Question:
All of these years i have been contemplating leaving the road and getting a local job at home...now i have actually started trying to do it. However after putiing in many applications and not getting anything i am getting frustrated. Is there a higher standard for local jobs (???). I have been applying for gas tanker jobs, home depot delivery, martin brower, etc. I know especially with the tanker jobs they are ALWAYS looking for drivers and i seem to get the blow off (ex: we misplaced your app, give me your number i'll call you back business). I have no accidents in 6 years of driving, 1 minor speeding ticket 2 years ago (7 mph over speed limit). Back in the 80's i got a dui and a misdemeanor, now almost 20 years later is that holding me up? does anyone have any experience with this type of situation or just advice..i'd like to read some feedback..thanks

Answer:
You hear the same thing from many people , supposedly there are job openings but the recruiters never follow up. Sometimes I think they just post jobs to justify their own exsistence
Answer:
I believe it may be lack of experience. OTR does not equate to local and vice versa.
Another factor to consider is the OTR Driver attitude displayed by many previously hired.
The reluctance to actually work for a living as compared to just driving.
Answer:
RABELAM is right about that.
Many local companies have had such bad experiences from OTR drivers, they will not hire them.
If you worked local prior to going OTR and had verifiable local experience? Then, that may be different.
Me for instance, I started driving local years before I ever drove OTR. Then went back and forth for several years, OTR, Local, OTR Local, etc.
I never had a problem getting hired on driving local because I had lots of prior verifiable experience, especially in LTL.
I too have a clean MVR. For the Past 22 years, working on my 23rd year now.

Answer:
TB
you shouldn't have a problem if you live around the lakeland area. i drove otr for 5 yrs and quit to drive local .
i'm pulling a tanker , non haz-mat, not food product either. i never had any tanker experience b4 this job, pay is decent for the lakeland area and i'm getting more hrs than i actually want to work avg. is 53hrs per week.
the local gigs are out there they just want drivers that will work and show up everyday.
i know of a few jobs around here if you are interested just send me a msg.
what happened to the couple that started driving expedited about a year ago?

Answer:
i live in ft lauderdale, not lakeland area. I have no problem with working (as a matter of fact having lost 117lbs so far i am looking for something WITH some activity..not just sitting and driving.... the main reason im trying to be home is because i am taking care of myself now, and while i have found gyms to work out in on the road, i am just a bit burned out...700 miles just about every day and add to that stops at the gym etc have burned me out a little..plus i cant stand snow and ice and here it comes again..thats yet another reason to go home....but my main question has been answered a little...i guess i will just accept one of my friends comments and that is "when the job that your supposed to get comes along, then you'll get it". I have a few more apps to put in when i get home and see where that goes. Any further input would be appreciated. thanks

Answer:

If you believe that you're in trouble.

I hope you're deliverying the applications in person as compared to Mail or Net.
Resumes won't cut it when applying "local".
A follow up personal visit may be beneficial concerning previous applications.

Don't be offended by the input. Just "thinking" outloud.
Answer:
Rabelman's right I think. You're fighting prejudice against long-time OTR drivers. The good record is a big plus, but your long-term experience is actually working against you. I also suspect you're going for the high-end jobs -- a good thing, but even more competative.
Get some "face time" with the recruiter. "I'd like to introduce myself in person, when can I have five minutes?" This always gives you a better shot in any job. I wouldn't be surprised if some personnel folks you're contacting aren't expecting it.
Your mission is to get the job -- just like you mission behind the wheel is to deliver the load. Demonstrate your value to these folks by taking the bull by the horns and gettin'er done. Be as determined in getting their consideration, as they want you to be performing their work.

Answer:
BOB
glad to see your doing good and lost all that weight . now about local jobs , i know here in Montgomery,al. Kenann and florida rock have an add in the newspaper most everysunday, .turnover in the gas and diesel hauling isn't that big and one thing is a must , you have to see the person doing the hiring in person, means alot . and try to talk to some of the local drivers and see if one will put in a word for you .there are options , you will just have to stay in town long enough to find them , if thats what you want to do. . also i have several friends that drive for both co.above . here in alabama . they may someone down in south florida that can help . send me a PM.if you want me to talk with them .

Answer:
Im going to be making personal appearances when i get home starting wednesday, i have applied online not because i wanted to but because being gone so friggin much i had too. But the personal touch does go along way in helping get a job. I dont mind criticism, thats fine...i did talk to one guy who said "get your butt in here, fill out an app so we can get you a physical/drug test" , obviously i will be going to see him first, i also have a line on a job delivering for a secondary company owned by home depot, the guy liked the fact i have an "A" license with haz-mat...its 5 days a week, benefits and 15.50 an hr to start...so we do have prospects, i just need more info from you guys on the proper way to "close" the deal if ya know what i mean

Answer:

Walk in, find the Terminal Manager's hand, shake it while saying "Hi, My name is Bob. I will show up to work Every day, I will do exactly what you tell me to do in a timely, efficent manner, and you will forget that I even work here because there will be no hassles with me SIR."
Job landed.

Answer:
My experience with online apps for local jobs is that you will get a call from one of their HR droids who will make it quite obvious that they didn't read your app . Same if you email a resume. They really want you to fill out THEIR written application form in person and then they will talk to you. You can't even get them to give you details about the job before that . I guess the HR droids think we are all desperate for jobs and should feel lucky to take whatever they dish out. I've had better luck dropping by a company and asking if they are hiring - that way you can often bypass the HR droids . Just about every company will look at somebody with the initiative to come in - but try to have some idea as to the company's business (google them at least). .

Answer:
i did get to see a personnel guy at one of the places i went, he seemed to think and act as if i should have no problem so we will find out..now here is the real dilemna, the job i applied for with the county here, they e-mailed me about an interview, i called the interviewer and was told that if i could not show up on one of the 3 days they have for this batch of interviews i would be disqualified for this job, i have a situation because i will be back on the road and no way can i be back in 6 days, this is a real issue for me because this particular job could be a "career" job, one i could do for 20 years and actually retire with a pension and benefits etc. I have to figure out how to handle this because i will be going for this interview, but i dont want to burn myself with my current job if it didn't work out for some reason. I just have to find out how to handle this with aartman, whether i should inform them i need to use my vacation week so i can be home, or frankly just quit...if anyone can think of anyway to handle this, im open for suggestions....im fortunate that im not desperate for money so i could be out of work for a few months and be ok, but i would like to be able to do this interview, yet stay with aartman till im sure i have the job....i dont really mind quitting aartman but i would like to give them notice, not just say i quit if they tell me they cant get me back home..what to do

Answer:
I would use the vacation week.
Answer:
Bob either use the vacation..........................OR.....................Tell dispatch you got some family issues and need to be close to the house for a week or so,I am sure Mulberry could keep you busy with short stuff until your interview day rolls around. Lots of Ga-Fl milk runs this time of year
Good luck with the county job recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division