Looking For A CDL Job? Things To Consider Along The Way

For most people, when they think about getting their CDL, they think about driving a semi-truck, and it conjures images of long-haul trucking and cross-country runs. While this is certainly still an aspect of the industry, it's not the only thing that you can do with your CDL. Here's a look at some of the things you should think about if you're looking for truck driving jobs.

What Type Of Job Do You Want?

One of the first things you need to decide before you can look for the right CDL job is what type of job you actually want. With your CDL, you have a variety of options. You can choose anything from driving a school bus to driving heavy equipment and traditional commercial trucking. Think about what you'd really like to do with your time and find a CDL job that fits. Then, you can start narrowing those options by the considerations that matter.

How Much Time Are You Willing To Be Away?

When it comes to working with a CDL, time away from home is a pretty standard thing. Whether it's traveling with a pipeline project or doing over-the-road hauling runs, you're likely to be spending time away from home. Think about what you need as far as home time, downtime, and local availability before you start applying for CDL jobs. That way, you can weed out the ones that will have you gone too long or not traveling enough.

What Kind Of Pay Are You Looking For?

In most cases, CDL jobs pay per mile, unless you're working in a position like a school bus driver. Take some time to think about how much money you realistically need to make, but make sure you factor in any allowances for fuel, food, and other on-the-road expenses if you're expecting to incur them. The more you understand about the costs and the earning opportunities, the better you can narrow down your options based on the per-mile and per-load pay rates to get the job that's going to be lucrative for you.

Are You Looking For Independence?

For some CDL drivers, pursuing that commercial license was about freedom. If you have obtained your CDL because you want to be your own boss and be independent, that usually means buying your own truck and becoming an owner-operator. You'll have to consider whether you want to contract with a company directly for your loads or if you want to frequent the truck stops for the hot boards to catch the one-off loads that are posted. There are also websites dedicated to these types of jobs, so you are sure to find work if that independence is what you seek.

These are some key tips to think about before you start applying for any CDL jobs. Think about what you're looking for from your career and choose your next job accordingly.