Landing a job as a truck driver can be quite a lucrative career path. However, it is important to understand that a career of a truck driver is not an easy one. But even though this is not a job suited for everyone, it still offers an opportunity to make quite a decent income.
That being said, it is also crucial to note that not all trucking companies operate the same. And while there are some regulations all of them need to abide by not all trucking companies follow the same rules. So, with that in mind, here are just some of the ways you can identify a great trucking company.
Check reviews
The fastest and the easiest way to check out any business is to look for online reviews. Online reviews can tell you a lot about the company in question. If – for instance – you can’t find a lot of information about a trucking company you are interested in, that doesn’t necessarily need to be a red flag. However, if you only happen to come across negative reviews, strong chances are you really need to pay attention to them. Any company that welcomes – and even encourages – reviews is a company that likely doesn’t have anything to hide. So, make sure you check Google first, before even reaching out to them.
Check company’s responsiveness
Another important aspect of a good trucking company is their responsiveness. Company responsiveness doesn’t only need to be stellar during the recruitment process, but later on as well. So, when you get in touch with a recruiter, make sure you prepare a list of relevant questions. Also, pay attention to how long it took the company to get back to you. Needless to say, the more questions you prepare, the more you can potentially learn about the company, so make sure you ask all the right ones.
Years of experience
Next, you should also try to find out how long the company in question has been operating on the market. This should be easy to learn from their website. Companies that have been around for a while have far greater experience than companies that are just starting out. So, what that means is that companies that have been on the market for a while already have great business practices in place. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily have to mean that newly-founded companies won’t be up to par. Fresh businesses offer plenty of opportunities to learn, grow and advance together. In the end, the choice will boil down to your personal preferences.
Browse company’s social media pages
We are blessed that we live in the golden age of social media. In this day and age, we can easily find a lot of information regarding virtually anything by simply browsing social media. Here, you will get the opportunity to learn more about the company from their point of view. You will also get a chance to see what others have to say about the trucking company as well. On top of that, you can easily use social media to ask additional questions and connect with the company more easily.
See what other employees are saying
Finally, if at all possible, you should look for employee feedback. As someone who’s looking to become a part of the team, you really need to pay attention to what your potential future colleagues are saying. These people are arguably the best source of information regarding work hours, benefits, pay and other important aspects. Employee satisfaction is extremely important in any business, and the trucking industry is no different. So, if the current employees don’t really have nice things to say about the company they are working for it is a good hint to start looking elsewhere. On the other hand, if they don’t have anything negative to say, they may even be able to help you become a part of their team.
So, when looking for a great trucking company, make sure you keep these tips in mind. Of course, other work-specific information also needs to be compatible with what you are looking for in order for the company to be the best match for you. Doing research and finding out as much as you can about the company prior to applying will save precious time for both you and the potential employer. And since time is money, you really shouldn’t be wasting it on anything that’s less than what you are looking for.