Top Tips For Finding Qualified Truck Drivers For Your Business
These days, finding good truck drivers is tough.
The job market is tight, and qualified candidates have their pick of opportunities. As a fleet owner or manager, you need creative ways to stand out and attract top talent. The usual methods like posting on the big job sites, running an ad in the local classifieds, or expecting walk-ins and word-of-mouth referrals just don’t cut it anymore. You need to get more proactive and strategic with your recruiting to gain an edge on your competition.
In this article, we’ll explore some truck driver recruiting ideas that will have applications flooding your inbox and drivers knocking down your door to join your team!
Offer Signing Bonuses And Referral Programs
To attract the best truck drivers, you need to make the job appealing. Offering signing bonuses, referral programs, and other incentives is key.
For instance, having a signing bonus of $2,000-$5,000 can grab attention right off the bat, while offering incentives to your current drivers who refer friends or family members as potential drivers can work well too; in these cases, perhaps consider offering $500-$1,000 per referral.
You might also provide paid training and cover licensing/permitting fees. This removes barriers for new drivers and shows you’re invested in their success.
In addition, make sure you offer a competitive pay and benefits package with health insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan. Paying an average of $0.50-$0.60 per mile for company drivers or 70-80% of revenue for owner-operators is standard.
Provide modern, well-maintained equipment. Newer trucks with the latest safety features and amenities will make the job more pleasant and help drivers feel valued.
Consider performance-based incentives like bonuses for safe driving, high mileage, and on-time delivery. This motivates drivers to do their best work.
Let drivers share input on routes and scheduling. Giving them more control and flexibility will increase job satisfaction.
Promote a supportive company culture where drivers feel heard and respected. Hold regular meetings, offer an open-door policy, and build mentorship programs.
Recruiting and retaining qualified truck drivers is challenging, but offering meaningful incentives and benefits, investing in their success, and cultivating a positive work environment, can make you an employer of choice.
Build A Social Media Presence To Attract Younger Drivers
Social media is the key to recruiting the next generation of truck drivers, and if you want to attract qualified millennial and Gen Z truck drivers, you need an active social media presence.
Build profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Post photos and videos of your equipment, routes, and drivers. Share updates on new opportunities and company milestones. Engage with followers by replying to their comments and messages.
Run social media contests and giveaways. Offer prizes like gas cards, Bluetooth headsets, or premium coffee subscriptions and ask followers to like, share, or comment on posts to enter. Contests are an easy way to increase visibility and gain new followers.
Host live videos on Facebook or LinkedIn. Do walkthroughs of your facilities, interview veteran drivers, or discuss industry news and encourage viewers to ask questions and engage in real-time. Save the recordings to share across your profiles later.
A strong social media presence makes your company appear modern and connected. It allows potential candidates of all ages to learn about you in a casual, low-pressure way. And when the time comes for them to make a career move, your brand will already feel familiar!
Streamline The Hiring Process To Make Applying Fast And Easy
Streamlining your hiring process will make applying to drive for your company fast and easy – this can help attract more qualified candidates.
Simplify The Application
Have a simple online application that only asks for necessary information. Keep questions to a minimum and avoid anything extraneous; candidates will appreciate an application that only takes 10-15 minutes to complete versus 30-45 minutes.
- Only ask for information directly related to the job like work history, references, licenses, etc. Leave out personal questions.
- Allow candidates to upload a resume in addition to filling out an application. This reduces redundancy and saves time.
- Ensure your application is mobile-friendly, as many candidates will apply on their phones or tablets.
Speed Up The Review Process
- Review applications and resumes as soon as they are submitted. Don’t let them sit for days or weeks before reviewing.
- Have multiple people review and screen applications to share the work. This expedites the overall process.
- Check candidate references and backgrounds in a timely manner, and let candidates know if there are any delays.
- Move strong candidates to the interview stage quickly! The faster you can interview, the less likely you are to lose out on top talent.
- Keep candidates informed about where they stand in the process and next steps. Even if they aren’t selected for an initial interview, let them know that you received their application.
Streamlining your hiring process to make applying fast and easy can help set you apart from other companies competing for the same drivers, and qualified candidates will appreciate your efficiency and transparency.
Driving The Best Truckers To Your Door
To find and recruit talented truck drivers, the key is to think outside the box and tap into new candidate pools.
Don’t just post an ad and hope for the best. Build a recruiting strategy around going where the candidates already are – whether that’s on social media, at truck stops, or working for your competitors. Make the job appealing by promoting your company culture, growth opportunities, and work/life balance. Offer signing bonuses and referral programs. And don’t forget the power of your current employees – they can be your best recruiters!
In today’s market, finding qualified candidates is challenging – but with the right creative approach, you’ll have new truck drivers joining your team in no time.
