What Are Some Of The Top Things You Look For In A New Job?

I took a bit of hiatus from TT and from work in general the last month and a half and finally decided to quit my job almost two weeks ago. Can't put my finger on exactly why but OTR just wasn't working for me. Financially things were going great since I was making decent money and not paying rent but mentally it was just totally draining me. I don't remember the last time I was so depressed and by the time I left home again for the last time a couple weeks ago I was dreading leaving the whole time. Kinda weird imo since it's not a bad job and it's overall a pretty easy job but I decided it was time to end that brief chapter in my life and get off the road so I did and I don't regret it. My depression is literally non-existent since I quit and I'm actually looking forward to working again as soon as I start a new job.

I moved back to Colorado and got all my endorsements (plus I have my TWIC and passport) before I quit and I have enough experience and at this point a pretty decent driving record so I shouldn't have too much trouble finding a good job. I'm looking for something local preferably although I'm open to a somewhat regional position. I talked to my old boss and they want me back doing pneumatic tanker so I'm planning on going back there but I'm still putting in apps in the meantime to see if I find something better. I loved that job and it's a mix of local and regional but I know I could make more money if I really wanted to so I'm not 100% sold on it yet. I'm burning through my savings though so I gotta start somewhere soon.

That said, what are some of the top things you all look for when looking for a new job? I don't usually job hop but I did this year and it is what it is, but I don't want to do any more of that for a while so I'm hoping to stick around at this next company for a bit. At this point my top three things are probably 1) pay/benefits, 2) hometime/work life balance, and 3) physicality/health (i.e. I prefer a job that I can move around and stay fit). Also, any suggestions that come to mind for what type of job might be a good fit? I'd do fuel hauling in a heartbeat if I had the tanker experience but most of the good paying outfits require experience and I don't want to take a paycut right now just to get experience. I've also looked into local flatbed, food grade tanker, food service (Sysco, Shamrock, etc), Walmart, and LTL. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

It's good to be back. I've enjoyed taking a bunch of time off and getting my head right but I'm getting antsy to get back to work. Hope you all are doing well!

That's a very personal decision. I had to get off the road for several reasons with number one being not making money. I needed a steady paycheck. I found that and I'm very happy where I am. If you want the exercise then food delivery, ie Sysco, will give you plenty. I don't know how much exercise fuel delivery will get you.

Great to see you again and best of luck.

Hey man, I understand the need to balance the work/home/pay in life. It's tough to find that sweet spot.

Clearly I'm biased, but Walmart has been a fantastic fit for me for nearly 5 years now. I'm happy to answer any questions you have. You can also check out my YT channel. I try to cover most of the pertinent details of the job. Maybe it'll be a good fit, maybe not. A lot depends on if you live near enough to a DC.

Whichever way you choose, obviously your ultimate happiness is key. Let that be your guide.

GetRich@Walmart

Pianoman,

I personally have done LTL and pneumatic tanker. I did like pneumatic tankers alot as the dry bulk was fairly easy to load and unload and the customers seemed like they appreciated you way better than any warehouse people.

LTL is a good job to make a great income wether you do linehaul or P&D. P&D will keep you moving, different places usually for delivery and p/up and possibly dock work too that gives you both a mental and physical workout. Doing linehaul is easier, pays more but mostly nights.

If your previous employer is willing to take you back why not go for where you are appreciated? The job is in your line of expertise and your paycheck will start quickly. The job market today is very thin so go for the sure thing.

Good luck!

I have to agree with navypoppop this market is still in a total mess and not improving at all. I’d go with the sure thing.

I get where you are coming from completely. The beginning of this year I decided to slow down and stay close to home for the most part. Being home more has helped me more than I probably know. We all go through some phase of burnout at some point. Sounds like you were there.

Best wishes whatever you decide.

About five years ago I came if the road and got a job teaching class A CDL. I started with a single location in Memphis but after two years my boss moved me to traveling. Now I go to one location for about four weeks at a time, but I still get home each weekend.

No sleeper life for me, I stay in hotels, and home weekly. My company is always looking for more instructors.

My email address is in my profile.

Pay, benefits package, equipment preferences, flexibility.

Usually we create our own flexibility by our performance. I have a feeling that even though you had some time off, you might be experiencing burnout of a sort with the industry as a whole.

A couple things I found for me being as driven as we are. I need some sort of major work for my music and artistic side. My brother and I will be doing an album coming up. The process is more important than the product, it gets my head back into it, gets me playing and recording. Which is soul soothing in it's own right, but it attaches a value and a reason to why I work.

I'll burn out on trucking or any other career to some extent if it's not being done to varying degrees as a means to an end. While I enjoy what I do, it's done with intent to provide me retirement, funds for my hobbies and interests, provide play time. Work is part of a much bigger picture. Eventually the goal is to have enough streams of income that I can semi retire.

Another issue is that, performing at high levels becomes addictive. We constantly push, no matter what segment of trucking were in. I think it's a common element of top tier drivers. Sometimes there's a strange spot where you're doing everything right, but it doesn't feel like your performing to your normal level. I don't really have an answer on it, but I know it can lead me to feel odd and listless. When I get that, I try and put the work into perspective and try to relax into it. If you're not having a challenge to sink your teeth into, you might be feeling a bit of a void there.

In effect, sometimes I need to be OK with just going to work, doing the job as it is and then unplugging mentally from it at the end of the day. If you're the type of guy where your mind is constantly going a million miles per hour, this can be difficult to do.

A microcosm of it would be how hard it is to run recaps. Cognitively I know I need to stop for the day, but that drive argues with it. Just working a regular schedule and walking away mentally after 8 or 9 hours doesn't come easy. Add in some OCD and a pinch of ADD and it's even more difficult. If it's doing local, there's always one more stop to push, one more load to complete.

Guess overall, what I'm getting at is, what are you looking to get from your job? Could you be looking for fulfillment, where it might not be as fulfilling as it was previously? I wish I could be more helpful. I know I've had to ask myself the same questions. It is fulfilling, and I enjoy it, but it's a part of a larger pie.

I want to be left alone to do what i want. Dont micromanage me. Dont aggravate me. Dont tell me where to park.

I think i would hate a schedule

Thanks for the replies! I read and appreciate each and every response and took some time to think about what I’m looking for. I also put in more job apps in the meantime.

Unfortunately for whatever reason I haven’t gotten a single yes from anyone besides my old employer. Even two food service companies turned me down and I didn’t hear from the third one I applied to, which is crazy if you know anything about food service. They’ll take just about anyone and I was even offered a job in the past with one of the ones that turned me down this time and I have essentially nothing new on my driving record. It’s honestly worse than I thought out here right now.

So I’m going back to my old company starting tomorrow. One of my buddies who drives for Walmart convinced me to go ahead and fill out an app and go with them if they do take me. Idk if I meet their hiring criteria but according to what’s listed on their website I do so I guess we’ll see. I wasn’t going to go with anything strictly regional just yet but if they’ll take me the money and benefits package (including vacation, a big part of what’s appealing about them) is good and it’s a career move I was likely going to make eventually anyways.

I’ll keep y’all posted although now that I’m gonna be local-ish again (still running some regional loads for this company) I probably won’t be on here much. Thanks again for the advice!