http://www.sharktrucking.com/ | Trucking is a great career, but it has a high turnover rate. Be careful in choosing your trainer and first employer. Also, prepare yourself for a challenging first year to ensure you succeed.

1. Tips For
Embarking On A
Trucking
Career

2. The thrill of the open road, the
fulfillment of having a greater say
in the direction of your career –
these are just a couple of the
benefits of starting a career in
trucking.
Unfortunately, many truckers
leave the profession after having
a bad experience with their
training outfit or the first
company they work for, never
realizing the rewards of this
profession.
Getting your foot in the right door
is just as important as getting

3. Get Moving To Move Ahead
For men and women seeking to improve their prospects and those of their families, trucking
offers a stable, thriving career. With just a small investment of time and money for training,
qualified truck drivers can earn a good living. The median pay for truckers as of 2012 was
about $38,000 per year and available opportunities in the profession are set to grow by 11
percent over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

4. Finding The Right
Company
Locating the right trucking
company to start your career at
will help you get off to the right
start. To find an ideal trainer or
first employer, inquire about:
• Company reputation
• Time on/off required
• Training qualifications
• Costs and fees
• Region served by the trucking
firm
• Type of freight hauled

5. It’s Going To Be Tough
Understand going in, the first
weeks in the profession are going
to be tough. You’ll likely be given
frustrating routes, end up waiting
on loads and endure other
inconveniences. Many trucking
companies make it tough on new
recruits to weed poor candidates
out. Stick to it, tough it out and
the job will get easier in time.

6. Face Time Counts
When considering trucking or training companies, don’t just rely on the opinion
of outsiders. Ask people who have been through the training program or who
are employed by the company for their advice. You’ll find that their first-hand
experience is more valuable than any other information you get.

7. Why Truckers
Burn Out
Trucking has a high turnover
rate. Some of the most
common reasons for turnover
include:
• Weeks away from home
• Physically demanding work
• Long hours
• Lack of human contact

8. Tips For
Sticking To It
• Discuss the decision to go into
trucking. Make sure your family
understands the time demands
and is onboard.
• Stay physically fit.
• Stay connected with social
media, Skype and phone calls.
• Organize your work schedule to
allow enough rest. This takes
time, but you’ll get the hang of
it.

9. Parting Advice
• Trucking forums online can be
a good source of information
about companies and trainers,
but also take the time to
investigate yourself.
• Stick it out with your first
company for at least a year.
This will give you time to
establish a reputation.
• Before deciding on a career as
a truck driver, do a gut check
to make sure it’s the right job
for you.

10. About Shark Trucking
Shark Trucking is a full-service trucking company headquartered in
Houston, Texas. Shark Trucking, founded in 1993, has over 60 units in
operation and moves more than 500 million lbs. in freight each year.
For drivers, Shark Trucking offers competitive pay and benefits and
scheduling that allows plenty of home and family time.
For more information, visit http://sharktrucking.com/
or call 1-800-556-4667.