Driver Recruitment Horror Stories! Red Flags to Look for in the Interview Process

Whether you're an HGV driver looking for a new position or a company trying to recruit reliable temporary and permanent drivers, bad hires and wrong-fit companies can be costly.

Companies lose money when they choose the wrong candidates, and drivers waste time and risk their professional reputation hopping about from one bad company to the next.

Whether you're hiring professional drivers or you are one, look out for these red flags that can indicate a candidate or company you're considering is a bad decision in sheep's clothing.

The true cost of bad hires and wrong employment turns

In an ideal world, responsible, experienced drivers would apply for your driving jobs, and they'd be rewarded with a competitive salary and thriving company culture. But when you need to hire or find a job quickly, it's tempting to take the first offer that comes along.

Don't do it. For companies, high turnover and job dissatisfaction drive up employment costs into the thousands. For drivers, bouncing from one bad-fit job to the next looks as if you can't commit to a role.

Instead, wait for the candidate or role that's right for you, and as you interview, look out for these warning signs.

HGV drivers, watch for these signs of a bad employer

As a professional driver, you're entitled to honest communication, competitive pay, and a respectful work environment. From the moment you walk through the door for your interview, pay attention to whether the company offers excellent customer service and professional communication, and look out for these driver recruitment red flags:

1. Vague or misleading job descriptions

If the details of your employment, like pay, work hours, key responsibilities, and overtime opportunities keep changing, or you can't pin anyone down with specifics, it's a bad sign. A company that refuses to provide written job details is either dishonest or disorganised. Either way, it's a bad look, especially in the logistics industry, where attention to detail matters.

2. Poor communication & unprofessionalism

Honest communication is central to a successful company-employee relationship. If you feel that the company you're interviewing with is unprofessional in their communications, it doesn't bode well for your relationship.

Recruiters that are late, disorganised, or unresponsive to your emails and questions can't be trusted, and distrust is a bad way to start any relationship. If the recruiter piles on the pressure to accept the job without fully answering your questions or explaining the terms, they're waving another red flag in your face.

And if the company treats their employees poorly, they're probably not a favourite with their clients, either. Once you join a business, your professional reputation is tied to theirs. Look for a company with a strong reputation for excellent service that will improve your CV and hold you to a higher standard.

3. Unrealistic expectations

Tachograph rules are in place for a reason: driving long hours with little rest is unsafe for you and the other drivers on the road. Any business that ignores the best interests of their drivers and other road users is complicit in any accident that might happen.

You don't want to work at a place that disregards your safety and that of others. Plus, ignoring tachograph rules and other safety laws will eventually land the company in hot water, putting your job in jeopardy as they pay the crippling fees and fines they'll incur.

4. Negative employee reviews & high turnover

Before you accept a position, listen to the people who’ve worked closely with the organisation. Their reviews can give you a glimpse of what it would be like to work there.

You can read reviews from past and current employees on the company's work environment and culture on websites like Glassdoor.com. If you notice lots of negative feedback and a revolving door of drivers who come and go quickly, this job is not an ideal role.

5. Unmaintained vehicles & poor facilities

Whether you're delivering parcels in the local area or crossing the country with a lorry-full of goods, you have a right to do it in a safe, well-maintained truck.

When you visit your potential employer's depot, watch out for outdated and unsafe vehicles. Companies that can't keep up with vehicle inspections and upgrades reveal that they don't care much about your safety. Plus, they're likely to lose qualifications and certifications due to noncompliance, which could put your job in jeopardy.

Failing to invest in driver support, like training and rest areas, is problematic, too. It shows little respect for your needs as a driver and for the laws that are designed to keep you safe.

Logistics industry employers, never hire a candidate who has these 5 things

As an employer, you want to offer the best service in the industry, and you need a reliable team to do it. But drivers waving these red flags will wreck your commitment to hiring the best and hurt your reputation for going the extra mile for clients.

1. Incomplete or inaccurate work history

Gaps in the CV happen, but a strong candidate will offer a reasonable, logical explanation for them. Watch out for candidates who refuse to explain gaps in their CV, or who give you conflicting details about their employment history during their interview.

That type of dishonesty won’t stop after the interview, and if you hire that candidate, you might be plagued with other less-than-trustworthy behaviour during their time in your employment.

2. Poor attitude & lack of professionalism

An interviewee who arrives late, is unprepared for the meeting, or who badmouths their previous employers is going to continue to cause problems after you hire them.

Even worse is a driver that shows little interest in your compliance policies or safety regulations. Their lack of professionalism will put your entire fleet and driver pool at risk, and you'll struggle to keep them compliant, which could result in fees and fines.

3. Dodgy driving record & compliance issues

Any driver you hire must have a full UK driving licence or CPC certification. If a candidate can't produce one, it's a non-starter.

But they need a clean drivers' licence, too. A history of speeding tickets, accidents, or other legal issues can indicate disregard for safety and a tendency to take professional short cuts. You don't want either of those personality traits associated with your company.

4. Unrealistic salary or job expectations

Ever get the feeling that a candidate has only checked the salary part of your job alert? Or that they expect you to rearrange your delivery schedule to suit their personal life?

An employee-company relationship requires flexibility on both sides, and any candidate who refuses to do their share of flexing is a bad fit. Expecting high pay with minimal experience, or refusing to work certain shifts or routes without flexibility are signs they won't bring a team-player attitude to the job.

5. Lack of long-term commitment

There are plenty of candidates who would be thrilled to work for your company, so don't settle for one who shows little interest in building a long-term career with you. Frequent job-hopping for no valid reason is a red flag, too.

These two traits indicate that a candidate isn't serious about their driving career or the role they might have at your company, and if you hire them, they're unlikely to thrive or contribute much to your team.

Need a reliable hiring short cut? Use a driver recruitment agency

The high demand for lorry drivers creates a competitive employment market. Drivers might be tempted to accept a role with poor future prospects based on flashy benefits or promises of a commission. Companies desperate to fill roles might make quick hires just to keep trucks on the road. But both decisions can wreck reputations. Instead, get help making a wise hire or career move.

Driver Require is the UK's leading driver recruitment agency. We place excellent candidates at brilliant companies to their mutual benefit. No more phone screens. No more unanswered CV submissions. No more guess-work. Just highly-qualified candidates and companies that value them. Talk to our team to make sure your next hiring or employment move is the right one.