Celadon receives thousands of applications each month. Most come through online job boards and are sent to dozens of other carriers simultaneously. The drivers Celadon really wants to speak to are those who apply through one of its own websites, which account for about 100 per month. These drivers are not just looking for a job but a job at Celadon.
As soon as a driver clicks the “submit” button, a software system in the background verifies that Celadon’s minimum requirements have been met. A recruiter receives an automated phone call with an option to instantly connect to the driver.
About 75 percent of these pre-qualified leads will meet the company’s additional requirements and receive job offers, says Dave Chesterman, director of recruiting for the Indianapolis, Ind.-based truckload carrier.
Speeding your pipeline
ACS, a Xerox company, developed the recruiting software used by Celadon called Virtual Recruiter, released in the Fall of 2012. Fleets that use the software today range in size from a couple hundred trucks to more than 1,000, says Dennis Veneklase, vice president of Digital Media for ACS Advertising.
Based on industry estimates, fleets spend between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire each driver. Technology can help reduce recruiting and hiring costs, but perhaps more importantly, can improve the quality of recruits and speed response time.
