JaxDemon:
All I seen in that post was double manned and 40k. Sign me up lol.Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
I can’t get them to go and leave a vacancy!
JaxDemon:
DJR1:
Interesting thread. I passed my Class 2 in September after four years driving buses. Got my licence /CPC card back in November. I was naive and thought because of my previous experience of driving large vehicles up to 13m I would not struggle to get a job. I didn’t expect to get a job with top pay first off but a job.
First thing I did not take into account was the wind down which starts in November. I applied at the local pallet companies nothing… Then I handed out CV’s at other local companies.
Secondly I registered with three agencies but was told it’s a quiet time of year. One did ring me a few times but I was always out or too far away to get to the job quickly, I now realise that I should have pulled all the stops out.
The last ten days have been manic with interviews. First one last week with a well known Builders Merchants that is always looking for drivers. The interview went well til he asked what my salary expectation was for the role. I said 21k a year they said too much. Got a call from a well known Tool Hire Company last Wednesday. I was interviewed for a a 18t driving position on 25th November he rang and offered me the job. I started yesterday straight away there was problems. The extra Truck the company had been promised by HQ had not arrived and was not going to for the forseeable future. So I worked in the warehouse and went out as a drivers mate to help a driver. I done some strapping and tying down loads. Done 11hrs no driving as I was not trained to operate some of the equipment on that vehicle. At the end of the day we parted company as doing warehouse work was not going to help my situation.
Today I had a interview for a Foodservice company,not one of the big boys just a small one who wanted a Class 2 Driver. The firm is 25 miles away from my home so 50 miles a day round trip. Job was advertised at 8.50 p/h ,had a chat with the guy done a 6 page test that was like A-Level Maths and not driving related and a pretty difficult aptitude test. He offered me 7.50ph. I have not heard back but the wage was too low for the distance I had to travel.During the last ten days I knocked back a couple of agency jobs in the hunt for full time work.
New Year is going to be a new me I’m going back out with CV’s I’m going to sign up with as many agencies as possible and take whatever is thrown at me. I won’t give up. I realise the need is now to get some miles under my belt and a fter 6 months or so a full time job may come.The OP must realise that he cannot go straight to the top. At the beginning I knew I wouldn’t but now I know I need to take a different approach.
Ron
Have a look at http://www.adrnetwork.co.uk
They have many places who take on newly passed ect… Just be prepared for the test they give you it can be tricky and they won’t sign you up unless you pass it.
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I agree almost every interview I have been to I have had a written test on things related to the Industry,Highway Code etc. Even the agencies I signed up for gave me tests. The interview yesterday at the Foodservice Company none of them were driving or Industry related. It was maths which included fractions,degrees and long questions adding and subtracting. The Aptitude Test again nothing to do with the Industry it was word puzzles problem solving. I cracked on regardless and he said if I was hired he could offer me £7.50 p/h,80p less than the job was being advertised at. The test yesterday made me feel as if I was applying to pilot a Boeing 747 not a Class 2 Truck.
Ron
thehig:
DJR1:
Job was advertised at 8.50 p/h ,had a chat with the guy done a 6 page test that was like A-Level Maths and not driving related and a pretty difficult aptitude test. He offered me 7.50ph. I have not heard back but the wage was too low for the distance I had to travel.Ron
£7.50 per hour ■■?
You can earn more in McDonalds what an insulting offer.
I know some companies this time of year seem to be trying to take advantage of it being a quiet time of year. The Company in question have a high turnover of staff a couple of my friends have worked there and told me to avoid but it was a case of needs must. I did not expect him to offer me less than the £8.29 advertised.
Ron
DJR1:
I agree almost every interview I have been to I have had a written test on things related to the Industry,Highway Code etc. Even the agencies I signed up for gave me tests. The interview yesterday at the Foodservice Company none of them were driving or Industry related. It was maths which included fractions,degrees and long questions adding and subtracting. The Aptitude Test again nothing to do with the Industry it was word puzzles problem solving. I cracked on regardless and he said if I was hired he could offer me £7.50 p/h,80p less than the job was being advertised at. The test yesterday made me feel as if I was applying to pilot a Boeing 747 not a Class 2 Truck.Ron
Crikey, we go far more on gut feeling. Do we think you will fit in, do you seem like someone that doesn’t run screaming when we mention double man and being away from home. Short assessment drive and a quick chat and that’s it.
What on earth is a maths test going to tell you? I know some good drivers that manage to calculate their hours, but would fail on much more than simple addition.
albion:
DJR1:
I agree almost every interview I have been to I have had a written test on things related to the Industry,Highway Code etc. Even the agencies I signed up for gave me tests. The interview yesterday at the Foodservice Company none of them were driving or Industry related. It was maths which included fractions,degrees and long questions adding and subtracting. The Aptitude Test again nothing to do with the Industry it was word puzzles problem solving. I cracked on regardless and he said if I was hired he could offer me £7.50 p/h,80p less than the job was being advertised at. The test yesterday made me feel as if I was applying to pilot a Boeing 747 not a Class 2 Truck.Ron
What on earth is a maths test going to tell you? I know some good drivers that manage to calculate their hours, but would fail on much more than simple addition.
I was pretty gobsmacked too.The maths questions were at least A Level questions. Even at the bus companies I have worked at the maths questions were so simple anyone could do them. Not yesterday’s test. He wanted a 95% correct answers too ! Apparently they have just started doing it.
Ron
DJR1:
albion:
DJR1:
I agree almost every interview I have been to I have had a written test on things related to the Industry,Highway Code etc. Even the agencies I signed up for gave me tests. The interview yesterday at the Foodservice Company none of them were driving or Industry related. It was maths which included fractions,degrees and long questions adding and subtracting. The Aptitude Test again nothing to do with the Industry it was word puzzles problem solving. I cracked on regardless and he said if I was hired he could offer me £7.50 p/h,80p less than the job was being advertised at. The test yesterday made me feel as if I was applying to pilot a Boeing 747 not a Class 2 Truck.Ron
What on earth is a maths test going to tell you? I know some good drivers that manage to calculate their hours, but would fail on much more than simple addition.
I was pretty gobsmacked too.The maths questions were at least A Level questions. Even at the bus companies I have worked at the maths questions were so simple anyone could do them. Not yesterday’s test. He wanted a 95% correct answers too ! Apparently they have just started doing it.
Ron
This fascinates me ( as you can tell). Why on earth do that? It’s nothing to do with driving. I’d fail it, yet I’ve run a business for 25 years and my maths has been good enough for that. As for an aptitude test of word puzzles and problem solving…
You get that in management interviews and looking at the quality of some of them, you can tell the interviewer wasn’t doing their job. HR trying to make something into a science when it isn’t.
Last Class 1 driver I interviewed was in the cab of the firm he was driving for at Lymm truckstop and that was a few years ago, which kind of proves the interview and subsequent job offer went well for both parties.
albion:
JaxDemon:
All I seen in that post was double manned and 40k. Sign me up lol.Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
I can’t get them to go and leave a vacancy!
I don’t blame them.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
thehig:
DJR1:
Job was advertised at 8.50 p/h ,had a chat with the guy done a 6 page test that was like A-Level Maths and not driving related and a pretty difficult aptitude test. He offered me 7.50ph. I have not heard back but the wage was too low for the distance I had to travel.Ron
£7.50 per hour ■■?
You can earn more in McDonalds what an insulting offer.
Just be warned a lot of mcdonalds are opening Christmas day. One in Burton-upon-Trent I go by is open 7am to 2:30pm. Madness.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
JaxDemon:
thehig:
DJR1:
Job was advertised at 8.50 p/h ,had a chat with the guy done a 6 page test that was like A-Level Maths and not driving related and a pretty difficult aptitude test. He offered me 7.50ph. I have not heard back but the wage was too low for the distance I had to travel.Ron
£7.50 per hour ■■?
You can earn more in McDonalds what an insulting offer.
Just be warned a lot of mcdonalds are opening Christmas day. One in Burton-upon-Trent I go by is open 7am to 2:30pm. Madness.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
You mean go by or go to? The amount of lorrys that park outside that place just before the roundabout is criminal
Will a lorry fit in the drive through 
albion:
DJR1:
albion:
DJR1:
I agree almost every interview I have been to I have had a written test on things related to the Industry,Highway Code etc. Even the agencies I signed up for gave me tests. The interview yesterday at the Foodservice Company none of them were driving or Industry related. It was maths which included fractions,degrees and long questions adding and subtracting. The Aptitude Test again nothing to do with the Industry it was word puzzles problem solving. I cracked on regardless and he said if I was hired he could offer me £7.50 p/h,80p less than the job was being advertised at. The test yesterday made me feel as if I was applying to pilot a Boeing 747 not a Class 2 Truck.Ron
What on earth is a maths test going to tell you? I know some good drivers that manage to calculate their hours, but would fail on much more than simple addition.
I was pretty gobsmacked too.The maths questions were at least A Level questions. Even at the bus companies I have worked at the maths questions were so simple anyone could do them. Not yesterday’s test. He wanted a 95% correct answers too ! Apparently they have just started doing it.
Ron
This fascinates me ( as you can tell). Why on earth do that? It’s nothing to do with driving. I’d fail it, yet I’ve run a business for 25 years and my maths has been good enough for that. As for an aptitude test of word puzzles and problem solving…
You get that in management interviews and looking at the quality of some of them, you can tell the interviewer wasn’t doing their job. HR trying to make something into a science when it isn’t.
Last Class 1 driver I interviewed was in the cab of the firm he was driving for at Lymm truckstop and that was a few years ago, which kind of proves the interview and subsequent job offer went well for both parties.
Strange thing is during the interview he didn’t even ask to see my Licence/CPC Card. After the aptitude test etc he started reading questions off a sheet along the lines of " What values will you bring to this company" ? “Why do you want this role ? " " In 15 words describe your best qualities ?”
Most crazy interview ever !
Ron
Mate, you sure you were applying for a truck driving job and not Stephen Hawkings assistant
JaxDemon:
thehig:
DJR1:
Job was advertised at 8.50 p/h ,had a chat with the guy done a 6 page test that was like A-Level Maths and not driving related and a pretty difficult aptitude test. He offered me 7.50ph. I have not heard back but the wage was too low for the distance I had to travel.Ron
£7.50 per hour ■■?
You can earn more in McDonalds what an insulting offer.
Just be warned a lot of mcdonalds are opening Christmas day. One in Burton-upon-Trent I go by is open 7am to 2:30pm. Madness.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Big Mac on Christmas Day lol
Ergot2005:
JaxDemon:
thehig:
DJR1:
Job was advertised at 8.50 p/h ,had a chat with the guy done a 6 page test that was like A-Level Maths and not driving related and a pretty difficult aptitude test. He offered me 7.50ph. I have not heard back but the wage was too low for the distance I had to travel.Ron
£7.50 per hour ■■?
You can earn more in McDonalds what an insulting offer.
Just be warned a lot of mcdonalds are opening Christmas day. One in Burton-upon-Trent I go by is open 7am to 2:30pm. Madness.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
You mean go by or go to? The amount of lorrys that park outside that place just before the roundabout is criminal
I honestly don’t know what your implying but I can assure you this at 4am when it’s dead outside don’t go in and order a cheeseburger or big mac both been sat there for hours. I’d suggest you order something they have to cook.
[emoji23] [emoji23]
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thehig:
JaxDemon:
thehig:
DJR1:
Job was advertised at 8.50 p/h ,had a chat with the guy done a 6 page test that was like A-Level Maths and not driving related and a pretty difficult aptitude test. He offered me 7.50ph. I have not heard back but the wage was too low for the distance I had to travel.Ron
£7.50 per hour ■■?
You can earn more in McDonalds what an insulting offer.
Just be warned a lot of mcdonalds are opening Christmas day. One in Burton-upon-Trent I go by is open 7am to 2:30pm. Madness.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Big Mac on Christmas Day lol
Tbh if the Mrs ends up cooking I’ll be going to get a big mac meal.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
DJR1:
Strange thing is during the interview he didn’t even ask to see my Licence/CPC Card. After the aptitude test etc he started reading questions off a sheet along the lines of " What values will you bring to this company" ? “Why do you want this role ? " " In 15 words describe your best qualities ?”
Most crazy interview ever !Ron
I’ve noticed this a few times when I’ve had a few interviews this past year. I get the feeling they just download the latest ‘trendy’ questions to ask from the internet. I’ve started to look up these myself and make a note of what kind of answer they are looking for… imo, it’s not really getting to know a prospective employee though, it’s just parrot fashion rhetoric but if that is what it takes, I’ll play the game as well.
albion:
Mate, you sure you were applying for a truck driving job and not Stephen Hawkings assistant
I was tempted to ask him where the Boeing 747 was I would be in if he took me on !
Ron
andy_s:
DJR1:
Strange thing is during the interview he didn’t even ask to see my Licence/CPC Card. After the aptitude test etc he started reading questions off a sheet along the lines of " What values will you bring to this company" ? “Why do you want this role ? " " In 15 words describe your best qualities ?”
Most crazy interview ever !Ron
I’ve noticed this a few times when I’ve had a few interviews this past year. I get the feeling they just download the latest ‘trendy’ questions to ask from the internet. I’ve started to look up these myself and make a note of what kind of answer they are looking for… imo, it’s not really getting to know a prospective employee though, it’s just parrot fashion rhetoric but if that is what it takes, I’ll play the game as well.
I played the game with him. Back in the late 90s til 2002 I was a Retail Manager and these questions were doing the rounds then,me personally I never used them.
I haven’t got the job, the company in question has a high turnover of staff a couple of ex colleagues from my old job had worked for him in the past and told me to stay clear. But needs must I applied. He advertised the position at £8.29 p/h but told me best he could do for me at this time of year was £7.50. The job was a 50 mile round trip a day.
Between now and January 3rd I’m making a list of every agency in the area and I’m going to register at many as possible,it’s the only thing I can think of now.
Ron
Best way mate. I seen a chap driving a class 2 wagon other day making deliveries to a local well known shop who have a distribution centre in my town and on his hi-viz had the name of the agency he was working for so popped in off spec yesterday and registered with them. Looks like they may have openings for me next week. The money I earn currently, I don’t even benefit from in real terms as I am currently on JSA and what I earn is taken off my jsa which is fair enough… it’s the experience that’s putting me in good stead for the future.
andy_s:
Best way mate. I seen a chap driving a class 2 wagon other day making deliveries to a local well known shop who have a distribution centre in my town and on his hi-viz had the name of the agency he was working for so popped in off spec yesterday and registered with them. Looks like they may have openings for me next week. The money I earn currently, I don’t even benefit from in real terms as I am currently on JSA and what I earn is taken off my jsa which is fair enough… it’s the experience that’s putting me in good stead for the future.
I could be having to sign on soon too mate. It will be a first for me but if I don’t pull something out the hat soon it will be a reality. I will still do agency work like yourself even if it gets knocked off the payment,I’m thinking of the bigger picture. I hope the work comes off next week for you Andy.
Ron