It’s no secret that the U.S. truck driver shortage is expected to more than double over the next 10 years as the industry struggles to replace aging drivers. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed shippers to accelerate products through their supply chains faster, thus increasing the demand for drivers even further. And, so in an effort to hire more drivers and effectively fill the void, many fleets are turning to the idea of recruiting U.S. military veterans as drivers.

The wrong hiring decision wastes time, costs money, and can have a potentially negative impact on your existing employees. But, given the current state of driver and technician shortages, some fleets are feeling the heat to find any decent body to fill a vacancy. So, what are some things you can do right now to make sure you make the right hire?

The people shortage in the trucking industry doesn’t show up simply as a lack of truck drivers. All across the country, we’re experiencing a shortage of skilled labor and a definite lack of programs designed to attract job seekers to our industry as both drivers and technicians.

When it comes to hiring new drivers, we’ve found that more and more fleet owners are turning to technology to make the entire recruitment and management process faster, easier, and more effective. Workflow management tools, behavioral assessments, and systems that can generate candidate analytics are now being adopted by innovative and forward-thinking operators.

Every owner-operator wants to be able to attract and retain drivers who not only want to stay with your company long-term, but also see fit to take it upon themselves to go the extra mile to ensure your company succeeds. This kind of employee engagement truly is priceless.

Do you live more than 25 miles from your fleet’s terminal? Are you a fresh-out-of-driving-school graduate? Are you married?

If the answer to any of these questions is Yes, it could be a strike against you for certain fleets considering your application. Trucking and safety analysts are now taking a much closer look at driver behaviors, personality traits, demographics, and other factors that correlate with high turnover and potential safety risks.