Job History Question...

I passed my permit and endorsement tests thanks to the training on Trucking Truth... Thanks y'all. I'm about to start trucking school this Monday in Idaho and will begin applying for jobs. I waited tables for the past 8 or 9 years and a couple years ago I bought a condo in Dallas. Bad move as a waiter to have purchased my own place and I went down for the count. My awesome credit destroyed, and fast, as I had to file bankruptcy and lost everything... Everything. So, as I list my 3 year job history, the first couple years is a couple jobs and the next year I started job hopping. I was in a panic to save my house, car and pride so I kept hoping to find the gig that would get me outta my mess. At one point, a former coworker that became a manager at another restaurant invited me to check her place out to see if I was interested. On my day off I went in for a day and they showed me around, showed me the whole operation in and out. I didn't like it and didn't take the job but they ended up paying me for the day, damn it. Do I have to list that one day on my job history? Please tell me no. That will put me at a point where companies are going to start shaking their heads about my job hopping. It was really all about a panic to save my place and not file bankruptcy. Thanks for your time.

I wouldn't. I picked up odd jobs while caring for my Traumatic Brain Injured Injured husband over an 18 yr period. Some companies wanted 10 yrs, so I gave them the major "job" I had....being caregiver to the husband, both as unpaid and finally paid by Workers Comp.

What school are you going to in Idaho?

Laura

Thanks, Laura...I wasn't going to put it down as a job but I don't know how recruiters find things out about work history. I didn't want to get caught up in a lie by omission. I really didn't "work" there. I'm was going to go to school in Spokane at Drive509 but it's closed because of the China Virus. So I called them for a rescheduling but instead they set me up at North Idaho community college, or technical college, in Hayden, Idaho. Apparently they work together. I'm beyond excited to start. Anyway, it's Drive509 Trucking School.

Okay....you are in the panhandle. I'm down by Twin Falls.

You won't receive a W2 for that one day so that's why I also said you don't have to. Most of the jobs I picked up while caring for the husband were cash under the table and I didnt get W2s, 1099s or anything indicating that I worked.

Laura

Ohhh I did indeed get a W-2 for that one day.

Ohhh I did indeed get a W-2 for that one day.

Absolutely list it then. The appearance of being a job hopper may prevent you from getting on at your first choice but I'm sure somebody will give you a chance. After you get about a year of safe driving experience you can always make a switch to that company but you may be happy staying where you're at. It won't be as big of a deal after you have experience in a truck. In my opinion it makes a company leery seeing many jobs on your resume. If they don't allow you to explain the circumstances, it makes it appear that you're quick to throw in the towel or can't commit to 1 job for a long time. With trucking the hours are much more than most jobs. Last week I worked roughly 85 hours in 6 days, being "off" work for my 10 hours before needing to start again. When you're ready, apply to every company that hires recent grads. Companies such as Prime, and Wilson Logistics may pass but don't let it deter you. Many people are turned down for a variety of reasons. Somebody will hire you.

Many people are turned down for a variety of reasons. Somebody will hire you.

This is so true. People think the high demand for truck drivers means they are going to be welcomed like a rock star. It's just not true. People get rejected all the time. Many of them are potentially fine drivers. Recruiting of inexperienced drivers is purely a guessing game. They all have their own little ways to determine whether you have potential or not, but it's really a futile roll of the dice.

I was rejected many times. Always with the explanation that they had "better candidates" to choose from. It's crazy when I look back on that time. I've had a great deal of success as a driver. I would have been beneficial to each of the companies that rejected me. You take what you can get and you prove your worthy. That's how we roll as rookie drivers.

Get some experience, build a strong performance record, and then you can be selective. More than likely if you follow that approach, you'll discover that there's not much to that myth about certain companies being superior to the others. You'll find that where you want to be selective is in how you operate your truck and manage your hours. There are Top Tier Drivers at all of the trucking companies. Even the companies who are slandered on the internet are great places to work. I know that's true. I've worked for them!

Ohhh I did indeed get a W-2 for that one day.

LOL then that whoops needs to be listed on a job application. That is truly strange that they would do a W2 for one day. Did you fill out a W4??

Laura