Questions that a company driver should ask a potential new company

I'm aware of all that, Double Yellow, I just don't think it's worth it. For one thing, is he going to get straight answers from a recruiter? For another, does he have refusal on his truck assignment? It just seemed to me there were a lot of questions not asked, and some not going to get straight answers.

 

One of my favorite questions: "If I were to ask your drivers what the biggest problem is with this company, what would they be likely to say?" This gets the recruiter off-script and off guard. You'll be able to tell if they're giving you an honest answer or not. No company has no problems. Depending on what the answer is, the followup question could be "What is the company actively doing to address this problem?" Never forget, the interview process goes both ways. It's just as much about you figuring out if you want to work for them as it is them figuring out if they want you as an employee.

 

My little company actually listens to their drivers - at least they did with me. I gave notice and left, got turned away from the other job and my old company took me back. When they did, they informed me of a new company policy that I had suggested a month before I left! I doubt you'll find such receptiveness from a big national carrier.

 

Please elaborate. Are you referring to to using the truck occasionally to bobtail to the movies, shopping, etc?

 

I added a few more, in red, after visiting a website that gave company profiles. At some point after the list is complete, I'll probably make sure each question is categorized correctly. Thanks for the feedback, drivers!

 

Exactly.

Some companies don't allow it at all, some have restrictions like must be bobtail, must have hours available to drive, can only drive so far or for so long, etc

 

I've been thinking about this, Vito, y'all, and I'm sticking to my point. If I was a recruiter and an applicant freshly issued the first CDL sat there and grilled me before running his first mile, I know what I'd be thinking no matter what company policy required me to do. Or my unit pay bonus.

Most if not all these questions sound like they came from a mega's Employee Handbook. I didn't see anything about average miles per month, an important item. Or detention pay, when and how much, payover pay, HazMat details, more. The list is extensive but.... it's probably helpful for new CDL holders to think about these items, except for the question not asked is the one that comes around to bite that new driver, that is..

 

Vito, I've been home for 6 days, going out in the morning, so I wont' be around to bug you for a while. Sorry!

 

Agreed. But the title of this, and who this is geared for, is for company drivers, with experience, who are looking to go to a new company.

And remember, nobody is forcing anybody to ask ANY of these questions. This is a buffet list, but it is all encompassing, so that what is important to a driver, he/she can ask, and not forget to ask.

Actually, the bulk of them come straight from my head. But thanks for the complement! LOL

Miles and detention were included originally. In my updated post, I just included HAZMAT, passport, layover, tarp, you name it.

I could not find a list like this anywhere on the internet. It SHOULD exist somewhere. And like I said, it's a buffet. So your first point above is nullified, but thanks for the feedback, for sure.

 

Whatever company you go with you should visit their website and go thru every page so you can better understand the company you may be driving for.Vito listed many great questions and worth printing and keeping for your personal records.But some of those questions can be avoided if you browse thru their website.I also think before talking to a recruiter have your list of questions ready.Otherwise once you hang up you're going to say darnit I should have ask her about something else.