Employment History May Be A Dealbreaker For Me - Not Sure If I Should Pursue Trucking

I'll just keep this one short and sweet. I still dream of being a truck driver. Though I'm having doubts if any trucking company will touch me with a 10-foot pole because of my employment history. If I'm going by three years, just this year alone I've been job hopping and am currently on my sixth and seventh jobs (working two jobs now). Will probably be making it eight. Jobs just didn't work out for one reason or another. Last year and the year before have been a bit more sustainable. A 10-year history is even worse - there was a stretch between 2008 and 2011 that work was hard to come by for me. Was giving it an effort, but no real luck other than getting terminated in 2009 and 2010 for poor job performance (but I gave it my all).

So with job hopping this year and the huge gap of unemployment in 2008-2011, companies may not give me a chance. They could ask why they should give me a chance, either with the thought that I'll be leaving shortly for greener pastures (which I won't with my first company) or if I'm going to perform poorly (which I will give it 110%). Could be a massive roadblock that I may not be able to get by.

Really that and a dropped felony charge back in 2008 that I got (was not convicted, didn't do a plea bargain, didn't go to court, nothing). But my MVR is clean, and I don't have any drugs or alcohol-related BS on my rap sheet as I don't even smoke cigarettes or don't even drink.

So should I keep truckin' on? (pun intended)

I'll just keep this one short and sweet. I still dream of being a truck driver. Though I'm having doubts if any trucking company will touch me with a 10-foot pole because of my employment history. If I'm going by three years, just this year alone I've been job hopping and am currently on my sixth and seventh jobs (working two jobs now). Will probably be making it eight. Jobs just didn't work out for one reason or another. Last year and the year before have been a bit more sustainable. A 10-year history is even worse - there was a stretch between 2008 and 2011 that work was hard to come by for me. Was giving it an effort, but no real luck other than getting terminated in 2009 and 2010 for poor job performance (but I gave it my all).

So with job hopping this year and the huge gap of unemployment in 2008-2011, companies may not give me a chance. They could ask why they should give me a chance, either with the thought that I'll be leaving shortly for greener pastures (which I won't with my first company) or if I'm going to perform poorly (which I will give it 110%). Could be a massive roadblock that I may not be able to get by.

Really that and a dropped felony charge back in 2008 that I got (was not convicted, didn't do a plea bargain, didn't go to court, nothing). But my MVR is clean, and I don't have any drugs or alcohol-related BS on my rap sheet as I don't even smoke cigarettes or don't even drink.

So should I keep truckin' on? (pun intended)

Call some companies and see. Don't assume that you can't be hired. You are hurting yourself by doing that. Talk to a recruiter and ask if these things will hurt you. With your job history a company like Prime probably won't take you. I think that is why they never called me back haha, but nonetheless it doesn't hurt to see. Just be honest and up front, because they will find out if you don't tell them.

I'll just keep this one short and sweet. I still dream of being a truck driver. Though I'm having doubts if any trucking company will touch me with a 10-foot pole because of my employment history. If I'm going by three years, just this year alone I've been job hopping and am currently on my sixth and seventh jobs (working two jobs now). Will probably be making it eight. Jobs just didn't work out for one reason or another. Last year and the year before have been a bit more sustainable. A 10-year history is even worse - there was a stretch between 2008 and 2011 that work was hard to come by for me. Was giving it an effort, but no real luck other than getting terminated in 2009 and 2010 for poor job performance (but I gave it my all).

So with job hopping this year and the huge gap of unemployment in 2008-2011, companies may not give me a chance. They could ask why they should give me a chance, either with the thought that I'll be leaving shortly for greener pastures (which I won't with my first company) or if I'm going to perform poorly (which I will give it 110%). Could be a massive roadblock that I may not be able to get by.

Really that and a dropped felony charge back in 2008 that I got (was not convicted, didn't do a plea bargain, didn't go to court, nothing). But my MVR is clean, and I don't have any drugs or alcohol-related BS on my rap sheet as I don't even smoke cigarettes or don't even drink.

So should I keep truckin' on? (pun intended)

Call some companies and see. Don't assume that you can't be hired. You are hurting yourself by doing that. Talk to a recruiter and ask if these things will hurt you. With your job history a company like Prime probably won't take you. I think that is why they never called me back haha, but nonetheless it doesn't hurt to see. Just be honest and up front, because they will find out if you don't tell them.

Agreed.

There are plenty of companies that will take a chance on you, namely the ones who are often considered "second chance," or "Last Resort" companies. And all of them are actually pretty good companies, despite the reviews.

Western Express Carolina Cargo CR England PAM Transport TransAm Transport America

Just to name a few. Hang in there. If this is what you really want to do, you will find a way.

Indeed you'll find work. It's better to have too many jobs than to not have one at all in the eyes of most employers. And because you've never driven a truck before you'll only be asked to go back three years on your employment history by most companies. That 10 year history applies to those who have driven a truck already.

Thanks, you all. I know I have a very steep hill to climb. I'm just wondering if I should even put forth the effort to climb that steep hill. I want to prove to someone that I can stick around for the long term. I want to prove to someone that I can and will be an asset and not a liability. I set ridiculously high standards for myself, some even higher than most others, even to the point of impossibility. That's just how determined I am. Just need someone to give me a chance.

Thanks, you all. I know I have a very steep hill to climb. I'm just wondering if I should even put forth the effort to climb that steep hill. I want to prove to someone that I can stick around for the long term. I want to prove to someone that I can and will be an asset and not a liability. I set ridiculously high standards for myself, some even higher than most others, even to the point of impossibility. That's just how determined I am. Just need someone to give me a chance.

If you want this bad enough, you can make it happen. Just take the initiative and make some calls. If this opportunity can improve your life it is definitely worth the investment.

It has been tough for me, but it already is taking care me. I am able to take care of myself now and it is a great feeling.

You have nothing to lose but time my friend. You are hurting yourself by assuming and not trying. Trust me when I say this. I assumed I would never get hired on by any company because of a bad choice I made back in 2012. That all changed last week. I was charged with DUI back in 2012. I was found not guilty so I figured I would be in the clear. Got my CDL and started applying. Close to 30 rejections, from major companies mind you, and one company I never thought would take me considering I am an inexperienced driver with the DUI interlock showing up on my record from when I had that back in 2014 accepted me and I am supposed to be starting on the 22nd this month. They wanted two years experience with a clean record, and it's a tanker company so not really the best to start on but that's what I had my heart set on. I went ahead and put in the app with all odds against because I would much rather them tell me no than not knowing, right? Did my interview and drive test, and my start date is the 22nd of this month. The point is, don't sell yourself short! You've got this!

Same issue here OP... I'm a little reverse of your issue, I've had good employment history for the past 5 years, but before then I was both job hopping and state hopping. I don't want to be considered a liar though, because I don't even remember the dates for some of my jobs before 2011 or some of the jobs entirely. I'm a lil spooked too.

I know a Guy that did prison time and lived on the streets for almost 10 years. Was honest with Carolina Cargo about his situation and they gave him a shot. His 1 year anniversary is next month. He has busted his a$$ to prove that his past is his past. He is in very good standing with the Company. How bad do you want it is the question?

One thing you guys need to realize is that if you are a new driver, just getting started, you usually will only be required to show the past three years work history. Experienced drivers are held to the ten year history.