No matter the size of your business, your customers expect to receive the goods on time. Therefore hiring good truck drivers will largely determine the customer’s satisfaction. A well-prepared fleet will ensure your products reach their final destination in a timely manner for local and international delivery.
The process of hiring can be time-consuming and exhausting. From discussing the CDL truck driver salary, running background checks, and preparing a final offer, there are lots of steps included. If you don’t know how to find truck drivers to hire, we have you covered. This post shares the step-by-step guide for hiring truck drivers, so be sure to go through it.
1. Precise Job Description
The first step towards finding suitable candidates is determining your needs. Based on this, you can craft a precise job description that matches them. The process resembles the usual process of hiring any other employee.
The first thing to consider is whether the driver will be required to have a CDL. Some local driving jobs might not require a commercial driving license. However, you still need to ensure the candidate has experience with the specific type of vehicle.
For driving large trucks, there are different levels of CDL. You need to specify the class of license you’re looking for in the job description. Also, include the relevant keywords, so the candidates can easily find your job posting.
At this stage, you also need to determine the wage. How much you will pay the truck driver depends on many factors. If you have more requirements, then b ready to pay more. Some companies will work with truck drivers as independent contractors. In this case, you won’t cover the taxes and additional costs. This can only be completed if the driver can choose when and where they work. Also, be sure to check the legal requirements regarding job postings in your country. In some states, you are required to post your salary range publicly.
Don’t forget to include information about your company. Explain why the rivers should work for you and not for other companies. Do you offer competitive benefits? Today’s market is highly competitive, so invest the effort to reach skilled drivers. When you complete the job posting with all the detailed info, it is time to publish it. You can post your ad on general job sites. But it would be better to go for industry-specific sites.
2. Check Your Job Applicants
When your job posting is public, you will receive applications. The number of applications depends on the requirements listed. You will receive fewer applications if you’re looking for a more specific skill set. This is understandable, as junior positions will be the most popular.
During this phase, it is essential to rule out unqualified candidates. The truth is that no employee will 100% match your requirements. However, you will need to make sure they have the skills and licenses that are most important. Choose the ones that best fit your job position and be prepared for what to ask them during the interviews.
When you are done, you have a pool of qualified individuals that can be considered for the next step. Make sure to keep the group smaller. Otherwise, you will be struck by decision fatigue with so many options.
3. Interviewing The Candidates
When you have a group of applicants chosen for an interview, it is time to contact them. Or, it would be best to reach them over the phone. This direct approach can become the first step to assessing the person. Through the phone, you can understand whether theories are highly motivated to get this job. Remember that scheduling an interview through email is a very slow process, so avoid it at all costs. Every candidate will provide their phone number, so call them to schedule the interview.
Once the interviews are scheduled, it is time to prepare your questions. Use the same questions to assess each candidate. There are a few examples of common interview questions for drivers. The first one obviously includes their past driving experience. Then, ask them about accidents or work delays and how they handled them. But also don’t forget to ask about their safe driving practices and what they do to stay alert while working. These questions can give you a glimpse of how they will behave at work.
4. Narrow Down To Choices
Once you have talked with the candidates in person, it is time to do further filtering. You will certainly have some favorites that stood out during the interviews. At this stage, you will need to contact the references and learn more about the driver’s experience. The supervisors will reveal how well they performed at their job and whether there are any red flags.
Another thing to consider is the background check. With this, you can further filter out the candidates and get to know more about their past. It is essential to check whether they had any accidents or job-related offenses. Since the driver’s behavior is your liability, you would want to be considerate regarding this subject.
5. Final Offer
When you decide which candidate will become your truck driver, it is time to make a final offer. You should now call them and share the good news, including the salary and when they start. Also, you will need to send them an official offer with the information included. Give them a couple of days to consider the request and get it back to you.
Final Thoughts
The process of hiring a truck driver is similar to hiring other employees, with a few differences. You need to make sure they have a clean driving record, as they represent your company. Also, search for truck drivers on dedicated sites to increase your chances of finding the right fit for your job position.
