What To Do When You Can't Get An OTR Driving Job

What To Do When You Can't Get Hired Because
You Are Still Under An OTR Employment Contract
With Another Trucking Company

James S. McCormack
Trucking Careers of America

I came across a posting in a popular truck driver forum which caught my attention because it is not an uncommon problem.  Because the forum is for drivers only, aimed at questions from new drivers and answers by experienced drivers, I couldn't post a reply.  So, instead, I'm writing this article, which actually is better ....

The question came from a 'newbie' who said "I consider myself pretty educated about the industry despite the fact that I don't have a ton of experience, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this contract s..., and maybe someone wiser can provide some insight?" 

It seems that he was under an 8 month contract and only fulfilled 4 months of that obligation.  For health reasons he had to leave the company, but in actuality, he admits he probably would have left anyway as he wasn't happy with the company.  Re-hired, he was scheduled to return several times and didn't follow through.  The bottom line?

He now can't get hired as an otr driver by any other company because of the outstanding contract obligation.  Additionally, he still owes the company $4,000 for training reimbursement. 

"My question is how do I get another otr job now that xxxx is no longer an option.  Everyone is telling me its impossible but I've known of former contract students who put their cdl to work for them.  Just don't know how they did it.  I don't have four grand to pay off the school money they fronted me but I'd hate to see my cdl and four months of otr experience go to waste. "

What Is The Reality ?

We've said this many times before, the most important thing a new driver can do for themselves is to get (1) year of  otr driving experience, no matter what it takes.  But sometimes life throws nasty curves at us.  Because it's highly unlikely that any otr trucking company will hire this driver at the present time, it's time to work on Plan B.

Plan B may not be easy, but it is a plan of action and is doable.  Here are some options:

• find a driving job with a small local company
• find a driving job with a mom & pop company
• find a driving job driving a straight truck

The objective here is to:

1. get a driving job
2. get the tuition reimbursement paid through a personal arrangement
3. get at least (1) year of verifiable driving experience

There is no need to waste the time, effort and money it took to get the education and experience to this point.  Plan B will require a slight detour, but ultimately, everything will right it self again, just give it some time.  When the time is right, talk with an industry specialist in career planning and job placement for assistance in getting with a quality company. 

Good luck and good driving ....

Sometimes Less Is Indeed More...

Bigger is not always better ... sometimes a smaller trucking company is a better option over a bigger, more well known trucking company.  There are many trucking companies out thre that in comparison are smaller by nature - and prefer to remain that way.  They may be family owned, or run by a sole proprietor.  They stand apart from the mainstream.  They have their own way of operating, have their own set of hiring standards and can afford to be selective.  Many do not use the DAC Report of a potential driver as the last word, but rely more on their personal interview and interaction with that applicant before making a final decision.  QM83E7BBZ7GN

These companies generally have much less turn over, know all of their otr drivers', many by their first names, pay well, offer more home-time, and more miles.  Some offer select regional opportunies.  Some run in 48 states, with minimal runs in New York.

Some even offer a pet policy and rider policy and other perks.

But where are they and how does a driver learn more about these companies? 

Tell me more ...

One of the problems is that these companies keep a relatively low profile .... they don't spend a lot of money on advertising or marketing - they don't need to.  They  hire a few select recruiters and that's all they need.  They interview potential drivers personally by phone and are looking for a specific type of candidate, one who will fit in with their company and appreciate the opportunity.  Unlike many of the larger and more well-known trucking companies, these smaller companies are not interested in driver turn over.

Working with a smaller trucking company is a great opportunity.  This is a case where bigger is not always better, less is more, and so on .....

Trucking Careers of America prides itself in directing otr drivers to select, reputable trucking companies, including some of these smaller, less-known-but-better companies.

If you are an experienced otr driver with at least one year (12 months) of otr truck driving, and you are looking for a different company, consider this .... Sometimes Less Is indeed More....especially in the trucking industry.

All the best......

James S. McCormack

Trucking Careers of America