http://sharktrucking.com/newsletters/ | Prospective truck drivers should be sure to ask recruiters for trucking companies and trucking schools lots of questions about training, conditions and pay before signing on. Recruiters can provide valuable information, but remember their first job is to sell you on the company they work for.

1. Ready To
Roll?Questions New Truckers Need
To Ask Their Recruiters
Before Signing Up

2. Connecting With A
New Career
Recruiters for trucking schools and companies
can connect you with a great career that will
provide steady work and income for you and your
family. Trucking employs millions of people in the
U.S., and there will always be a need for safe
and skilled operators of trucks. Many new truck
drivers don’t ask their recruiters the right
questions when they’re considering signing up for
a class or job, leading to disappointment and
dissatisfaction. Knowing what to ask and what to
look for will help new drivers get off to a better
foot in their new career.

3. Fact: According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, trucking jobs are expected to increase
by 11 percent over the decade.
Recruiters for trucking
schools and companies
work to bring new
students and drivers
into their organizations
– that’s all. They’re not
human resource
officers and they are
not dispatchers or
managers. Their sole
role is to make their
organization look as
attractive as possible
and recruit new
students and drivers.

4. Recruiters can help new and
prospective truck drivers by
informing them of the best
reasons for attending the
school or working for the
company the recruiter
represents. As every school
and company are different,
recruiters provide a vital
source of information about
the school or company you’re
considering. They can inform
you of class schedules and
duration, probationary
periods, company pay and
perks, company policies and
more.
Fact: Nearly 70 percent of all freight tonnage in the
U.S. goes on trucks. Without trucks and truck drivers,
the U.S. economy would grind to a halt.

5. • How many students are in each class?
• Will we get extra practice time?
• Does the school offer onsite testing?
• How much drive time does the school offer?
• What type of accreditation does the school have?
• Are there online options for classwork?
• What are the qualifications of the drivers?
Questions For School Recruiters

6. • What is your home-time policy?
• What are your major lanes?
• What pay and benefits are offered?
• How are meals reimbursed?
• Will I get a dedicated driver manager?
• How much loading and unloading will I be
responsible for?
Questions For Company
Recruiters
Fact: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the
median pay for a tractor-trailer driver in the U.S. is
$18.37 per hour.

7. The quality of the recruiter
doesn’t always represent the
quality of the trucking company
or school you’re representing,
so do your own research.
Sometimes recruiters talk a
great game for companies and
schools that fail to deliver. Other
times unmotivated, overworked
recruiters don’t make the school
or company look as good as it
actually is. Follow up
conversations with recruiters
with site visits and talk to
employees or students to get a
more accurate picture.

8. One of the great things about the
trucking industry is the opportunity it
offers. With just a small investment in
training, prospective drivers can quickly
get the skills they need to embark on
this career. Truck drivers typically need:
• To be at least 21.
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• A valid commercial driver’s license.
• A good driving record free of DUIs,
reckless driving citations and other
major traffic offenses for the past
three years.
• Other training per state regulations
and company guidelines.
Getting Onboard

9. The CDL is the driver’s
license that allows
drivers to legally operate
big trucks. With this
license drivers can
operate vehicles
weighing more than
26,000 lbs. for
commercial use. Training
for CDL approval
includes training about
safely operating the
vehicle and securing
loads it may transport.
CDLs cover tow trucks,
tractor trailers, buses
and other large vehicles.

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.