What Questions Should I Ask During An Interview?

WHAT TO ASK AT INTERVIEW

Just got my cdl. I’m in contact with a local company that I did not expect to even talk to me. They are setting every oil for an interview, and I’m not interested in being dazzled by a recruiter in an office and taking a job based of of what he tells me, because I wasn’t wiser to ask questions.

So that’s why I’m writing this

What are some questions to ask, or that you would’ve wished you asked at your Interview. What’s something that a company wouldn’t expect to hear asked? The questions they usually don’t disclose up front, and the important ones to ask.

This is all new so I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks in advance!

If they don't mention it, ask if you will be driving locally (home daily), regionally, or over the road if they offer you a job.

Are you near any major cities? If so, and if you will be driving locally, ask if the job will required you to do any city driving. City driving is not recommended for new drivers.

Ask how long you will be with a trainer if hired.

If they mention Dollar Tree, Dollar General, or Family Dollar tell them you might be interested in one of those positions in the future, but that you would like more experience before taking a position on one of those accounts.

If they want to hire you as an Over The Road or regional driver, ask what their home time policy is.

Why do you recommend not doing Dollar Tree / Dollar General / Family Dollar as a new driver?

Thanks!

If they mention Dollar Tree, Dollar General, or Family Dollar tell them you might be interested in one of those positions in the future, but that you would like more experience before taking a position on one of those accounts.

The potential for accidents is incredibly higher for this. Take a look at any of these stores as you are traveling around for the next few days. Envision backing in these parking lots, surrounded by moving cars with impatient drivers. IF a driver with little experience can do these maneuvers at each store, then there is the obstacle of unloading your cargo on your own at each store.

We never recommend these as a entry level choice for any brand new driver. There are plenty more opportunities that point one towards a successful start.

Thank you. I figured those jobs were too good to be true. The recruiters make it sound so easy lol!

The potential for accidents is incredibly higher for this. Take a look at any of these stores as you are traveling around for the next few days. Envision backing in these parking lots, surrounded by moving cars with impatient drivers. IF a driver with little experience can do these maneuvers at each store, then there is the obstacle of unloading your cargo on your own at each store.

We never recommend these as a entry level choice for any brand new driver. There are plenty more opportunities that point one towards a successful start.

I figured those jobs were too good to be true. The recruiters make it sound so easy

Consider this: If the "Dollar" store positions are so good why do they always try to recruit new-hires for those positions? Don't you think the good accounts would be filled already by veteran drivers?

I figured those jobs were too good to be true. The recruiters make it sound so easy

Consider this: If the "Dollar" store positions are so good why do they always try to recruit new-hires for those positions? Don't you think the good accounts would be filled already by veteran drivers?

Excellent point made by RD. The amount of money they're offering also isn't enough to entice many veteran drivers to throw cases. Most get into trucking because they DON'T want to do the physical labor. If an experienced driver is able to make the same or more as those doing the dollar type accounts why not take the easier job that doesn't have to throw cases or rely on the underpaid employees at the stores. For some they don't care about your time. They put in their 8 hours and go home regardless of what's left to get done.

The recruiters that come to my school have made it seem like the dollar accounts are hidden gems that the experienced drivers don’t want because of the manual labor. One recruiter showed us a video of a driver unloading a dollar general trailer and kept saying “doesn’t look like he’s working very hard to me” lol

Well read my post above again and believe what you will. I'm sure it's great getting 50 CPM , or some hourly wage, driving 200 miles per day, 3 stops at $20 per stop. Try that hand unloading down south in August when the dry van trailer interior is 107 degrees, the heat index is 110, and you have to wheel 14 round trips across the 120 degree parking lot. Definitely a real gem.

That's part of it. 3+ years of experience and you should be around or making more than a dollar account. So why do 100% unload when you can do drop and hook?

Dollar accounts are HELL! For starters you better LOVE doing labor. Be prepared for lazy store managers and employees. A lot consider you a nuisance, bringing them crap they don't want and have to stock. Packed back rooms, having to bring stuff to the sales floor.

Recruiters are just looking to get their commission. enough said there.

I made around 103k my first full year which ended around 15 months of experience. So you can make good coin coming out of the gate, but its pretty tough mentally and psychically, Unless you're a super hard worker and have your head on a swivel being an extremely defensive driver its probably not wise to start out on a dollar account.

The recruiters that come to my school have made it seem like the dollar accounts are hidden gems that the experienced drivers don’t want because of the manual labor. One recruiter showed us a video of a driver unloading a dollar general trailer and kept saying “doesn’t look like he’s working very hard to me” lol