What Do Trucking Industry Job Seekers Care About in a Job Ad?

When searching for a new employer via the Internet, newspaper and industry magazines, truck drivers want to know basically 4 things from job ads and whatever else they 'might' read, a great number of them won't remember. Advertising positions should be as short and to the point as possible and cover the following:

1) Pay, Benefits
2) Hometime
3) Hiring lanes
4) Equipment

A company's reputation is set in stone by the chatter gossip they pick up on the CB & truck stops plus Internet social networks posted by other drivers. Most seasoned drivers don't believe the opinions or claims made by the companies. Newbies use to believe anything they were told by the schools and companies but that has been changing ever since the Internet has become people's main source of information. Blogs, FaceBook, Twitter, etc. rule the world now by those who post their experience & opinions about trucking companies (or any business), most of which, for trucking companies, is not always positive. Therefore if recruiters can 'show' confidence themselves in their company to the driver job seekers it creates a huge improvement for overall success as long as they are not told little white lies or are mis-led in any way.

In my almost 20 years experience dealing with drivers I've found that even if you are clear on information you are sharing as a recruiter on the phone or an in-person interview, you MUST email or snail mail that info or at least give them the address to a company web page with the same details you covered with them in your interview. Add believability to your vetting process and as a recruiter, you will double your hiring results. Retention will also increase IF everyone on staff exudes the same confidence and high integrity. This is true of any employer/employee relationship but seems to be lacking within the infrastructure of far too many trucking companies.

Drivers want to be respected more than just being viewed as a link in the corporate chain. They want the respect that makes them feel that their employer realizes that without them there would be no trucking industry, period. A company's advertising, recruiter staff, TM, safety manager, dispatcher (logistics mgr), even the automated voice instructions when they call into the main office number should be soaked with respect for what they do and who they are. It's vital to how your company is perceived and keeping drivers on your payroll for many years as a faithful, loyal professional truck driver is just as vital. Companies who practice this behaviour have the highest retention rates. At the end of the day it doesn't matter how much positive spin a company puts on their reputation and employee treatment as what your drivers perceive a company to be and shares that perception across the country in person and online.

Second Annual "Influential Woman in Trucking" Award

Joyce Brenny, Owner, Brenny Transportation, Inc. and Brenny Specialized, Inc, Receives the Second Annual “Influential Woman in Trucking” Award

KISSIMMEE, FL – Navistar, Inc. and the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) presented the second annual “Influential Woman in Trucking” award to Joyce Brenny, Owner, Brenny Transportation, Inc. and Brenny Specialized, Inc., at a ceremony March 6th, during the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) annual meeting.

The “2012 Influential Woman in Trucking” award seeks to recognize a woman in the trucking industry who makes or influences key decisions and who has demonstrated a record of responsibility and success in mentoring other women. With more than 35 years of industry experience, from beginning as a short-haul driver after high school, to starting and managing her own 100-employee company, Brenny has worked in nearly every area of the business.

“We are proud to recognize the leadership of Joyce Brenny and other influential women in our industry,” President of Navistar’s Parts Group Phyllis Cochran said. “As we seek to bring more awareness to the opportunities for women in trucking, Joyce is a great role model.”

“We are thrilled to honor a woman who has been so influential in the trucking industry,” said Ellen Voie, President of the Women In Trucking Association. “Joyce is an inspiration as the Women In Trucking Association furthers our mission to celebrate the success of women in what has traditionally been a very male-dominated industry.”

Brenny founded Brenny Transportation, Inc. in 1996. The company, based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, began with three employees and has since grown to a more than $15 million company with three additional divisions: Brenny Specialized Inc., Brenny Global and Brenny’s national agent division.

Brenny has leveraged her position in the industry to assist charities in her community, both through financial contributions and by volunteering her and her staff’s time and talents to participate in coat and food drives, as well as a “Trucks and Toys” for the ‘Toys for Tots” campaign. She is the current chairwoman of the Minnesota Trucking Association and is the first woman to hold this title. Brenny also serves on the Women In Trucking Association Scholarship Foundation and has been an active member of the organization.

“This year’s Influential Woman in Trucking judges received more than 100 nominations, and Joyce was a unanimous choice for the top honor,” Voie said. “The other two finalists are also exceptional role models.”

Two runners-up for this year’s award were also recognized at the TCA event: Sandra Ambrose-Clark, president, ESJ Carrier Corporation, and Judy McReynolds, president and CEO, Arkansas Best Corporation.

Ambrose-Clark is President of ESJ Enterprises in Cincinnati, Ohio and is a founding member of the company. She has served on the USA Regional Chamber’s small business advisory board, the Transportation Intermediaries Association board and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council in the Southeast.

As President/CEO of Arkansas Best Corporation (ABF Freight System, Inc.), in Fort Smith, Arkansas, McReynolds is the first woman in the company’s 89-year history to hold this position. McReynolds also serves on the ATA board of directors and executive committee, as well as the American Transportation Research Institute Board.

“As more women move into leadership positions within the trucking industry, it will become even more difficult to narrow the list of candidates in the future,” Voie added. “In my opinion, that’s a great obstacle to overcome, for all of us.”

Are There More Women Behind the Wheel Today?

by Marge Bailey - Owner/Founder - DriverFinder Network - LadyTruckDriverJobs.com

Today more and more women consider a truck driving job traveling across the country as a solo or with a co-driver. To my knowledge there are approx. 6% of the 3 million+ over the road drivers that are female currently in the US. Just like their truck driver male counterparts, some women behind the wheel make a career of truck driving. Did you know women truck drivers make the same money as men for the same work? That fact alone has become an attractive draw to truck driving for ladies of all ages and backgrounds. The transportation industry is 2nd only to communications in the largest, most needed services in today's world. In other words, trucking will never go out of business!  
    
Companie today are serious about hiring more women to drive their trucks. Many of the companies are working hard to make safety for women in trucks a top priority. This affects all truck drivers, male and female, to be safer and feel safer while fueling, eating or sleeping at our nations' truck stops, delivering and picking up loads and while driving to and from their destinations. Also by becoming members of Women in Trucking Association and posting their job opportunities on sites like LadyTruckDriverJobs.com, the employers demonstrate they are concerned and willing to engage actively in efforts to improve every area possible for not only women, but all truckers. Learn More
     
Truck Driver Jobs include pulling dry van, flatbed, drop deck, moving van, bull wagon (livestock), frozen foods, vehicles, step deck, doubles, triples, etc.; there is a long list of trailers and variety of freight from which to choose. Most women choose dry van or refrigerated (refer) due to the fact that most dry van and refer companies offer no touch freight or 'lumpers' (load & unload hired laborers).     
    
Not to infer that women can't handle loading and unloading, some can, but due to the requirement that drivers must be able to lift 50 to 100 lbs (it varies from carrier to carrier), many women lack that kind of physical strength. There could be a strength test everyone must pass to get hired by a majority of companies even if the company has 'no-touch' freight, so keep that in mind in making your decision. In fact that should be your first question in a job interview.    
Considering Truck Driving as a Career?   
If you are a woman (or man) & think that you'd like to give truck driving a chance, you will need CDL truck driving school first, then get hired by a trucking company for on the road training.
 
Once completed (driver training time varies by company or school) you will be handed the keys to your own rig and the great adventure begins!

If you'd like to know more about or to join WIT, join Women In Trucking Association. You'll find help and encouragement whether a newbie or experienced driver as a WIT member. Also check out a lady WIT member w/ 30 years under the wheel who has written several BOOKS of safety tips and sage advice.