3 Driver Recruiting Best Practices to Put in Place For 2023

The past year has been a notoriously tough one in the recruiting world, especially for CDL driver recruiters. With the driver shortage constantly looming overhead and multiple other industries in turmoil, the hunt for new, well-qualified drivers intensified in 2022. At the same time, the importance and need for transportation services increased substantially, putting the industry under the spotlight.

As your team gears up for 2023, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. With new technology taking driver recruiting to the next level, online networking sites connecting drivers with carriers like never before, and national interest in flexible work opportunities like truck driving, 2023 is poised to be a successful year for both driver recruiters and the industry alike.

Here are some recruiting best practices to put in place to be successful next year:

1. Personalize your recruiting experience: with so many options in the industry, drivers can afford to be picky, and they don’t want to be just another number in a call queue. Personalize the recruiting experience for each driver by making them feel like a valued team member before they even join. Pay attention to their communication preferences, try to schedule a face-to-face conversation over a video call, and be consistent about answering their specific questions.
2. Upgrade your driver referral program: it’s a tried-and-true understanding that your current drivers are the secret ingredient for any successful recruiting operation. Take your driver referrals to the next level this year by making it even more attractive for drivers to bring friends and family members to the team. Referral bonuses, tenure bonuses, and even compensation for outbound initiatives like talking to new applicants or being featured on social media can help.
3. Update your internal brand: as employers across the board take advantage of this new applicant-focused job market, it’s time to revamp and update your internal employer brand. Start with your corporate messaging – what is your corporate value? – and work your way through all the touchpoints a new driver may have with your organization. From your website to job application to social media channels, now is the perfect time to re-introduce yourself to potential drivers.

Ready for recruiting success in 2023?

We know the last year has been challenging, but the team at DriverReach is confident that 2023 will be a highlight year for the entire trucking industry. That’s why we’re working diligently to develop innovative new solutions for driver recruiters that can help transform your recruiting processes this year. From automated campaigns to best-in-class applicant tracking, DriverReach solutions are here to take your team to the next level in 2023. 

📝 Stay up to date on CDL trucking trends! Be sure to check out the DriverReach blog for other relevant articles and head over to our webinars page for an up-to-date list of upcoming events and on-demand recordings.

🎧 Listen to Taking the Hire Road podcast, hosted by Jeremy Reymer and in collaboration with FreightWaves, for timely conversations with industry experts. For more information, or to join a live group demo, visit www.driverreach.com/livedemo