Not Quite A Year - Can I Move On?

My daughter has had a medical emergency which forced me home after 9 1/2 months. Due to the nature of the emergency, I need to stay at home for awhile to help my daughter through this period of her life. Thankfully the company I am working for has been very helpful in allowing me to come home, leave if necessary (on good terms - so I can have the opportunity to return). I believe it is in my daughter's best interest that I be at home, and there are plenty of job listings locally for CDL drivers. Several with as little as 6 mos experience. I have had (2) reportable incidents, both in parking lots, both with minimal damage. My questions are, How difficult will it be for me to get on with a local company considering my lack of a year exp and the 2 reportables? Even if I leave on good terms with my present company?

Thanks

As long as you are honest on your applications, should not be an issue with the reportable accidents.

Ernie

Wow, what a bummer PR. I hope your daughter comes out of everything okay.

The only thing I can say is try. As you know, there are many companies out there and some may be willing to overlook a couple oopsies.

Good luck my friend.

Yeah, you can almost certainly find something....especially this time of year. Between now and the holiday season at the end of the year things should be strong and steady. That will help.

Just make sure you land a job before quitting the one you have, even though they said you could leave on good terms and return. And I believe them. I've left companies and returned for various reasons. No big deal at all. But just to protect yourself it's safer to land one before quitting the last.

Also, make sure you speak with some drivers from the companies you're considering before taking a job. You know how it is - doesn't matter what the job listing says or the office people say. You want the inside scoop straight from the drivers. They'll tell you things about that job the office staff might "forget to mention".

Not only will drivers from any company you're interested in be able to give you the inside scoop at their company, but they'll almost certainly know their competition. So they'll be able to point you toward other companies in the area that might suit you better, some of which might not even have job listings or are very difficult to discover through normal searches.

What Brett said. And once you do find a new job, keep your ties to the first company open because you never know and they've been good to you. Also be very, very sure you don't quit your first job without securing another for another reason ... you probably cannot have a break in medical insurance. I know the laws have changed but you're in the middle of a crisis and you might not be thinking of everything "practical," at the moment. Sorry if that seems none of my business ... ...just a supportive reminder.

Going home for your daughter is a very honorable thing for you to do. Be her best advocate in the face of medical adversity. Develop your relationships with her doctors and medical staff. Try to keep your head and don't forget you must take excellent care of yourself. Sometimes in a crisis, family members do things like forget to eat, for days and days. Can't do. Keep up with your rest and bolster your nutrition as best you can, spiritual care as well.

My prayers are with you and your family. Steady-as-she-goes. Hopefully this is a relatively short journey.

-mountain girl