First Impressions Count

By Sandy Long

Looking in your closet or the shelves in your truck, getting ready to go for a job interview for a trucking industry job, can lead to bewilderment. Most women want to look their best when going for an interview, it is what they are taught in home ec classes and business schools. The problem occurs in trucking because women are often judged by their appearance.

A lady driver that I know went to a job interview for a driver’s job dressed in a business suit and in heels. She had work clothes in the car if she was asked to do a road test. The interviewer took one look at her and told her that she was too clean to be a truck driver and sent her on her way. On the other hand, another lady driver went for an interview for a chemical tanker driving job dressed in a dress and heels. There were two men applying there also in suits. Out of the five or six applicants there that day to interview, the lady driver and the two men in suits were hired, the others were not. It depends on the interviewer.

When I worked personnel for a trucking company, I must admit that first impressions I got from women applying for driving jobs influenced how I approached them during the hiring process. Women who came in with mini skirts or short shorts, and heavy makeup I knew from experience would most likely cause trouble among the male drivers they would be teaming with and among the male office employees. I would question them thoroughly about their reasons for wanting to drive truck for the company and stress the problems and consequences of inappropriate behavior.

If the woman had on a dress or skirt and heels, I would ask how much time she would need a day to dress and put on her makeup and made sure she knew the hazards of wearing heels on a truck. In the back of my mind would be the thought that this type might feel too good about herself…be a prima donna…to do the job.

Of course, clothing isn’t the only thing that influences first impressions. Makeup, jewelry, cleanliness and perfumes also influence first impressions.

Dressing for success in the trucking industry depends greatly on the position you are seeking to fill. One should dress according to the job.

Office personnel: Someone applying for an office position such as dispatcher, log book auditor or clerk might wear a nice pant suit or skirt and blouse combination with minimal makeup and jewelry and low heels or flats.

Higher level office positions: Someone applying for managerial or supervisory positions, vice president or recruiting positions might wear a business suit or dress with moderate makeup, jewelry and high heels.

Mechanic positions: Someone applying for a mechanics position might wear slacks or dress jeans with a nicer blouse, minimal makeup and low heels.

Driver position: for this position, one must strike a balance between professionalism and being taken seriously as a lady driver. I suggest a pant suit or dress jeans or slacks with a nice blouse and closed toed shoes, minimal makeup and jewelry.

The main thing is to be clean, neat and conservatively dressed. Leave the Tammy Fae make up and the sexy clothes to Dolly Parton to take all the way to the bank…it won’t work for you looking for a job in trucking. You want to be considered as a capable, able, professional woman who can handle any job you apply for with grace and dignity, not as a potential problem.

Right or wrong, people judge people on first impressions, it is human nature. Make that work for you by dressing appropriately for the job, keep a good attitude, have all the information that will be needed for the hiring process in hand and smile. Naturally, you will make a good first impression!

Ya’ll be safe out there!

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