Now’s a good time to get into the trucking industry since there’s a great need for more truckers. That said, what are some things truck drivers should know before starting their career?
Veteran Knowledge Base
Of course there’s training involved to become a professional truck driver, but there’s also a wealth of information to be learned from truckers who’ve been doing the job for decades. They’ll often offer a realistic look at what the job is like from day to day. If and when you get a chance to speak with a trucker before embarking on a career in the industry, do so. They can tell you a lot about the job as a career.
More Than Just Driving
Some people think trucking isn’t that stressful. They assume it’s just like driving a car or minivan or SUV, except it’s a bit bigger, right? They might also think the job is mostly just “driving.” Well, driving is a big part of the job, and at times the driving can be pleasant, but also realize there will be stressful times on the road. For instance, it’s not always easy to find a parking spot. It’s not easy to back into a spot. It’s stressful to be stuck in traffic when time is money and you’re on a deadline. And it can be stressful being away from home, family and friends for hours, days or perhaps even weeks at a time. So, with all that said, if you’re going to be a trucker, it’s important to learn how to handle stress and take things in stride.
Still Need to Communicate
Sometimes introverts want to get into trucking because they figure they’ll be on their own and not have to deal with too many people. Well, the truth is that truckers have to be good communicators if they want to succeed in the industry. A trucker has to deal with a dispatcher, customers, repair shop workers, and many others. There may be times when a trucker has to deal with angry people. They might also have to deal with impatient people, too. Just like managing stress is important, truckers have to handle communicating with lots of different folks about lots of different things… and do so in a calm and relatively friendly manner.
If you’re looking for a truck driving job, learn how Platinum Drivers can help.
