The Driver Dilemma: Key Factors in Hiring Exceptional Drivers
Fountain Fleet Solutions Limited
Our customer-first mindset guarantees the optimum fleet performance
If you run a business that depends on drivers, you know how challenging it can be to find and retain qualified candidates. Drivers are not just people who move your staff or goods from point A to point B. They are also representatives of your brand and responsible for customer satisfaction, safety, and compliance.
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Hiring the wrong driver can cost you a lot of money, time, and reputation. That’s why you need to have a clear and effective driver selection process that evaluates not only the technical skills but also the personality and attitude of the applicants.
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In this article, I will share with you the five most important things to look for when hiring drivers for your business, based on our insights as a leading provider of fleet management solutions in Ghana.
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But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me share a story with you from one of our clients that we run annual driver safety training sessions for.
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“When we started our catering business, we needed drivers who could transport the food and equipment to different venues. I posted an ad online and received dozens of applications. I decided to interview the most qualified candidates, and with the help of Fountain Fleet Solutions, we conducted a practical driving test. One of the applicants was a young woman who had just graduated from culinary school. She had a passion for cooking and a dream of opening her own restaurant someday. She told us that she wanted to work as a driver to gain more experience in the catering industry and learn from us. She aced the driving test and the non-driving tasks, such as setting up the buffet table, serving the guests, and cleaning up. She also had a great personality and a positive attitude. She was friendly, respectful, empathetic, patient, and humorous. She was able to adapt to different situations and challenges, such as traffic jams, last-minute changes, and difficult customers. She was the perfect driver for our business, and we hired her on the spot. She worked with us for two years and then left to pursue her own venture. We were sad to see her go, but we were also proud of her and happy for her success.”
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The first and foremost thing to look for in a driver is their ability to drive defensively. Defensive driving is the practice of anticipating and avoiding potential hazards on the road, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, animals, weather conditions, etc.
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Defensive driving is essential for preventing accidents, which can cause injuries, damages, and lawsuits. A driver who drives defensively is also more likely to follow traffic rules and regulations, which can save you from fines and penalties.
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To assess the defensive driving skills of a driver, you can check their driving record, ask them about their driving habits and experiences, and conduct a practical driving test.
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2. Performance on Non-driving Parts of the Job
Driving is not the only part of a driver’s job. Depending on your business, a driver may also have to perform other tasks, such as:
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These tasks require different skills and knowledge, such as communication, organization, problem-solving, customer service, etc. A driver who can perform these tasks well can add value to your business and increase customer satisfaction.
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To evaluate the performance of a driver on non-driving parts of the job, you can ask them about their previous work experience, give them a written or oral test, and ask for references.
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3. Job Satisfaction
Another thing to look for in a driver is their level of job satisfaction. A driver who is happy and satisfied with their job is more likely to stay with your company for a long time, perform well, and be loyal to your brand.
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Job satisfaction depends on various factors, such as:
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As an employer, you need to provide your drivers with fair and competitive compensation and benefits, a positive and supportive work environment and culture, opportunities for career development and growth, regular recognition and feedback, and a reasonable work-life balance.
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To measure the job satisfaction of a driver, you can ask them about their expectations and preferences, conduct surveys and interviews, and observe their behavior and attitude.
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4. Ability to Get Along with Others
A driver who can get along well with others is an asset to your business. Most businesses work as teams, and drivers are no exception. They need to interact and cooperate with other drivers, managers, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
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A driver who can effectively communicate and collaborate with others can:
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The ability to get along well with others depends largely on the personality and temperament of a driver. Some of the traits that indicate a good personality are:
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To assess the ability of a driver to get along well with others, you can use personality tests, behavioral interviews, and role-playing scenarios.
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5. Adaptability to Meeting Existing Conditions
The last thing to look for in a driver is their adaptability to meeting existing conditions. The business environment is constantly changing, and drivers need to be able to adapt to these changes. Some of the changes that drivers may face are:
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A driver who can adapt to these changes can:
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To evaluate the adaptability of a driver to meeting existing conditions, you can ask them about their learning style and methods, their attitude towards change and innovation, and their experience with handling change and uncertainty.
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Conclusion
Hiring the right drivers for your business is crucial for your productivity, profitability, and reputation. By looking for these five things in a driver, you can ensure that you hire the best candidates for your business.
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If you need help with managing your fleet operations, saving lives, and reducing costs, Fountain Fleet Solutions is here for you. Fountain Fleet Solutions offers a robust fleet management system that can assist you with:
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To learn more about how we can help you, please send us an email or call us. You’re only one call away from greatness.
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Now, if you get any value from this, I need you to help us spread this message. Share it with friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn so they benefit from it too. You could also forward it to someone you love or hate via email (hopefully you’re not the type that hates people).
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You can also leave us a comment below and let us know what you think about hiring the right driver or any other car-related topics you want us to cover next.
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That’s all for now.
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Catch you next Tuesday.
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P.S. Here’s how we can work together:
If you’re a business leader (you run a business or are a business executive) and you’re seeking end-to-end fleet management solutions, please fill out this form.