The place where you work can have a huge impact on a number of things in life. Not only does it dictate how much you earn, and how much time you are able to spend with your family, but it also can affect how happy you are, both at work and at home.
Work at a transportation company is no different. In fact, some might even say that, for a truck driver, having a good employer is even more of a difference-maker. There are certain aspects of the job that make it unique compared to other jobs, so the best truck driving companies will work to help make those aspects that some truckers may find difficult a little bit easier.
These are things such as long days or nights on the road, time away from family, as well as more common employment markers such as pay and benefits. But when you find a good truck driving company to work for, it is not uncommon to stay with them for many years — or even your entire work life.
So if you are looking to finally nail down that lifelong position, here are some of the criteria you should look for in the best truck driving companies.
1. Scheduling
One of the toughest things about being a truck driver is often how much time you are required to stay out on the road. Sometimes it can mean being away from your home or family for days or even weeks at a time, and one thing that can make this more challenging is having an uncertain schedule from week to week.
As such, one of the most important differentiators of the best truck driving jobs is that they do things to make this easier, namely, providing a set schedule day over day, week over week, so that you always know exactly when you will be at home, and when you will be on the road. This allows you to plan ahead for important events, and also maximize your home time.
2. Pay
Salary is an important part of any job, and trucking jobs are no different. When it comes to choosing what kind of company to work for, however, be wary of those that offer a high salary but little other benefits — especially those criteria mentioned in this article. When it comes to deciding what kind of pay you should be looking for, there are a few things to consider:
- Is it enough to live on? Will your salary be enough to provide for yourself — and any dependents you may have — as well as keeping all of your bills paid on time?
- Is it worth what you have to do for it? Sometimes the highest paying jobs come with longer hours than normal or a tougher kind of work that, when all is said and done, might not even be worth it.
- How are you being compensated? Does the truck driving company that you are looking to work for pay you by the hour or by the mile? Can you rely on a regular paycheck that you can be confident won’t contain unpleasant surprises each pay period?
Pay is obviously the main reason for employment, so it’s an important factor to consider, but the best truck driving companies will be able to answer these questions, and leave little doubt in your mind.
3. Benefits
In addition to salary, one of the biggest difference-makers is the selection of benefits that are made available to you. A truck driving company may offer a competitive salary, but if they offer little in the way of benefits, it may not be the one for you. Some common benefits to look for may include:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Retirement plans
- Employee assistance programs
- Paid time off
While these benefits are not straight money in your pocket, they can often be more crucial than the actual paycheck you receive on a regular basis.
4. Opportunities
The ability to grow, adapt and find new opportunities in a company is an important aspect you should consider when looking for a job at a truck driving company. Being able to transition to a new role or move up in a company helps when lifestyle and family situations change throughout the course of your career. It’s important to look into what opportunities a company has to offer now and in the future.
5. Longevity
Finally, the last criteria for finding a good truck driving company is something that is perhaps a little less tangible. We mentioned at the start of this article how finding the right employer can mean the difference between staying there for just a couple of years, and staying there for life. So as you are looking for companies to work for, it is worth considering the culture of that company. Is it an environment where you can see yourself fitting in? Can you see yourself working with these people for decades to come, and proudly telling people who you work for, for just as long? Company culture is becoming one of the most important criteria for those people looking for jobs today, and that is because of how important it can be to how long you stay with a company, as well as your overall happiness.
If you have a year of experience and meet our other requirements, consider applying for a job with Matheson. Check out our careers page to view requirements, open positions, and learn more about working for us.