Truck Driving Jobs

john01 · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 5 Location: new albany, IN

I am a recruiter for a small company (33 trucks) in Southern Indiana, we currently have all male drivers and most of my recruiting calls are from men. my question is, what could I put in my advertising to attract calls from the other half (female) of the driving force out there. I feel like I am missing opportunities for a large pool of good drivers. Any help would be great.
The company is River View Trucking 1-800-462-1245 my name is John

Morning Star · Joined: 07 Aug 2004 Posts: 78 Location: California

I know that when I was driving, there were companies with the same problem. I got calls from a couple of different places trying to lure me away from the company I started out with. Unfortunately, I can't think of anything that will help you with recruiting them except advertising specifically for women drivers. Do you offer dedicated runs? Often times that will be appealing so that a woman knows when she can expect to be home. That is especially appealing if she is a mother. I wrote a book about my time as a truck driver. Reading it may also give you some insight. You read a sample chapter here: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/MorningStar_DannaHobart.shtml

Good luck on your recruitment!

rebtris · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:16 pm Post subject: Do you hire grads?

Hi John,
I'm a female recent grad with a Class A CDL/Triples&Tanker endorsements and I live in north central West Virginia, about 30 or so miles east of Parkersburg off of Route 50. I have a nearly perfect driving record but no experience. If your company might consider training me, please let me know. Thanks!

john01 · Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 5 Location: new albany, IN

We are a small company and unfortunately do not do any training. We can only hire drivers with 2 years OTR. Could that be part of the boat we are missing? (If I sound out of line please forgive me I do not mean to be disrespectful to anyone). Does it seem that female drivers get out before they reach the 2 year mark? and there's just not as many still out there. another disadvantage is we have a very small hiring area. I have reviewed my advertising and without fail they all show the male as the target audience. (maybe I think to much like a man). I will need to check out your book.

4roses · Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:15 am Post subject:

john01 ... I think you hit the nail on the head ..
Quote: disadvantage is we have a very small hiring area. ..

this is alot of it ..... location. It's possible that where your located may have a smaller % of female drivers.

I personally know and have met several females that have been driving for MANY years ... we're just as dedicated and serious about our job as the male gender ....... we're just a smaller % of the drivers right now. So maybe in your advertising if you bring it to the attention of drivers looking for employment that your gender friendly this would slowly get around among the area your located. Good luck.

GirlnamedShannon · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 356

I don't think that there is a lack of women with better than two years experience OTR; there are just fewer women, period. We comprise less than 5% of three million truckers and that, combined with a limited hiring area, is probably why you have seen little interest from women drivers.

And in all honesty, women drivers want the same thing most men want from a company: safe equipment, fair pay, affordable benefits and reasonable hometime.

Unfortunately, the best advertisement for being a female friendly company is to have happy female drivers and I don't know the best way to overcome that given your limitations other than to emphasize in your marketing that you're an equal opportunity employer and that women are welcome to apply. Sometimes just an acknowledgement that we (women drivers) exist is enough to spark at least enough interest to call the recruiting number.

golfhobo · Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:32 pm Post subject:

How about advertising 2 cents MORE per mile for females??

You will get hundreds of calls from female drivers saying that they don't NEED, WANT or DESERVE any "special" considerations! :lol:

But.... at LEAST you'll have them on the phone! Then, it's up to YOU! :lol:

Bush Bunny · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Posts: 1528

golfhobo wrote: How about advertising 2 cents MORE per mile for females??

You will get hundreds of calls from female drivers saying that they don't NEED, WANT or DESERVE any "special" considerations! :lol:

But.... at LEAST you'll have them on the phone! Then, it's up to YOU! :lol:

Must be why he asked for the opinions from the ladies cause this sounds just like a man! :roll: If we don't need special consideration why would you even think of posting this reply? Also, check your dates of the thread over 30 days old.

Windwalker · Joined: 22 Oct 2005 Posts: 2773 Location: Holiday, FL

John01 - If you think about it... With the current driver shortage, any company that does not get involved with training to help supply drivers to fill the gaps, really does not deserve to hire any drivers. They're "pirating" them away from the companies that DO train them. Kind of a "MORAL" issue.

I'll shut up now.

XoticGA · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 49 Location: Chicago, IL

That's too bad you don't train.. I'd be interested.. Southern IN is only about5 hours from me

syl77dar · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 361

goodluck

4roses · Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:47 am Post subject:

john01 ... just wondering :roll: .... have you come up with any ideas yet :?:

Blind Driver · Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 496 Location: New Albany, IN

Maybe try cleaning up the trucks would be a good start, inside and out. Every truck of your that I see in New Albany is dirty. Most of the female drivers I've met had clean trucks. Just a thought :wink:

Sizzle · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 207 Location: Colorado

I personally don't like to unload. I was fortunate because I stayed for 28 months with my first company and didn't have to unload. I dress in skirts and NEVER wear pants unless I have to hop up in the trailer and put load locks in.

I did driveaway [hauled new trucks to dealerships for 19 months out of my 28 months of experience] I had to dress in work clothes to take piggybacks and booms apart. Otherwise, I NEVER wear pants. So if you don't do driver unloads I'm sure that would be a big plus to advertise that!!!

Also, the fact that you might have a shop to take care of truck problems would be a big plus to me as a female. I don't want to spend hours in a truck stop getting a truck repaired.

If you pay for showers that definitely would be a plus also. I hate using fuel cards....

Hope these suggestions help!!!

poodnubee · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Indianapolis, IN

I am back but not with that company anymore, could no longer afford position :? I am currently with M & M Transport Service in Indianapolis. Thank you for all of the input, Most of it has been beneficial. the one comment regarding dirty trucks, I agree, there is no reason to allow equipment to look that bad.

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