Job History Woes The Catch 22

To keep it fairly short n sweet I've got no work history, I had a verbally abusive father that sent me into a genuine depressive cycle for many years. The result of this was I had no desire to work nor did I, when I finally managed to get out of that I went to school originally to learn programming at a college called ITT Tech. The fact that this college is now closed aught to tell you how well I was able to "learn" there. Changed "majors" and learned a practical trade of driving trucks. Started in March and graduated officially in August but here's the problem, despite being one of the top students in my class no one will even consider me.

I'm 32 and yea overweight a fair bit (220), hurt my ankles some years ago in an unrelated accident and was trying to avoid LTL where I'd have to ferry cargo up and down stairs. Although I'm really not sure what to do now because I've paid all my fees, got all my certs and yea... I have no clue what to do at this point or who to go with IF anyone will take me. My ideal position would be no-touch freight and as long as the truck has an APU since I use a dot mandated CPAP doesn't matter if it's an auto, 9speed or even 13. I'd appreciate some assistance... I mean do I have to go flip burgers or something just so they'll hire me to drive bloody trucks!?

LTL:

Less Than Truckload

Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.

LTL carriers include:

• FedEx Freight
• Con-way
• YRC Freight
• UPS
• Old Dominion
• Estes
• Yellow-Roadway
• ABF Freight
• R+L Carrier

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

CPAP:

Constant Positive Airway Pressure

CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Not really sure how to advise you. Power in numbers, start applying like crazy to as many places as you can. It won't be easy...

Use this link: Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

32 and no work history? I've been working since I was 16 and I got shipped from home to home growing up no stable environment ever but I still put on my pants and got myself to work, saved for school lived poor for 3 years and now live a great life.

You don't need a college diploma to become a programmer, I went that route but you don't need to.

if you know code well you can get a job anywhere and make good money. I paid for my DZ last year out of pocket and plan on doing the AZ this fall but I'm still in I.T just because of the $. I'm slowly planning my transition to the open road.

To be honest, you're talking about entering one of the most demanding jobs you'll find anywhere. By law you can legally work 70 hours every 8 days but when you factor in the things you have to get done that aren't even logged as 'on duty' you're talking the equivalent of two full time jobs.

It's good to hear you're ready to get out there and make a living but you're talking about going from having no desire to work your entire life to one of the most demanding jobs you'll find anywhere? I certainly wish you the best but that's a heck of a leap.

Just apply like crazy everywhere you can. Here's our list of truck driving jobs:

Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

Not to mention this can be a depressing job to some. If you need to be around people this might not be for you.

Keep a stiff upper lip and don't stop swinging at the pitches that have been thrown at you. You need to get some work history under your belt to show prospective employers that you can cut the mustard.

There are tons of driving jobs out there. Although they won't count towards any type of job experience driving a Class A Semi Tractor Trailer they will show your future employers that you are at least making an effort to better your situation.

You are more that a burger flipper and have proven that by graduating school as a driver.

Possible driving jobs:

Auto parts runner

Pharmaceutical medical / specimen driver

Medical transport of disabled people

Bus Driver <-- This requires a CDL. If you have one then you're a better candidate as compared to somebody without one.

Document carrier

Pizza Driver

These jobs are a means to an end, only a starting point to where you want to go. At least you'll have a wheel in your hand instead of a spatula.

In short, Pull yourself up by the boot straps solider and hit the ground running. Get some wind in your sails and you'll be fine. Keep us posted on you're progress!

BJ Moose