CDL driver recruiters are in a unique situation in 2020. With so much economic uncertainty, hundreds of thousands of people are looking for new career paths and opportunities, making the pool of potential driver candidates larger than it has been in years.
On the other hand, however, many are skeptical of the staying power of an industry built largely on shipping and dependent on spending. With so much opportunity available – and with so many challenges to overcome – modern CDL driver recruiters need to up their strategic recruiting game over the next few months.
Here are some effective driver recruiting strategies to keep in mind for the rest of 2020:
- Word-of-mouth recruiting is more powerful than ever.
Your current drivers have always been your most valuable recruiting weapon, and this is truer now than ever before. If potential driver candidates have any qualms or questions about life on the road, the industry, or the life of a driver, connect them with a current driver who can answer their questions. Putting this trust in drivers can also help build driver loyalty and retention down the line. - Following up and staying in touch is crucial.
Now is the time for CDL driver recruiters to take advantage of the incredible potential driver pipeline, and not following up is akin to throwing these leads out the window. The only way to proactively move a driver through the process from application to the road is by following up and staying in touch, so make sure your recruiting team has nurturing processes in place to make this easy. - It is still possible – and important – to prioritize in-person communication.
The recruiting industry has been turned on its head with the rise of social distancing and virtual meetings, but this doesn’t mean that in-person or face-to-face communication is a thing of the past. Video calls, FaceTimes, and Zoom meetings must become the ‘new normal’ in CDL driver recruiting to keep the human element in the recruiting process.
Also, checking in on drivers on the road through a video call can help ensure lasting loyalty and retention. Just because you can’t be together in person doesn’t mean you can’t establish and maintain these personal relationships. - Internal processes and workflows can make or break your recruiting strategy.
Whether you’re working from home or in an office, having the right processes in place is key for recruiting in 2020 and beyond. This means holding recruiters accountable for follow-up, having clear lines of communication in place, and making sure drivers don’t slip through the cracks. Now is the perfect time to re-evaluate your recruiting process (including the software platforms your team is using) to ensure a seamless recruiting process for drivers and recruiters alike.
While your recruiting strategies may have shifted over the last few months, having the right technology, resources, and processes in place can help set your team up for success. With DriverReach, CDL driver recruiters can deliver the best applicant experience to drivers while operating more efficiently and effectively. You can learn more about driver recruiting in 2020 here.
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