Searching for a new job can be a long process. And although there is high demand for truck drivers, it can still take a while to find the perfect fit. Recruiters will ask a lot of questions to see if you’re a good fit for the company but it can be difficult for a driver to know if the company will be a good fit for them. Here are some key questions to ask recruiters during your job search!
Where am I going?
- What type of routes do you have? This is the first question you need to ask to see if you will be a good fit. You don’t want to sign up thinking you will be hauling loads straight from Florida to Oregon and then discover the only routes are from Indy to Chicago.
- How long are drivers expected to be out on the road?
- What companies do you haul freight for? You’ll want to know if they have a large and diverse list of clients or only a few big ones. If they lose an account and subsequently a lot of routes you may be out of luck.
- Is your freight seasonal? While all freight is seasonal, some companies are especially susceptible to long periods without a lot of freight.
- What will my home time be like?
- Do you have frequent routes headed into/out of my house?
- Can I take my truck home?
- Is mileage to the house paid or unpaid?
- What types of freight do you haul?
- What is the typical weight of a load? Some companies are known to haul heavy. Be sure you are comfortable with the types of loads and the weight of loads you will be hauling before you start a new job.
- How do I receive my routes?
- Will I be allowed to turn down routes? If you will not go to certain locations and the company requires you go to certain locations you will obviously not be a good fit.
What type of pay, benefits, or reimbursements should I expect?
- How does the pay structure work? This is the most important pay question. Some companies are salary, some are per mile, some are per hour.
- What is the average pay per week or per year for a driver at your company?
- How often will I get paid? If you need daily or weekly pay you’ll want to make sure the company provides it.
- How does the pay increase system work? If you are a safe and dedicated driver you deserve to be rewarded over time. Find out when you might expect a pay bump.
- Do you work on a bonus system for safety or mileage? A lot of companies pay out extra for drivers who are safe, productive, and fuel efficient.
- Will I have an allotted amount of vacation days or vacation pay when I start?
- What type of benefits packages do you provide?
- Do you provide reimbursement for my CDL classes?
- Will I get paid for sitting at the docking station for long periods of time? Nothing is worse than watching your remaining hours tick away while sitting at the dock or in traffic. Some companies will charge the customer detention pay and then pay it out to you. Be sure to ask about this.
- If I break down over the road will I receive breakdown or shop pay?
- Will I be allowed to take off holidays?
- How do reimbursements work?
- Do you provide truck washes? If you like the appearance of a shiny truck you’ll want to know if washes are going to have to come out of your own pocket.
What type of equipment and training do you provide?
- Do you use electronic or paper logs?
- Do I need to know how to operate paper logs?
- What is your dispatch communication format?
- What GPS system do you use?
- What types of rigs do you operate?
- How often is your equipment serviced?
- What is the average age of your trucks?
- What type of truck will I be getting?
- Do your trucks come with refrigerators?
- How many terminals do you have?
- What types of amenities are at the terminals?
- Can I bring a pet?
- Can I bring a rider?
- Will I be sharing my rig with another driver? If you are operating in a slip-seat you’ll want to know that before beginning.
- What is your training program like?
- What costs am I personally responsible for?
- Do you have a night dispatch or emergency dispatch?
- What is the dispatcher-driver relationship at your company? Knowing who to contact for each situation is important. You’ll want to know if dispatchers only send you routes, or if they will provide you support in other areas as well.
- What happens if I have an accident?
- What happens if I get an overweight ticket?
How do I start and grow?
- Do you pay for my travel to an onboarding program?
- Do you provide meals and lodging during the onboarding process?
- What is your company turnover rate? Turnover is how often drivers leave. You don’t want to head to a company where drivers leave quickly.
- Are there opportunities to become a trainer?
- Do you have an owner/operator program?
These 50 questions are key to helping you find the perfect trucking company for you! There’s no reason to settle for a mediocre job in the trucking industry. Demand for drivers is high, finding a job won’t be an issue. It’s worth it to spend time finding the perfect fit
And if you’re a graduate of United Truck Driving School, don’t forget we can help you with job placement! Give us a call and we’ll help you land your dream job!
