What’s going on with the hiring market in FL

So I’m a 20 year veteran driver. Took a six month break but I’m getting back into it. For those 20 years I had consistent work, never being without a job. I’d leave one job and find another a week later. Never had an issue finding work. Great driving record with no tickets or accidents.

I am applying for only local work because I hate OTR, I know it’s harder to find local work, but I’m experienced. I have 12 years food service experience from 2012-2024.

I’ve applied to Pepsi as a driver merchandiser, had an interview but didn’t get it. They chose someone else. Told me they had a lot of other interviewees. Applied to Ryder in Tampa , they didn’t hire or even interview me. They did send me an email saying they were fortunate enough to have a lot of qualified candidates, and they went with someone else.

Applied to a couple temp companies and got told they aren’t in need of drivers. Applied to a few food service companies but haven’t heard back yet…

I called a couple old coworkers and they said their companies aren’t even hiring right now.

A few years ago I could quit my job and get a new job the next day. I would have companies calling me 24/7 offering me work. Now I feel like I’m looking for water in a desert.

Are there just too many drivers around here now?

 

I’m in Lakeland but I’m searching between Lakeland and Tampa. Zip code 33803 is where I live.
I do not want to travel to Orlando due to distance but if I am not employed in the next couple weeks I might consider it.

 

I applied to Trans Phos, it’s a tanker company near Lakeland.

I’ve applied to ace hardware. I don’t have time to name everything I applied to but it wasn’t just food service. I applied to food service because I heard it’s easier to get a job with them because of the physical nature of the job. But even they’re not calling me back

I have tanker / doubles , no hazmat but I plan to get that soon.

 

I’ve been seeing that one. I avoided it because of a lot of bad reviews from drivers. I know a guy that works there and he told me to stay away.

I know , I know. “Beggars can’t be choosers”

I will go there if I can’t find anything soon. I just feel like with my experience I should be able to get a job I really want at a good company. Sadly it doesn’t appear to be that way these days.