Hiring is a challenge no matter what industry you’re in, but when you’re hiring for positions that require long hours, overnight shifts, and the potential for multiple days or weeks away from home, it can be even tougher. If you’re tired of drivers coming and going, take a look at a few ways to find and hire qualified and trustworthy truck drivers.
Draft a Targeted Truck Driver Job Post
The key to finding a qualified truck driver is to post a detailed truck driver job description and advertise it on a relevant website – the more detail, the better. Learn about the key requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills that should be in a truck driver job post to attract great drivers to your company.
Transparency in Driver Requirements
Include detailed driver requirements, such as:
- ability to lift 100 pounds repeatedly throughout the day
- pass random drug tests
- maintain clean driving record
- obtain required licenses – CDL or non CDL
License and technical certifications vary according to jurisdiction so be clear about what license you require.
Disclosure of Expected Driving Schedule
For truck drivers, days can start early or run through the night. Shifts can be long (12+ hours), but also provide flexibility.
Driver Duties and Responsibilities
To find quality applicants quickly, use clear and concise job descriptions. As the first thing workers see when deciding whether or not to apply, it’s important to have accurate and descriptive duties and responsibilities. For example:
- Drive long distances to deliver goods to customers.
- Refuel and clean vehicle.
- Follow traffic laws.
- Inspect trucks and record issues – Responsible for basic vehicle maintenance; comply with all safe work practices, policies, and processes at all times.
- Follow accident procedures.
- Keep an activities log and log hours.
- Report mechanical problems to maintenance personnel.
- Plan routes using GPS systems.
- Get goods to the client on time.
- Maintain a positive attitude with customers.
- Keep commercial driver’s license up to date.
- Drive and operate trucks.
- Pick up goods and materials, verify loads for accuracy, and deliver them as instructed.
- Load and unload cargo.
Post the Job Description
Job Boards
A job board is a streamlined search engine for job listings. These are well-known and widely used, therefore your job ad has a wide reach and can be viewed by hundreds of potential candidates. Pricing on job boards ranges widely – between Monster and Zip Recruiter, you can spend anywhere from $249 to $325 per month for one active job post – the GigSmart Job Board starts at just $20. You can also often promote or boost job posts for better visibility to attract the best candidates.
Classified Ads
Craigslist offers an easy way to post jobs online, but also comes with risk. Depending on the city, a 30-day job listing can range from $7 to $75 per job post, however the affordability is often not worth the time required to sort through the flood of unvetted, non-standardized applicants. It is also important to note the workers are not insured or reviewed.
Social Media
Social media can spread the word about your job openings anywhere you or your company has a social presence – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter – for free. If you’re looking to quickly hire someone based on the advice of your network, LinkedIn provides you with an easy way to quickly ask for help. There’s some social proof, but you’re also left relying on your own network’s referrals. Depending on who in your network is making the recommendations, you might find the perfect fit.
Get Workers
GigSmart’s Get Workers app provides an easy way to source local candidates with the exact skill sets you need. Get Workers instantly connects you to qualified and insured truck drivers. Gig posts are free and connect you to workers who have detailed profiles outlining their previous work history as well as community-vetted ratings and reviews. With zero up-front commitment, Get Workers helps you find your next worker fast — even for same-day shifts!
Screen Each Truck Driver Candidate
The best way to find a good truck driver is to thoroughly review profiles. Check basic driver requirements and note preferred driver qualifications. Verify resume information and work history with references. Once you have narrowed your applicant pool, screen applicants by in-app messaging or by phone. You can ask them questions about their application, or you can provide them with additional information about working the gig, like special instructions for arriving and departing.
Reports and Tests for Truck Driver Candidates
The trucking industry is highly regulated by state and federal departments of transportation, therefore there may be specific requirements, reports and tests which can affect the viability of your job candidates.
Get an MVR Report
Simply put, a MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) check provides a detailed report of a person’s driving history. The purpose is to determine if the applicant is a safe driver. MVRs are often required and can help verify drivers’ licenses and applicants’ claims about driving history.
GigSmart has partnered with Checkr, a third party background check provider, to facilitate a thorough MVR check to help you find the best workers. The following MVR incidents are reviewed as part of the MVR adjudication matrix. The operator must have:
- No more than one moving violation in the past three years AND no more than one accident in the past three years
- No more than two accidents in the past three years
- No more than two moving violations in the past three years (e.g. failure to stop at a stop sign, following too closely, improper passing)
- No cell phone or distracted driving violation in the past three years
- No major violation (e.g. DUI, speeding 40+ mph over the limit) in the past five years
- Age of 18 or older
Schedule a Background Test
The US Department of Transportation requires that all commercial drivers who utilize a commercial driver’s license (CDL) have a background screening process completed on them prior to being hired for a trucking or transportation job. This is to ensure the safety of the truck driver and other drivers on the road.
GigSmart workers who pass a Checkr background check have no issues with the following:
- Social Security Number (SSN) Trace
- Sex Offender Registry
- Global Watchlist Search
- National Criminal Database Search
Contact the Driver to Submit an Offer
After you have successfully screened applicants, and they have passed the required checks, it is time to submit an offer!
Recruit Smarter
From certifications, to key skills, to MVR checks, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to finding and keeping the best truck drivers for your business. If you’re in urgent need of hiring truck drivers, crafting the right job description is a great first step. But getting a truck driver on site same-day can be quite challenging – that’s where we can help.
GigSmart has experience in finding qualified candidates for businesses, both large and small. Get Workers gives you instant access to background, and motor vehicle records checked truck drivers. Create your free hiring account and post your first Gig to be connected to qualified and insured drivers who can help you transport your cargo effortlessly. Sign up for your GigSmart Get Workers hiring account today.