Trucking is a competitive business. You must strive to adapt to changing market needs, keep drivers happy, provide excellent customer service, and run a profitable operation without outrageous costs.
You must also know how to attract truck drivers and stand out among the other guys. And you can start by identifying what your rivals are doing right.
The driver shortage has made it challenging for companies to find and retain top drivers. Companies need to listen to what drivers need and adjust business processes to fit that. This article will cover the top reasons drivers go to competitors instead of you.
This might seem like a bit of a negative post, but the purpose is positive. You can identify what you need to improve and how you can stay competitive by understanding what drivers care about most.
The Company’s Pay Structure and Benefits Stand Out
A Conversion Interactive Agency and Professional Driver Agency survey found that compensation is the number one reason drivers leave carriers. Drivers who understand the industry will look at a company’s pay scale first and foremost.
Stay up-to-date on industry rates and see where you can offer something enticing. That might be bonuses, schedule pay increases, or practical miles.
The Other Company Offers More Stability
Steady hauls are another reason drivers will find another company more appealing. Drivers are much more likely to leave if they struggle to get enough miles, which leads to erratic income. Offering steady work will help you to stand out as a favorable option.
The Equipment Is Newer or Better Maintained
Obviously, truck drivers spend a lot of time in their trucks. The truck becomes their home-away-from-home out on the road. So, it makes sense that drivers will want updated, well-maintained, and comfortable equipment.
Companies should ensure their trucks are taken care of and offer features that will help drivers do their jobs best.
This includes newer technology. Machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other types of technology are on the rise in the transport industry and can be a selling point when attracting drivers.
The Other Company Provides More Respect and Safety
Work-life balance is crucial to modern workers, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to data from Owl Labs, companies that support remote work experience 25% lower employee turnover rates than companies that don’t provide that work-life balance. In addition, 40% of respondents to a Bustle survey said they left a job due to poor work-life balance.
Since work-from-home is not an option for trucking jobs, companies that offer other ways to promote work-life balance for drivers will stand out. Those ways can include offering:
- More paid time off
- Flexible schedules
- Supportive dispatchers
- Checking in with drivers about their needs
Trucking jobs come with many responsibilities that most other employees don’t understand. Drivers will gravitate towards companies that show respect and care for drivers’ needs on the job.
Drivers Researched the Other Guy and Liked What They Saw
The internet allows anyone to give their public opinion on a current or former employee. Are your drivers saying good things about you?
Reputation is huge when recruiting new drivers, and companies with positive track records will stand out. Research your company to see how you appear online.
Also, walk the walk. Any company can say they offer more home time and competitive rates, but follow-through matters. And when a company doesn’t follow through, drivers will move on elsewhere.
What Is the Best Way to Recruit Truck Drivers?
The best way to attract and recruit drivers is by tapping into what they care about and making your company more appealing than your competitors. See more tips on standing out here.
Contact AMG Driver Recruitment today for help with your truck driver recruitment needs.