Unable To Get Hired

Hello everyone, I'm looking for advice on how to get a chance to drive for a company with no experience and kind of an unstable work history for the last three years. Here's the problem, I was retired from the Army after over 21 years of service, and did two 12 month deployments in Afghanistan that messed me up a little in which has caused my unstable work history. After a lot of work and help from other vets, I'm definitely ready. After I retired I went to Roadmaster Truck Driving School in San Antonio TX. After graduation, I was hired by a company based out of Laredo and I was picking up my truck that evening delivering loads that following Monday with no additional training. I did really well considering, but I was having a hard time due to my deployment issues and was forced to quick after only 4 months. During the four months driving I was only inspected once. The trooper looked and my log book and it was good to go, but the trailers insurance paperwork was just expired and the company received a citation. I have received only one citation my whole life and it was in 1988. In the past month it think I've completed close to 12 applications and either they didn't call back or just said that I was unqualified with no explanation. So I decided to do my own background check to if was a problem somewhere. Quess what? There was a record of duty status violation on my federal safety report the same day as the company's insurance violation. My driving record came back clean, so what's going on here? I have filed a complaint, but what do I need to do in the meantime? I'm feeling very frustrated and about ready to give up. Looks as though I'm going to end up cleaning toilets for a living after all the time I have spent in the military. If anyone can help me, I will be in your debt for life!

First, thank-you for the 21 years of service you provided for the USA. Sorry to hear about your troubles. Did you try contacting the recruitment areas of any of the major companies? They have many systems in place to get to the bottom of things like this. Also, did you speak to your last employer and see if they will take you back? And lastly, will your problems re-surface if you do get a job? Good luck sir!

Peter - contact the VAs VOC Rehab and Employment department, they can open doors for you.

~scott

Hey Peter. First of all I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you've been having since returning from deployment. You sound like you've made some nice progress and hopefully things will continue to get better for you as time goes on.

As far as trucking goes, you'll be just fine. Because you have very little experience and it sounds like it's been a little while since you've driven you're basically starting over, but that's no big deal. You do, however, need to make sure of what's on your background, including your DAC report. You said you did a background check but you didn't say whether it was your DAC report you checked or some other means. But have a look at your DAC report and if you find anything on there that doesn't belong then file a dispute. If that's what you've done already then make sure the information on your applications matches your background reports like your DAC, your driving record, employment record, and criminal record. If they ask you about something that's on one of your reports and you don't report it they'll likely throw your application in the trash. So you need to be sure about your background.

Also, when you're ready to apply we have an excellent listing of Truck Driving Jobs and you can even Apply For Truck Driving Jobs With One Application instead of rifling off applications individually.

We also have information for military personnel on Trucking Companies, GI Bill, And Military Veterans so have a look at that to see if there are any programs available you can take advantage of.

You're probably going to have to go through a refresher course or some limited form of training because of your limited experience and the time you've been away from the industry. But just apply everywhere you can and see what they say. Most importantly, follow up anyplace you apply with a phone call a day or two later. Don't just wait on them to call you. Be pretty aggressive about contacting everyone and getting an answer. They often won't tell you why you aren't going to be hired for legal reasons so don't worry about that. Just make sure you get a yes or no.

But get that background straightened out and apply like mad everywhere you can. You'll go through a little training of some sort but that's no big deal. From what you've told us I don't see any reason why you can't get out there rolling again pretty soon.

First of all, thank you! That's the advice I've been looking for and I will try all your suggestions. I knew I went to the right place to ask. Again, thanks you guys

It bums me out when companies won't take a chance on someone that took a chance on their life for safety of our country. Hopefully some employers out there feel the same way I do. Best wishes & Thank you for your invaluable service to our nation.