Why are they asking for a resume?

[young250]

New to the industry and have started making calls to different expediting, logistics and courier companies.

I am surprised that so many are asking for a "resume". As an O/O (and new to the industry) I'm not sure what I should include in this resume.

Any help or samples would be appreciated.
By the way.....this is for Independent Contract work!

Smiles~Melissa

 

[terryandrene]

I suggest you review your education, professional history, and job qualifications that would make you an attractive candidate for the carrier with which you seek to be contracted. They would be particularly interested in your driving history, including accidents and moving violations. Have you ever driven a commercial vehicle? Do you have a CDL? If so, what type (C, B, A) and with which endorsements such as air brake or Hazmat. If you have no criminal history you could include a statement to that effect. Do you own a commercial vehicle? Is your medical history such that you could pass a DOT physical. If you are interested in a team operation, include your co-drivers resume as well.

Come visit us at the Expedite Expo next month and good luck in your pursuit

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Terry... much of what you listed are in an application. What are they looking for by asking for a resume? Someone who can type 60 words a min? Do they turn you down if you're overqualified? Do they penalize you for spelling and punctuation errors? It baffles the mind.

 

[x06col]

Aw go ahead and send em a resume. At least it would show you have the gumption to type one. Can't hurt you know.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Ya think they are actually looking for someone who can think, rather than steering wheel holders? Sorry, Col. I just can't believe they're wanting quality over quantity. Must be the times.

 

[x06col]

Hey hawk, there is potential contractor for you, that posted on the newbees forum, wonder'in what he can do with his truck.

I'd respond... but, he prolly won't like the answer. And besides i'm sure the truck won't fit up that small hole.

 

[pjjjjj]

New to the industry and have started making calls to different expediting, logistics and courier companies.

I am surprised that so many are asking for a "resume". As an O/O (and new to the industry) I'm not sure what I should include in this resume. Smiles~Melissa

If you are talking about carriers wanting a resume for consideration of yourself as a potential OO to be leased on with them.... from what I have seen, they would like to see a complete history going back 10 years, without any holes in it.

I believe this is for insurance reasons, to make sure there are no red flags popping up, like relatively long periods of time with unexplained inactivity. Even if you're not from this industry, if you can come up with a resume, it will show them you exist, how long you might've stayed at a given job, etc.

If you are new to the trucking world, you will have to find a carrier who doesn't require experience. If you don't have any, I believe if you take a (Class A, or whatever class) training course, they will consider this equal to 3 years experience.

By the way.....this is for Independent Contract work!

If on the other hand, you are going to be 'independent', I have no idea why they'd be asking for a resume.

 

[ATeam]

A resume generally states one's contact information, career objective, relevant experience and education. If a fleet owner is asking for a resume, he or she is probably interested in knowing that information without having to interview you or provide you with an application to complete and return to get that information.

See this sample resume for a truck driver.

A resume is an introductory tool. It distinguishes you from others who may be seeking the same position but do not have a resume.

Looking at another way, if you don't have a resume, those who do will have the edge in the eyes of someone who asks his or her applicants for a resume.

 

[ATeam]

Do they penalize you for spelling and punctuation errors?

A sloppy resume would lead many people to logically conclude that the applicant could not be counted on to present well in the office; or in the case of a truck driver, to be anything other than sloppy with the run paperwork, log books and other documents used daily in truck driving life. So, yes, in that way, they may well penalize you for speling and punctuasion erors.

 

[young250]

Everyone,
Thank you so much for your responces! I think I have a better understanding of what to include in the resume.
I am soooooo glad that I found this forum.......I really do feel confortable asking "newbie" questions.

Smiles~Melissa

 

[greg334]

Whoa there Mellisa.....

I did a lot of hiring in my time and filled out a lot of apps for different jobs. The only time I handed a resume over was when it had to do with a specific type of work that I was competing with others on a level higher than an entry position.

I would say that if they require a resume, it is for an employee position, not a contractor. AND if they insist on one for a contractor position, ask them why.

Also I was under the impression that the FMCSA required some sort of standard app with a DMV check? Am I wrong? (don't answer that Phil!) Well do resumes qualify to replace an app?

A sloppy resume would lead many people to logically conclude that the applicant could not be counted on to present well in the office; or in the case of a truck driver, to be anything other than sloppy with the run paperwork, log books and other documents used daily in truck driving life. So, yes, in that way, they may well penalize you for speling and punctuasion erors.

Oh that's a bunch of cr*p Phil. A sloppy resume is not always a reflection of one's skills or ability to work and believe it or not does not mean one will not get hired or it ends up in the trash. The same goes for incomplete or erroneous CVs.

Start hiring people and see what you get across your desk or in your mail, you may be surprised that some of the worst resumes can be the best and most valued employees you can ever find. I had a lot of people who did a great job but could not put together a sensible resume to save their life.

 

[Broompilot]

If there are two openings and 8 applicants.

Should you not demonstrate that you would be best qualified for the position? Even if you are not doing this simple task might just put you ahead of the best qualfied LAZY person who choose not to demonstrate that he was orginized, energetic, and just expected the job.

Resume: Could show just how much you want to succeed. That would be the Canditate I would prefere to Hire if I were in the position to do so. Seems like so little to ask of when wanting to work with someone or for someone.

 

[jaminjim]

Your wrong Greg. Why should a hiring manager write down 20 candidates info as he talks to 10 who did not even know what they were applying for? Get the candidates resume look at it when you have the time, and then make your decision on the top three or four that will most likely fit your needs.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

What I'm not understanding is why companies are now asking for resumes, tho. Yes, resumes work when there is a slot to fill, and you want the best candidate. But the trucking industry has always been one to grab the next warm body to fill the seat. Hiring someone who doesn't know how to read was an afterthought. Is this now about eliminating the job hoppers, scum buckets, dumb truckers, and illiteramuses? Is trucking becoming a seller's market? Is there water on Mars, like Louixo says? Can cats and dogs live together in harmony? AND CAN THAT STUPID OWL LICK THE TOOTSIE-POP MORE THAN THREE TIMES, SO THE WORLD WILL FINALLY KNOW?!?!?

 

[jaminjim]

A lot of the logistics, and local P&D companies don't have that much of a turnover. As a result they don't need a steady stream of new drivers.

 

[pjjjjj]

It's just an introduction, a lot of info, all put together, in order, summarized, and as JJ said, saves the person on the other end of the phone (initial contact) from having to write it all down and make sense of it later. It's just part of the paperwork, it doesn't replace an official application with an official signature. Maybe something to make notes on during a future phonecall or interview.
Not all companies nowadays are hiring just anyone who walks thru the door with a reported desire to drive, make money, whatever.
Personally I would find it difficult to fill out an app without a resume in front of me to refer to for dates, addresses, names, etc. If you're literate enough to fill out an app, you should be able to come up with a resume.. if needed, one could always spend the $50(?) to get one done up nicely by someone who can.
Perhaps a place isn't necessarily hiring at that minute, but wants to keep your info available for tomorrow when they might be.
Requesting one could also be a polite way of saying, 'well, based on this conversation, you don't seem to have any/many of the qualifications I had in mind, but go ahead and send me your resume and I'll see if it makes me want to pursue you further'.
Could be lots of things, so why not?

 

[TeamCaffee]

We made our resumes when looking for our perfect trucking job! When attending our first truck show as potential drivers we took nicely printed resumes to hand out. Believe you me the look on some of those recruiters faces was a riot but guess what? We were noticed and questioned while they looked at the resume and I believe we were treated as professionals while looking for the trucking company to fit us. A resume is a powerful tool to you the perspective partner to the company you are considering signing your truck onto. Your dress and presentation when talking to a respective company also will say a lot about you.

Remember when attending the Expo while looking for a new carrier or considering changing carriers how you present yourself is how you will be treated and talked to.

 

[JohnMueller]

Am ALWAYS impressed, and quite suprised, when an Owner-operator submits a resume. I have had very few contractors provide resumes with their application. The resume alone places these candidates high on the list.

Thanks,
HotFr8Recruiter

 

[x06col]

There ya go there Hot Freight. "Can't hurt" eh? Some never, never will get it. Amazing, ain't it. Top O the list ain't bad, i'd suggest. Many won't "wanna" conform to reality, and will go their own way, and fail, then still blame the system for their failure.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

'Don't wanna conform'? Isn't that kinda like thinking outside the box?

HotFreight... yes, that is a good summary of what a resume used to do. But now that they're becoming mandatory, doesn't the 'surprise' and the 'top of the list' kinda go out the window? Doing one cause they hafta, rather than because they do so out of professionalism, puts the sharpies in the same category as 'Jimbob, professionally stupid steering wheel holder, who paid $35 for a professional resume.' Do you know who's walking thru your door with resume in hand? Just one more bit of useless criteria for the recruiters to flush. Not so BEFORE becoming mandatory.