Application Process: Is It Possible To Apply Too Early?
Topic 29020 | Page 1
Hey Eugene, welcome aboard.
I'll start by saying that I don't know why Prime rejected you and you won't either, but I'm pretty sure they didn't reject you for reaching out to a recruiter.
You can reach out to as many recruiters as you'd like to get as much information as possible to make the best decision possible for you. However, you shouldn't submit applications until you're ready to make the jump because most applications expire after 30 days.
Instead of filling out applications, make a list of questions that you would like to ask recruiters. Being prepared for that conversation will make it a lot smoother and it'll allow you to make the best decision possible.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
One possible reason for rejection from Prime could be your home of record. Some geographical areas get oversaturated with employees.
Where is your home of record?
Hey all, thanks for the quick responses! It does sound awfully silly to think I was rejected for being too persistent, doesn’t it? lol
It just worried me a bit because as far as I know, my application is sterling (no ego here!). I have only one speeding ticket on my driving record (two years ago), no other moving violations, and criminally just two misdemeanor underage drinking tickets (not vehicular) from 19 and 20 years ago, respectively. Employment wise I recently left a ten year career in the fitness industry, and I know my references are strong.
My home of record is in Virginia Beach, but I’m obsessed with the American west and the allure of hauling freight through deserts and mountain passes. I used to live in California, and love hiking and rock climbing. One of the many reasons I am attracted to Jim Palmer is their location is Missoula!
Hey all, thanks for the quick responses! It does sound awfully silly to think I was rejected for being too persistent, doesn’t it? lol
It just worried me a bit because as far as I know, my application is sterling (no ego here!). I have only one speeding ticket on my driving record (two years ago), no other moving violations, and criminally just two misdemeanor underage drinking tickets (not vehicular) from 19 and 20 years ago, respectively. Employment wise I recently left a ten year career in the fitness industry, and I know my references are strong.
My home of record is in Virginia Beach, but I’m obsessed with the American west and the allure of hauling freight through deserts and mountain passes. I used to live in California, and love hiking and rock climbing. One of the many reasons I am attracted to Jim Palmer is their location is Missoula!
Hay, Eugene; welcome to TT ~!!!
Have you seen this ?!?
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
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.
It just worried me a bit because as far as I know, my application is sterling (no ego here!). I have only one speeding ticket on my driving record (two years ago),
Then it is not sterling...and if it was 15mph or more it is reckless driving which is a huge issue. Also if you do not have 3 years of verifiable employment it could be a problem. Companies want 3 years of clean record.
And yes, Prime will reject people who constantly apply and never go through with it. You seem uncommitted when you do that. They want serious applicants.
The recruiter told you 30 days....so believe them. Otherwise you need to apply again.
Thanks for all of the feedback! I’ve actually read through all of those resources and am working my way through the practice tests daily.
As for a “sterling” record, that was said mostly in jest (whose record is TRULY perfect? No one’s!) My speeding ticket was not reckless (only 11 mph over), but it’s the only blemish I’ve ever had in 25 years of driving. I figure 1 single speeding ticket is pretty good, considering that companies hire people with DUIs and felonies on their records!
If I appeared uncommitted in submitting my application and not following through on it, it’s only because I didn’t know until just a few days ago that you aren’t supposed to apply any farther out than 30 days before you can start training or your application would expire. I apologize but this industry is new to me and I figured it wouldn’t be a problem to apply several months in advance, thinking the opposite and that applying early would show how committed I am!
I appreciate the feedback and will make sure that in the future I ONLY submit applications once I have my CDL permit in hand after December 2.
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.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
There are lots of people with perfect records and you will be competing against them at higher paying companies. So understand that 11mph ticket may in fact become an issue at some companies.
Sure there are companies who hire felons and those with DUI....but in general they pay less. Trucking as an industry is indeed a competition, so strive to be the best of the best and you will go far.
Apply everywhere when the time comes. And see who will accept you. So many people think they can just choose their company and forget the company selects you.
Good luck
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
You should get in touch with me next time I'm home for a few days. I usually park near Lynnhaven Mall and Dam Neck.
Thank you Kearsey!!
Packrat that would be wonderful, message me when you’re back in town and let’s connect
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Jim Palmer Prime Inc Wil-Trans Choosing A Trucking Company Employment Verification Pre-Employment Screening Program
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Hi there! My name is Eugene and I’ve been spending hours a day poring over the forums and doing all the research I can here at Trucking Truth. I plan to attend company sponsored CDL training some time in January 2021, and have been working my way through the High Road training program daily to make sure I am as prepared as possible! I love the resources and community of support.
I am single with no dependents, mortgage or other responsibilities tying me down to a specific geographical area, so I’m looking for the longest coast-to-coast runs possible and am mostly looking at carriers that specialize in reefers. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, I was unable to book a CDL permit testing appointment at my DMV until December 2 2020, so due to family obligations for the holiday I’m unable to ship for company sponsored training until January 2021 at the earliest.
My question: should I temper my enthusiasm a bit, and not jump the gun on filling out too many applications too soon? I’ve had a fantastic time working with a recruiter from Wilson / Jim Palmer and we’ve had several good phone conversations. She advised me that the DOT requires background checks to be run 30 days prior to whenever training start, so any background run now would simply need to be done again.
As such, I don’t want to bombard recruiters with too many questions and annoy them before they can even give me serious consideration. I noticed a “declined” on my application to Prime, which disappoints me a bit because my employment and driving record are spotless. The only thing I can think of that may have led to a rejection would be that I deluged my recruiter with 7 or 8 emails asking questions that got no response. What does everyone think?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.