Shall I apply to more

You are welcome to talk to as many potential carriers as necessary to get a feel for what may be a good fit and what might not be. But many carrier's recruiters don't want to talk much to you until they've seen your app or taken an app over the phone. They don't usually spend to much effort or money (on background checks and medical screenings and such) just upon simple receipt of an app. So, put in apps to any you may well be interested in or at least seem to "be in contention for your consideration". Don't concern yourself with putting them through the process. This is a cost and part of doing business in the trucking industry and trying to keep assets manned. Putting in driver apps multiple times, is not like applying for credit multiple times in a month.

 

Do you have your CDL already?

 

Go put them in anywhere you want to, Don't just put the one in, they may have a hiring freez and then all your eggs would have been in one basket, get them out there see what kind of a response you get from other companies, what type of driving do you want to do?

 

Don't feel you have to work for one of the 10, 50, or even 1000 biggest companies out there. There are 400,000 trucking companies out there. You would be surprised at how many are right near you. The rarely advertise and many don't have websites. Get the phone book out and go see them in person.

 

Check out some of the company threads here, make phone calls and talk to recruiters. There are a few websites where you do one app and it gets sent to multiple companies. You can also go to the FMCSA website and check CSA scores ( the lower the #s the better). There is probably someone at your school that can also help you find companies that hire truck school grads. Do your research and pick the company you feel would be a good fit for you. A few companies I've heard of that will accept truck school grads are Gordon Trucking Inc, May Trucking Company, Stevens Transport, Werner, Swift, Central Refrigerated. Best of luck to you in your final weeks of school and your search.

 

Don't go by the grapevine. Show up in person (hopefully looking presentable) and put your best foot forward.

I did well enough in school that my instructors were willing to recommend me to local companies. That was key in getting into my first job. Don't overlook them as a resource.

 

Thank you for that. I would have never thought to look in phone book.

 

You need to talk to more than one company whether local, OTR, or both to determine whether local or OTR is a better fit for you and your situation. Do your research and apply, apply, apply. Best of luck to you.