Job interviews – something everyone has experienced at least once in their lives. It’s no different for professional drivers, especially those working contract roles who might end up attending several interviews a year.
If you’re yet to have your first interview as a professional driver, it can be daunting to know what to expect and if it will be dramatically different from any interview you’ve attended before. Many companies require their prospective employees to undergo a practical assessment to ensure they are technically capable, but what about the formal interview
Here are some of the most common questions you can expect at an interview as a professional driver – whether that’s tramping up and down the country, making deliveries in a 7.5 tonne, or nipping around the city in a van.
Tell us about your experience as a professional driver?
This is a standard question that most companies will ask. It is your opportunity to tell them about your past roles in more detail and give them more information you couldn’t cover in your CV.
What do you think the primary roles of a professional driver are?
The employer wants to make sure you understand that the role of a driver isn’t just driving. There are so many things a driver is also responsible for, like providing outstanding customer service, ensuring they are sticking to health and safety rules, maintaining the vehicle, and keeping paperwork up to date.
What do you know about the company?
With this question, the company is checking to see if you’ve done your research and are passionate about the role you are pursuing.
What would you do if you were running out of driving hours but hadn’t finished a job?
The company wants to see how well you are able to assess a situation – whether you’re running out of driving hours because of a traffic jam, slow-moving vehicles, or hold-ups at a distribution centre – while ensuring you’re staying within the law and taking breaks when you need them.
Do you think teamwork is important in this industry?
While traditionally seen as a bit of a lonely job, employers want to see that as a driver you understand you are part of something much bigger and will be interacting with a wide range of people from distribution centre managers, operations staff, other drivers, and the public.
How do you handle unexpected instances? Like mechanical breakdowns or receiving the wrong load?
The company wants to see how quickly you can think on your feet while remaining calm and finding a suitable solution to a problem.
How familiar are you with drivers’ hours and the European working time directive?
The company wants to make sure you know the laws that affect professional drivers throughout the UK and Europe and understand the importance of following them.
If you’re looking for a new driving role, check out our latest jobs or get in contact with the team.