Fast turnaround

Technology processes driver applicants quickly and thoroughly

By Aaron Huff

The shortage of qualified drivers has become a serious concern for fleet executives who now are trying every trick in the book to beat other carriers to the best candidates. Besides increasing pay and benefits to recruit new drivers, many have revamped their hiring process with new technologies and services to increase speed and efficiency.

Before a hiring decision can be made, carriers are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to obtain a three-year driving and employment history. Further, the Department of Transportation requires a pre-employment drug test and a three-year drug/alcohol violation history.

Companies that offer screening services include HireRight, iiX, Sterling Infosystems and CoreLogic. Outsourcing the minimal requirements to these companies can subtract hours – even days – from the hiring process. It also can ensure compliance to avoid fines and legal exposure due to negligent hiring practices.

Outsourcing can speed the hiring process.

The Compli Recruiting module is a work force management platform that has real-time integration with Sterling to order screenings directly from within the software. Screening results, from driving records to criminal background checks and Social Security verification, are transmitted immediately upon completion of the screen.

“Seamlessly integrating the screening process into automated business process workflow creates efficiencies and increased productivity across the organization,” says Nick Goodell, Compli’s general manager of trucking and transportation.

Going online

Completing the minimum screening requirements can be done only after drivers apply for a job. By today’s standards, filling out a paper application is an inefficient way to capture needed information to make a quick hiring decision. Drivers are becoming technology-savvy, and the application process is changing.

Carriers now can reduce labor costs by collecting applications electronically and using that data to qualify and hire drivers more rapidly.

In November 2009, Little Rock, Ark.-based Maverick Transportation went live with the EBE Ships platform for recruiting and hiring drivers. Drivers could complete applications online prior to using Ships, but recruiters for the 1,200-truck company were hand-keying applicant information into another software system.

Carriers now can reduce labor costs by collecting applications electronically.

Now, all Web applications feed into Ships automatically, and the information is distributed to recruiters based on current workload. The Web application forces drivers to complete certain fields to avoid delays caused by partial applications. Drivers also sign applications online, and Maverick can order screening reports immediately. The software also sends faxes to companies to verify past employment.