You’re the HR manager for a trucking company, and you’re looking for ways to improve your recruiting process. There are a lot of critical issues to consider when recruiting truck drivers. Pay and benefits are important, but so are the trustworthiness and commitment of your employees. You want to be sure that you’re comfortable with the people you’ll be working with, and that they want to be part of your team.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the critical issues in truck driver recruitment. We’ll discuss the challenges of finding qualified drivers.
Contents
Recruitment Scams
There are a lot of recruitment scams out there, and because of that, many trustworthy truck driving recruiters and potential new hires suffer.
Here’s how it works: some companies will post false job ads online, promising high pay and great benefits, but when people apply they ask for money upfront. Or they might say they’ll reimburse for costs like getting a CDL, but then never do.
Other companies might try to lure drivers in with the promise of low mileage rates, but then force them to drive for long hours without proper rest, which is not only dangerous but illegal. Then there are the companies that will hire drivers, but then not give the promised pay or benefits, or even proper training. Some drivers are even offered misleading sign-on bonuses.
The real issue is when legitimate companies suffer because of those illegal tactics. There are plenty of legitimate trucking companies out there that don’t need to resort to these kinds of tricks to find drivers. Still, a lot of good drivers shy away fearing all companies are the same.
Limited Career Opportunities
Another critical issue is that there are limited truck driving career opportunities. This is because some companies do not allow for growth or a career path within their organization. As such, some drivers are often forced to stick with lower-paying jobs, which can lead to financial stress and even poverty.
This problem is compounded by the fact that many trucking companies are only hiring drivers on a part-time or contract basis. This means that drivers are not guaranteed a steady income, and they may not be able to make ends meet.
Driver Shortage
You’re not alone if you’re finding it difficult to recruit good truck drivers. In fact, it’s become a real issue in the industry. The American Trucking Association estimated the driver shortage at a little over 80,000 drivers and projected it to grow to 160,000 by 2030.
There are a few reasons for this:
- The economy is booming and there are more goods being shipped than ever before, which means we need more drivers to keep up with demand.
- An aging population of drivers is retiring and not being replaced fast enough.
- The lifestyle of being a truck driver isn’t as appealing as it used to be. It can be lonely and tedious, and drivers are often away from home for long stretches of time.
If you’re struggling to find drivers, you’re not alone. But there are some things you can do to help attract and retain drivers. First, review your company’s compensation and benefits model, and determine if it’s competitive with top trucking companies. One of the main complaints of truckers is that they aren’t paid enough for their time, or not at all when they’re waiting (at shipping docks for example) and not driving.
The other is to look at the best trucking company culture. Do you offer a healthy working environment? Do you provide a career path for your employees so that they can thrive and be challenged?
Truck Driver Compensation
You’ll also need to think about your budget for truck driver recruitment. This industry is known for being competitive, so you’ll need to be willing to pay a competitive truck driver recruiter salary if you want to attract the best candidates.
Paying a competitive truck driver salary isn’t the only expense you’ll need to factor in, though. You’ll also need to budget for things like advertising and providing equipment, which can be expensive. You might even need to travel to meet with potential candidates, which can add up quickly.
It’s important to think about all of these factors when creating your budget for the recruitment process. If you’re a truck driver recruiter and not sure how much to budget, talk to someone who has experience in this area. They’ll be able to give you some truck driver recruiting ideas and a better idea of what to expect.
Long-Haul Routes Not Appealing
Another big challenge facing recruiters is that long-haul routes just aren’t as appealing as they used to be. Drivers don’t want to be away from home for weeks or even months at a time, and who can blame them?
This has led to a lot of drivers quitting mid-route, which not only creates a headache for a company but also means that the load doesn’t get delivered on time. This causes a ripple effect that can impact your business in a big way, so it’s important to try to find ways to make long-haul routes more appealing, and advertise such when hiring.
Higher Turnover Rates
The competition for truck driver jobs is intense due to increasing demand. Drivers are constantly changing jobs to improve their work conditions and benefits. This is causing a large retention problem in the industry.
To speed up onboarding and reduce turnover, competitors tend to hire quickly. They don’t have an extensive onboarding process to ensure that their drivers will be a good fit for the company long-term.
Trouble Connecting with Millennials
Another critical issue you may face is connecting with millennials. This is because the trucking industry is seen as an “older person’s profession.” In order to connect with millennials, you need to show them how the trucking industry has changed and how it can be a great career choice for them.
Some ways to do this are by using social media, creating videos, and writing blog posts that target millennials. You can also try attending job fairs that focus on millennials or partnering with schools that have programs for millennial students.
Lifestyle Issues
There are also a lot of lifestyle issues that come along with being a truck driver. For starters, they’re away from home a lot. They might be gone for days or even weeks at a time, and that can be really tough on personal life.
It’s also important to think about the physical demands of the job. Truck drivers are sitting for long periods of time, and that can take a toll on their health. There are also a lot of safety risks associated with driving a big rig. As such, many professional drivers have opted to retire from driving. You can offer support to your drivers to make sure they are comfortable.
Pre-Employment and Random Drug Screenings
Drivers are required to take a pre-employment drug screen as part of the hiring process with most trucking companies. Some also require random drug screenings throughout their employment. They will be asked to provide a urine sample, which will be sent to a laboratory for testing. If they fail the drug screen, it will go on record. This has had a significant impact on a lot of drivers.
Takeaway
The truck driver recruiting process is a critical issue for businesses, but there are a few key things to keep in mind when doing so. First, it’s important to find drivers who are safe and experienced. Second, you’ll need to make sure you’re offering a competitive salary and benefits package. Finally, you’ll need to be sure you’re staying up-to-date on the latest industry regulations. If you keep these things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to recruiting the best truck drivers for your business.
Marina was in corporate communications for over 15 years before becoming a freelance writer for TruckersTraining.com. She's been writing about transportation, and the supply chain and trucking industry for over five years. Her father was in the trucking and logging business which exposed her to the industry. Her passions include travel, nature and entrepreneurship.
