Nova Driver Services 5 Step Driver Hiring Process

Expanding your commercial driver fleet can be a challenging endeavor, especially when your primary focus is ensuring the smooth operation of your company and timely delivery of orders. However, the task becomes significantly more manageable by partnering with a reputable commercial driver recruitment agency such as Nova Driver Services. Leveraging our expertise and a proven 5-step driver recruitment process, we are committed to delivering top-quality candidates for your fleet.

 

Step 1: Sourcing

We start by engaging in a comprehensive discussion to understand your specific hiring needs and desired candidate traits. Drawing from our extensive network and leveraging strategic online advertising, we source a pool of exceptional candidates. Each applicant is rigorously screened, with their resumes and experience thoroughly reviewed, and preliminary phone screenings conducted to ensure only the most qualified candidates progress in the hiring process.

 

Step 2: Interview

Interviewing is an art, and one that our driver hiring experts at Nova have mastered! During this stage, we meticulously evaluate candidates for their work experience, skills, availability, personality, and other crucial attributes. This process enables us to identify individuals who possess the necessary qualities to thrive in the job and align with your company’s values and culture.

 

Step 3: Post-Interview

Upon selecting the top candidates, our team initiates the post-interview phase. During this stage, we verify the candidates’ qualifications for commercial trucking jobs. This includes conducting comprehensive reference checks, examining their criminal backgrounds, and validating their licenses to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

 

Step 4: Testing

Candidates who successfully pass the post-interview stage and seem like a strong fit undergo the required testing procedures. This includes mandatory drug and alcohol testing, as well as medical assessments. Additionally, our hiring experts ensure that candidates possess any specialized expertise and training necessary for the job, such as certifications for transporting hazardous and dangerous goods.

 

Step 5: Placement

Once a candidate has proven to be an excellent fit and has successfully completed all necessary testing and checks, we facilitate their placement within your fleet. We collaborate closely with you to ensure their availability aligns with your operational needs and provide guidance throughout the orientation process. In the event of any concerns or issues, we act as a mediator to ensure smooth communication between both parties.

 

Are you looking to hire quality commercial drivers? Contact Nova Driver Services today! 

Why You Should Become a Long-Haul Truck Driver

Trucking is an industry that offers tons of career opportunities and growth. One of the most sought-after types of commercial drivers is for long-haul routes. Long-haul truck driving is a challenging but rewarding career that can offer many benefits. Here are some reasons you should consider becoming a long-haul truck driver, according to our recruitment experts at Nova Driver Services.

 

Competitive Pay

It often surprises people how much money they can make as a commercial driver, especially as a long-haul trucker. Long-haul truck drivers can earn a competitive salary, with many drivers earning over $50,000 per year. Some companies also offer bonuses for safe driving or other performance metrics, which can increase your earning potential even more.

 

Job Security

The trucking industry is always looking for qualified drivers. The demand for long-haul truckers is high, and the industry is projected to grow in the coming years. This means that there are plenty of job opportunities available, especially if you are efficient and experienced. You’ll be able to enjoy job security and stability throughout your career.

 

Travel Opportunities

One of the biggest perks of becoming a long-haul driver is that it allows you to travel across the country and see new places. You’ll get the opportunity to explore different regions, meet new people, and experience the unique cultures of different areas. So if you have the travel bug but also want a stable career, trucking might be the right fit for you!

 

Independence and Flexibility

If the thought of being micromanaged by your boss sounds terrible, the independence and flexibility of being a long-haul truck driver might appeal to you. Long-haul routes do require commitment and time away from home, but experienced drivers get a lot of independence in making their schedules and selecting their routes. You also have the benefit of working without someone watching you at every moment.

 

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, trucking fleets also offer their drivers benefit packages. These benefits can include medical, dental, and vision insurance and retirement benefits. This can provide peace of mind and help you stay healthy and productive on the job and feel set for your life after you’re done working.

 

Quick Career

You’ll be hard-pressed to find another career that offers such great pay and benefits without needing a high-education degree. Starting a career in trucking is easier than you’d think. You can get started with very few steps and start making great money right away.

 

If you’re interested in starting a career as a long-haul trucker or are looking for new trucking jobs, check out our online job board or contact us today! Our hiring experts at Nova Driver Services work with some of Canada’s top companies and trucking fleets and are ready to help you find your next position.

 

What is a FAST Driver?

If you’re interested in starting a lucrative career as a commercial truck driver, one aspect to consider is whether or not you want to do cross-border trucking across the U.S.-Canada border. These jobs pay higher than strictly local or domestic jobs. However, fleets often want FAST-approved or eligible drivers to take on these jobs. So, what exactly is a FAST driver, and how do you know whether you’re eligible to apply? Our driver recruitment experts at Nova Driver Services break it down for you.

What is FAST?

The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a commercial clearance program for low-risk shipments entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. This program is meant to help expedite the shipping process for commercial carriers entering the United States from land border ports. In order to participate in the FAST program, every part of the supply chain, from manufacturers to fleets to drivers, must be certified under the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program.

Who is eligible to become a FAST driver?

There are a few qualifications in order to be eligible for the FAST program. Only drivers that are U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian lawful permanent residents, and Mexico nationals are eligible to apply for FAST membership. All applicants must be 18 years or older and possess a valid driver’s license as well.

What are the reasons for FAST program ineligibility?

Even if drivers meet all of the eligibility criteria, they may still be denied approval into the FAST program. Applicants that provide false information, have convictions or pending criminal charges, have previous customs or immigration violations in any country, are subjects to an ongoing investigation, or are inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration regulations are deemed ineligible.

What are the benefits of being a FAST driver?

Becoming a FAST driver has tons of advantages and can advance your commercial driving career. Not only do FAST drivers go through border customs faster, but carriers are always looking for FAST-approved drivers meaning you’ll have more job opportunities and can earn more!

If you’re a FAST driver looking for work, contact Nova Driver Services or check out our online job board. Our driver recruitment experts are always looking to fill positions at some of Canada’s top fleets.

6 Major Recruitment Mistakes Employers Commonly Make

A company is only as good as its employees but finding and hiring the right people for the job isn’t always easy. It’s not that the talent isn’t out there. Often, companies make some common recruitment mistakes. Here are some things to avoid doing, according to the experts at our hiring agency.

Not Defining Your Ideal Candidate

If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you won’t know how or if you’ve found it. Before you post a job opening, take the time to determine what you’re looking for in a candidate. Defining skills and experience is important, but also consider what personality traits would make someone successful in the role.

Not Looking Internally

Sometimes the best person for the job is already working for you! Hiring externally is a good way to add fresh blood to the office, but internal hires have the advantage of already knowing the company. Promoting internally is a great way to show others there is career growth within the company, and it rewards loyal, hardworking employees.

Making the Hiring Process Too Complicated

A lot of companies forget that hiring is a two-way street. Your business is looking to attract quality talent, but job seekers are also evaluating your company to see if they want to work there. Making the hiring process too long or complicated is a quick way to show candidates you’re not really serious about finding someone. Good hires are in hot demand, and making them jump through a lot of hoops isn’t likely to appeal to them.

Taking Too Long or Rushing

Finding the right person for a job opening can take time. Rushing the process might fill the opening sooner, but it could result in your hiring the wrong person and having to do the process over again. On the other hand, taking too long is equally as detrimental. You can’t expect quality candidates to sit around waiting forever to hear if they’ve gotten the position. A long hiring process also puts additional strain and stress on the team already in place. Be mindful of your hiring timeline.

Not Thinking About the Job Posting

Many companies make the mistake of thinking of the interview as the first impression, but it’s really the job posting. A good job posting should tell the candidate everything they need to know about the job and company. Be sure to include things such as what your company does, what the job entails, what you’re looking for in a candidate, and how they can apply.

Not Utilizing Help

Recruiting is a skill, and if your company doesn’t have a dedicated department for it, you should consider outsourcing help. The hiring process can be long and time-consuming. Rather than taking time away from other duties, let the hiring experts like Nova Staffing do it for you. Recruitment agencies have the skills and experience needed to find quality candidates within your timeline.

If you need recruitment help, contact Nova Staffing today. Our team of hiring experts has over 200 years of combined industry experience, and we’re ready to fulfill any open job positions you have.

Canada-U.S. Border Saw $35B in Truck Shipments

Trucks move the majority of goods between Canada and the United States, and they transported over $35 billion in freight across the border in October 2022. Trucks moved US$35.1 billion in goods, accounting for more than half of the $65.4 billion transborder freight.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the trucking industry also moved $48.2 billion in freight across the U.S.-Mexico border. Combined with Canada-U.S., this marked a 12.9% increase in North America’s transborder truck freight compared to 2021.

The report also highlighted the top three truck ports along the Canada-U.S. border, including Detroit, Michigan ($10.2 billion), Port Huron, Michigan ($5.8 billion), and Buffalo, New York ($5.8 billion). All three of these land ports accessed through Ontario, making them popular crossings for Canada-U.S. day trip truckers. The top three commodities moved by truck across the border included computers and parts ($5.7 billion), vehicles and parts ($4.7 billion), and electrical machinery ($2.4 billion).

The remaining shipments across the Canada-U.S. border were moved by pipelines ($10.3 billion), rail ($9.2 billion), air ($3.3 billion), and vessels ($3.2 billion). The value of oil increased by 7.4% between October 2022 and October 2021, contributing to the increased use of pipelines and vessels.

Transportation and trucking continue to be important industries in the U.S. and Canada. With rising demand and a need for qualified drivers, there are tons of lucrative career opportunities for those interested. If you’re interested in truck driving positions, contact Nova to avail job from driver recruitment agency services or check out our online job board.

What is a Shunt Driver?

The trucking and transportation industry is a vital part of the global supply chain and is a lucrative career for those interested. There is more than one type of commercial truck driver job, and every kind of job has its own requirements. Particular truck driving jobs require special licenses, skills, training, or experience.

 

To help you understand each type of truck driver job, our commercial driver recruitment agency will break them down. Today, let’s look at shunt drivers.

 

What is a shunt driver?

A shunt driver is responsible for the movement of vehicles on a construction site. This could include trailer units or larger goods vehicles. The job could be maneuvering goods around a job site, into storage or loading bays, or to be picked up by other workers. Essentially, a shunt is responsible for moving LGVs and trailers to designated spots around a construction yard so the work can get done as needed. Since construction sites are often heavily populated, have expensive equipment, and have tight deadlines, shunters are highly valuable.

 

How much does a shunt driver earn?

Like most trucking jobs, how much a driver earns depends on skills, experience, and region. In Ontario, shunters earn around $45K. However, newer drivers can expect to earn lower until they build up their experience.

 

Do shunt drivers need a special license?

Depending on the job and employer, a shunt position may require applicable licenses to operate the equipment necessary to move trailers. This could include needing a class D, A, or Z license. Most commercial trucking jobs will require one of these licenses, so investing in training and special licenses will open up doors for multiple commercial truck driver jobs.

 

What does a shunt driver do?

As a shunt, you’ll have two primary duties- preparing trailers for moving and driving or “shunting” the trailers. Preparing the trailers would involve yard checks, attaching the trailers, checking locked trailers, and completing any necessary forms. Moving the trailers involves driving, some administrative work, and communicating with the warehouse and dispatchers.

 

What skills does a shunt driver need?

In addition to having the required driving experience and license, shunts must also know how to communicate and work well with others. A construction site has many moving parts, and shunts will need to work with others to ensure everything is being done correctly. Paying attention to details and staying calm in stressful situations is also highly valued, as job sites can sometimes be busy and tense.

 

How does one get a shunt driver job?

If you’re interested in becoming a shunt driver, you can contact Nova Driver Services today! Our team of hiring experts is ready to help find you the perfect commercial driver position. You can also check out our online job board to see all of our open truck driver roles. 

 

World in Need of More than 2.6 Million Truck Drivers

The transportation and trucking industry has been struggling with a driver shortage for years, and a new survey just revealed how bad it is. A recent report found a global shortage of more than 2.6 million commercial truck drivers. 

 

The IRU, a global transportation organization, identified that there was 2.6 million unfilled truck driving jobs in 2021. This was based on data from the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Europe, Eurasia, Turkey, Iran, and China. The report didn’t include data from Canada; however, the country is also experiencing a driver shortage. 

 

“It is a global issue,” said IRU business analyst Natalia Corchado, presenting the statistics during a June 27 webinar. The shortage is expected to intensify in 2022.

 

The report also found that in addition to open positions, certain demographics were severely underrepresented in the trucking industry. Women make up fewer than 3% of the global truck drivers. While these rates are higher in China (5%) and the U.S. (8%), it’s still a long way away from a 50% gender balance. 

 

Age demographics are also imbalanced in the industry. A vast majority of truck drivers are over the age of 55 and quickly approaching retirement age which will aggravate the driver shortage even more. Fewer than 7% of the world’s truck drivers are under 25. Canada faces a similar issue, with the country’s average truck driver age being 48. 

 

“The driver shortage is very real and only expected to get worse,” agreed Sutco Transportation president Doug Sutherland, chairman of the Canadian Trucking Alliance’s blue ribbon task force on the driver shortage.

 

Canada wasn’t included in the IRU data, however, it has more than 23,000 open truck driver jobs. That number could reach 55,000 by the end of 2024, according to Trucking HR Canada data. 

 

There is no simple solution to the issue. There are a number of barriers preventing a new generation of truck drivers from entering the industry, including minimum licensing ages preventing younger workers from starting. 

 

The good news is that driver wages are on the rise, making the positions more lucrative and enticing. At Nova Driver Services, we have a number of open commercial driving positions available with some of the top transportation companies in the country. If you’re interested in starting a lucrative career with lots of job security and growth potential, contact us today or check out our online driver job board! 

 

Best Cities for Trucking Jobs in Ontario

Are you interested in starting a career as a truck driver, or are you looking for a new trucking position? Smart move! Trucking is a lucrative career that has tons of exciting opportunities. Right now is a great time to branch into this industry as transportation companies are looking to hire quality commercial truck drivers. Here are some of the best Ontario cities to look in if you’re interested in commercial trucking, according to our driver hiring experts at Nova Driver Services!

 

Guelph

Located about an hour away from downtown Toronto, Guelph has a lot to offer and is one of the GTA’s fastest-growing suburbs. In addition to beautiful scenery, Guelph is also one of the top cities for commercial trucking jobs. On average, truck drivers make about $25.36 per hour. Of course, this depends entirely on experience, routes, and more, but that’s still above the provincial average.

 

Cambridge

Just a little bit away from Guelph is Cambridge, Ontario. Cambridge is an industrial city, even boasting a Toyota manufacturing plant. This makes it ideal for trucking jobs. In terms of salary, Cambridge comes in second in Ontario, where the average salary is around $24.34 per hour.

 

Hamilton

Halfway between Toronto and the Niagara region, Hamilton has become a popular commuting city for both areas. Traditionally, this city has heavy ties with manufacturing, making it a great city for trucking. Professional truckers can make about $24.29 an hour in Hamilton, putting it above the provincial average.

 

Barrie

North of Toronto sits Barrie, Ontario. It’s grown significantly over the past few years due to its close proximity to downtown and is home to some great trucking jobs. Truck drivers in Barrie make around $24.16 per hour on average.

 

Windsor

Windsor is known as the “Automotive Capital of Canada” and is a major contributor to Canada’s automotive industry. It’s also located across the river from Detroit, cementing its position as one of the most important cities for transportation. Professional truckers, on average, make $23.95 an hour.

 

Brampton

Brampton is known for its trucking opportunities, and its close proximity to downtown Toronto makes it an ideal location for those who want to enter the industry but don’t want to leave the GTA. Commercial truck drivers make, on average, around $23.92 an hour.

 

Mississauga

Mississauga is one of the biggest suburbs in the GTA. It’s the third most populous municipality in Ontario and is even home to the Toronto Pearson Airport. Truck drivers are set to make $23.14 an hour on average, making it a great city for people looking to start a trucking career that still wants to stay close to Toronto.

 

Ottawa

Canada’s capital has more than just politics. It’s also one of Ontario’s top cities for trucking jobs! Trucking jobs make around $23.14 an hour on average. So, not only will you get a lucrative job, but you’ll also get the benefit of being in the capital city.

 

Are you looking for a commercial trucking job in Ontario? Contact Nova Driver Services or check out our online job board!

Cross-Border Truck Driver Requirements

Are you interested in starting a lucrative career as a commercial driver? Truck drivers are in high demand right now, and the industry has a lot of opportunities. There are many different types of commercial truck driver jobs, but cross-border trucking is one of the most common ones we hire for at our driver recruitment agency. According to our driver hiring experts at Nova Driver Services, if you’re interested in becoming a cross-border trucker, here are all requirements you should know about.

 

What is Cross-Border Trucking?

As the name implies, cross-border trucking involves driving and delivering goods across the border. In Canada, this is usually just between the U.S.-Canada border, but occasionally drivers will go down and cross the U.S.-Mexico border as well.

 

Cross-border trucking can mean high-paying jobs; however, there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet in order to qualify for these gigs.

 

Immigration Requirements

Canadian trucks looking to complete deliveries in the U.S. must meet the general entry requirements for admission as a B-1 visitor. This means commercial cross-border drivers must:

  1. Have a residence in Canada, with no intention of abandoning it
  2. Intend to depart the U.S. at the end of their temporary admission
  3. Have the financial means to finish the job and make it out of the U.S.
  4. Establish that they are not inadmissible to the U.S., including for health reasons, criminal convictions, or previous immigration violations.

 

The last requirement is especially important. If you have any serious health issues, any past criminal convictions, especially in regards to violence, weapons, or drugs, and any previous immigration issues, you probably will not qualify for cross-border trucker jobs as there is a very real chance you will not be allowed to cross the U.S.-Canada border.

 

Document Requirements

Crossing the border as a commercial driver is different than driving through as a visitor, but drivers will still need to present certain documents. Canadian citizens entering the U.S. as drivers must present the following documents to be allowed entry:

  • One of the following pieces of ID:
  • A Canadian passport
  • An enhanced driver’s license or enhanced ID card
  • An enrollment card from a DHS trucked traveling program

 

Inspection Requirements

All trucks and drivers entering and leaving the U.S. are inspected by border patrol. Inspections may differ each time however, they may include a number of elements, including:

  • Document verification
  • X-ray of cargo
  • Cargo inspection

 

DOT Requirements

The trucking industry is one of the most heavily regulated. In order to keep drivers and the roads safe, the Canadian and U.S. governments have certain Hours of Service Rules. These are designed to ensure drivers are getting enough rest so that they can safely make their deliveries. All commercial drivers are required to keep a logbook of their hours, which may be reviewed when you cross the board. Commercial drivers will be instructed on how to properly keep track of their HoS so that they pass inspection.

 

Are you ready to hit the road as a cross-board trucker? Nova Driver Services is one of the top driver recruitment agencies in the GTA, and we’d be happy to help you find the right position. Contact us today to check out our online job board.

 

How to Attract Quality Hires During the Truck Driver Shortage

It’s no secret to anyone in transportation that the industry faces a severe truck driver shortage. Reports have found that Canada is short around 25,000 truck drivers while the U.S. reports a shocking lack of around 60,000 drivers. Drivers are a vital part of North America’s supply chain, but finding quality candidates is hard despite many job openings. Trucking companies are in a heated competition to woo new drivers away from their competitors these days. According to our hiring experts at Nova Driver Services, here are some ways you can attract quality new hires despite the truck driver shortage!

 

Competitive Wage

Money is the top factor people consider when it comes to selecting a job. While most people would love to do something they’re passionate about, we all have bills to pay! If you want to stand out from other trucking companies hiring, you’ll have to offer competitive wages. Trucking is a demanding job, so you’ll have to make it worth any new hires’ time.

 

Quality Benefits

Don’t stop just at wages. Candidates these days are always looking at benefits packages when determining which company to go with. What sort of bonus, sick days, vacation days, and other perks do you offer? If you can’t compete on salary with other trucking companies, benefits are one area you can try to woo quality drivers with.

 

Flexibility & Balance

The pandemic highlighted many problems in the current working world, with a big one being work-life balance. The Great Resignation Canada and the U.S. have been feeling is in part due to a lack of balance and flexibility. While truck driving demands chunks of time, companies that encourage world-life balance and offer flexibility for routes and schedules will attract more workers than those that stand by the rigid, old way of operating.

 

Company Culture

A huge reason behind the truck driver shortage is that drivers felt like they weren’t respected. Drivers are a vital part of the global supply chain and integral to keeping Canada running during the pandemic, and they deserve respect and quality working conditions. If your company culture reflects this, you’ll attract quality drivers.

 

Training & Growth

One solution to a lack of quality drivers is to train them yourself! Another aspect of the driver shortage is that many commercial drivers are nearing retirement age. Appeal to young workers by offering them support in training and certification and clear growth paths once they’re hired. A big appeal to trucking is the long-term career opportunities. Young drivers are more likely to commit to this career if they feel supported and like they have a real future ahead of them.

 

Are you looking to hire quality drivers? Contact us today! Nova Driver Services is one of the top truck driver recruitment agencies in the GTA, and we’d be happy to help fill open positions in your company.