry is in rough shape right now. There’s a glut of drivers who already have me beat with clean MVRs and OTR experience.

That said, I’m here seeking advice from more seasoned professionals about the possibility of getting on with lesser-known companies—or at the very least, finding some pathways to employment beyond the typical Craigslist/Indeed circuit. I’ve even considered trying to find local or regional work on someone’s farm. I’ve applied to most of the megas (like Swift, Schneider, etc.) that hire and train new grads, and if I was lucky enough to get a response at all, it usually fell into one of two categories: “We’re currently not hiring in your area,” or “Call us back when you have 6–12 months of OTR experience.”

At my wits' end, I even applied to some of the less desirable companies, thinking I could land a crap job just to get experience, still better than nothing. But to my surprise, even Western Express and May told me they’re not hiring in my area right now. To say the least, it’s discouraging, but I haven’t given up hope. I’ve also tried to get on with local food distributors like Sysco and a few construction companies to drive Class B equipment, but no luck there either.

Some things I have going for me: I’m not tied down geographically. I’m bilingual (English/Spanish), for whatever that’s worth in an industry that now mandates drivers speak only English. I split an apartment with a roommate, and since I have no pets or kids, I can easily move to another part of the country within weeks if it gives me a better shot, maybe near other terminals. I’ve even thought about moving to Texas or Alaska, though those were more pipe dreams until recently. I was fairly confident I’d at least get onboarded with a less desirable mega.

I’m willing to do or learn whatever it takes to get my foot in the door. Maybe I’d have better luck if I lived somewhere else. What do you all think? Should I keep sweating my balls off in a kitchen pulling tickets and wait? Or should I take the risk and relocate? It wouldn’t be a huge financial hit, since I can usually find food service work within 24 hours, or at least something to keep me afloat until I get out of the industry.

Any thoughts or advice are very much appreciated. All the best.

 

Holy Christ thank you for the rapid-fire suggestions. Some of these companies I have applied to, some I haven't, and some became lost in the sauce of consideration during my own application blitz. I have to get back to work right now, but I'll post updates when I have them to keep the thread updated with current information for anyone else that also could benefit from the information.