Well, I visited an agency the other day, just out of curiosity.
I was expecting the old ‘you’re not really what we’re looking for’ line, but was pleasantly suprised.
The bloke was honest with me and did say that being only 22 and having very little tacho knowledge is a bit of a disadvantage, but he also said that it was nothing he hadn’t seen before. He advised me to get myself a tacho card and try to get some sort of knowledge of driving hours.
My digital tacho card is applied for, and I’m in the process of booking a tacho training course through work.
Chiz:
Well, I visited an agency the other day, just out of curiosity.
I was expecting the old ‘you’re not really what we’re looking for’ line, but was pleasantly suprised.
You shouldn’t ever be “pleasantly surprised” by agencies. All agencies are interested in is bums on seats and will take on any numpty without a second thought.
Rob K:
You shouldn’t ever be “pleasantly surprised” by agencies. All agencies are interested in is bums on seats and will take on any numpty without a second thought.
Hmmm… How reassuring!
I’ll admit that when he said ‘we’ll get you on the register’, I thought it didn’t really mean much. I suppose I could be registered with a hundred agencies, but if I don’t get offered the work, it doesn’t mean anything.
Rob K:
You shouldn’t ever be “pleasantly surprised” by agencies. All agencies are interested in is bums on seats and will take on any numpty without a second thought.
Hmmm… How reassuring!
I’ll admit that when he said ‘we’ll get you on the register’, I thought it didn’t really mean much. I suppose I could be registered with a hundred agencies, but if I don’t get offered the work, it doesn’t mean anything.
I was going to post something on similar lines to what Rob said, but he’s put it in his fantasticly direct Yorkshire way. (welcome back Rob )but at least you get the idea of agencies.
What they say means nothing until they give you the work.
As was said earlier “Chiz” welcome to the world of the madhouse and don,t worry too much about the negative postings as we all get them from time to time as I hate smart [zb] who look down on newbies.
Firstly I would say “Be Honest” to any employer about the skills “you don,t have” don,t try and bluff your way through as you will very quickly be found out and don,t be afraid to ask any questions about anything as most companies have a trainer or old hand who will (or should) put you on the right track as regards to company rules and how to use their equipment as you will be better thought of by management if you make a mistake in the yard rather than on the road.
Remember “we all had to learn” and are STILL learning as I have been at it for over 35 years and still haven,t got all the answers unlike the clever [zb]who think they know it all!
If you are not happy about something you are given to do ask for instructions there is no shame in asking as the shame is in when you said you can do it then make a balls of it you will look an idiot or worse still a “Bluff Merchant”.
chiz oil companys are activily recruiting ex squaddies at the moment .and as the exploration side is on the up at the moment . thats another option .2 weeks on 2 weeks off a months pay in the bank . the work isnt that hard . and due to regulations you get your breaks and five steak dinners a day
i left the army on friday, drove home from belfast that evening to start job on interntional work on the monday. i didnt have a clue but got stuck in at the deep end which is the army way. that first week was one of the worst of my life and i very nearly jacked it in at the end but stuck at it.
i could only get work on agency or with a good bloke who had 4 trucks and gave me a break, the wages were not the best but paid the bills.
my best advice would be to get as much experience as possible when you are on leave with the agencies and dont expect a sports afternoon every or any wednesday ever again lol!!
good luck for the future
ive had the same trouble as you have had, i was in the army for 12 yrs as a hgv driver and mt rep for my battalion company 1976 till 1988. im just going back to hgv driving now after 14 yrs working in a power station. its the same story every time i phone up for a job,question ie have you got any commercial experiance? my ans sorry no i havent, his ans thanks but you need to have commercial experiance.
its like banging yur head on the wall, but i keep applying for jobs, so ill strike lucky in the end, sods law aint it lol ? or is it.
good luck in your search for jobs bud. if you have any hints drop me a message. i was in 1wg by the way.
all the best squannogs.
Thanks for that Squannogs, I haven’t even started having trouble yet, I’ve got it all to come. I haven’t left the army yet, but I’m out in June. So I was asking what I’m to expect.
I’m going to take the same attitude as you really, keep applying, I’ll get my chance eventually. I’ve spoke to a few potential employers at jobs fayres, just out of interest, it’s not looking too bad to be honest, I think I owe a lot to the NVQ’s I’ve picked up along the way.
I’m a trog at 8 Transport Regiment, but prior to that I was in Northern Ireland driving and looking after the white fleet, so I’d like to think I have a bit of an advantage over your average trog, but we’ll see.
I’ve got my digi-card and now have pretty good knowledge of driving hours, I’ve got my digi/analogue tacho course booked too.
I’m trying to make myself as employable as possible.
i left the army in september after 4 and a half years. since gettin out i applied for loads and loads of jobs but most of them turned me down because im only 21. yesterday though got a call from a local company i applied for. and started today had a great first day. the tacho took a bit of getting used to but managed to figure it out in the end and had a drama with the taillift not working on a drop off but apart from that went smoothly. its also surprising how much u learn in such a small ammount of time. good luck
)but at least you get the idea of agencies.
