A career as a professional driver can be highly rewarding, challenging and full of adventure. After all, how far can you travel sat behind a desk in a nondescript office?
If you’re reading this post, you’ve clearly decided that a career in driving is for you. Alternatively, you may already be a driver but fancy switching employers. Either way, you’ve got one task ahead of you: it’s time to find that driving job, and in this post, we’ve got some excellent tips for doing just that.
1. Update your CV
Every job search should start with this task. It doesn’t matter if you’ve neglected your CV for a number of years or don’t have one at all – this is your opportunity to start from scratch and get to work listing your experiences, work history and desires for the future.
Your CV will quite often be the first impression you make on potential employers, so make it a good one (and be honest about what you’ve done – lies will only ever return to haunt you).
2. Perform research on target employers
If you already have a desire to work for a particular company, be it a truck firm, taxi business or chauffeur service, spend some time researching their background and see if they have a vacancies page on their website
Even if a vacancies page doesn’t exist, it is still worth reaching out and contacting such companies directly. You’ve got nothing to lose and you may just come across one who is about to start advertising a job opportunity.
3. Job boards
It’s easy to get lost in the many online job boards available these days, so it is important to approach such websites with caution. By all means, use sites like Monster when looking for that driving job, but be frugal with your searches.
Use the filtering options extensively and limit search results to specific areas in which you want to work and by keywords relating to the desired position. Don’t apply for everything – go for the driving jobs that best match your requirements.
4. Social media
Companies are always looking for ways to drive down the cost of recruitment. Posting a job via one of the traditional advertising methods is expensive, and the dominance of social media as a preferred method of communication for millions of people often represents a far better alternative for recruiters.
Start following the driving businesses you’re targeting online and keep an eye out for job postings sent as tweets or Facebook status updates.
Connect with them, too. Direct messages and mentions may just get you noticed and you have absolutely nothing to lose if nothing comes of it.
5. Speak to other drivers
Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you start hanging around in lay-bys, but spending time with drivers who are already in the line of work you aspire to is a great way to suss out potential job opportunities.
Take the odd spot of breakfast at the local services and chat to drivers while you’re waiting for your order. The driving industry is an inclusive, approachable one and you can take advantage of the sense of community by being open about your desire to get a job alongside them. They’ll warm to you and tip you off if any jobs are going in the company they work for.
Summary
Job searching extends far beyond recruitment websites. To find that ideal driving job, you’ve got to put some work in and sniff out the best opportunities. Use the tips above and you’ll be behind the wheel before you know it.