Hi Yoni, Also a newb but male! I’ve found looking round for jobs that its better to contact haulage firms direct rather than through agencies. Many vacancies advertised on their own websites that don’t go anywhere near the agency websites which tend to come up first on google search. Also most training schools, decent ones anyway, seem to have good relationships/contacts with local firms on an informal “send us any decent drivers down for a chat after theyve passed” type basis. I think also from the firm’s point of view they wont’ be paying premium wages either to the agency.
Also, I remember reading somewhere that the pass rate for women drivers is just a tad above males 54% against 51% or so, so the stats are on your side. Here’s a link its the second table.
If I was a newly passed driver I would bash myself up a little CV.
Usual blurb, nothing new there buy a CV is a good way to show your attitude/intellect in advance instead of waiting for an interview that might not happen.
Transport companies these days like newbies in one way, they like the idea that they will be able to train them up “their way” and not have to risk a know it all awkward old hand.
Keywords to use in the CV , the usual ■■■■■ they wanna hear.
Reliable flexible hard working, usual ■■■■■■ Then once your in switch back to being a lazy bassa (whoops forget that bit that is what I do lol)
I’m a new boy at this game too, found a full time class 1 job within a few weeks of passing my test and been doing it just over a month now, loving it! You won’t regret it. Apropos of nothing I am on my way to Basingstoke tomorrow.
My own sister has been doing the job over 40 years, shown nothing but respect from her peers, but like any man she had to earn that respect which some of the male drivers it must be said don’t understand (earning respect that is) but the new female drivers i see often do.
On the CV front i disagree with the above poster.
Putting the usual carp on it about hard working reliable etc means its identical to all the others off the CV production line, its cobblers anyway, no ones gong to state they’re a waste of space who throws their toys out the pram at the slightest hiccup and has more sickies than work days, so don’t insult their intelligence by stating the obvious.
One page only concise, to the point, stand out as being a bit individual who can think for themselves, if you don’t take sickies say so, if you’ve never had an accident say so, get noticed as being not just another bum on the seat.
You’re not applying for a quango council nhs or civil service permaskive you’re applying to be a lorry driver.
You get good jobs by knocking on doors (good jobs are never ever advertised, remember this always), let them see you and how you would approach their customers, have some spiel ready you’ve got about 2 minutes to sell yourself if you’re lucky enough to lay eyes on the organ grinder, have a copy of CV in your pocket should anyone responsible ask for one, when you’re prepared and have put some effort in you’re already way ahead of the pack because you stick in their mind as different interesting, if they call you for a meeting/assessment don’t sod 'em about thinking about it, strike whilst the irons hot because they want you to be keen to get the job so act it, those who can’t be arsed to chase a job sure as hell aint going to put much effort in once they’ve got it.
Yoni:
Thanks Bach home. My thoughts exactly, on both.
And to the other ladies comments, no pink for me either, black and boots and is more my thing.
Only just seen this thread, so good luck with every thing, hope all is going to plan as I’ve just skimmed through it.
I used to work at a firm with about 100 driver, including 1 women, and to prove the respect point she was nominated to go on the workers council along with numerous guys, and She was 1 off 3 who were duly elected. To me that says it all, get on with the job as a driver, and, well its job 1st gender 2nd.
Ps good on you for no pink, I’m sorry and I might be out of line, but what is it with the pink hi-vis, I mean as a bloke I don’t wear a blue hi-vis
Oh, good luck and I hope you passed.
I’m in the same situation, 40 and looking to retrain myself and invest in a better job that I can enjoy. It’s nice to hear that being female isn’t seen as anything odd, or special, I doubt I’d want special treatment just for having different bits!
Good advice about loo breaks too - that’s something that hadn’t crossed my mind!
Thanks guys and gals for all the friendly advice. Today I had the walk-around training, test next Thursday so got some revising to do.
I’ve already applied for a few jobs, stating when i expect to be fully qualified. One job directly from the hauliers website but they only offer £8.50 an hr! ■■■■ that, I’ve just paid £2500 for my class 1, I should be getting at least £10 an hr to start with surely? That’s L.Hunt in Basingstoke if anyone knows them…
Any decent companies to recommend around North Hampshire?
Juddian:
My own sister has been doing the job over 40 years, shown nothing but respect from her peers, but like any man she had to earn that respect which some of the male drivers it must be said don’t understand (earning respect that is) but the new female drivers i see often do.
On the CV front i disagree with the above poster.
Putting the usual carp on it about hard working reliable etc means its identical to all the others off the CV production line, its cobblers anyway, no ones gong to state they’re a waste of space who throws their toys out the pram at the slightest hiccup and has more sickies than work days, so don’t insult their intelligence by stating the obvious.
One page only concise, to the point, stand out as being a bit individual who can think for themselves, if you don’t take sickies say so, if you’ve never had an accident say so, get noticed as being not just another bum on the seat.
You’re not applying for a quango council nhs or civil service permaskive you’re applying to be a lorry driver.
You get good jobs by knocking on doors (good jobs are never ever advertised, remember this always), let them see you and how you would approach their customers, have some spiel ready you’ve got about 2 minutes to sell yourself if you’re lucky enough to lay eyes on the organ grinder, have a copy of CV in your pocket should anyone responsible ask for one, when you’re prepared and have put some effort in you’re already way ahead of the pack because you stick in their mind as different interesting, if they call you for a meeting/assessment don’t sod 'em about thinking about it, strike whilst the irons hot because they want you to be keen to get the job so act it, those who can’t be arsed to chase a job sure as hell aint going to put much effort in once they’ve got it.
Thanks that’s good advice, I’ll try visiting in person with my cv in hand.[emoji4]
Les Shoes:
I’m a new boy at this game too, found a full time class 1 job within a few weeks of passing my test and been doing it just over a month now, loving it! You won’t regret it. Apropos of nothing I am on my way to Basingstoke tomorrow.
Les Shoes:
I’m a new boy at this game too, found a full time class 1 job within a few weeks of passing my test and been doing it just over a month now, loving it! You won’t regret it. Apropos of nothing I am on my way to Basingstoke tomorrow.
Hi Les, congratulations on passing and starting a new job!
Smithers:
Hi Yoni, Also a newb but male! I’ve found looking round for jobs that its better to contact haulage firms direct rather than through agencies. Many vacancies advertised on their own websites that don’t go anywhere near the agency websites which tend to come up first on google search. Also most training schools, decent ones anyway, seem to have good relationships/contacts with local firms on an informal “send us any decent drivers down for a chat after theyve passed” type basis. I think also from the firm’s point of view they wont’ be paying premium wages either to the agency.
Also, I remember reading somewhere that the pass rate for women drivers is just a tad above males 54% against 51% or so, so the stats are on your side. Here’s a link its the second table.
I just saw your OP goes back to January so hopefully you are well down the road now, maybe still of use to others…
Hi Smithers, thanks for your input. No I’m still half way, done both theory tests now up for CPC walk-around test next Thursday. My C practical is in July.
My trailer training and test prob in August.
We have two females on inbound trunks from Essex. One of them is tiny. 4’10", and very slight. I don’t think they make PPE in her size, as she looks like a child wearing daddy’s work clothes. Both amusing and impressive to observe.
But point is, Female drivers are not as rare as you would think.
Another question relating to being female; at overnight truck stops, are there always seperate female bathrooms/showers/[RESTROOM] etc. Is this a compulsory must for any resting place?
Yoni:
Another question relating to being female; at overnight truck stops, are there always seperate female bathrooms/showers/[RESTROOM] etc. Is this a compulsory must for any resting place?
MSA’s will have separate showers (I’m just assuming here as I’ve never been in the ladies". Not sure about actual truck stops as I don’t use them much.
Yoni:
Another question relating to being female; at overnight truck stops, are there always seperate female bathrooms/showers/[RESTROOM] etc. Is this a compulsory must for any resting place?
MSA’s will have separate showers (I’m just assuming here as I’ve never been in the ladies". Not sure about actual truck stops as I don’t use them much.
Stafford services south bound does, I’ve used it, it was with permission and the lady cashier who I’d paid for parking checked the coast was clear first. I paid My parking then asked about shower key (gents) she says there a out of order, so I asked for my money back as I’d move onto somewhere with working showers, so she says I’ll check the ladies you can use them
I think most truck stops do, I seem to remember the Mrs being with Me once, we parked at Silvey TS Chippenham, and they had separate showers there
Most have seperate showers although some MSA are now having them so both male & female can use them but you need the key
Most truckstops / lorry parks have separate showers toilet facileties so no worries there
As I have said before I am 4’10" not easy to get PPE also with a size 34 ( 2 ) foot not easy to get steel toe caps but it can be done & no not the biggest
you’re applying to be a lorry driver.
