Trying To Start A New Career. I Need Some Advice.

I'm 45, a military veteran, 18 years of experience in Information Technology. Solid work history from age 18 to 39, but with a large employment gap the last 6 1/2 years. I am trying to get into trucking as a new career path, but I guess I am un-hirable?

In 2014 my father was hospitalized for almost a month. The first week while he was critical I took unplanned time off from work to be with him in the hospital. I had worked at my then-current job for over 6 years, with no attendance issues. I used my PTO(vacation/sick time), which I had plenty of, to facilitate this time off. Two weeks after I was let go from the company for "reasons" which don't matter since Nevada is a right-to-work state and they didn't need a reason, but none the less they made up some. I'm guessing so I couldn't try to sue them for wrongful termination? I don't know, not that familiar with the law in that regard. Was the last thing on my mind at that time anyhow.

My father was going to need a lot of rehab and was going to be temporarily unable to take care of himself. I hit the parent lottery when I came into this world. My parents divorced when I left home, but they are both great people and raised me with much love and even more patience. I decided not to seek employment right away and do what a good son would do, take care of the man who raised me. In addition, I was burnt out from the high stress of the healthcare tech industry and had just been let go. There were multiple factors at play, it wasn't just the one thing.

Fast forward two years. My father is able to take care of himself in most regards. I still did his grocery shopping, took out his trash, etc, but he could be by himself for the most part. Time to get back to work. I hooked up with a tech headhunter and started seeking employment. My last job title was Senior System Administrator, and I have a ton of experience. I was getting 1 to 2 interviews per week in the beginning. So I'm thinking I should be able to get right back into it should the right job present itself. Wrong, 2 years unemployed in the tech industry is a lifetime apparently. Potential bosses didn't really care for my reasons of unemployment and acted as if I forgot everything I ever knew about tech. I did have a couple of "offers" at this point, that would have devalued me as an employee. I turned those down. Two years turned into three and then four, the three-year mark was about when I stopped getting interviews. Year 5 rolled around and I gave up on trying to get back into tech. I knew my heart wasn't in it anymore, and that probably showed.

So what to do. I dabbled with a couple of ideas on a new career path. I thought about getting certified as a welder since I possessed the skill and had been welding for years as a hobby. Ultimately decided not to go that route. Then I circled back to the idea of getting my CDL. Something I had wanted to do since I was a teen, but I joined the Navy then life happened.

Long post I know. Thanks for reading if you got this far. Many of life's situations are rarely simple and sometimes require explanation so you know the point of view someone is coming from.

I know I can do this job and do it well. 12 hours a day 7 days a week for months on end, been there done that, got the t-shirt. Attention to detail, check. Love to drive, check. Like going new places, check.

So here is the question. How do I get into this industry? I've talked to several recruiters already and gotten the same answer each time. 6 1/2 year employment gap is a "no go" for paid CDL training + employment.

I could probably get the CDL on my own, with the real probability it will leave me $3k-$4k poorer and in the same situation. So what to do? Are there any companies that you know of, given my current situation, that I can get started in this new life?

Hello, JB, welcome to Trucking Truth.

First, answers: Employment: Companies simply want to know that you are not a slacker from Margaritaville. Caring for a family member does count. So though it is not resume material, that's how you explain your no-income period. Whatever documentation you can get will help - paperwork on your Dad's care, especially with your name included. Even a simple note from someone associated with his care will help. (This factor is not a checkbox during your hiring process - a human being in the trucking company HR will probably be looking it over.

That CDL: easy peasy. Trucking companies are vacuuming up people that have a CDL. You can get into a Company sponsored CDL Training Program and get your new license with no out-of-pocket. You will have a contract commitment to work for them for a year or so, but don't let that stop you. Click here and apply away: Apply For Paid CDL Training.

In the meantime, get your Permit and medical out of the way. Here is the Trucking Truth starter kit for newbies:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

The High Road Training Program is an excellent study system for the Permit written test (your first step on the way to OTR).

The physical needs to be done by someone listed with the DOT. Here's probably more than you want to know about the physical. Handy hint, and I'm just saying... If you light up recreationally, swear off now, as the drug test will look back into 90 days of your life.:

• Getting Started With The DOT Physical
• DOT Blood Pressure Requirements
• DOT Drug and Alcohol Policies & Testing
• DOT Eye & Vision Exam Requirements
• DOT Hearing Requirements
• DOT Physical - Driver Exemptions
• Hair Follicle vs. Urinalysis Drug Testing: Breakdown By Company
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice
• Sleep Apnea , Truck Drivers, & BMI Calculator

Now, don't be a stranger here!

Hi jb.

From my understanding carriers want 10 years of experience because of something to do with terrorism.

Some psycho stole a truck in Europe stole a truck and ran into a bunch of people and it turned out he was a terrorist and now we all have to suffer.

You could try a lesser than desirable company, get trained, drive for 6 months, and go somewhere else. Try western Express, cr England, or Stevens if you haven't already.

From my understanding carriers want 10 years of experience because of something to do with terrorism.

Where do you get this news, Sid? Ten years' experience? Where do people get experience like that to work for the "more desirable" companies? I am teaching CDL students right now, and I have no problem getting recruiters to stop by my classes.

Im sorry, I meant 10 years of work history, my mistake.

Im sorry, I meant 10 years of work history, my mistake.

Accepted.

Hint: use the Previerw button below your input box to see how it looks. I usually read my posts about three times before they are "Submitted". Yes, the times I skip that, I find a stupid mistake!

My brother was hit by a hit and run driver, he was on foot. The vehicle ran over him, backed up back over him again and then fled the scene. He was in a coma for months, and took many years to recover. His face and head were severely disfigured. I took care of him during these times, although different from your situation in that I kept working during that time period with my own business. If you took tax credits as a caretaker that would certainly document your situation, if not, writing up something along the lines of a resume that details your caretaking with contact numbers etc may help as well as reaching out to the recruiters to explain your situation. "I provided in home care for my family member due to critical illness that encompassed a wide range of tasks daily" sounds much better than "I didnt hold a job for many years".

You can get notarized statements from people saying you had spent this time doing this, too.