So, your driver is APPROVED for Orientation…  Yay!

Depending on the carrier, as the recruiter – You are the front line.  You are the driver’s point of contact.   So, what should you do as the driver’s recruiter?

Once the driver is APPROVED for Orientation follow these steps:

  1.   Call the driver.  This is a critical point in the recruiting process and texting a driver is not appropriate in this situation.
  2.   Congratulate the driver on being approved for Orientation.
  1.   Find out from the driver when they want to attend orientation if not already scheduled.   Get a sense of their level of commitment.  Make sure to reconfirm that the driver is still wanting the position.  We do this to eliminate No Shows and to ensure the driver has all the info on the position.  If they are unsure, find out why and discuss.
  2.   Explain the Orientation Process.  (Hotel, Bus/Rental/Self-drive, How Long, Drug Test/Physical, What to Expect,etc)   Answer any questions.
  3.   Let them know what the next step is.  As an example: “your next phone call will be from Name and you should hear from him or her by Date.”  or “Name will send out your orientation travel on Thursday and will follow up with a phone call on Friday.”
  4.   Schedule a follow up phone call to ensure the driver is on track for orientation.  Example:  “Once you receive the travel info – give me a call so we can touch base.  I will reach out around 2pm on Thursday to ensure you receivedt the info you need if I don’t hear from you.” or “I will be reaching out Friday morning to ensure you are good to go and have confirmed with the carrier that you are set for orientation.  Please call me in the meantime if you have any questions, concerns or changes.”
Some Basic Info For Orientations:

Depending on the carrier – Orientations start Monday – Wed or Wed – Friday The driver will need things like travel information, Hotel Information, etc.

For most carriers, they will send this to the driver on Thursday or Friday the week before the scheduled ORT Date.   Always check Carrier Profile for the specifics.

SWIFT DRIVERS

If you are working on a Swift driver, the driver will be contacted the day before Orientation.  Monday orientation – they will do a final confirmation on Friday.  For Tuesday or Wednesday Orientations – Final Call is Monday or Tuesday respectively.

If your driver is due in on Monday, you should call the driver on Thursday just to do a pulse check and to remind them that they need to answer the final confirmation call from Swift Admin.  If the Admin can’t reach the driver – they will be removed from Orientation.

Always do a Friday call – If the driver has not been contacted by 12 noon EST on Friday – this is a red flag!  WE need to be made aware ASAP.

If driver gets stranded, or has emergencies – make sure you are available to receive the call/text and provide instructions from Carrier Profile to driver.

Ask driver to text you when they arrive at Orientation/Hotel.  This just helps us make sure driver has made it and all is good.

To Summarize – We should be speaking with the driver consistently and sometimes daily on the lead up to Orientation.   You are almost there – don’t let the approved driver fail through the cracks.