Getting Hired as a Newbie
First of all ... Let me thank you in advance for your time and effort ...this is an industry that I have long had respect for ... It is however somewhat later in life that I decided to try and Join ...but I am having issues and could use some sound advice here ...
I have been rejected by four companies already ... My concern here is i have simply filled out on line apps ( being completely honest mind you ...as I usually am ) and listing the following
I have a solid work history no prob there ...
I have two trafic tickets ( speeding ) in the last three years in my private vehical (9 points ...yeesh ) and its another year before one of them comes off ... and I have been told that this is no where near as bad as this below ...
I also Have a felony CHARGE ...from 1993 ...Agg Assault W/ Firearm.
now I capitalize this because the case was dropped ...kaput ...gone ...thrown out ...no lawyer ...no hearing ...I was charged ...arraigned ...Judge said ...go home son ...it was dropped
Now I have been told that FDLE ( Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement ) and the state of FLorida may not be providing a " disposition " on inquieries so here is what I have done ...
I went and paid to get the documents with a disposition on it directly from FDLE proving that I am not in fact an Armed Felon ...
I also wrote the following letter and am planning on sending BOTH to the driver recruiter asking her to present them all at the same time ... could Y'all read and tell me if you think I am wasting my time ?
Dear Sir or Madame,
I am writing this letter to discuss details of my seeking employment with your company.
At 40 years of age I have decided to change my professional direction and am seeking training and work in the trucking industry. Let me say up front that I am aware this is not just a Job. Anyone seeking this as I am, should know, they are engaging in a lifestyle. I am Former United States Army, I have traveled much in my youth and am familiar with the concept of making sacrifices away that benefit me at home, I have discussed with my wife and family the time away required… the drawbacks and the advantages of such a profession. We have decided that considering my love of travel, my propensity towards being a “specialist” in anything I do, and the relative pay scale for drivers that this is in fact a sound decision. I drive often for personal reasons taking the car for vacations and such rather than to fly or other methods. I do this mostly because I like to drive. We have done the east coast run from De. to Fla. every year, to visit friends and family. We have also run from De. to Texas to visit friends there as well. I realize of course that a POV is a world away from commercial driving, but I have a love for the one common element, the Highway.
I have done quite a bit of research, visiting Drivers forums and so forth getting information as I can. I am actually shocked that so many out there expect the world to give them something for free. I see complaints about pay or contracts and cannot understand how they can complain about something they agreed to. I realize also there are many companies out there with huge reputations for baiting in unsuspecting folks and then leaving them stranded or unsatisfied with their contracts. As hard as I could look I did ...I in fact found no such claims about FFE. So this is why I am taking time to contact you and set a few things straight that may have caused me to be rejected by other companies.
There is an” Aggravated assault with a firearm” charge from back in 93, and two speeding tickets on my license . To address the first, in doing some checking I realized that the state of Fl. Still posts the charge but does not in fact list the outcome or disposition of the case. I ran into this when a friend transferred firearms to me through a local gun shop and the transaction got flagged for just this reason. I had to go to FDLE (Florida Dept. of Law enforcement) to get the disposition …and convince the state of Delaware I was NOT in fact an armed Felon. I was charged yes, Upon Arraignment where I explained to the judge just what had occurred I was immediately released on my own recognizance. I had in fact been in legal possession of the fire arm , and it was determined that I had in fact not exhibited a threat or acted on conduct that was outside the provision of the law. After 6 weeks of typical processing, all charges were DROPPED …period. Included in this fax is the paperwork from FDLE to prove this fact.
I want to make clear that I fully admit and take full responsibility for my speeding tickets … I was on open road at two-three in the morning and was making time … no excuses. What I do wish to point out however and would ask you to consider is the fact I was driving my own private vehicle. Although it does not make a difference as to the ticket, Fact is in nearly 20 years in the Civil engineering and survey field , in charge of thousands of dollars of sensitive equipment and “company” vehicles , I have never once had a ticket or accident of any kind operating someone else’s equipment. Truth is I have an immense respect for the things others do for me. From my time in the military, to my work on bridges , Highways and residential subdivisions , I have been responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment and projects and never once failed to perform admirably.
I understand why a company would hesitate. I do however find myself in an odd situation, as a father, husband, homeowner, I am Unemployed at the moment and things are adding up quick. I a sincerely hoping this letter and supporting documents will encourage you to take a serious look at me for your training program and then employment.
I am old enough to understand you place Hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment and freight into the hands of a driver. I am Smart enough to respect that and take that responsibility with a deadly seriousness. I also understand that 80,000 lbs of rig and Load is a huge responsibility for the company and the general public and should not be taken lightly in regards to safe operation.
It is my belief that I can be one of those men who can be depended on to not only meet that responsibility but do it with pride and gratitude for BOTH of our efforts , and to profit together in coming years . At the current pay scales I have seen, I have projected a three to five year plan to bring my personal debt to 0.0 and be at a place to make double payments on my Mortgage. I say this to you to emphasize that my intent without hesitation is to serve that three to five years with a company that gives me the opportunity to begin a new career and a new life. I at that point quite frankly will be looking for a quiet place for my wife and I to settle into those golden years. So it is highly conceivable that after that time I would continue on with that same company to facilitate that dream.
I am hoping that company will be you. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration
Shawn C. Imlay
|
