As the ‘truck driver shortage‘ rages on, it’s estimated that the trucking industry will lose 175,000 drivers. And we can all agree that recruiting and retaining drivers is a hot topic right now. But how can trucking companies actually refine their driver recruitment strategies and get visible results?
We suggest using this two-step method to recruit truck drivers: learn what attracts top talent to apply to your trucking company and retain those drivers by listening to their needs with concern and doing your best to accommodate them whenever possible.
Attract driver applications:
We’ve all heard the saying that “first impressions matter” or some variation on that phrase. And, in many cases, they do. It applies when a driver is looking at applying to your trucking company for a new job. With that in mind, what does the driver see as a first impression of your trucking company?
List openings on online job boards – drivers are on the road most of the time, so they will more than likely be using their cell phones to search for truck driving jobs online. You could also consider investing in an ad or featured truck driving job posts to receive more visibility.
Keep your company website up to date – like I said above, first impressions matter, and what you put online is the first impression that a prospective driver will have about your company. Does your website load quickly? Is there up to date information on it? Photos of your staff and trucks? Another tip is to share success stories from your current drivers. Interested candidates are more likely to apply for a job at your trucking company if they see real life examples from your employees.
Ask for driver referrals – the best way to find drivers is through the drivers you already have! Offering your current drivers a finder’s fee or referral bonus as an extra incentive is often especially effective.
Put yourself in their shoes – if you were a truck driver looking for a new trucking company to work for, what would you be looking for? Successful recruiters anticipate driver needs and understand that this is a competitive market. Always try to answer the implicit questions that truck drivers will more than likely ask: “What’s in it for me?”
Listen and connect with candidates:
As you begin to get applications you will want to connect with drivers quickly. The goal here is to determine whether or not they are a good fit for your trucking company.
Be sincere – Truck drivers have an instinct for detecting sincerity, so address them by name and say ‘thank you’ when necessary.
Communicate clearly – make sure to explain your trucking company’s values and make an extra effort to ensure that the drivers understand your operation.
Be helpful – or make a genuine effort to be accommodating. Each driver is coming to you with a unique situation, with different wants and needs, so even if the answer to their request is ‘no’, the driver will appreciate the effort you made.
Listen to the driver – while you explain your trucking company and how things work, listen to what they have to say. And take into consideration what their needs and wants are from the job. If the job turns out not to be a good fit, be honest about it.
Remember to do your homework when it comes to recruiting because if you go about it in the wrong way, you’ll end up with high turnover rates and be wasting your time and the drivers’ time. Take advantage of the strategies I listed above, or check out these other articles we have written in the past:
Written by Logan Kosko
Logan graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in music & entertainment business. He loves the wintertime because he loves the snow and he takes pride in his snowboarding skills. Logan is a huge Red Wings fan and tries to watch every single game.
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