Commercial trucking is a hard job. Odd long work hours, being away from your friends and family for days, and loneliness makes it quite overwhelming. You might feel like you deserve better pay and benefits, especially if you are a new driver. Job hopping might seem like a quick way to find better pay or benefits but frequently changing employers can have serious long-term consequences. If you’re trying to make a lifetime career in trucking, job hopping won’t work for you. Here’s why….
Impact on Your Resume, Trust, and Reputation
Stability and reliability are highly valued in the trucking industry. Employers prefer drivers with a solid work history at a few companies rather than multiple short-term stints. Frequent job changes can raise red flags for potential employers. You might also not be hired at a reputable company because of your track record and eventually might have to settle for contract jobs, which don’t come with benefits and perks.
When you job hop, you also miss out on the chance to establish strong relationships with dispatchers, fleet managers, and other colleagues. All these relationships are important to exchange shifts and get referred for a better position within the company.
Loss of Job Seniority
Seniority often comes with perks such as better routes, higher pay, and preferred schedules. Job hopping resets your seniority each time you switch employers. If benefits and perks matter to you, put efforts into finding a great company that you can be with in the long term.
Don’t leave your current company until then. We recommend that you hold a job for 2-3 years until you have enough experience and switch to a senior job with better pay and benefits at another company.
Impact on Personal Life
With a new company comes new restrictions on leaves and vacations. You might feel like you are forever in a probationary period. It also will put an added stress to impress your managers and affect your work-life balance.
You also might need to wait for a new paycheck cycle, and there could be delays in getting settled into the new position. Also remember that benefits like health insurance and retirement plans often have waiting periods before you become eligible.
What are the alternatives to job hopping?
Higher pay, better benefits, and schedule flexibility are all possible with your current company. Here are alternatives to job hopping that you should try before switching your employer:
- Communicate with Your Employer: Express your concerns and desires for better pay or routes. Many companies are willing to negotiate to retain good drivers.
- Seek Additional Training: Many companies invest in specialized training or certifications, so you can grow the career ladder from within.
- Network Within the Industry: Build relationships with other truckers and industry professionals, especially fleet managers and dispatchers.
- Focus on Performance: Demonstrate reliability, efficiency, and professionalism. Always go the extra mile but also stand your ground.
- Evaluate Company Fit: Research potential employers thoroughly before making a move. Talk to truckers who currently work there to get an insider’s view. Then, create a resume and market skills that the company needs.
The very first step in finding a good trucking job is finding a good truck driving school. You want to train under instructors who have decades of trucking experience and want to build a good rapport with you. At Caledon Truck Driving School, our trainers make sure you have the right skills to excel in your career. Join our MELT program today and secure your future in trucking now!
