Contrary to popular belief, the trucking industry is built and sustained on personal relationships. This may seem a bit strange to outsiders, especially since so much of what most people know about trucking takes place on the road. CDL drivers, like any modern employee, are looking for strong, lasting relationships with their employers. They want to be treated as more than a number and valued for the unique strengths they bring to the table.
The foundation of any strong relationship starts at the beginning, and for drivers, this means the recruiting stage of their employment. Putting the building blocks for driver relationships in place early on – and then maintaining these relationships throughout a driver's tenure – is critical for retaining top-quality talent and establishing a good reputation for your team in the industry.
Here are a few tips on how to create – and maintain – strong relationships with CDL drivers:
- First impressions can make the most significant difference. We all know first impressions are essential, but they can make or break a relationship in recruiting. This is why recruiters need to make sure every step of the application process is optimized for the driver experience. From job posting language to finding the 'Apply Now' button on a website to submitting the application, making sure your driver experience is flawless even before they speak to a recruiter can make a huge difference.
- Small recognitions can go a long way. Everyone likes to be recognized for their hard work, including CDL drivers. Being away from friends and family for days at a time is challenging, so make sure you thank your drivers for what they do. Post on social media, send out weekly or monthly company highlights and reach out directly to drivers with recognition.
- Don't let professional development fall by the wayside. Like all employees, CDL drivers are always on the lookout for new professional opportunities. From continuing education to management training courses, let your drivers know of the professional development opportunities available to them. This will build a strong sense of loyalty with your drivers and ensure you keep top-tier talent within your organization.
Want to learn more?
If you're a CDL driver recruiter, you know the constant ups and downs of the industry can be never-ending. That's why we built the DriverReach platform – the modern driver recruiting and application management solution for today's driver recruiter. From getting new drivers in the door to executing multi-channel driver retention programs, DriverReach can help you set the stage for success by optimizing your driver relationships.
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
