Getting A Job With My Work History ...

I was reading the guides on what is required to get a job driving, and have ran into an issue. The part that threw me for a loop is the requirement to prove 3 - 10 years of "solid work history". I'm an industrial construction worker - I only have a job for as long as a project lasts - than I have to look for another job some were else.

In the last 3 years, I have worked in 15 different projects, for 12 different contractors ! In the last 10 years I have probably worked on over 100 different projects, with 30+- contractors !

How am to deal with that when attempting to get a job ?

Unless you were driving commercially, I doubt you will have to provide a 10 year history. The 10 year history is a federal requirement for those who have been commercial drivers. Every company has their own rules, but all the companies I've talked to and applied with so far have only required a three year non-driver employment history. I was in college for part of that, and they've all accepted that. What you might have to do is compile a list of the contractors you've worked for. Be sure to include their addresses and contact information. The important thing to remember is to be completely honest with the company you are applying with. If you decided to take a few weeks off, put that in your list. If things got slow and you didn't work for awhile, put that in your list. It might take some work to get your list together, but the companies are going to want to know what you've been doing and for whom for at least the last three years.

I was reading the guides on what is required to get a job driving, and have ran into an issue. The part that threw me for a loop is the requirement to prove 3 - 10 years of "solid work history".

Rick, the 10 year requirement is for current CDL holders. For the rest of us wannabes it is just the last three. I wouild call a recruiter at the companies you are most interested in and find out what they want for sure based on your previous work history. Everyone I have had conversations with is extremely helpful. You know how when you call a state agency, the person on the other end USUALLY (not always - it's getting better) acts like you are keeping them from their next break? Not that way dealing with these recruiters. They make their money getting you in the door so they'll work with you and very pleasant doing it. Be persistant, that is the main key to success, I am finding.

Jopa

Welcome aboard Rick! Good advice from the guys already.

They're going to need proof of what you've been doing. Were you an independent contractor that was given a 1099 at the end of the year for filing taxes? If so, your tax returns will probably suffice. But definitely speak with the recruiters and see what they will want as proof. It will depend on your circumstances. Even if you worked under the table there are usually options for getting notarized letters signed by the people you worked for or some similar option.

And indeed you'll only need to go back 3 years right now. Once you've been a commercial driver you'll have to go back 10 years.

I have never worked as an independent contractor ...

The trucking equivalent of what it is like being an industrial construction worker:

1: Find a company who has a load waiting - deliver the load and get laid off. 2: Find another company with a new load, deliver that load, get laid off. 3: Repeat for entire career.

I know from past experience that non construction companies interpret this as a sign of a bad worker.

Ok so you were an actual employee for each of the companies you worked for but the jobs don't last very long....is that correct? So it makes it look like you jump ship constantly even though that's just the nature of the business?

Ok so you were an actual employee for each of the companies you worked for but the jobs don't last very long....is that correct? So it makes it look like you jump ship constantly even though that's just the nature of the business?

That is correct. Projects can be any were from 1 week to 3 months most of the time.

I used to work the same way as you described and always had to show my tax returns as proof of income and employment. Call several Recruiters and explain to them that's it's the nature of your trade and let them earn their Money getting you into the program...Recruiters have probably seen or heard everything in the book already so just explain your tired of short term gig's in construction and want full time long time permanent work.

Recruiters have probably seen or heard everything in the book already so just explain your tired of short term gig's in construction and want full time long time permanent work.

That's an excellent point. Tax returns will be a great way to prove employment for sure and they would list the various employers.

Companies aren't nearly as worried about people who change jobs quite a bit. What they worry about more is people with extended times of unemployment. Some companies have a limit set....like they won't hire anyone who has been unemployed for more than 6 months or 12 months, depending on the company.

The other concern is they have to be able to prove what you were doing at all times in the past 3 years. What they're worried about is finding out that the guy who said he was unemployed for 6 months was actually in jail somewhere or over in Afghanistan training with the Taliban and somehow it didn't show up on any of their background checks.

Just be honest with the recruiters and explain your situation to them. Honestly is key. The first time they catch you lying or covering something up the application goes straight into the trash can. They have no tolerance for that at all.

I have a similar problem. For the last 13 years or so I have been the 24/7 care-giver for my father. Therefore I have no employment history, and even worse is the fact that I have no IRS records, either. I can get letters from my brothers and my father's physician for some documentation on the issue, but will it be enough? Any suggestions?