Self employed seems to hurt you when applying for a job

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by bluebonn, Sep 5, 2010.

  1. bluebonn

    bluebonn Road Train Member

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    I have been self employed for over 15 years in the painting industry. Now that the economy has tanked, I do not have enough work to survive. Basically I am going out of business.

    I was a long haul driver for a trucking company back in the early 90's and drove for them for three years.

    Now I want to get back out on the road and some companies are telling me they have no way of contacting my previous employer because I was the owner.

    I have tax records and a DBA to prove that I have been in business for myself.

    You would think that a company would say wow this guy has been in business for himself and we could really use a driver like that.

    Well that is wrong and it seems that companies frown on this. Tried to get a local job but ran into the same situation. Two employers said that since I had no real verifiable employment history where they could call, i do not have a job for you.

    Again I have tax records and a DBA to prove I was in business for myself. Any suggestions on why companies do this?

    Still looking for a OTR job.
     
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  3. RenegadeTrucker

    RenegadeTrucker Road Train Member

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    It is tough, what kind of business were you in?
     
  4. Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    you will need several letters written by independent people stating how they know you ( do not use relatives), what you did, and for how many years. each letter should then be "notarized". i go to my bank which does that no charge. these letters "may help" you but certainly cannot harm you. go from there. and YES, you did GOOD by having tax forms and such. keep those forever.
     
  5. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    A 1099 and tax records is verifiable employment. Local jobs are tough to get right now so that maybe the reason for them declining you. I have been self employed just about my entire life and have never had any problems. I think you are just having a little bad luck. Hang in there and don't stop trying. Everything is meant to be and you just haven't come upon your destination yet. Welcome to the forum and good luck to you!
     
  6. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    Actually they say...####, not another one.

    Any company, not just trucking, says this all the time. You're considered a liability...not an asset.

    You've worked for yourself. You're not accustom to taking orders. And you could bail at the drop of a hat when the economy returns.

    Been there done that......have the T-shirt too.
     
  7. Flying Finn

    Flying Finn Heavy Load Member

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    True, if you were successful that long they look at it as a problem. You have the ability to think for yourself and most companies really don't like people who can think. They want robots that will just do whatever they say without question.

    Keep trying, there must be someone out there for you to work for that will appreciate your skills.
     
  8. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    What about the bag of chips?:biggrin_25525:

    Seriously, with your 1099's and tax returns that should be proof enough. A few letters like mentioned above wouldn't hurt any. It's tough for anyone to get a job right now.
     
  9. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Was self employed for many years. Never have had a problem.
     
  10. Jimbo60

    Jimbo60 Medium Load Member

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    Ditto here --- had a business, provided copies of business license, resale permit, 1040 schedule C for the years I was in business - no problems.

    I ended up in a local position but, none of the OTR companies that I contacted had any problems with my documentation. The list includes Watkins & Shepard, Schnieder, Gordon, Werner and, Central Refrigerated.

    Not insinuating anything but if you were really in business, as opposed to just working for yourself under the table, then you should have all kinds of supporting legal documentation and references.


    ............. Jim
     
  11. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    Consider yourself lucky. I was denied by many companies...trucking or not.

    I was fortunate enough (first time ever) to be asked to take a different position at my current company, based on my background and experience. I turned it down, I simply don't want to relocate.
     
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