Truck Driver Interviews: How to NOT Get Hired

As a truck driver, every time you interact with a driver recruiter or member of the orientation team, consider it a pre-screening or interview. 

You may never have to show up in a suit and tie for a formal interview, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for truck driver interview questions.

Trucking companies might need truck drivers, but they won’t hire just anyone. In fact, a lot of trucking companies currently have waitlists to attend driver orientation.

Every time you talk to a recruiter or orientation team member, treat it like a screening or interview. That means maintaining professional conduct the whole time you’re working with them. If you don’t, you could disqualify yourself from a great carrier. 

If you’ve read this article, you know how to get hired at the top trucking companies, but what are some things you can do that’ll prevent you from getting hired? 

The small (but mighty) driver recruiting team here at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) talks to hundreds of drivers each week. Yet, we only hire a small pool of drivers. Unfortunately, we’ve had to disqualify drivers from the candidate pool for bad conduct during the interview process — and we’re not alone in this. 

In the following article, we’ll explain how to not get hired. Check out this list of red flags. 

A recruiter might do a pre-screen and offer you a seat at orientation; then, the orientation team has the final say about whether you’ll be hired. On the other hand, the recruiter may be authorized to hire you. Either way, make sure you consider these red flags throughout your hiring journey.

Red Flag #1: Failing to Meet Hiring Requirements  

We’re going to start with the most obvious red flag first. If you don’t meet the job requirements, you won’t get the job — plain and simple. 

Most, if not all, major trucking companies list job requirements on their website. Typically, those include:

• Valid Class-A CDL license
• Experience
• Clean driving record
• Verifiable work history 

Drivers also need to meet Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements. 

If you don’t have a valid license and don’t have enough driving experience, you won’t get hired — no matter how great your interview is. 

Each company has a different definition of a “clean” driving record. As an example, some companies may be more strict than others when it comes to how many accidents you can have on your driving record.

When working with your recruiter, they’ll explain what their hiring guidelines are. Pay close attention. If you know you don’t meet hiring guidelines you’ll save yourself time by being honest with your recruiter about it right away. They’ll find the information in the consumer reports they run anyway.

Red Flag #2: Lying During Your Truck Driver Interview

Lying in your truck driver interview will only waste your time (along with the carrier you’re working with, of course).

As mentioned above, recruiters will find out about your trucking background when they look at consumer reports. They’ll learn about your accidents, citations, work history and so on. Failing to disclose information about your driving record — by either lying or omitting it — can drag out the hiring process. 

If you know there’s something on your record that’ll disqualify you, be honest about it right away. Save yourself time by applying with a different carrier right away. If you do qualify, your recruiter will likely tell you right away. However, if you lie, they may permanently disqualify you. 

Make sure you thoroughly answer all questions on the application; don’t purposely omit information. Failing to include pertinent information on your application can cause more headaches down the road. Because of DOT regulations, your application is considered a legal document. Lying on it can create legal trouble. A small like could potentially become a big legal problem.

Lying about your job expectations during an interview doesn’t help anyone. Be honest about your job expectations — especially when it comes to home time and pay. When you’re honest about what you need, the recruiter can help you determine if you’re a good fit for the company — and if the company is a good fit for you.

Remember, you’re trying to find a carrier you’ll enjoy working at for a long time. If you’re not honest about your wants and needs, you might get into a situation that leaves you wanting. Then, you’ll just have to start all over again at a different carrier.

Red Flag #3: Being Unprepared

Have questions prepared when a recruiter calls, texts or emails. If you don’t seem prepared and don’t have any follow-up questions about anything, it raises red flags. 

It could come off like you’re not serious about the job, you’re desperate to drive wherever you can get in (and you couldn’t care less if you like the carrier) or you don’t have a clean driving record. While that certainly might not be the case for you, it can elicit some skepticism in the recruiter.

It’s also important to note that recruiters have a job to do; they need to be asking good questions. Recruiters and the trucking company need to be held to high standards. 

Red Flag #4: Being Disrespectful

How you interact with people matters. Be respectful. This goes for all your interactions with the carrier until you’re certified. 

If you don’t treat your recruiter or the orientation team with respect (remember, first impressions matter), what does that say about how you’ll treat your driver manager or — most importantly — customers?

A recruiter’s job is to ensure you are a right fit for the company and the company is right for you. If you treat them disrespectfully, that’ll make them think you’re not a good fit and might decide to move on.

So if you’re having a bad day, don’t take it out on the person interviewing you — it can give a bad first impression. We understand the recruiting process can be frustrating and tough, but exploding in anger usually ends badly. 

Being nice can go a long way. When you’re kind, recruiters will go out of their way to help you, even if they can’t hire you. They may recommend some companies that would be a good fit for you or they’ll put a hiring plan in place for you once you meet their hiring requirements. 

For instance, if you need 12 months of experience but you only have eight, they’ll set up a schedule to reconnect with you in the coming months and get you into orientation.

If you’re disrespectful and rude in your interview, chances are, the same accommodations won’t be made for you.

Related: How to have a smooth driver orientation experience

Get Prepared for Your Truck Driver Interview

Even though truck drivers don’t get the typical in-person, formal interview, it’s still important to prepare for them. Not preparing can be the difference between getting hired at your dream carrier or being passed on.

When it comes to truck driver interviews, it's crucial to approach each conversation with a recruiter or orientation team members as if it were a formal interview. Despite not having to dress up, it's essential to prepare for interview questions and maintain professional conduct during conversations. While there is a demand for truck drivers, companies have strict hiring requirements and disqualify candidates for various reasons. 

It's important to avoid certain red flags, like failing to meet requirements, lying, being unprepared and being disrespectful. And don’t ghost your recruiter, especially if you have an appointment to meet with them. 

By avoiding these red flags and conducting yourself professionally during truck driver interviews, you increase your chances of getting hired by top trucking companies and finding a carrier that meets your needs.

To prepare for your next truck driver interview, make sure you ask these questions!