Have I got this all wrong?

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hi all,

Let me explain what’s been going on over last couple of day’s…

So since I passed class 2 I have been out there job hunting. I got to admit I have been finding it a little difficult but like most I keep plugging away not giving up.

I stuck an application in for BRAKES. Yeah I know it’s got a reputation for being pants but I thought they take on new drivers so could be ok for a little time behind the wheel.

So after a couple of days I got a call telling me to attend brakes for an interview. They gave me 48 hours notice for the interview. I have a full time job so this was going to be difficult to get time off. Great I thought better than no interview at all. I began swatting up on the company and revising drivers hours etc.

Yesterday I attend the site. Eventually after asking 4 different people I end up in the right office. The fella I had as the contact name is in the office but pays me little attention other than looking over and saying “I’ll be a minute”. So after me standing in this busy office looking like a spare prick at a wedding for 5 minutes he comes over and asks what I have been up to? We have a little bit of small talk then he leaves me standing there again while he messes about on the computer.

At this point I am thinking this is going down hill rapidly. It doesn’t really feel I am wanted here at all.

Then the fella comes back over asks if I have my documents. He then says don’t normally do this but can you come back 5 o clock tomorrow morning (today). He explains that you can’t polish a turd and that he wants me to experience the job before an interview etc. he says that I will go out for the morning with a driver to see what goes on then on my return we will have interview and the rest of it.

It all happened a bit quick so through clenched teeth I say yes I will come back in the morning.

So I drove the 40 minutes to the site for less than 10 minutes there.
On the drive home I am started to get that mugged off feeling. The one where you feel you are being had over.
I think about it over night and decide I will go back. After all I agreed I would and I am not the type of fella to let people down.
I am thinking that I will go out for 3 hours ish see what goes on then back to yard. I mean come on I am not getting paid for this day.

This morning I attend the site at 4:50am. I am greeted by the same fella as yesterday where I get presented with a few sheets of paper regarding manual handling, asked to read it then sign.

I ask what the plan of the day is? He says well you will be going out on a route get back here for about 2-3pm then have interview.

WHAT!!! Carry out a 9-10 hour shift lugging stuff about for FREE. Then go back for an interview/drive that I might not pass…

I explain my concern to him especially the 9 hours work for free part. He says that it’s because people do the interview have a weeks training in the class room then leave. He thought that going out for a shift would show me the job.

In my head this just did not justify spending a shift working my balls off for free. I did not apply for the volunteer position.

So I tell him doing a full day’s work for no payment goes against my personal ethics and I would call it a day. He just said ok then and that was that.

I drove home thinking did I make the right move? Should I have just cracked on?

I just don’t think I could have done it.

So what’s your thoughts? Did I make a good decision? Should I have allowed myself to get mugged off in the hope of a job?

I would be interested to know your comments.

Apologies for the long post and to the grammar police, go do one.[emoji4].

Cheers for now.
Mark.

2

I think it depends on how much you want the job! Brakes type work isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, and they do have a fair turn over of drivers, but, the money isn’t bad, and they do take new passes. Not knowing you, or your circumstances, or desire to go driving, it’s impossible to say if you did the right thing or not.

3

Cheers for your comment cracker. My desire to go driving in a truck is high. I am currently in a van driving job doing multi drop. To be honest I didn’t really want to do anymore food multi-drop type work but when I got the call I thought of it as the beggars can’t be choosers situation. But as I say to be fair this certainly would not be something I would be really interested in. Just looked at it as time behind the wheel.

4

Think Brakes might be changing tact due to the fact of a high driver turn over.ie due the interview, assessment drive then offer the job… but within days or even weeks of someone new starting they soon realise its not all a bed of roses…

Like you I applied for a class 2 vacancy years ago with a certain company…the promise of over 30k salary looked good, but then I realised it wasn’t just about driving, but handballing 100 or so units of each pallet… taking it from the back of the wagon into the shop…then having to put it away for them…takes the wee wee…

All I can say is learn from this experience from it Mark… Don’t be mugged off by these companies that want someone to do free shifts…didn’t think slavery still existed…

Simple rule of thumb… get called in, take docs, interview,Knowledge…tacho, driver hours and highway code assessment followed by a driving assessment … don’t to them either offer you the job or not…

5

I think your right they can’t keep drivers so want to take people out for a day FOC so they see what the job is …

Maybe they need to look at how they treat drivers and that way they wouldn’t lose so many .

Good on you for standing your ground .

Maybe you should write to head office and voice your concerns about all this work a day with no pay :wink: and the attitude of there chap who kept you hanging like a spare ■■■■ … I would have prob said good bye at that point.

Good luck

6

Cheers Nick and Swampey for taking the time to reply.

Seeing as I have the day off now I have spent it on the computer and phone calling firms and emailing CV’s.
Bacon sandwich me thinks then going to get down to the local industrial estate for a nose about and a chit chat knock on some doors.

You never know!!

Cheers
Mark.

7

Mark1203:
Cheers Nick and Swampey for taking the time to reply.

Seeing as I have the day off now I have spent it on the computer and phone calling firms and emailing CV’s.
Bacon sandwich me thinks then going to get down to the local industrial estate for a nose about and a chit chat knock on some doors.

You never know!!

Cheers
Mark.

Hmm bacon sarnie good plan, now I think I’m gonna get outta bed and have just that :grimacing: :grimacing:

8

Oh and what part of the country you looking into for work ?

9

Essex/London areas really Nick. I live in Chelmsford. If your only just getting out of bed ill have whatever job that is.

10

Mark1203:
Essex/London areas really Nick. I live in Chelmsford. If your only just getting out of bed ill have whatever job that is.

It’s a 5 dayer 1 day OT 1 rest day 3 days holiday 1 rest day 1 OT followed by a 3 shift .

And no you ain’t havin it as I do a cushdy little, load drive Plymouth tip reload drive Bristol re-fuel park up go home :grimacing: a nice 8 to 9 hr night run

11

I say well done for standing your ground!! A days free labour just to get to an interview, er no thanks!! Did you ask him if he had to do that for his desk job? I understand peoples perception of the job and the reality can be two completely different things but I think the method in which they’re trying to sort the chaff from the wheat is ridiculous. :unamused:

I’m also looking for work and finding it difficult, I find it hard to accept an £8.00 an hour job starting a 4am doing 15 drops!! I didn’t pay to pass my licence when I could potentially earn more money shelf stacking.

If anybody knows of some decent employers in the Chorley area who would be prepared to give a newbie a chance and offer a reasonable wage then please let me know… or am I asking for way too much? :laughing:

12

Totally understand why you turned it down but I don’t think it was the right move.
It’s hard starting out truck driving as they all want 2 years experience, so when someone gives you a chance I would take it. 1 days free work doesn’t seem out the way to get your foot in the door.
Also saying £8.00ph is ■■■■ but like I said it gets your foot in the door.
I was lucky and got into class 1 straight away without driving a class 2, but I did all the ■■■■ no one else wanted.

13

Its not hard to get class 2 jobs i passed 15 months ago and have been in work ever since i havnt had to wprk for free yet lol

14

I must be looking in the wrong places then.

15

It depends where you are but no matter where you arrvthe local skip company’s are always looking for drivers wont be the best pay but perfect for experience

16

Hi mark
Totally think you did the right thing by walking away from Brakes,s very kind offer ! :unamused:
If you would consider a start in agency driving, try Driverhire based in Witham, nice people as far as agency people are !! and am sure they would get you driving pretty quick. Also I know CSS agency in Braintree are busy and looking for drivers.
Good Luck Bandit

17

Mate, I’m sorry to hear that! Well done for telling them where to go, they can’t expect you to do a 9-10 hour shift for ■■■■ all!

What’s happening with you know what, :wink: . Any news?

18

Cheers for all the replies fellas. More I think about it more I think I have done the right thing. Brakes ain’t the be all and end all. I am a real hard worker always have been since leaving school just like to get paid for it.
Cheers for the heads up on that agency stuff bandit I will look them up.
Thanks for the advice 3steps, have been looking at skip companies already. Need to follow up on a couple of CVs I sent to them.
Dan will send you a PM.

19

I’ve just passed my Class C looking for work and the prospect of doing a full shift BEFORE an interview would have me asking questions too!
The thing is though, did you get paid for that day in any other way? Did you take a paid day off from other work? If so, you haven’t lost anything, only the experience of a ‘free’ shift.
After the early start and effort getting over there, it might have been worth while getting in the cab and seeing what a shift is like.
Saying that, if someone asked me to do that for free…I’d probably do the same as you in all honesty.
It depends on how you see it. Wasted opportunity or dodged bullet?

20

I dont feel you made the wrong decision at all, doing a days unpaid work to then find out you have not passed the interview/ assessment drive is a ■■■■ take, no matter how desperate you are. I say go out for a couple of hours and experience the job ect but that’s about it not a whole days work for NOTHING at all. Especially when the company is brakes! Lol, you had a lucky escape I think, something will come up buddy dont worry.