Your 1st Interview, How Did It Go?

Greetings everyone,

I am asking of you to take a trip down memory lane and try to remember that first interview you underwent for your first real trucking job. Although I am many weeks away from finding myself in this scenario I do like to research before hand and try to visualize myself going through the motions.

So, let's say you are a recent grad w/ CDL A in hand and no experience. How does the interview go? I am sure it's by phone but with smart phones being prevalent can SKYPEing or iPhone FACETIME be implemented as a way of providing a more intimate interview experience? What are some standard type questions and can you remember and left-field questions that caught on off guard?

Greetings everyone,

I am asking of you to take a trip down memory lane and try to remember that first interview you underwent for your first real trucking job. Although I am many weeks away from finding myself in this scenario I do like to research before hand and try to visualize myself going through the motions.

So, let's say you are a recent grad w/ CDL A in hand and no experience. How does the interview go? I am sure it's by phone but with smart phones being prevalent can SKYPEing or iPhone FACETIME be implemented as a way of providing a more intimate interview experience? What are some standard type questions and can you remember and left-field questions that caught on off guard?

For the big truckload carrier I started with, many years ago, it was not really that type of interview. They just asked me straightforward questions about my background, work history, motor vehicle record , criminal history, etc.. None of those make you squirm, "what are your 3 biggest weaknesses," type questions.

My interview was pretty much the same. Just verifying what I put onthe application. Remember, orientation is your week long interview. You are being watched in everything you do and how you handle pressure. How you interact with current employees, what kind of personality you have. How you follow directions and how you behave in a proactive manner. It is all being watched and judged.

For my current job, that has higher hiring standards, it was a normal interview, with many of those lame, discomforting questions that we all hate. Just stay calm, and be sincere. It's not so much what you say as how you say it.

I went through Company Sponsored Training. Pretty much had the job the day I passed my State Exam and got my CDL A. Went to a 3 day Company Orientation with Swift, dotted the i's and crossed the t's, was assigned a Mentor, spent 4.5 weeks on the road, was issued my own Tractor, got my first load assignment, and was SCARED TO DEATH. 6 months later, quite comfortable with the job. I have heard it said many times, "Your REAL Schooling starts the Day you go SOLO" Good Luck!

Greetings everyone,

I am asking of you to take a trip down memory lane and try to remember that first interview you underwent for your first real trucking job. Although I am many weeks away from finding myself in this scenario I do like to research before hand and try to visualize myself going through the motions.

So, let's say you are a recent grad w/ CDL A in hand and no experience. How does the interview go? I am sure it's by phone but with smart phones being prevalent can SKYPEing or iPhone FACETIME be implemented as a way of providing a more intimate interview experience? What are some standard type questions and can you remember and left-field questions that caught on off guard?

After sending my application to Stevens, got pre-acceptance letter, pre-employment data about pay and benefits, and told to call recruiter.

Recruiter: if your information in application checks out, you're hired. Have any questions for me?

Me: How will I get my bus ticket? And do you have an employment packet to tell me what to bring to orientation?

End of interview.

**

Now, I had nothing on my MVR , and one accident that I was not at fault for. I gave them all my employment history for the last 10 years, and my last job I held for 8 years.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Truly do appreciate your detailed answers.

Work history

How do I prepare for this?

Sure I have all my W-2's from the past 10 years but what I don't have is accurate contact info to all my previous employers. Is it my responsibility to go out and obtain accurate contact to hand over to a recruiter, so that they can go out & verify my work history?

That may depend on your recruiter, but usually a W-2 is considered as verification.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Truly do appreciate your detailed answers.

Work history

How do I prepare for this?

Sure I have all my W-2's from the past 10 years but what I don't have is accurate contact info to all my previous employers. Is it my responsibility to go out and obtain accurate contact to hand over to a recruiter, so that they can go out & verify my work history?

My week long orientation was the interview. Then I had to sit down with a rough...yes rough..guy who demanded to know why I lied about never being arrested. Long story shirt I was not arrested but NJ put it in the system that way (much to my surprise) when my schizophrenic sister put a complaint against me. After I explained the situation he backed down. I think it was a test to see if I did lie.

W2 from the past three years a few recent pay stubs was all I needed. USPS won't voice verify. They go through a pay system and my company didn't have an account with them. They also accepted photos of my direct deposit into my bank account as proof.

Be sure to bring your social security card and a CERTIFED birth certificate with a raised seal.

The typical one on one "job interview" is usually not done in this industry. I've never actually been interviewed for a trucking job. If they like what they see in your application you will be invited to an orientation. From there on they are watching you - it is like a week long interview process.