Hemingway, those recruiters are way overloaded. Your experience is not unusual. Just keep trying. Sometimes they are waiting on something from another department at their office and they don't return your call until they've heard back from them. Pretty much your phone number is routed to your assigned recruiter.
Try calling early in the morning or right after lunch or both. You may get lucky and get through. I always tell people that persistence is your best friend at the beginning of this process. One day soon you won't hardly believe how fast things start moving.
Welcome Hemingway!
Indeed be persistent. A recruiter has absolutely no authority over whether or not you'll be hired somewhere. Their job is more like sales....they get a commission of sorts for bringing in drivers.
Because they're so busy they tend to focus on people they feel they have the best chance of bringing in. So calling them regularly certainly won't be considered pestering. They will consider you to be serious about landing a job there and you'll get more attention for it. And just like any job there are good recruiters and not so good. If you can't get the time of day from one then try getting a different one on the phone.
But like Old School said, be persistent. That's key. The process of getting your trucking career underway is a struggle for everyone at times. Just stay with it and keep trying to make things happen. Trucking is not an industry for those who like to wait around for things to happen. You have to take the initiative and find ways to get the attention you need.
Yes do the application and be honest especially about your driving history, tickets, dui etc. That's the first step.
Phil
Driving Under the Influence
Thanks to all three of you. After some deep soul searching, research, listening to the words coming out of the recruiters mouths I have decided to dip into my financial safety net and pay for CDL School myself. I feel that the investment in myself is worthwhile and that by putting up the cash I'm psychologically making a commitment to myself. I will be starting school on November 3rd in Fletcher, NC.
I might even do a CDL Training Diary. Thanks again for the advice, now un-needed, is still much appreciated.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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Greetings TT,
I have been dreaming about giving up my career of the last 18 years for the open road for quite some time. I recently found this site and the combination of the forums and the wonderful blogs has me decided. I submitted applications to two separate Company Sponsored CDL Training Programs (Knight and Prime). My question is in regards to the recruiters. Called and spoke with two separate recruiters which each directed me to an online application. This wasn't unexpected. They both directed me to include their names on the applications. This was also not surprising. I have since called each once and left messages without reply.
On to my actual questions: What control does the recruiter have on program acceptance? I am the type of person that will doggedly pursue what I want but, I'm concerned about pestering the recruiters. I want to ensure that they have all the info they need. I want to know what concerns there might be. Most importantly I want a return call. Is it proper as my best ( and only advocate) to keep calling? If so, how long until you go through the main number and speak with a new recruiter? Is such a thing allowed in the event you can't speak with your original recruiter?
Any thoughts from those that have tread the path before would be appreciated.
To the Moderator's and Brett: This is a fantastic site and community. Not just by "industry" standards but by any educational and informative standards. Well done all.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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:
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.