Advance your career by finding an ideal professional home
Whether you’ve just earned your CDL or you’re a seasoned professional seeking new opportunities, the company you decide to drive for can significantly impact your career and quality of life. But with so many options, where do you start? And how can you narrow your focus to find the best fit?
Assessing your wants and needs is a critical first step. Ask yourself the following questions to help guide your search.
What types of driving jobs are available?
There are many types of truck driving jobs. Some require additional endorsements or certifications beyond a standard CDL. The most common driving roles include:
- Over-the-road (OTR)
- Less-than-truckload (LTL)
- Local/regional
- Team
- Dry van
- Refrigerated
- Expedite
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Hazardous materials (Hazmat)
- Freight hauler
One of the advantages of driving for ArcBest®, a leading integrated logistics provider, is the ability to choose a career path that’s right for you. Whether you drive for ABF Freight or as an ArcBest Dedicated, Panther or MoLo contract carrier, we’ll provide the support you need to keep moving and earning.
Want to boost your efficiency and earning potential? Discover how easy it is to find the freight you want using the ArcBest + MoLo Carrier Portal.
Can I earn competitive pay and benefits?
Every company approaches compensation differently. As in most professions, experienced drivers tend to get paid more. However, it helps to consider earnings in terms of overall compensation, including benefits like retirement plans, health insurance, paid time off and performance incentives.
How much home time will I get?
That depends on the job and how flexible the company is with scheduling. If you’re transporting long-haul shipments, for example, you might be out on the road for weeks (which could boost your pay) compared to a local delivery route that gets you home each night. Regional drivers land somewhere in between and are home most nights each week.
Ideally, the type of job you choose will align with your needs and offer a healthy and satisfying work/life balance.
Do I have to pay for equipment and maintenance?
Not if you’re driving company-owned equipment. That’s why it’s important to learn about what the company uses. Ask about the fleet’s age, condition and the company’s maintenance practices.
The equipment they invest in reflects how they value drivers. And if you feel safe and comfortable on the job, it creates peace of mind, allowing you to work more effectively.
What kind of support is available for owner-operators?
Working with a supportive and responsive company can help owner-operators run successful businesses. Look for companies that offer access to steady freight in preferred regions, load planning help, fuel and maintenance discounts, a rewards program, advanced technology and around-the-clock support.
Panther®, a service of ArcBest, offers all this and more. Joining the Panther fleet connects owner-operators to consistent high-value and time-sensitive freight so they can earn, grow and effectively run their businesses.
Interested in becoming an owner-operator but unsure how to navigate the process? Panther and Expediter Services can help. Our exclusive lease purchase program eases the path to truck ownership.
What is the company’s reputation and culture like?
Learning about companies you may be interested in has never been easier. Some simple online research (articles, reviews, message boards, etc.) can reveal a lot about how people perceive a company. To get a sense of the culture, try to speak with current and former drivers about their experiences with the company. Do they have positive things to say?
Longevity and retention rate are key factors that indicate a company’s stability. For example, ABF has been a trusted LTL carrier for over a century, and one-third of our drivers have been with us for over a decade.
Put your career on a successful path with ArcBest
With ArcBest, you can find the stability and resources you deserve and a wide selection of freight and driving opportunities. We have a century’s worth of experience and expertise in solving our customers’ logistics challenges — and our people are at the heart of it all.
Explore our driving options and find out how to join our team!
