The "job interview", when does it truly begin? With the call to recruiting? Yeah, sort of, but not really. The recruiter screens candidates, almost cursively. Most recruiters are not equipped or have the time to conduct a thorough and detailed evaluation. So when does the interview really begin?
The job interview begins while you are attending Company-Sponsored Training. It starts the minute your feet walk into the hotel or your butt-cheeks hit the seat of the shuttle van. Everything is fair game; including how you interact with hotel staff, your shuttle driver and yes, even the eateries you frequent while in school. You are being evaluated to determine if you are an individual of quality character, having an attitude and conduct that are well suited for employment as a professional driver. This "qualification" evaluation does not stop until the day you are promoted to solo or team status (depending on the company and the job). The competition begins almost immediately, and will help to prepare you for "when" you are out here, earning a living.
And even if you are attending a private school or community college course, the same evaluation process will occur, although a tad less conspicuous. The individuals that consistently apply themselves, put forth effort and yes believe it or not, show up on time, will get the needed one-on-one attention from the instructors. Thus, increasing their quality of training and probability of success.
Although there is equality in the price of school, assume the instructors will offer their objective and subjective evaluations to any prospective employer sourcing for qualified driver trainees at their establishment. Their reputation is important, and in many cases the only thing that differentiates them from their competition. They will not enthusiastically recommend a student who just squeaked by, one with a negatively charged attitude that was cause for frequent disruptions.
Show up early, well rested, with a clear head ready and eager to focus on learning. Follow all instructions, written and verbal. Ask if further clarity is required. Do not be a lemming...own your training. Own it! And for Pete's sake, stow the iPhone or Droid, silence them. I have seen students get tossed for taking a cell call during classroom instruction or out in the practice yard. Please trust me, all this good and bad stuff will get noticed along with your driving progress. If there is a question of skills; requiring additional practice and assistance...the student who takes it seriously will get the help sooner than those just coasting, along for the ride.
So please, never assume someone isn't listening or watching or making notes. Keep your game face on at all times and conduct yourself professionally, respectfully and pay attention. The job interview is on...it's on from day one. Impress...don't disappoint.
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.
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.
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
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TruckingTruth was founded by Brett Aquila (that's me!), a 15 year truck driving veteran, in January 2007. After 15 years on the road I wanted to help people understand the trucking industry and everything that came with the career and lifestyle of an over the road trucker. We'll help you make the right choices and prepare for a great start to your trucking career.
Becoming A Truck Driver is a dream we've all pondered at some point in our lives. We've all wondered if the adventure and challenges of life on the open road would suit us better than the ordinary day to day lives we've always known. At TruckingTruth we'll help you decide if trucking is right for you and help you get your career off to a great start.
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