Getting Hired

Hi all. I am seriously considering OTR driving. I have read many forums, but one thing I have not seen is: how is the interview process at a company if you choose their school? Is there a formal interview? How do I get started? I only want to attend a company-sponsored training school since I doubt I could afford private schooling. This way of life is drawing me in the more I am on this site.

With most company schools it seems the first week is "Orientation". This is really your interview. They will give you drug, medical, and physical tests to make certain you qualify. Also your permit test if you don't have one. You will find out more about the company and they will find out more about you. If you are invited back the next week then you passed the interview.

With most company schools it seems the first week is "Orientation". This is really your interview. They will give you drug, medical, and physical tests to make certain you qualify. Also your permit test if you don't have one. You will find out more about the company and they will find out more about you. If you are invited back the next week then you passed the interview.

Not quite that simple. You will NOT be officially hired until you get your CDL. then there is anywhere from 4-6 weeks of training minimum, then most companies require you to take and pass a road test before being upgraded to solo.

With most company schools it seems the first week is "Orientation". This is really your interview. They will give you drug, medical, and physical tests to make certain you qualify. Also your permit test if you don't have one. You will find out more about the company and they will find out more about you. If you are invited back the next week then you passed the interview.

Not quite that simple. You will NOT be officially hired until you get your CDL. then there is anywhere from 4-6 weeks of training minimum, then most companies require you to take and pass a road test before being upgraded to solo.

Do you know what the true moment is that you know you're hired? When they hand you a set of keys and a fuel card. Seriously. I'm not being a smart*ss about it. That's the truth. Until you pull out of that terminal in your own tractor with an active fuel card in your pocket you don't have a job. Even after you complete all of the initial training and testing, get your CDL , and spend time on the road with a trainer you're still not truly an official employee until you pull out of that terminal in your own rig. Then you know you're in.

Rachel asks:

how is the interview process at a company if you choose their school? Is there a formal interview? How do I get started?

No, you don't have to put on your nice clothes and go to an office. Everything is done by phone and email. Going through a company school, your company will take a closer look at your papers and phone interview before sending your bus ticket. Going to a company school moves you farther along in the hiring process than using a private school.

At my Swift orientation (this is after school is completed), the speaker did say the first two of three days was a sort of interview - you're not hired yet!. A bit more on what Brett said: at the end of the Swift orientation, "everybody" gets a driver number. Those are the people that are hired on. But it's not over yet! After 4-6 weeks of road training and training pay, you take a written and driving test. That's the moment you get the keys to your truck!

Not quite that simple. You will NOT be officially hired until you get your CDL. then there is anywhere from 4-6 weeks of training minimum, then most companies require you to take and pass a road test before being upgraded to solo.

Both Knight and Roehl officially hire you as an employee the day you start training.

Not quite that simple. You will NOT be officially hired until you get your CDL. then there is anywhere from 4-6 weeks of training minimum, then most companies require you to take and pass a road test before being upgraded to solo.

Both Knight and Roehl officially hire you as an employee the day you start training.

Specify training: training for your CDL (CDL written+ skills test) or OTR road training to operate company trucks and system?

Both Knight and Roehl officially hire you as an employee the day you start training.

My bad. I shouldn't have said you're not "an official employee" until they hand you the keys. I really meant don't count on it until that happens, you know what I mean? When you're still a trainee or you're still in orientation and there are tests that lie ahead - background checks, drug tests, driving tests - any type of test means you're still not there yet.

When all tests of all kinds are finished and you have your own set of keys then you know you're in. Until then they could just as easily hand you a bus ticket home as they could a set of keys.

Both Knight and Roehl officially hire you as an employee the day you start training.

My bad. I shouldn't have said you're not "an official employee" until they hand you the keys. I really meant don't count on it until that happens, you know what I mean? When you're still a trainee or you're still in orientation and there are tests that lie ahead - background checks, drug tests, driving tests - any type of test means you're still not there yet.

When all tests of all kinds are finished and you have your own set of keys then you know you're in. Until then they could just as easily hand you a bus ticket home as they could a set of keys.

Too true, too true. The OP's questions were "how is the interview process at a company if you choose their school? Is there a formal interview? How do I get started?". With some companies they will not hire you as an employee until you finish all of your training and has your own truck (I believe, I can't think of a specific example at the moment). My understanding from their posted information is that Prime like others don't consider you an employee until you pass your CDL test and get your license (money paid before then is an "advance"). Knight and Roehl have you come in for 1 week orientation. On the first day of your second week with them you are a hired employee.

I believe the answer the OP is looking for is: In general your "interview" is a combination of your initial application, talks with the recruiter, and your first week at school. Some companies will ask for additional information along the way. As Errol suggested by the time they send you a bus ticket you have made it through the first round. That first week they will do a bunch of tests to make certain you can do the job to their requirements, and DOT's.

Personally I don't think I will consider myself a "real truck driver" until my 1 year anniversary. There really is just so much that can go wrong, both within and outside my control. Until then I will do what I can to minimize those odds, and consider myself a probationary driver. Then I just have to remember not to relax too much the day after that 1 year anniversary. There is nothing like doing something stupid because you know you have it down and relax just a little too much.

Not quite that simple. You will NOT be officially hired until you get your CDL. then there is anywhere from 4-6 weeks of training minimum, then most companies require you to take and pass a road test before being upgraded to solo.

Both Knight and Roehl officially hire you as an employee the day you start training.

Specify training: training for your CDL (CDL written+ skills test) or OTR road training to operate company trucks and system?

After getting your Cdl, you go out with a mentor/trainer minimum 4-6 weeks depending on the company and how fast you catch on. Some companies require a certain amount of hours in the driver's seat