Hello fellow newbie trucknet ladies & gents,
Just wanted to say, as the “subject” says, don’t give up… Just been offered (on paper and everything!!) a real life job with a decent company, for decent wages driving decent wagons in the UK and Europe.
They are out there people but I had to work for it, knocking on doors, right place at the right time, word of mouth etc but it worked and I’m currently as happy as a dog with 2 di*ks!!!
My advice would be to take every downloaded application form around in person, I found it quite shocking to hear transport manages say stuff like “wow, you’re keen” just for popping around in person rather than e-mailing a form in… I only passed my class 1 last month but there are companies that will give you a chance and train you “their way”.
When you call companies to ask about vacancies, ask for a second of their time “if that’s ok”, then explain that you’re new and ask if you should be wasting their time by putting in an application form, if so do they know of any companies, in their opinion, you could approach? Be polite, most companies that pay decent money sell themselves on customer service and the like.
The guy who interviewed me for the job i’ve landed said that their drivers’ approach to customers was paramount to the whole operation. I wore a shirt and jeans to the interview and the other guy I saw for interview was in a dirty t shirt… Like it or not, in some transport sectors appearance is getting to be more important.
Anyway, they are out there but don’t just register with an agency, also do some research on what’s commutable from your house, bearing in mind that if you’re tramping, you can go a lot further afield as you’ll only burn your own fuel on a Monday morning and Friday night.
I was also offered a job last week by a very large firm… For £6.91 an hour - after forking out the best part of £3k for training, medical, digi card, tramping gear etc etc. I thought that I’d screwed up royally, my research was wrong etc but there are some good people out there - DON’T GIVE UP!!!
Before I go, thanks for all the tips and wise advice I have read on these forums over the last 18 - 24 months. This site is a fantastic source of information and thanks for all the info.
Good to hear!
Similar boat with application forms, only been returning them via email though. Are there any offices down in depots? That’s the main reason I haven’t been dropping in in person (and that I look like a 12 year old on a good day 
)
Glad you’re sorted out with a decent job, that’s great news 
you’re right, there are jobs out there, & how you approach a future employer can make a difference . It’s always nice to hear some positive news, well done you
congratulations on the job - some good, positive advice there. i agree totally about image and manners - put yourself in their shoes and think about what sort of person YOU would employ given a choice. professionalism is key. just out of interest, where are you based and how far is your new job from your home etc?
kevchalluk:
congratulations on the job - some good, positive advice there. i agree totally about image and manners - put yourself in their shoes and think about what sort of person YOU would employ given a choice. professionalism is key. just out of interest, where are you based and how far is your new job from your home etc?
Hi Kevin,
I live about 15 miles from Peteborough and my new employers are in Peterborough. As I’ve not started with them yet, I don’t want to name them, I don’t think I should even when I join to be honest… Customer facing skills are very important to them, they don’t want drivers that are only capable of grunting at customers, I think this will become more and more important to be honest.
Never give up!!!
I agree, I wouldn’t be naming them either! Just curious about where in the UK you were really.
How much leg work did you put in? And when did you pass your tests?
Good luck with it all
kevchalluk:
I agree, I wouldn’t be naming them either! Just curious about where in the UK you were really.How much leg work did you put in? And when did you pass your tests?
Good luck with it all
Hi Kevin,
I’ve put in lots of legwork and miles!! Initially calling companies to speak to the right person, that was a bit of a job in itself but have been in sales for about 20 years so I’m quite tenacious!! Maybe I should also say at this point that I’m a 45 year old newbie!
Any that would take on new drivers I’d either download an application form if available on the Internet and take it in, others I would call in and fill in a form on the spot. I would then follow up a with a phone call a few days later. I had lots of copies of my licence in the car too in case I passed any firms on my travels. I thought my age would help as I’m no boy racer but the firms that do take on new drivers didn’t seem too bothered, saying they take on young guns too.
I only passed my class 1 last month (18th of Jan) so put lots of work into getting work but it paid off in a relatively short time really. Did my class 2 in November last year.
Did my training with Preistley LGV training in Sutton St. James and the routes/test were in and around Petrborough. I did my own research but also read about Priestley on here - I couldn’t recommend Les Priestley highly enough, great training, good advice about driving professionally after you’ve passed the test, his taste in burger vans is outstanding and his vast knowledge and delivery of jokes is amazing!!!
Another reason I went with Les is that he’s the only one around here that trains with maximum sized vehicles, I couldn’t see the point in doing class 2 in a 7.5 tonne wagon with updated suspension and then putting a small trailer on the back of the same wagon for the class 1. When confronted with a 16.5 meter outfit in the real world, I’d probably soil myself A,
Congratulations! It just goes to show that if you really want a job, and you try hard enough to get a job, then a job you will have.
That’s good to read postie, nice to know that if you have the right approach and attitude it will pay off. I’m 38 and have been in an office job for the best part of 20 years, so it’s heartening to read your success!
I start my Cat C on Monday next week, and if I get through that I’m going straight for C+E.
Fingers crossed I can get a break too…
kevchalluk:
That’s good to read postie, nice to know that if you have the right approach and attitude it will pay off. I’m 38 and have been in an office job for the best part of 20 years, so it’s heartening to read your success!I start my Cat C on Monday next week, and if I get through that I’m going straight for C+E.
Fingers crossed I can get a break too…
All the very best with that mate, keep me informed…
Where about are out based?
postie1100:
All the very best with that mate, keep me informed…Where about are out based?
Cheers. I’ve got a thread in here which I’ll update as I go
I’m in Goole, East Yorkshire, so quite a good spot in terms of number of local firms and being commutable to Hull/Doncaster/Castleford/Wakefield/York etc
That’s a great story which actually goes against a lot of what we hear about New drivers finding or not finding work. Fair play to you for seeing it through from your initial thinking about it.
I went for a job last year, not because I need a job buy because I WANTED that particular job with that particular company. I went there having fully informed myself about the company through people I know, press releases and their website. I produced a cracking cv and covering letter and went there polished and collared, confident and assertive. When asked about nights out I told them honestly, one a week was fine but if more than that was a regular thing, I wouldn’t be sure. If nights out came as big jobs/contracts came on and then levelled out then Is be comitted but not all week every week. When it came to the crunch, I fell at the final fence. What separated me and the chap who bagged it was only him being happy to be away all week.
Even though I didn’t get it, I still came away perfectly happy with how much I’d done. I certainly don’t regret being honest with them straight away rather than end up being unhappy a couple of months in. They were also forthcoming with some follow up info when I ring again to ask how I did etc.
Nice one NRT, well done for being honest - it’s the only way to go. On my covering letter I stated that although the ink on my license wasn’t even dry, this was something I really wanted to do and not just a whim I’d dreamt up for a couple of months. I also told them (truthfully) that I’d never had to replace items like gearboxes, clutches etc in any of my cars or motorbikes - in short I’m pretty mechanically sympathetic…
Put it out there and state the facts - as you did NRT, any potential employer with a bit of savvy will see through any bullsht anyway.
I was fully expecting to work at the ■■■■y end of the stick for a couple of years at least before I was offered anything like I’ve been offered now, I know I’ve been REALLY lucky to get this job but as a wise man once said “you make your own luck”.
I’m pretty happy to be getting nights away, apart from the extra dosh, my wife works away from Monday to Friday anyway so I end up knocking about the house on my own, spending money down the pub so it works for me but as you showed, it’s not for everyone and you should try and stick to what suits. I think sometimes you’ll have to take a job that isn’t ideal but then that leads back to the whole honesty thing I guess…
Anyway, good luck with everything chaps and keep us informed how you get on.
kevchalluk:
postie1100:
All the very best with that mate, keep me informed…Where about are out based?
Cheers. I’ve got a thread in here which I’ll update as I go
I’m in Goole, East Yorkshire, so quite a good spot in terms of number of local firms and being commutable to Hull/Doncaster/Castleford/Wakefield/York etc
You’re definitely in a decent spot there Kev, fingers crossed for next week mate - you’ll be fine. Remember to enjoy it too!
Cheers Postie. I did the night out thing before and back then, it suited me. I was single, in my twentys and lived with my Dad. Nowadays, early thirties, living with the missus and my dog, kids next no doubt and being away all week or not knowing when I’m going to get home just isn’t what I want really. A shame though, it was a pulls job. I may even call them again just to remind them incase the job changes or they put more lorries on the road. You just never know.
Whatever you decide buddy, all the best with it. I hear too many stories of “my marriage would be fine if not for this job”, don’t become one of those whatever you do.
You know what you need to do, you know what your relationship will take so do what suits mate
All the best…
i am new at this need work how do i start i only have a normal driving license
if anybody is out there needs a drivers mate or to drive anything up to 7.5 ton HEEEEEELP please desperate and broke but i am a very hard worker quick learner …ta
postie1100:
Hello fellow newbie trucknet ladies & gents,
Just wanted to say, as the “subject” says, don’t give up… Just been offered (on paper and everything!!) a real life job with a decent company, for decent wages driving decent wagons in the UK and Europe.
I don’t want to ■■■■ on your strawberries m8, but how do you know they’re the decent Co’ you think they are with you never having experienced this industry before?
Word of mouth Chas, a mate of a mate works there already, little things like all drivers having company credit cards for parking, tolls etc. In my interview, I asked more questions than they did… New wagons every 2 years, a really decent salary with 6th shift paid at £12 an hour extra
I am green to the industry Chas but most of my family are in it and a lot of my mates, I’m 45 so I tend to weigh things up before committing…