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Charlotte Haye 27th February 2019

5 Secrets to Getting Your First Job as an HGV Driver

Getting your first HGV driving job can be a challenging, scary thing. Just like any job interview, there are a lot of things to learn and a lot of chance involved. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for it! HGV drivers are still in high demand, and newly qualified drivers are starting to become like gold dust. At Easy as HGV, we help people just like you to get qualified and ready for their first HGV job, including interview tips and a friendly point in the right direction. Today, we have a few pointers to help you make the most of your interviews for an HGV role.

Brush Up Your English Skills

During the process of applying for a job, you’re going to have to do some writing and reading. From filling in an application form to a short written assessment, in-person interview or verbal assessment, you will need to present good English skills from beginning to end. So before you start applying, practice writing out a few paragraphs and make sure your handwriting is legible, your English is good and that you can put together a decent paragraph. After all, your boss will expect you to be able to fill out paperwork like delivery information, end of day reports or accident report forms clearly and concisely. So while your English and grammar don’t have to be perfect, it does need to be easily understood.

Craft Your First Impression

You’ve probably heard this time and time again, but you only get one chance to make a first impression. When it comes to job interviews, your window to make this impression is very small, so you need to get it right. This means preparing for your interview, getting yourself washed, dressed smartly and presented well. While your interview isn’t exactly a beauty pageant, you also shouldn’t turn up in dirty, torn clothes or a T-shirt with an offensive design. Make sure you take a copy of your CV with you, turn up on time (or early) and prepared for the interview. Which leads us on to…

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Preparation is key to getting any job, so it’s no surprise that it’s on this list. But preparation starts before you even walk into the interview. When you’re choosing companies to apply to, take the time to look up the company online and find out as much as you can about them, their goals and their ethos. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, tailor a cover letter

Practice Thinking Before You Speak

We are all guilty of opening our mouths before we engage our brains from time to time. Most of the time it’s harmless and we can just laugh it off and move on. But when it comes to a job interview, it’s much more difficult to recover from. Before you go into any interview, ask a friend or family member to help you prepare with some questions. By rehearsing the interview process you can practice thinking before you speak, helping you make a better first impression.

Get Your Licence

But of course, the most important part of nailing your first job as an HGV driver is to get your licence. If you didn’t have a licence, it’s going to be much harder for you to find a job. Most firms don’t want to train a driver in-house, especially when there are drivers ready and waiting to fill that space. There are a huge number of HGV courses out there to help you gain your basic license and Driver CPC, along with any upgrade licences you might need. If you’re willing to wait and get the right licences, you can land a much better job when you start hunting.

At Easy as HGV, we help drivers just like you get on the ladder to a career in HGV driving. We offer a wide range of HGV training courses, from C1 to CPC and even horsebox training. Our experts are on hand to guide you through the process, train you in driving safely and understanding the theory elements of your exams. Once you’ve got your licence, we even help you find the right role for you, placing you into companies looking for qualified HGV drivers just like you. To find out more, just get in touch with us today.

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