Can’t Find a Job After a Layoff? Consider Truck Driving

Getting laid off from work is a stressful experience. Not only are you worried about paying your bills, but not knowing what your next job will be or when you’ll get hired can make this difficult time even harder. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone. There are plenty of other people who can’t find a job after a layoff. The good news is that there are opportunities ahead of you—and they may be closer than you think.

The demand for truck drivers is huge, making it a great option whether you want to change careers entirely or simply earn income while you look for another job. Those who choose to stay in truck driving can enjoy a rewarding career with competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities to travel. Either way, trucking can help get you back on your feet quickly with less than a month of training.

At Truck Driver Institute (TDI), we’ve trained thousands of truck drivers over more than 50 years. Not only that, but we’ve helped them find jobs as truck drivers after their training ends. Join our students from all different backgrounds and walks of life in earning your Class A CDL and securing your financial future. Keep reading to learn how.

How Long Does It Take to Find a New Job After a Layoff?

Even if you don’t want to become a truck driver for the rest of your life, it can take quite a long time to find another job, and truck driving can relieve the financial and emotional pressure while you look.

The average time it takes to find a new job after a layoff is 6 months. That’s an entire month longer than it took on average in 2023. Of course, it also varies depending on the field you work in, job title you’re seeking, and whether you’re looking to work remotely or in person.

Why is it taking such a long time to find a new job these days?

1. More competition, with more job seekers than open positions.
2. Slower hiring from companies or even hiring freezes altogether.
3. Layoffs in several industries, including tech and media.

We don’t need to tell you that it can be stressful to be out of work for half the year. Less than one-third of Americans have six months of living expenses saved up.

If you’re thinking about switching careers, most fields require significant training that can range from three-month bootcamps to entire four-year college degrees. Fortunately, truck driving is not one of them! When you’re dealing with a sudden job loss, time is of the essence, and truck driver training can be completed in a matter of weeks, not months or years.

4 Benefits of Truck Driving After a Layoff

While there are many advantages to working as a truck driver, these are a few of the ones we hear most from our students.

1. Low Barriers to Entry

Truck driving opens doors for people from all backgrounds, making it easier to find a job after a layoff. Unlike many industries with strict entry requirements, trucking welcomes those who might face challenges elsewhere. At TDI, we’ve helped people with:

• Less-than-perfect driving records
• Criminal records and past felony convictions
• DUIs in their past
• Bad credit histories
• No high school diploma or GED

Everyone deserves a second chance at life and a stable career that pays a living wage. We won’t judge your past. Instead, we’ll help build your future with one of the major carriers we work with on a regular basis to find jobs for our graduates.

2. Get Trained Quickly

Why wait months or even years to start earning money again when you could become a truck driver in just three weeks? TDI offers a 15-day program backed by over 50 years of experience getting drivers trained, certified, and employed as quickly as possible.

We streamline the process by focusing on what matters most: providing hands-on training behind the wheel, helping you pass your CDL exam, and making sure you become a safe, confident driver.

Think of the time you’ll save compared to traditional education paths:

• Trade School: 6–24 months
• Associate’s Degree: 2 years
• Bachelor’s Degree: 4 years

Many of our students receive job offers before they even finish their CDL training. That means in less than one month, you could be fully trained and earning a steady paycheck as a truck driver! That’s real financial relief when you need it most.

3. Earn Competitive Salaries and Benefits

Facing a layoff doesn’t mean you have to settle for less. TDI’s graduates earn between $40,000 and $78,000 annually on average! Your salary can quickly climb too if you take on certain specialities like oversized hauling, flatbed trucking, team driving, hazmat, ice road trucking, refrigerated freight driving, or light load freight trucking.

In addition to earning a competitive salary, there are plenty of truck driving jobs that come with benefits. Our carrier partners offer comprehensive benefits packages that often include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plans with company matching
• Paid time off and vacation days
• Performance bonuses
• Tuition reimbursement programs

The financial stability of a trucking career can help you bounce back stronger than before, with a new job after your layoff that has even better job security.

4. Enjoy Strong Job Security

No one likes getting laid off. If your previous job was vulnerable to economic slowdowns or industry disruptions, trucking can offer a refreshing sense of security.

People will always need food, medicine, clothing, and other necessities and products delivered to their homes, shops, and businesses. No matter how the economy is faring, the transportation industry thrives and remains an essential part of life.

With billions of dollars worth of freight transported across the country every year, the demand for qualified drivers continues to grow. In fact, there are around 240,300 open truck driving positions in the U.S. on average each year for the past decade. Once you’ve completed your training, you can easily find a job and keep working in trucking for as long as you’d like.

How to Find a Truck Driving Job After a Layoff

As easy as it sounds, we know that it’s still intimidating to start a new career. That’s why we offer support to our students every step of the way, from your CDL training to finding a job after a layoff. The proof is in our over 80% job placement rate!

• Before Training: We start the process of looking into job options for you before you even begin training. By pre-screening you based on our carrier partners’ requirements, we can match you to the jobs you’re qualified for.
• During Training: You’ll work directly with one of our job placement specialists to create an employment plan tailored to your specific goals and needs. As a result, many of our students receive multiple job offers before graduation!
• After Training: If you don’t find a job before you graduate, don’t worry. We will continue to provide job placement services to you—free of charge—until you land a job.

We’ve built relationships with over 20 top carriers across the country, including industry leaders like Werner Enterprises, Schneider, TMC Transportation, and Amazon. These established partnerships mean you’ll have access to quality employment opportunities that may not be available to graduates of other programs.

Start Driving with TDI

A layoff doesn’t have to mean months of uncertainty and financial strain. In just three weeks, you could be on your way to a stable, well-paying career as a professional truck driver.

Call us today at 800-848-7364 to speak with a recruiter who can answer all your questions and help you get started. Or, fill out our quick contact form on our website, and we’ll reach out to you.

With new classes starting weekly at our 10 locations across the country, there’s no need to wait. Take control of your future and get back on the road to financial stability with Truck Driver Institute.