Winning Strategies to Find the Best CDL Drivers

Ever wonder how some trucking companies seem to attract the best CDL drivers? You know, the kind of drivers with spotless records and years of experience who show up for work on time with a smile. As a fleet owner, hiring great drivers is key to your success. If you want to find professional, qualified candidates to get your rigs up and running, here are three proven strategies to help you bring top talent on board. Follow these tips and you’ll find out the best way to hire cdl drivers.

Tap Into the Power of Employee Referrals

Employee referrals are a hiring goldmine. Your current drivers already know the skills, experience, and temperament needed for the job. Tap into their networks to find candidates that are a great fit.

Offer incentives for referrals that get hired, like a bonus or extra paid time off. Drivers will be motivated to refer high-quality candidates.

Make the referral process simple. Provide drivers with a link or form to share on social media or email to refer someone. The easier it is, the more referrals you’ll get.

Give strong consideration to referrals. Review them quickly and schedule interviews. Your drivers went out on a limb to recommend this person, so follow through. If you hire them, let the referring driver know – they’ll appreciate the feedback and be eager to refer again.

Referrals often have a shorter learning curve. They’ve already got an inside scoop on the work environment and job demands from their connection. They tend to adapt faster and stick around longer.

For the best drivers, think local. Referrals from those embedded in the community will lead to candidates with strong local knowledge and connections. They’ll understand your customers and service area in a way that’s hard to match.

Mine your referral program for insights. Look for drivers referring frequently – they’re engaged and may make good mentors or managers. See if certain locations or teams generate more referrals, which could indicate higher satisfaction in those areas. Patterns can reveal opportunities.

With a robust referral program in place, you’ll gain access to a steady stream of pre-vetted, well-matched candidates. You’ll build goodwill with employees, lower turnover, and land high-quality drivers – all through the power of referrals.

Advertise on Niche Job Sites Targeting CDL Drivers

Targeting niche job sites geared specifically toward CDL drivers is a winning strategy to find top talent. Sites like TruckersReport.com, TruckDrivingJobs.com, and Indeed.com’s truck driving jobs section allow you to reach drivers who are actively searching for their next gig.

Post engaging and detailed listings highlighting the key points of your driving positions. Mention things like schedule options (if you offer them), pay, benefits, type of hauling, and equipment. The more info you provide upfront, the more likely you are to grab the attention of great candidates.

You should also consider paid advertising on these sites to increase exposure. For a small investment, you can boost your listings to the top of search results and get them featured prominently on the homepage. This added visibility means more views, more clicks, and more applications from qualified drivers.

Speaking of applications, make the process as easy as possible by allowing drivers to apply directly on the site with a mobile-friendly digital application or by emailing their resume. The simpler the application, the more responses you’ll receive.

Take time to review each applicant carefully based on the required certifications, experience, and safety records for your specific driving roles. Schedule phone interviews with your top choices to get a better sense of their communication skills and enthusiasm for the work.

With the widespread driver shortage, competition for top talent is fierce. Following these proven strategies to connect with experienced CDL drivers on the sites they frequent most is key to finding and hiring the best candidates out there. Keep your ads and applications driver-friendly, be proactive, and don’t be afraid to invest in increased visibility. Do that and you’ll have a team of all-star drivers navigating your fleet in no time.

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Streamline the Hiring and Onboarding Process

Streamlining your hiring and onboarding process for new CDL drivers is key to finding and keeping the best candidates. Time is money, especially in the trucking industry, so an efficient system will benefit both you and your new hires.

Focus your efforts on the following areas:

• Simplify the application process. Have an easy to fill out online application, minimize the paperwork required for candidates to apply and make the user experience on your website or portal straightforward. The easier you make it to apply, the more applications you’ll receive.
• Speed up the interview stage. Schedule initial phone interviews within a few days of receiving applications. For the most promising candidates, move quickly to schedule in-person interviews. Have a standard set of questions lined up focusing on their experience, safety record and work ethic. Make a hiring decision within a week of the final interview.
• Handle onboarding rapidly. Once you’ve made an offer and it’s accepted, get the necessary paperwork and training started right away. The sooner you can get a new hire out on the road, the sooner they can start contributing to your bottom line. Have them shadow other drivers at first to learn the ropes, then get them solo as quickly as possible.

An efficient hiring and onboarding process is key to recruiting the top CDL drivers. When you make it fast and simple to join your team, you’ll attract the best candidates. And by getting them up and running quickly, you’ll maximize the impact of your new hires and keep your business moving full speed ahead.

Conclusion

That’s it – three proven ways to find the best CDL drivers and get your fleet staffed with safe, experienced professionals. Make sure your job ads are appealing and posted where drivers will see them, take advantage of employee referrals which often lead to the most qualified candidates, and don’t forget about networking at industry events. Using a combination of these strategies will help ensure you find drivers that are a great fit for your company culture and keep your business moving in the right direction. You’ve got this! With the right approach, you’ll have new CDL drivers on board in no time. Now get out there, spread the word about those open positions, and start building the best team on the road.