The Top Ten list covers how to find the best company and what to look for in a company. I will keep it simple and to the point. It's in three parts, because blogs are supposed to be short, according to my editor. Anyway, back to the list... Print, email or just find a pen and notepad and keep this list, so you will have it with you. Forward to your wife or significant other, so they can help you. This is a major life decision, it is important to get a second opinion. You will be thanking me a year from now, when you are no longer chasing rainbows and will have found a happy home and a serious career. If you're not serious about your career and making money, and most importantly, being happy where you work, stop reading here. This article is not meant for you. You spend the majority of your adult life working, why not enjoy it?
Presenting The Final Five of the Top Ten List Continued(see previous blogs for parts 10-5)
5. Equipment - Take your time and look around the Terminal. What does the equipment look like? Are trailers well maintained & washed? Tractors - late model or well maintained? Owner Operator's trucks. Are they newer/older in good shape? Make sure you see and inspect the actual truck you are going in.
4. Spend time at the potential employers office in or near operations department and get a feel. Is it organized? Is it chaos? Take a few hours and listen to what is going on, meet some of the drivers, are most of them happy? Is operations begging them to stay? Apologizing for lack of miles?
3. Your work history - your resume, your references, it tells your story. Have one! This is very important, there are many easy templates on word,etc to type out a simple resume. It should have work history, years experience and references. Awards you have received, community involvement. It is your story, things you are proud of and show you to be a good citizen. It may sound unnecessary, but, again, it tells your story. References don't have to be prior employers, but people who will vouch for your character, etc. If your not good at that type of thing, ask your wife or a family member to prepare it for you.
2. Is more money per mile worth it? Changing a job for another $.05, even $.10 a mile is not always worth it. What kind of miles will you get? Will you be home when you need to be? Most importantly, will you like the company?
1. Cost of quitting and finding another Job. Assuming the next driving job you get will produce roughly the same amount of miles, you will lose two to three weeks of pay, between:
-finding a job
-actually starting your new job
-waiting for your first paycheck(sometimes two weeks alone)
-trying to get paid from your last company, and all the deductions they will take out(they always do)
If you find a job paying you an extra $.05 per mile, it will take you 6 months to make up for what you lost just switching companies, again assuming your getting the same miles. Next week - How to negotiate the best pay - Owner Operators and Company Drivers.
Have a good week-end and most popular blogs will be reposted on Saturday and Sunday...
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