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It’s no secret that there’s a national need for drivers right now in the trucking industry. CNN estimates that carriers across the United States are in need of 80,000 truck drivers. Pay for truck drivers is increasing as well, making now a great time to get started in the trucking industry. For those interested, the first step is to enroll in driving school. While most CDL students will understandably want to be drivers for a while after graduating, they shouldn’t think they’re locked into that role for life.  

There are many positions within the trucking industry that don’t involve driving. Dispatching, driver training, and yard management are just a few of the options out there. That’s why it’s important for CDL students to think through options and plan out where they want to be in their career. Here are four of the best career planning tips for CDL students.  

1. Research Available Jobs

The first step is to see what trucking jobs are currently available. This is something that you should make a habit of doing regularly, even if you’re not looking at the moment. You might find out about positions you didn’t even know existed that could change your career planning goals. 

We spoke with Jim Kunkel, Operations Manager for Drive My Way’s recruiting partner, NFI Industries. Jim shared his experiences in the trucking industry, how he got to where he is, and the advice he has for CDL students trying to career plan. 

“I applied to NFI as a yard jockey. As I was going through the 4-week training program, I learned many things about trucking. During the training, I switched to become a driver. After 4 and a half years as a driver, I had the opportunity to become a yard coordinator. From there, I moved into a logistics coordinator position that eventually became a logistics supervisor position. Now, I hold the position of Operations Manager,” shared Jim.

Using Drive My Way is a great way to find out about such positions. Create a free profile one time and receive automatic alerts when a job is posted that matches what you’re looking for. No need to create dozens of accounts or scroll through generic job boards only to be spammed by recruiters for jobs that don’t match your needs. 

2. Find a Job that Fits You

cdl studentsThe first step to career planning is to take stock of what you find important from a personal and professional standpoint. What do you want your income to be? How much do you want to be home? Do you want to be in a customer facing role? Do you want to earn extra certifications? What kind of freight do you want haul? You’ll want to answer all these questions and find a position that meets your needs.  

Aside from your wants, also take stock of your individual workstyle. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Do you enjoy working with a team or working solo? Are you detail-oriented or do you think more big picture? All of these things are extremely important when career planning.  

Jim shared, “My experience as a driver has prepared me in a number of ways. It’s helped me with route planning loads and backhauls, two very important skills in my current role. Also, because of my time on the road, I understand the good and bad of what drivers go through on a daily basis. This has helped me when talking driver through stressful situations, like breakdowns and accidents.”  

3. Talk to People in the Industry

The trucking industry is full of experienced people who are happy to share their knowledge. If you’re thinking about your career after graduation, talk to people in a variety of different roles within the industry. Their unique perspective will inform your career planning more than anything else will. They can share with you the best steps to take to get into a certain position and what it takes to succeed when you’re in it. 

As a CDL student, your instructor is a great person to talk to about this. Their first-hand knowledge is the best resource you have at this point in your career. 

Jim shared, “One day I was approached and asked to consider a yard coordinator position. This was the best thing that happened for my career. Then through hard work and training, I moved my way into a manager position. With NFI, the sky’s the limit. You can go anywhere and do anything. I know I’m not done advancing myself.” 

4. Keep Your Resume Up-to-Date

This is a common tip for young professionals in corporate environments, but it’s true for the trucking industry as well. You never know when you’ll meet someone and be asked to send out your resume quickly for an opportunity. You don’t want to be scrambling, trying to get it together last minute. Avoid this by making it a habit of updating it every time you have a new experience or gain a new skill.  

“Learn all you can about every aspect of the industry. This includes DOT laws, the laws for the individual state you’ll be operating in, as well as brokerage, and load booking. Also, I’d recommend exploring other career paths in the trucking field other than driving. You never know what’s out there that could be a great fit for your experience,” shared Jim. 

Career planning is something that never really stops for most drivers. As you change as a person, so do your career goals and aspirations. That’s why it’s important to always be planning and proactive, so you can take your next career step with confidence. 

truck driver at loading dock

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Does Your Truck Driver Resume Stand Out?

Will your truck driver resume land you with your dream company? Does your resume stand out to hiring managers? Whether you have extensive driving experience or are brand new to the industry, having an updated resume will help you control your career. We put together a sample resume and tips below to help you get started.

John Smith

Experienced CDL A Driver with over 16 years of experience and Hazmat and Tanker endorsements. Excellent driving record, time management, and customer service skills. Seeking a local position with a growing company.

Work Experience

Trucking Company

CDL A Local Fuel Truck Driver  |  July 2015-Present

Cleveland, OH

  • Duties completed
  • Achievements

Trucking Company

CDL A Regional Fuel Truck Driver  |  July 2010-June 2015

Akron, OH

  • Duties completed
  • Achievements

Trucking Company

CDL A OTR Dry Van Truck Driver  |  May 2005-June 2010

Erie, PA

  • Duties completed
  • Achievements

Contact

  • 333-444-5566
  • driver@trucking.com
  • Cleveland, OH

Licenses

Class A CDL License

HAZMAT Endorsement

Tanker Endorsement

Education

High School or University

Erie, PA |  2001-2005

Skills

  • Safety
  • Problem Solving
  • Time Management
  • Accountability
  • Integrity

Awards

2019: Driver of the Year

2017: 1,000,000 Safe Miles

Following the truck driver resume format above keeps you organized, helps you highlight the right information, and makes sure you stand out. Let’s talk through each of the sections.

Summary

This section is important. Write a brief summary about what makes you unique and why you’re looking for a new opportunity. Do you have extensive experience or endorsements? Or do you have customer service skills from a past position or an excellent driving record? Including these in your summary section will catch a hiring manager’s eyes.

Work Experience

Include your current and past roles that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. Remember, it’s important to not only share your duties and responsibilities in your role, but also your key achievements while in the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Example bullets describing your duties and responsibilities include:

  • Ensured on-time deliveries from terminal to customers nationwide
  • Maintained log of deliveries, billing statements,
  • Use equipment to lift heavy cargo for transport and delivery
  • Followed DOT and Trucking Company safety and driving protocols

Pro Tip: Include specific duties and responsibilities that are also expected of you in the role you’re applying for.

Key Achievements

In addition, example bullets describing your key achievements include:

  • Worked with manager to develop more efficient delivery routes, saving Trucking Company over $10,000 annually and over 3,000 hours on the road
  • Earned over 200 positive customer scores from developing excellent relationships with customers
  • Worked with safety manager to create a pre and post-trip inspection checklist, implemented across entire fleet of 300 drivers
  • Delivered 1,000 loads annually ahead of the schedule provided

Pro Tip: Include metrics in this section to quantify your achievements.

However, if you are a new truck driver and don’t have much relevant work experience yet, that’s okay. Make sure you highlight past positions that showcase your skills applicable to the driving job you’re applying for. Remember, landing your first trucking job isn’t impossible with a good resume.

Contact Information

Make sure the phone number and email address in this section are your primary ways of communication. You wouldn’t want to miss a call or email about a job opportunity! Another tip is to make sure the email address provided is professional. For example, using an email like Bigsexytrucker@gmail.com might not create the best first impression with the hiring manager.

Licenses & Education

Include your licenses, endorsements, and education in this section. If your endorsements have an expiration, including the valid-through dates is helpful for the hiring manager.

delivery driver

Skills

Feature your relevant skills in this section to help you land your next job. Have you developed good time management, problem solving, or teamwork skills throughout your career? Does the job you’re applying for require specific skills such as technology or customer service? Customize this section to make sure you’re including the skills the hiring manager is seeking.

Awards

If you earned awards throughout your career, showcase them in this section! Were you nominated by your boss or peers as “Truck Driver of the Month/Quarter/Year”? Have you driven 1,000,000 safe miles? Or have you been selected as a driver lead or trainer? Showcase these achievements in this section to stand out amongst other applicants.

Finally, after you create your resume and are ready to submit it, be sure to review it first. Sharing the document with a trusted friend or peer to have a second set of eyes review it is always helpful. Make sure any misspellings or typos are cleaned up before you submit it to open positions. Overall, applying the tips above will help you take your truck driver resume to the next level. Also, be sure to always keep your resume updated so you can quickly apply to any new opportunities!

truck driver at loading dock

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Drive My Way matches you with a CDL job based on your personal preferences and qualifications.

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