Still no job :-(

[the-snowman]

ibby730d:

The-Snowman:

ibby730d:
Lie? how can you when they will require proof and references?

“So who have you worked for previously?”

“Well after I passed my test I did a bit of ad-hoc for Anderson plant hire. They went bust so I went to Robsons haulage and did a week or so for them. He’s sold up now. He retired and moved to Australia. Did a bit of curtainsider and flatbed work for him. Usually pallets of slabs getting delivered to (insert city here).”

Its easy. Just sound like you half know what you are talking about. You only need to show them you are a decent person and get them to give you a chance.

Thats the hard bit. Once you have the chance the easy bit is dont side swipe a car and crash into a snack van when you leave the depot!

Won’t i get caught out if i say ive got 12+ months experience

If you read that and can’t even think to make it fit your own timeline then maybe you’re right, lying isn’t for you

[ets]

robroy:
but I would have no scruples whatsoever about lying to an agency.
Transport is a ruthless dog eat dog/everyman for himself industry, if you don’t lie others may, and they get the job. …whoever said ‘Honesty is the best policy’ was a [zb] idiot.

I don’t often agree with him but yeah that’s so true, sadly.

Jan-March is slow on agency. Best be pro-active and ring them yourself every day or two rather than wait for them to call you.

I’ve never been asked to provide a checkable reference, I don’t even give them the full name and phone/address of previous employers because I cba to look them up, just put a company name vaguely resembling the name of a company/agency you worked for and the position, no one seems to care unless you apply for a job that specifically asks for proven references/work history (like RM, jobs that require high-security clearance or airport work in general)

Few more things (for agency work):

Start on class 2, easier to get a break w/o experience. Also good for learning tachos, breaks etc. Be prepared to travel a bit further for your first job, it might only be a for a few days anyway. If you can do a night shift or two, even better (more chance to get an offer). Those first few shifts are likely going to be one-offs. When you get sent to a company have a look in their drivers sign-in book - most if not all of them will be using several agencies. Note their names (or talk to other drivers/TM to find out) and if/when work dries up, call the other agencies who will be happy to take you as you’ll already have done work for that client. You can spot that in ads too as the lazy idiots literally copy each others text so you can find the same job advertised by different agencies.

One more thing, on calss 2 (at leas) the 6 months they want is for insurance purposes only so I’ve been told by both agencies and companies.

Good luck

[yourhavingalarf]

ETS:
I’ve never been asked to provide a checkable reference, I don’t even give them the full name and phone/address of previous employers because I cba to look them up, just put a company name vaguely resembling the name of a company/agency you worked for and the position, no one seems to care unless you apply for a job that specifically asks for proven references/work history (like RM, jobs that require high-security clearance or airport work in general)

Last two…

Agencies I signed up with (including the one where I’m currently still working) was all done over the phone and via email.

[ets]

yourhavingalarf:
Last two…

Agencies I signed up with (including the one where I’m currently still working) was all done over the phone and via email.

It will vary between different agencies. My first one and the one where I’ve made the most ££ so far (most as a % of my total, not A LOT of ££) I’ve never been to their office, I don’t even know where it is not have I met anyone in person ever to this day, lol. 2nd was online application + informal chat at their office (been there 3 times in 1 year, done about 6 months for them). Another insisted on me going there to fill out 40 minutes worth of paperwork; they never offered me any work and when I called them last month they said they have me on their database but I’d still have to go there and do the paperwork again because it’s been over 6 months ago. Told them I’d go another time.

Last one was a 2 hour interview + paperwork + tests on road signs/WTD/tacho/highway code/geography/road network + a client specific test + 45 minute induction + drug/alcohol test, total of over 3 hours and more promises than BJ and Corbyn combined…I’ve since done 2 shifts for them, lol.

[ibby730d]

trevHCS:
As much as it probably worked years ago, saying you’ve got 6 months experience will fall flat when they look at your tacho card and it shows zip. Remember it goes back a long long way. Plus it might burn future bridges.

My first one took 6 months to get and I only had it 2 months, but once you’ve learned straps, chains, tacho ops etc the agencies will be fighting for you. Admittedly it’ll be 4am phone calls but it’s a start.

Would defo accept 7.5T work as that gives you genuine experience of a large vehicle without jumping to artic which is a heck of a beast when theres no instructor beside you! Even if its fulltime, it counts towards your experience… then go class 2, then class 1. Skips are a good class 2 option.

If you lie and state you’ve driven artics when the last time was on your test, you will get into problems. 7.5T and class 2 are fudgeable if you’ve driven a van. Artic isn’t.

Btw, its the same with most job types - hard to get a footing but once you’ve got one and you’re above all the other people who’ve not done it.

(Now I’ll have to suffer the old schoolers calling me a wimp or maybe even a yes-man {shudder} ).

Cheers man.

[ibby730d]

Benjie83:
My humble advice…

Give google a good spanking if not already an search out as many firms as you can in the desired areas, use key words like livestock, groupage, waste, feeds, and look at firms who do their own work, as those will chuck up oddballs…[emoji6]

Then, if possible pack a bag with all your driving accessories an go smash doors in mate, and while your hunting cast your eyes about for those firms who don’t have a booming social media profile as they do still exist, sadly your dhl/tesco will still use poxy online recruitment so in that case just keep your CV brief, last 3yrs history an forget the rest till interview time.

Another oddball tactic I use is, if possible head for the local lorry parks/busy service areas/docks/distribution sites anything busy an see which firms are in/out…
Note the names and have a mooch while your sat [emoji6]

I do the latter alot, [zb] the funny looks lol, and it’s how I’ve gotten leads to jobs, ask a driver, an OWE em a coffee either way as you never know who’s tossed you a bone, and to me that’s the way it should be, I’ve paid many back so far, only a couple to go [emoji106]

Plus my youngest boy loves wagons so he enjoys an hour of spotting too… (aaaand yes esp the eddies bt3)… [emoji16][emoji16]

Stobarts seem very mixed at the moment, if they’re messing about as has been mentioned on here then it shows the shortage ain’t real as we all know, so again just bang a cv in an see.
Maritime want 2yrs 99% time so I’d save yourself the arse ache there, unless they’ve a depot near you can walk into an beg at(or friendly driver is found who may ping you a clue[emoji6]).

Agency’s of no interest to me as I need guaranteed money, but if you can work it then go for it, just don’t lie about experience, ain’t worth the stress as its your arse if [zb] goes south.

I’m in the same boat as you so all I can say is keep the faith an keep plugging away, ooooooor last ditch here, contemplate move… (insert European choice)… take hgv test, drive for couple days, move back, bingos I drive truck as have euro experienced, best driver uk have, plus you’ll get a twang in your native note tooo, win winski at all but even the hardest of UK haulage firms…
If you believe the rumours… [emoji38][emoji16]

Good luck man [emoji109][emoji109]

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

Cheers for that

[ibby730d]

Jimmy McNulty:

yourhavingalarf:

Jimmy McNulty:
Agency wise, Talstaff will get a job with no experience at South Elmsall

There’s a reason…

Anyone can get work there, it’s because it’s in the middle of bleedin’ nowhere. There’s no way I’d be driving from Sheffield and back for what might possibly turn out to be a poorly paid 8 hour shift. You’d be spending the lot on fuel.

I know they can, that’s why I suggested it and the OP is looking for time on his card and they will take anyone with a pulse and a driving licence.

The OP is also looking to drive up to 1.5 hours. South Elmsall is 40 minutes away from Sheffield

Ye i was a warehouse operative for a bit at Next in South Elmsall. Nice short drive and easy to get to. Will see if they are recruiting.

I’ve also done a bit of warehouse operative work at Shop Direct in Oldham/Shaw. They work with Yodel which is part of it so will check them out but the daily journey there and back costs me about £17.

[ibby730d]

ETS:

robroy:
but I would have no scruples whatsoever about lying to an agency.
Transport is a ruthless dog eat dog/everyman for himself industry, if you don’t lie others may, and they get the job. …whoever said ‘Honesty is the best policy’ was a [zb] idiot.

I don’t often agree with him but yeah that’s so true, sadly.

Jan-March is slow on agency. Best be pro-active and ring them yourself every day or two rather than wait for them to call you.

I’ve never been asked to provide a checkable reference, I don’t even give them the full name and phone/address of previous employers because I cba to look them up, just put a company name vaguely resembling the name of a company/agency you worked for and the position, no one seems to care unless you apply for a job that specifically asks for proven references/work history (like RM, jobs that require high-security clearance or airport work in general)

Few more things (for agency work):

Start on class 2, easier to get a break w/o experience. Also good for learning tachos, breaks etc. Be prepared to travel a bit further for your first job, it might only be a for a few days anyway. If you can do a night shift or two, even better (more chance to get an offer). Those first few shifts are likely going to be one-offs. When you get sent to a company have a look in their drivers sign-in book - most if not all of them will be using several agencies. Note their names (or talk to other drivers/TM to find out) and if/when work dries up, call the other agencies who will be happy to take you as you’ll already have done work for that client. You can spot that in ads too as the lazy idiots literally copy each others text so you can find the same job advertised by different agencies.

One more thing, on calss 2 (at leas) the 6 months they want is for insurance purposes only so I’ve been told by both agencies and companies.

Good luck

Cheers for that

Ye ive noticed a lot of jobs that require 12 months is mostly for insurance purposes and they say to hold the license rather than have experience.

[ibby730d]

Is there a company/agency that deals with driving jobs for Next? or is it Next themselves via their careers page? at the mo, no jobs.

[jimmy_mcnulty]

ibby730d:

Jimmy McNulty:

yourhavingalarf:

Jimmy McNulty:
Agency wise, Talstaff will get a job with no experience at South Elmsall

There’s a reason…

Anyone can get work there, it’s because it’s in the middle of bleedin’ nowhere. There’s no way I’d be driving from Sheffield and back for what might possibly turn out to be a poorly paid 8 hour shift. You’d be spending the lot on fuel.

I know they can, that’s why I suggested it and the OP is looking for time on his card and they will take anyone with a pulse and a driving licence.

The OP is also looking to drive up to 1.5 hours. South Elmsall is 40 minutes away from Sheffield

Ye i was a warehouse operative for a bit at Next in South Elmsall. Nice short drive and easy to get to. Will see if they are recruiting.

I’ve also done a bit of warehouse operative work at Shop Direct in Oldham/Shaw. They work with Yodel which is part of it so will check them out but the daily journey there and back costs me about £17.

Yodels agency is Nexus People.

South Elmsall work is for Londis and it’s usually through Talstaff - they also do agency (or did) for Asda at Elmsall/Redhouse as well.

Ice co are round that way and always seem to be looking for 4 on 4 off trampers. Reed Boardall at Boroughbridge might be a bit far

AF Blakemore & Brakes Brothers might be worth a shout.

[ibby730d]

Legend!

Will check em all out. Cheers man.

[beetlejuice]

ibby730d:

yourhavingalarf:

robroy:
What area are you in.
Tried Stobarts ? They train up new drivers afaik.

Or you could lie to the agencies, they’ll sure as hell tell you plenty if you get on with them,.

Big +1…

When everything had 3 pedals and we tied things on, I lied my arse off, ‘yeh. I’ve done A frames to Morocco, tilts to Moscow and 22 drops down Londons back streets’. I hadn’t been much further than Basingstoke but most of them bought it and I gotta ride.

Tell 'em you’ve been doing a few things for an owner driver who’s sold up because of ill health.

Stobartski will hire you.

Good luck.

Lie? how can you when they will require proof and references?

Stobarts only have tramping and night shifts at the moment. Can only do days with no tramping.

Stobarts will tell you nights or tramping as nobody else wants those shifts.
It is how they operate.I went through their process and on the day of assessment pointy shoe kid called me to say no day shifts left.They moan they cannot get drivers,what they do not say is if you call their agency you will get any shift you want.
Avoid them direct go to their agency…

[good_friend]

Beetlejuice:
Stobarts will tell you nights or tramping as nobody else wants those shifts.
It is how they operate.I went through their process and on the day of assessment pointy shoe kid called me to say no day shifts left.They moan they cannot get drivers,what they do not say is if you call their agency you will get any shift you want.
Avoid them direct go to their agency…

You will be paid more if you go through the agency. Not a lot more but still…

[ibby730d]

Check out my new post. Sitrep!

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=164088

[beetlejuice]

ibby730d:
Check out my new post. Sitrep!

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=164088

Here is a sitrep lie to all agencies lie to firms.What you are doing is losing confidence fast.
Do not let these a holes get you down.
LIE LIE LIE.

[volscadaf]

bald bloke:

edd1974:
If they have a depot near you Fowler Welch tend to take on new passes.

Culina also are pretty good at taking on newbies as long as you show a good attitude and an aptitude to learn.

FW would take someone on who was driving out the Test Centre with a Pass Slip

[benjie83]

DHL and Culina are BOTH recruiting, and newbies are welcome [emoji106]

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