I know there has been a number of posts on this topic of late but how many positions do people think are open to newly qualified C+E driver hopeful’s?
I’ve been down the general route of contacting firms direct and had a couple of NO’s, but also a couple of come in and get an application form. As for the agency route, I have contacted one that I was already registered with to update them. But to be fare they have not come up with anything in the preceding 10 moths since passing my class C, so not holding my breath for them. Other agency’s that I have spoken to have said “2 years needed mate”, this I was expecting so no suprise. A couple of others I have spoken to seemed a little more hopeful in that one is trying to arrange an assessment drive with the client for me to shine behind the wheel. Fingers crossed.
Yesterday there was an advert in our local paper for a class C+E driver (ADR optional) so I phoned and left a message. The guy phoned back a little while ago and we chatted about the position which he felt was more suited to a couple of other applicants. On the bright side he said he would keep hold of my details as they have quite a variety of driving work not far from where I live and sometimes he might need an additional driver. Who know’s if he’ll ring in the future, but the more firms have my number and know that I’m looking the better I think.
You’re doing all the right stuff - just carry on getting yourself about and something will turn up. Load of evidence to support that. So all the best with it. Pete
I am not yet qualified on the C+E but am starting in two weeks time. To help keep you positive I have to say that spending time getting to the driving agencies and speaking to the peole who dish out the work seems to have helped me a bit. I registered with 4 different agencies and spent time doing the usual CV and covering letter but found that the agency I got most of my current work for was due to spending time chatting to the guy in the office. He is also a driver so I picked his brains about the types of work they have and then offered to go to a couple of companies for a day free, either with another driver and then a bit of a drive myself or whatever they would offer.
Did a day on a dustcart collecting recycling, realised I did not want to spend time doing that for too long (as it was around town centres in and out of alleyways and shopping streets), and made sure the guy at the agency knew that too. I was not being arkward but I know what I would like to do for a job and I think it is important to make sure you state that, otherwise you get all of the stuff nobody else wants to do. After kicking myself for sounding like a bit of a wuss I thought that would be an end to the work but quite the opposite, next day a day on a new mercedes curtainsider around the south of England, day later refrigerated lorry to Redditch and beyond and now the possibilty of work with a company for the summer. One other free drive got me 2 days on an 8 wheel tipper truck up and down the motorway for a haulage contractor.
I have only had my class 2 for three weeks and thought that some of the agencies were a bit hard work to start with, obviously I am an unknown qualtity so they are going to be unsure of me but keep persevering and let them know how keen you are, I even offered to do a double manned duty if it would get me some driving.
Keep your chin up and try to remain positive, someone will get badly let down and if you are in the frame for that job they will not care if you have two years or two days expeience if you do the job and get them out of the hole.
A chance meeting with one of my neighbors outside our local has turned up a new possibility of work. He works for a firm in the village and they have just lost 2 C+E drivers and they are looking for replacements. So I’ve contacted them and they have asked for an updated CV from me, fingers crossed.
Also I’ve been on the phone to a number of firms and agency’s and had some knock backs but also some form of interest from a few. They too want an updated CV, my new licence and me in their office.
So I’ve contacted them and they have asked for an updated CV from me, fingers crossed.
So far, so good. Now get down there and knock on the door and make yourself known. Move quickly and you’ll enhance your chances. Hope it works out for you, Pete
Moving on from the above posts. I have now sent out various application forms to local company’s who have been advertising. There are three that have asked to see my licence (not got it back from DVLA yet due to easter), but once I do I’m off to see these three company’s to fill out their forms.
Not much has changed since the last post except I’ve now registered with a couple of agency’s as the firm I work for have BEEN SHORT OF WORK so I’ve had a few days off .
A local haulage firm has had one of his drivers jack and as I caught the boss at the right time we had a chat. He is not sure if he is keeping the spare truck or if he is going to change it for a newer one. He has asked me to call him back in 2 weeks as he does not have an issue with a newbie C+E driver and there is a possibility that he might take me on . Fingers crossed.
Just have to be persistent in my quest for a C+E position.
A good time to get agency work is in the school summer holidays.
There’s usually a driver shortage then, so be prepared for a phone call on a sunny Friday when you really don’t fancy working.
But do it anyway. Even if it’s some horrible multi drop that’s two hours late starting, just go along and do your best.
It’s all good experience, even if your end up never, ever wanting to work for that firm again. The agency should remember
that you did them a favour when they couldn’t get anyone else, and you will go up the list of people to call first, whereas if you turn it
down they won’t call you again.
Once you’ve got your feet well under the table, and the call comes when you’re just thinking about going down the pub, from a firm who have specifically asked for you, well, that’s the time to ask for another pound an hour.
mcc46:
I believe that sometimes a little bit of luck helps as well, plus being the right place at the right time
I got a start on a full time job, started last Monday, the week before I walked into the TM’s office; no appointment completely cold calling and he said two minutes before he had just been saying that he was going to have to advertise for a new cat C driver and I had saved him the cost and bother of advertising. The right place, right time and a lot of luck. It’s worth mentioning though that for the two weeks previous to that I had walked into between 150 to 200 firms and agencies, so you need the luck but you can help to make it!
Been laid off for the rest of the week from my current place as they don’t have enough work to keep everyone going. Phoned up a number of agency’s I’ve registered with to see if they have anything.
Just to add to a post I did a while back. I have just passed my C+E and am still looking to move on to some of the big stuff. I have a tentative offer for the summer though one of the agencies I am on with and then today out of the blue a call from another offering temp to perm on C with a possible move to C+E with the same company. I have taken loads of short notice days with both of the agencies and a lot of multi drop, which I really hate doing in and around city centres but I am sure it is because I am prepared to have a go and to do the best I can while I am out that they are prepared to ask me.
I am going to have to decide on Friday which of the two I go for and let them know but it is still quite nice to have a choice of two things to work with. I think as long as you are prepared to go with short notice and maybe not your prefered work in the short term, it won’t take too long to get passed the “two year” rubbish that some of these people are insisting on. I hope you will continue to keep posting to this forum and let others know how you are doing. I wish you all the best and hope you find something to get you started.
regards
Truckist
PS: it is really worth ringing any of the agencies you are on with and letting them know you are up for anything they have, it saves them time and effort working there way through their books and it makes you look keen.
Hi Truckist, thanks for that. As yet still no joy for me any way, where as you seem to have a bit of a dilemma on your hands. I’ve made it known to these agencies that I’m willing to do 7.5 work if I had to to get my foot in the door. I don’t want to keep ringing them as then I might seem desperate
On a brighter note I do have a possible seat coming up, but it depends on what the guy does with his truck as he is either keeping it or swapping it for a newer one. Although their is a slight chance that he might just get rid of it as his work load is a bit up and down.
Well what a day today. First one for this agency. It was that bad we had to sit outside our first drop for an hour and a half until they opened so that we could unload… Happy Days
The stint has gone very well as we dropped bear, wine and spirits in Lancaster, Preston, Garstang and Blackpool. Beats going to the gym.
The up shot is that the agency wanted to know if I could do tomorrow but due to other commitments it is not possible. The agency have since phoned again with some feedback from the client. They were very happy with me and what I had done today so they would be happy to have me back again in the future
Me thinks that is a result, now to try to prove myself in a C+E mount
I passed my Class 2 in October, and My Class 1 in December.
Until a month ago i had found no work, and no one willing to give me the time of day, agencies, companies etc.
Lately been doing some ad-hoc work for a small company, and recently had ( everyones favouites) stobart give me an assessment, passed no problem, but lost out on the job to people with more experience.
The ad hoc works been great, its given me a lot more experience. The last month has seen alot more agencies contacting me about work, but seem flaky at best at contacting you about anything, and nothing has come from being registered with 2 companies. Waste of time.
This week i visited Norbert for an Interview, and got an assessment with them in a week or so. Whilst at work today i have had a call from Malcolms, and have an interview and assessment with them next week. All class 1 work. So things are picking up, and finnaly getting somewhere.
So dont give up, keep trying keep pushing and eventually someone will give you the time of day.
mcc46:
Well what a day today. First one for this agency. It was that bad we had to sit outside our first drop for an hour and a half until they opened so that we could unload… Happy Days
The stint has gone very well as we dropped bear, wine and spirits in Lancaster, Preston, Garstang and Blackpool. Beats going to the gym.
The up shot is that the agency wanted to know if I could do tomorrow but due to other commitments it is not possible. The agency have since phoned again with some feedback from the client. They were very happy with me and what I had done today so they would be happy to have me back again in the future
Me thinks that is a result, now to try to prove myself in a C+E mount
That’s brilliant always good to get that kind of feedback , and yes multidrop is better than going to the gym make sure they know you have that class 1 licence when you go in to a company as if you make a good impression they will be more willing to give you a go should the opportunity arise
make sure they know you have that class 1 licence when you go in to a company as if you make a good impression they will be more willing to give you a go should the opportunity arise