Businesses that operate across multiple different locations are familiar with the need for a logistical infrastructure: ensuring different facilities have the different products they need, when they need them. While some companies organize their own logistical needs, others outsource these tasks to third party logistics (3PL) companies. Such a decision is not without its disadvantages.
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3PL Basics

3PL companies follow the economic principle of specialization by building up logistical infrastructures, methodologies and computer based algorithms to maximize shipping efficiency, then offer this expertise to businesses. These companies sell their services by saying that they cut a company’s logistical costs. These rates can be especially attractive to smaller businesses. This is because 3PL firms have an economy of scale in logistical support. Adding another customer to their shipping routes costs them much less than it would cost the smaller business to build its own logistical infrastructure.

The economy of scale such logistical firms have from the amount of shipping support they already do means that their rates can be especially attractive to smaller businesses, for whom investing in developing their own logistical infrastructure would represent a very sizable investment.

Lack of Direct Oversight

One of the downsides of using 3PL services is that the client businesses have no direct control over their operation. They are relying on the 3PL company to consistently come through in delivering the promised services. This lack of direct control means that client companies are at the mercy of any problems the 3PL company faces. Beyond the possible loss of business, the damage that results from 3PL services failing to deliver certain products on time are the client company’s problem, not the 3PL service’s.

Pricing Models

3PL services promote their service as the most cost efficient way to get logistics done. While this may be true, contracting with such a service means that the company is locked into the pricing model specified in the business agreement. By handing logistics over to a 3PL service, companies are forgoing the possibility that an in-house logistics department could figure out a cheaper and more efficient solution.

Dependency

Handing over logistics to a 3PL service is a large commitment. Businesses need a reliable structure to function. Logistical downtime can translate into large amounts of lost productivity and revenue. Consequently, while the free market dictates that a business which is dissatisfied with its 3PL service could always find another, or develop its own logistical infrastructure, the reality is not so simple. Switching the nature of a company’s logistical support can cost the company a great deal in unforeseen costs resulting from the transition. When businesses contract with 3PL services it creates a dependency which is no small matter to change. This dependency puts the client company in uncomfortable situations if pricing schemes or service reliability from the 3PL service is not working out as expected.

Being fired from your current job is disappointing and often a blow to your ego and sense of self-worth. Getting a job after being fired can be especially difficult since most employers ask why you are no longer with the last company you worked for. While it may seem impossible to obtain work after being fired, it’s not if you learn how to get a trucking job after being fired.

Obtain your license. Complete a training course that prepares you to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL) since this license is a requirement for all trucking jobs in the United States. Take the written and practical exams at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after completing the course. Pass a medical exam and receive your CDL license.

Seek out references. Find people willing to serve as references who can attest to your work experience and personal character. Ask old employers prior to the one who fired you, or look for business owners or leaders of civic groups you’ve worked with who can serve as references. Don’t use family members or close friends, though.

Volunteer to gain experience. Contact local nonprofit organizations in your community to see if they have a need for volunteers with a CDL. For example, food banks often need truck drivers to transport food in large trucks from a warehouse to a soup kitchen or distribution center while other groups need volunteers to drive around a large truck or trailer to collect donations from people in the community. Volunteering with your CDL gives you the opportunity to get experience as well as gain positive references if you do a good job.

Search for open positions. Look online at popular websites such as Career Builder and Monster for open trucking jobs. Check the career section of major trucking companies that transport goods in your community or across the U.S. such as J.B. Hunt, Swift and CR England. Submit an application or your resume to be considered for the job. Network with local farmers, transportation companies and manufacturing companies since they often have trucking jobs available.

Be honest about your past. Tell the truth about your last job when interviewing for a trucking job. If they ask why you left, explain that you were terminated. Your reason for leaving can easily be checked, and if caught lying you surely won’t get the job. When you do talk about your past job, be positive and admit to the mistakes you made which led to you getting fired. Discuss what steps you’ve taken to learn from these mistakes and ensure they won’t happen again.

Start your own company. If you can’t find a trucking job, you always have the option of starting your own trucking company. While this requires start-up funds along with purchasing at least one truck to use in your company, the potential to earn more than just a salary exists if you can grow and expand the business by taking on more clients and transportation jobs. Plus, you don’t have to explain to anyone why you got fired.