Online RR Series: Building your Team: Modern HR, Recruitment & Retention Strategies-Building your Team: Modern HR, Recruitment & Retention Strategies

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar focused on modern recruitment and retention strategies for trucking fleets. Panelists from Mercer Transportation, Jet Express, and Forward Air agreed that success depends on finding the right drivers—not simply increasing applicant volume—and ensuring expectations match the actual job and experience.<br /><br />Key recommendations included responding quickly while making time for meaningful conversations about drivers’ priorities, such as compensation, miles, schedules, and time at home. Recruiters should address potential concerns early and avoid recruiting candidates who are not a good fit.<br /><br />Panelists emphasized alignment across marketing, recruiting, onboarding, safety, and operations. Teams should communicate regularly, set accurate expectations, and make driver handoffs smooth. Early follow-up—including check-ins during the first 90 days—can identify problems before they lead to turnover.<br /><br />Data can help fleets improve results. Track meaningful measures such as cost per approval, conversion rates, and reasons candidates are declined or lose interest. Even small improvements to applicant tracking systems, such as adding clear statuses or tags, can reveal where the process breaks down.<br /><br />Above all, retention is strengthened by treating drivers and employees with respect, listening to them, and offering flexibility where possible. Leaders were encouraged to share practices across companies, break down internal silos, and build systems that help people succeed and stay.

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Keywords

trucking fleets

recruitment strategies

driver retention

candidate fit

driver expectations

onboarding process

early follow-up

applicant tracking systems

employee respect