Tips For Embarking on a Trucking Career

1
Tips For Embarking On A Trucking Career
2
The thrill of the open road, the fulfillment of
having a greater say in the direction of your
career these are just a couple of the benefits
of starting a career in trucking. Unfortunately,
many truckers leave the profession after having a
bad experience with their training outfit or the
first company they work for, never realizing the
rewards of this profession. Getting your foot in
the right door is just as important as getting
your foot in the door. Heres how.
3
Get Moving To Move Ahead
For men and women seeking to improve their
prospects and those of their families, trucking
offers a stable, thriving career. With just a
small investment of time and money for training,
qualified truck drivers can earn a good living.
The median pay for truckers as of 2012 was about
38,000 per year and available opportunities in
the profession are set to grow by 11 percent over
the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
4
Finding The Right Company

• Locating the right trucking company to start your
  career at will help you get off to the right
  start. To find an ideal trainer or first
  employer, inquire about
• Company reputation
• Time on/off required
• Training qualifications
• Costs and fees
• Region served by the trucking firm
• Type of freight hauled

5
Its Going To Be Tough
Understand going in, the first weeks in the
profession are going to be tough. Youll likely
be given frustrating routes, end up waiting on
loads and endure other inconveniences. Many
trucking companies make it tough on new recruits
to weed poor candidates out. Stick to it, tough
it out and the job will get easier in time.
6
Face Time Counts
When considering trucking or training companies,
dont just rely on the opinion of outsiders. Ask
people who have been through the training program
or who are employed by the company for their
advice. Youll find that their first-hand
experience is more valuable than any other
information you get.
7
Why Truckers Burn Out

• Trucking has a high turnover rate. Some of the
  most common reasons for turnover include
• Weeks away from home
• Physically demanding work
• Long hours
• Lack of human contact

8
Tips For Sticking To It

• Discuss the decision to go into trucking. Make
  sure your family understands the time demands and
  is onboard.
• Stay physically fit.
• Stay connected with social media, Skype and phone
  calls.
• Organize your work schedule to allow enough rest.
  This takes time, but youll get the hang of it.

9
Parting Advice

• Trucking forums online can be a good source of
  information about companies and trainers, but
  also take the time to investigate yourself.
• Stick it out with your first company for at least
  a year. This will give you time to establish a
  reputation.
• Before deciding on a career as a truck driver, do
  a gut check to make sure its the right job for
  you.

10
About Shark Trucking
Shark Trucking is a full-service trucking company
headquartered in Houston, Texas. Shark Trucking,
founded in 1993, has over 60 units in operation
and moves more than 500 million lbs. in freight
each year. For drivers, Shark Trucking offers
competitive pay and benefits and scheduling that
allows plenty of home and family time. For more
information, visit http//sharktrucking.com/ or
call 1-800-556-4667.