Possible to get a trucking job without 3 years work experience?

Most companies won't consider you unless you know someone in the company that will pull some strings. I got my cdl and got into a flatbed company pulling my friends trailer and the person I was wrenching for at the times truck. When I was at the office for there quick orientation the owner asked me for my license and I handed him my temp paper license while I waited for the card in the mail. Should have seen the look on his face lol. I did fine jumped right into solo long haul and think I surprised him.