Overcoming work history gaps / getting foot in the door in 2018

I'm looking to get into the industry and I just wanted to thank everyone who posted in this thread, it's gold for someone with less than ideal work history.

 

There must be a difference in time (2022 now) and recruiters. Swift recruiter told me they have never even heard of a housewife taking a CDL & returning to the workforce after 7 years. He was going to “check” w/HR if I would be just wasting my time putting together an application, and text me.

As expected, **crickets**

So not always.

No I have nothing bad in my baggage.
Several high-tier carriers have invited me to apply once I’m close to my CDL test, which again underscores the impact of a recruiter.

The question which started the avalanche? Which type of documentation would they like? As in tax records, SSA report, hireright, affidavits etc.

It goes w/the story that it took a few days to connect live on the phone; and this may have been frustrating for the recruiter, as I e-mailed & checked preference for texts, where they stated they did not read or use this kind of communication at all.

Again, individuals & preferences.

It’s all good. The others I spoke to were all great experiences.

I have even pondered finding a different Swift recruiter… Anyway. At this point I consider myself rejected.

 

For those in similar circumstances (gaps in job history), I would also offer the following....

In my case, when I first entered into trucking, I had some pretty good "gaps" in my employment.

But...I decided to compensate by stacking the deck in my favor.

In my case, I had a clean driving record, and no criminal history--and good credit scores.

My "weakness" was gaps in employment.

I went ahead and got my CDL-A on my own (this levels the playing field, so to speak--no obligations to anyone specific, for any length of time). Then, right after that...I got ALL the endorsements--tanker, hazmat, doubles/triples; also, a TWIC card; & a US Passport.

This extra effort demonstrated to potential employers that I meant business. Noooooo fly-by-night stuff here.

Well, after that, I kept trying, applying to different starter carriers.

As they say, the 3rd time was the charm.

Now, after working at a starter carrier for a while (almost 2 years)....I'm elsewhere, doing hazmat tanker, hauling fuel.

I would submit (with the above info, or similar)....if I can do it, so can you.

Persistence pays....big-time.

--Lual

 

Good to know Lual.
This is exactly what I am doing, and getting every endorsement.

I believe their main hesitance was putting school money into me. Because of the high turnover in the industry; and also now that the law has changed they are short on trainers, and would want to give those trainers to the best of the crop.

And it is good to hear it works out on the other end. I plan to apply and keep applying until I find one that thinks I’m worthy; and then prove myself.

I too have gap as my only issue. Clean driving record, like to follow the law, don’t drink or do drugs.

Perhaps the message to readers is; every company has standards, they may screen you out even if they are reputed to hire anyone with a pulse, and to not take it personally at all.

They don’t know you, or have anything against you, they are just making a business decision, as is their right & duty—if they are to stay in business.

Lual proves it can be done, & lays out the way.

Thank you Lual!

 

Get a prepaid number
give em that number and act like that’s a job number . Just make sure you answer like it’s a company line and change voice a little

use that to fill gaps. No need in being honest in this industry

 

I was told they don't even really check the duration of time u work some where . Just out a freelance job and the time to fill in the gaps . Use Pulse or tenstreet app. There u can apply yo to jobs and there's a section where u put ur employment history and u can choose do not contact this employer. So they won't be able to hound u for the verification. Worth a short rather then cutting ur self short not trying .

 

I have had so many gaps in my employment history over the last 10 years that Knight Refrigerated out of Phoenix won't even hire me. Even though I've worked for them in the past and they hired me at least 5 times in said time frame. Driving record is clean, no citations or accidents.

My last contact with them was via Facebook messenger concerning an application I put in last December. They said I've been unemployed too long to be employable, if that makes any sense at all, but then again we live in ClownWorld now, so who knows what they tell the young, freshly graduated college folks these days in the recruiting dept. these days?

So let me get this right, you have a driver who is willing to fly into Phoenix, AZ at this own expense. Has driven over 200K miles for Knight in the past. A perfectly clean driving record. Knows the Knight way of doing things. And they still won't hire this driver?

Well good luck finding jesus to driver your truck for 44CPM.

 

There is a reason for this toughness with the carriers. People think I am trying to be funny when I say this, but I am DEAD SERIOUS! When an FMCSA auditor enters the offices of a carrier and identifies themselves as being FMCSA, carrier HR and safety have been known to wet themselves. The carriers get anal about those driver qualification files because of this. Some carriers totally misunderstand Part 391 subpart C then proceed to make life hell for themselves and people trying to get a job. There is not a rule anywhere in 49 CFR that says a person needs to be gainfully employed for up to the last 10 years. The only thing you must do is account for the time. If you spent a year in the south of France chasing women and drinking fine wine, LIST that!

If you have been away from driving for an extended amount of time the carrier is going to want you to get a refresher. @brian991219 also deals with regulatory compliance and might want to add more.

 

You have it 100% correct. That said many carriers also use this as an excuse to avoid a discrimination claim when they don't want to hire someone. In the OP's case he states that he has worked for Knight previously, even says they have hired him 5 other times. Perhaps they see a pattern of job hopping and poor performance, not staying long enough for them to recoup their hiring costs or other issues and are using the 10 year history as an excuse to decine hiring?

The regulations are pretty clear that the previous 3 must be verified and the next 7 years listed, with gaps explained, if there was any DOT regulated employment during that period. Most carriers have made it company policy to collect and attempt to verify 10 years on all applicants to go beyond mere compliance. This helps show good faith for when they do miss something that is then discovered during an audit or compliance review.

To the OP, good luck in your job search. If you get hired somewhere this time stay at least a year and your potential employer options will increase greatly.

 

You say you can't leave because of a family farm... Use that farm as your job.

List it like:
ABC Farm, City, State 19xx to present
-Caregiving elderly farm owners
-General farm maintenance
-etc,etc use things that can relate to any job using words like flexibility, adaptability, logical reasoning and organizing, planning, and prioritizing.

Under a heading like (Additional Job skills)
-Seasonally work as a handyman and freelance in (technology things here)

Even when you don't have a steady paycheck from a farm you have responsibilities that are constant. I'm sure that you receive some form of compensation even if it's just room and board with a small stipend.)

I taught for 14 years and had jobs sometimes during the summer. I list all my summer things under. ADDITIONAL WORK QUALIFICATIONS,.. Then I lists things that will specifically help me in the job I'm seeking. Increased enrollment
in county run summer camp by 200% by instituting processes to stabilize staff and activities.
Reduced overall cost of food program by 10% by eliminating waste and proper food storage.

In other words, you have to spin it.