Recent class 1 pass here with other driving experience but large vans etc but mainly working in an office.
I took my class one with a view to a career change thinking it should be fairly easy to find work what with driver shortage being shouted from every corner.
The reality has been a shock, registering with agencies, sending out CV’s and applying all over but the general response I seem to be getting is no response or minimum of 2 years experience required.
I’m in the Leeds area - if anyone has any advice it would be appreciated before I lose the will to live!
Try visiting in person, ready to work at some of the smaller haulage companies, you might catch lucky and find someone hasn’t turned in - best done early in the day.
But don’t stop in the morning, visit some of the other local hauliers. Sending a CV into me ( I run a haulage company) means not a lot to be honest, seeing someone can make a difference.
Good luck, everyone who is driving now, went through the same thing. Scroll through some of the posts on this board and you will find that all sorts of stories from finding work quite easily to the story of the 6 month - 1 year struggle.
The only other advice as a general thing, is look like someone you would want to employ if you were an employer, smart, pleasant attitude.
I’ve been on artics near enough full time since 1976, got the first job the day after i passed my test by knocking on the door in person, wasn’t fantastic old rattly motors but paid up to 50% more than the various all flash no cash fly by nights in the district.
Followed the moeny ever since and every good job i’ve had since then has been either by recommendation or by knocking on the door, and i have had some very good jobs, my present (hopefully the last) job, the best i’ve ever had, was also by knocking on the door.
The only job i ever got by answering an advert was crap and i left within three months.
Take CV’s with you, go dressed as if you mean to work for a living, they want presentable lorry drivers not a clothes horse, be polite and approach them in a pleasant manner, if someone likes the cut of your jib your foot is already in the door.
Once you get a job do your best, get yourself a reputation as a good reliable driver, you’ll meet hundreds of other drivers during your time, good drivers only recommend other good drivers if they are in a plumb job, you’d be surprised how small this industry is, especially if you specialise.
It might not be the best time of year to be looking for full time work but Leeds is a very easy place to get a start.
Turners of Soham at Castleford
Downtons
Stobarts
WH Malcolm at Castleford
UK Mail
DHL Sherburn (may have to go in via agency)
Wincanton @ Sherburn
Londis @ Elmsall
Superdrug @ Elmsall (again agency)
Next @ Elmsall
Few obvious ones there, some more desperate than others but all take new passes.
Agencies also are desperate some will go quiet in the new year.