Drivers, have you ever noticed the same trucking companies hiring or promoting the same trucking jobs month after month? If you’re a truck driver on the job hunt, you may wonder why some trucking companies always seem to be hiring. Is this a good thing? Is this a bad thing?
If you see a trucking company hiring frequently, this may not be a bad sign. There are many reasons, both good and bad, why a trucking company may be hiring more frequently than others.
Keep reading for insights on these signs and how to tell if a frequently hiring company is good news or bad news, and learn the difference between healthy driver recruitment and hiring versus high driver turnover.
Understanding The Large-Scale Trucking Industry
There are over 1.86 million trucking companies in the U.S. J.B. Hunt and Schneider are just two of the many large-scale carriers, ranking high by number of tractors and company size.
Because there are so many types of companies ranging from large trucking companies to small trucking companies, hiring needs tend to be different across the board. That said, understanding the difference between high driver turnover and healthy hiring is very important when exploring other transportation companies.
Not only is hiring different, but the type of work and atmosphere you will be in may be severely different as well. Understanding the differences between large and small trucking companies can help drivers find the best opportunities that align with their career goals.
High Driver Turnover
In the logistics and trucking industry, high driver turnover can indicate a wide range of things. High driver turnover is when a company is frequently hiring employees because they do not stay for long periods of time, typically less than one year.
Driver turnover rates can approach 100% annually. The main reason for high driver turnover for carriers is that the drivers find something desirable in another company that their current company does not provide.
Examples of reasons drivers may be more inclined to switch companies can stem from better pay or benefits, poor work-life balance, or even a lack of respect from the management level.
Although driving and delivering fleet is the priority of the job, other trucking services and qualities matter to drivers in a company as well.
Signs Driver Turnover Is Bad
If you see a company constantly hiring and posting the same jobs, you may need to perform some investigations. Look to see if the company is experiencing frequent complaints or negativity online by either drivers or clients.
Another surprising point to look out for is if the company is advertising recruiting bonuses for many of their positions. Although recruitment commodity can be great, it can be a way for companies to encourage drivers to apply for their jobs that are otherwise struggling to be filled.
For larger companies such as J.B. Hunt, it may be more common to hire the same positions more frequently since they are a very large national carrier. For smaller trucking companies, advertising the same positions year-round may signal high driver turnover.
Hiring For Growth
On the bright side, there are very good reasons for a company to advertise frequent job postings. A carrier may have more frequent job postings simply because they are experiencing rapid company growth.
Company growth can look like new contracts with customers, expansion into new markets and specialized transport fleets, even operational expansions such as purchasing new trucks. If the operations of a freight line expand, the truckers and team must expand as well.
Expanding into new markets or other forms of expansion is a good indicator to drivers that the company values growth. If you currently have a trucking career, you should be searching for companies hiring that have new opportunities for advancement.
Trucking Job Industry In High Demand
Regardless if you’re a driver, recruiter, or carrier, you can clearly see that the industry has been seeing an upswing recently. Another big reason why a company may be hiring more frequently is due to the high demand in the industry.
As businesses are expanding, more and more truck drivers are needed to deliver and haul carriers’ freight. Driver shortages, the retirement of experienced drivers, and the growth of e-commerce and supply chain logistics can lead to a high demand for truck drivers.
When the demand for drivers is high, but the job qualifications are specific, it can be challenging to find the right trucking job that fits all your needs. You may have more or less difficulty finding open opportunities that match your qualifications.
Using a driver recruiting platform like AllTruckJobs.com can help alleviate the stress of matching you with the best job for you
LTL vs TL Carrier Jobs
Not all trucking companies hire for the same needs. Two types of trucking companies that hire differently are LTL carriers and TL carriers.
LTL carriers, or less-than-truckload carriers, often operate on a scheduled route with multiple different pickups and deliveries each day. Because the companies have large needs across diverse terminal networks with larger driver workforces, they may hire more frequently than others to help support expansions and demand.
TL, or truckload carriers, typically move goods for just one single customer. Their hiring needs may be smaller as they depend on customer contracts, volume, and business growth. If a company starts winning new accounts or gains new customers, you may see them posting more open positions more frequently.
Understanding both of these carrier types can help you evaluate job postings and can provide context when looking to apply for new jobs. Just because there is frequent hiring doesn’t automatically signal high driver turnover; it could simply be business growth and carrier fluctuations.
Better Opportunities
As we mentioned, one of the leading causes of high driver turnover and constant hiring within the trucking industry is the fact that drivers are leaving for better opportunities. Below is a list of the top 5 reasons why a driver may leave a company.
#1: Salary
One of the most important factors drivers consider is how much money they are going to receive from a job. Many times, drivers begin looking for other opportunities when they realize they could be earning more money elsewhere.
This is usually the first comparison point they make when comparing two trucking companies. Bonuses, benefits, and cents per mile are all examples of wages an employee may weigh out. If a driver does not feel their pay reflects their work and dedication, they may be more inclined to switch to another company.
#2: Work-Life Balance
Another big reason why a driver may leave or switch companies is to spend more time with their families. Being on the road means missing out on family events, holidays, or other obligations. Some companies do not have a program that allows for extended periods at home, which can cause driver burnout and make drivers want to leave the company.
Being a truck driver requires long periods of time out on the road, which can be very hard for drivers and families. For some drivers, work-life balance is just as important, if not more than pay.
#3: Relationship With Supervisor
Even if your job pays well and you have an amazing work-life balance, a bad relationship with your supervisor or dispatcher could make your job much more frustrating. A supervisor should be a strong resource for you to go to to deal with any of your concerns.
Drivers may feel more inclined to leave a company if their relationship with their supervisor includes poor treatment, unrealistic expectations, or even if they experience strong difficulty when trying to discuss workplace issues or concerns.
#4: Job Expectations
Another reason for drivers leaving a company is that the job they applied for did not match the actual job they are doing. Maybe the pay, miles, or home time are all different or inconsistent with what was promised during the hiring process.
Honest communication is very important for drivers. If you tell a driver in black and white what they will receive, and do it with honesty, the carrier can then build a trusted relationship which will help reduce driver turnover.
#5: How Much Support Do You Get?
Having a supportive company behind your back can make all the difference when it comes to a job in the trucking industry. If a driver feels unheard or like they don’t have access to a support system, they may be much more inclined to leave a company.
One of the root causes of this can be a lack of communication. Communication and support can come in a variety of different ways, such as driver training, providing solutions for problems, or simply feeling valued. If a carrier does not display these qualities to an employer, they may feel that lack of support we previously mentioned.
The golden rule is that drivers are more likely to stay when they feel well respected and appreciated!
Frequent Hiring Is Not All Bad!
Regardless of whether you are job hunting now or later, it’s important to understand the differences in hiring and why some companies might be hiring more frequently than others.
Not every trucking company that is hiring has a problem, but understanding why drivers tend to leave can help you evaluate the current standing of a company.
Hopefully, with these tips, signs, and insights, you will have a smoother journey when looking at companies that are hiring drivers!
