I haven’t driven trucks for quite a while now, never used a digi tacho, but have recently reinstated my licenses and got my drivers cpc and even bought a digi card.
OK, here is where I am at. Sent my details to a couple of haulage companies last week, told them I was interested in any vacancies they may have coming up in the future that DIDN’T involve nights out, with a view to keeping my details on file. Surprisingly they have both contacted me and told me to come in for interviews next week.
Now we all know what many haulage companies are like, with maximising use of the truck and its earning capacity, with little regard for the driver or the driver having a life outside of work. What do you reckon is the best way to ensure I am not lumbered with runs involving any nights out. Obviously I can’t be too flippant at an interview, but need to ensure they get the point without using comments like “I’d just pull the card”.
Before someone jumps in with “every driver should be prepared to do nights out”, it not somewhere I ever intend going again. Some of us have proper beds at home to sleep in, not dossing in some urine stenched layby filled with litter.
What do you guys reckon is the best way to approach this at interview?
There’s plenty of firms that don’t involve nights out. Pallet networks, food deliveries, builders merchants etc. It sounds like you’ve already told them your unable to do nights away and they’ve still called you for interviews.
TBH mention it once again at interview and then don’t push the issue anymore.
Yes, as stated, there are plenty jobs that don’t require nights out and, in my experience, they would rather have someone happy to do them rather than try to con a driver into doing it. When you get your work you should be able to work out how long, give or take, it will take you, traffic permitting obviously.
Thanks for the input guys. Builders merchants work requires you to have HIAB in this part of the world. A lot of local(ish) tipper work requires you to have an EPIC card if you end up running for quarries. That doesn’t leave a lot of options for driving work that doesn’t involve nights out.
It does prove one thing though. There are jobs out there that are not specifically advertised, especially when you consider I have never used a digi tacho and haven’t driven for a while. I now have a third interview lined up for this week too (non driving). Looks like it is going to be an interesting week.
From my experience in a different industry, good form at the end of the interview when the interviewer says “Do you want the job?”, your reply is “Yes, subject to negotiations about…” which is when you nail down anything you haven’t already, or just do a roundup if main points. (You may have taken notes if you’re switched on/fussy, depending on your point of view), at which point you make your point about nights out etc.
This is also when you may be feeling confident enough that they want you enough to up the pay a little. “Would you be happy to give me…” an hour/year as I think I’m worth it…after two months…(get diary out and organise an appointment with Mr. Asquith the TM).
Good luck!
