Is It Hard to Find a Trucking Job?

If you’re looking to make a career out of truck driving, you may be asking yourself, “Is it hard to find a trucking job?” You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that truck drivers are in demand all over the country, so finding a trucking job that’s a good fit may be less difficult than you imagine. Read on for some tips for finding a job in the trucking industry.

Where to Look for a Trucking Job

If you’re looking to start a new career in the transportation industry, or if you’re already a driver who is searching for a new trucking job, there are a few tactics you can use to find your next opportunity 

Truck Driving Schools

Whether you’re new to the trucking industry and looking to gain a CDL or a longtime driver who is looking to brush up on some skills, truck driving schools can help their students find employment. Many schools may partner with national trucking companies to place their students. Be aware that some schools may work exclusively with a single carrier, so be sure to do your research ahead of time. It may be to your advantage to choose a school that works with a number of different trucking companies, so that you can have the greatest number of available trucking job options. 90% of Truck Driver Institute graduates choose a career in the transportation industry thanks to a partnership with over 20 national carriers and a commitment to helping graduates find the right position for them. TDI grads are regularly hired by our carrier partners; some students even get jobs offered before they’ve completed our training program.

Job Boards

Online job boards can be extremely helpful when searching for a trucking job. These sites will list both local, regional, and national truck driving opportunities. If you’re looking to be a long haul trucker, who regularly criss-crosses the country delivering cargo, keep your eyes peeled for the national opportunities. Visit a number of job boards to understand what opportunities are available in your area and across the country so that you can apply for the position that is the best fit for you.

Dedicated Websites

While job boards are helpful, you may have to wade through a number of job postings that are irrelevant to your search for a position in the trucking industry. Thankfully, there are a few sites that are devoted solely to helping individuals find their perfect trucking job. These sites are focused on both local and national positions. 

Search Engines

Sometimes, a simple search on Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other search engines is all it takes to find the right truck driving job. A quick search can illuminate opportunities in your area as well as across the region and country.

Company Sites

Some carriers will skip posting opportunities on job sites altogether and will only post openings on their own websites’ career pages. If there’s a carrier you’d prefer to work with, check their website for openings.

Social Media

Many carriers will post jobs directly to their social media accounts before they post them to job boards or their own websites. A savvy job searcher will keep tabs on the carriers they’d like to work for and will regularly check their social media accounts in addition to their websites’ career pages.

Things To Consider While Looking for a Trucking Job

If you’re asking yourself, “Is it hard to find a trucking job?” you should keep a few things in mind such as the types of routes you’ll be driving and whether or not you can receive additional training. In many cases, larger companies may run a number of consistent, dedicated routes and typically offer more benefits and steady work than smaller carriers. However, smaller trucking companies may offer more variety in driving routes, no two runs may ever be the same. The variety and change in scenery may be attractive to drivers who are new to the industry or those who are looking for something different behind the wheel.

There are also a few things to keep in mind when considering a carrier or a specific truck driving position:

• Pay. Make sure to find out how drivers at the company you are looking into are paid, and how often. Drivers can be paid an annual salary, an hourly rate, or by the number of miles driven. Each option can make a big financial difference.

• Routes. Truck driving companies may work with a variety of clients and will run a number of different shipping routes. Some may be consistent, dedicated routes, and some may be more intermittent. Find out what types of routes you’ll be expected to drive and how often you’ll be out on the road.

• Benefits. Many companies offer benefit packages that can include health and dental insurance and 401k plans for retirement. Not all truck driving companies offer comprehensive benefits, learn what your options are and what sort of benefits you’ll want to increase your quality of life. Some carriers that pay a salary may offer paid time off, which can definitely be attractive for drivers looking to take a vacation from the road.

Start Your New Career With Truck Driver Institute

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Is it hard to find a trucking job,” look no further than Truck Driver Institute. Since 1973, TDI has been placing America’s truckers with some of the best carrier companies in the industry. With over 11 campuses across the country, Truck Driver Institute gets America’s drivers on the road with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful and advance in their trucking career. 

Whether you’re looking to earn your CDL and start a new career in the transportation industry or simply looking for a new job within the industry, TDI can help you get on the road with thorough training and thoughtful job placement. Get in touch with TDI today by visiting our online contact form or by calling us at (800) 847-7364.