Taking the Guesswork Out Of Construction

If you've recently earned your CDL—commercial driver's license—it's time to start looking for career employment as a driver. While it might be tempting to accept the first offer of employment that comes along, especially if you've been out of work for a while, that's not the best way to ensure stability for the long run. Before you choose a company to drive for, like Bailey Trucking, Inc, you've got to make sure it's a good fit for you. If you're not sure how to go about that, here are four tips to help get you started on your search for career employment as a truck driver.

Identify Your Personal Needs

When you're looking for work, it can be easy to overlook your personal needs. However, you've got to pay attention to your needs if you want to choose the right company to drive for. The first thing you need to consider is your road time; how long you want to be on the road for each stretch of time. If you want to be home every night, you won't want to focus on companies that specialize in long-haul contracts. Second, you'll need to identify how much you want to be paid as well as the benefits you hope to receive. Finally, you'll want to consider the method of pay you'll be willing to accept, including salary, hourly, or by the mile.

Utilize Your Career Recruiter

If you're going to be working with a career recruiter, take full advantage of that resource. Your career recruiter is there to help you throughout the process. If you have questions or concerns, don't be afraid to ask your recruiter about them. Your career recruiter will be your strongest advocate and supporter when seeking work as a professional truck driver.

Reach Out to Other Drivers

While you're narrowing the field of potential companies that you hope to work for, be sure to reach out to other drivers—past and present. Professional drivers are often an untapped resource when it comes to securing career employment in the trucking field. These drivers have been around, and they have information that will be helpful to you. When reaching out to professional drivers, pay close attention to social media avenues. Social media boards will give you the opportunity to speak to a wide variety of drivers who can share their experiences with you.

Know Company Safety Standards

You're going to be spending a great deal of time behind the wheel of a semi-truck. You want to make sure that the company you're working for adheres to strict safety standards. After all, you're only as safe as the company you're working for. Before you make your final determination about a company, do some research on their safety records. Once you understand their safety records, you'll have an easier time making your final decision.