Pre- Hire Letter Questions
Topic 18396 | Page 1
If you've been a sole proprietor, you have tax returns which show your employment. Different employers will have differing requirements on how many years they want to see, but that's your proof of employment.
John, if you've been paying income tax for that free-lance work, those tax records will suffice at most places.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Timing: I'm planing on starting school in July. When should I start applying?
I would start applying close to the week you start school.
Quantity: Should I limit my applications to just the companies that I think I want to work for?
Use that link and you can fill out one application, while having it go to several different companies.
Try to line up pre-hire letters from several different places (4 or 5). Most people are going to hit a few snags in the process. Having some back-up plans already in place can really help you keep the momentum going if you hit some bumps in the road.
I talked to one recruiter before I found this site. He said to call him when I have my CDL. should I call back and ask for one (apply there now) or wait?
You can give it a try. Some recruiters aren't as proactive, and they would rather see that you are "ready to go," before they waste a lot of time on you. They get paid for their results, not so much for their hard efforts.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Yes, I've filed and payed taxes on the freelance work every year. That's a relief, Thanks!
Thanks for the fast reply Oldschool! I appreciate you guys taking the time to set me straight!
That single link application is a great idea.
John, get those tax records together, but realize that a few places may be more strict about their verification process. If you know three people who would be willing to write just a few sentences in a "notarized" letter stating that they can confirm that you were doing that freelance work during that time period, that will bolster your chances at some of the more particular ones. Make sure they include their phone number in the letter for a verification contact. Those three witnesses could be former clients or just friends, but not family members. Make copies of all this stuff, because it is possible you'll need them at several different stages in the process.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thanks again Oldschool, I have a one long term client that I'm sure will write a letter verifying that I've done work for them consistently over the years. I'll have to see if I can ask any others. Could be hard though, most of my clients have been inventors that are wannabe start-ups. The failure rate of first time inventors is extremely high due to not getting funded, so the clients disappear.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
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I've been reading info on here about pre-hire letters and a couple of questions came up.
Work history: I've been a freelancing (sole proprietor) for the last 9 years with no verifiable employment beyond my own word. I'll have 1 short term job to list starting in March. Will all that freelance time look bad?
Timing: I'm planing on starting school in July. When should I start applying?
Quantity: Should I limit my applications to just the companies that I think I want to work for?
I talked to one recruiter before I found this site. He said to call him when I have my CDL. should I call back and ask for one (apply there now) or wait?
Thanks!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.