What are CMV drivers actually looking for in employers? Foley uncovers the top 10 driver concerns so you know how to recruit drivers.
If one of your business goals is to recruit truck drivers, do you know what they’re looking for in a company like yours? Part of your job is to ensure they’re content with their jobs – even before they start working for you!
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found commercial drivers’ top 10 issues in their 2022 Top Industry Issues (TII) report, which gives us a first-hand look at what common industry factors companies need to consider as they hire new drivers.
How truck drivers rank the issues is heavily based on their day-to-day duties and experiences. For the first time in the history of the report, two issues tied for the top ranking, as you’ll see below.
Here are the top 10 concerns of commercial drivers in 2022:
- Truck Parking
- Fuel Prices
- Driver Compensation
- Detention / Delay at Customer Facilities
- Speed Limiters
- Economy
- HOS Rules
- ELD Mandate
- Driver Training Standards
- Transportation Infrastructure/Congestions/Funding
From this list, it’s easy to see CDL drivers care about how well they’re paid for their hard work. What can you, as an employer, do to show prospective drivers you hear their cash concerns and other work-related worries?
Here are a few steps you can take to show drivers you care about the issues that cause uneasiness in the field.
Openly Post Position Pay
When you’re writing a driver job posting, make sure you include compensation for the open position. Odds are, candidates are looking for salary information for your company anyway, using sites like Glassdoor or Salary.com. Save them the sleuthing and simply post it in your job ad. Even if the number isn’t exactly what they’re looking for, candidates will at least have a starting point for negotiating – making your interactions smoother from the very beginning.
The best workers are usually particularly interested in being paid what they deserve, so why not show them what you’re offering? Don’t risk the perfect candidate scrolling by your job ad simply because you didn’t include payment information. You know what you’re willing to offer, so put it out there for the world of available CDL drivers to see.
With Dash, Foley's new driver recruiting software, you can create custom job postings (with the current pay rates!) and easily share them to LinkedIn, Indeed, CareerBuilder, Monster, and Glassdoor. You'll get more visibility to your postings while upholding pay transparency. Win-win.
Set & Share Realistic Expectations
When you get a candidate on the phone, it’s time to let your human side show. No one wants to work for a micromanager or someone who sets the productivity bar impossibly high, so let candidates know what it’s really like to work for your company.
What kind of training will the driver receive to be fully prepared for the position? How do you handle delivery delays, especially those out of the driver’s control? Where can they park their truck if the rest areas along their routes are closed? Giving candidates an inside look at how your company operates and handles issues before they sign the offer letter gives them the peace of mind they’re looking for.
Transparency is Key
Letting candidates know you appreciate the hard work your current drivers do, and that you recognize the concerns that come with being a truck driver, can make a huge difference in their decision to work for you vs another company.
Related Foley Article: How to Improve Driver Retention & Recruiting With Referrals
Allow candidates to ask questions during the interview and onboarding process and answer them honestly. Starting a new job can be intimidating – no matter how many miles a driver has traveled during their career. Your job is to make their experience as seamless and comfortable as possible so they can be the safe and efficient driver you need them to be.
Hire Better & Faster with Driver Recruiting Software
If the concerns of today's commercial drivers have you rethinking your hiring process, it's best to start with the candidate experience. One way you can ensure your hiring process is both positive and convenient for everyone involved is by using hiring, screening, and onboarding software designed with commercial drivers' needs in mind.
Dash makes it easier for CDL drivers to apply for your open positions whenever and wherever it works for them with its mobile-friendly job application. You can also create custom job ads, initiate phone interviews, run phased background screens, and send offer letters all in one platform.
Get a free demo of Dash and any of our other DOT compliance programs to stay on track and recruit truck drivers as you build a bigger, happier fleet.
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