6 Reasons Load Boards Are a Must for Truckers

6 Reasons Load Boards Are a Must for Truckers

It is common to want the maximum profits from a business, and the trucking industry is no exception. This is where the trucking load boards come in. They have been known to increase profit margins for both the parties involved. Load boards help you book high-paying assignments and organize your schedule, making every tip efficient. With the introduction of ELD devices, it is a cakewalk to calculate the profit made with each trip. 

Reasons why ELD for truckers are a must:

Gives room for negotiation
A critical factor in determining assignment rates is the ratio of the truck to load. Once you have determined how high or low this ratio is, you can decide on the rate you want to charge for the project. If your truck-to-load ratio is high, it means each truck will be carrying more load. You can negotiate a high price for your services. That said, with a lower truck-to-load ratio, the rate of the project will be lower and might give you little wriggle room to increase your profit margin.

Helps you catch the big fish
Making use of intelligent technology in the trucking industry could mean organizing, scheduling, and recording your trips, right from the loading destination to unloading. All of this can be conveniently achieved with the help of load boards. You can check the platform frequently and constantly for the correct assignment. With the load board, you will be able to look up legitimate loading listings posted by verified brokers on the platform. These boards help cut the booking time to mere minutes instead of hours of negotiations and confirmations. And if all that is not enough, you can conveniently search for high-paying loads in any desired area.

Estimates can be viewed
An essential factor that truckers need to consider when taking up assignments is the amount of load they can dock onto their vehicle. It might not always be possible to know the exact weightage beforehand, but even an approximation is essential. It is of great importance that the information you receive is timely and accurate. This way, truckers can save time and take up assignments that they know their vehicle can take.

Allows you to check new entries
If you are someone who relies on technology to make lives easier, this single benefit might turn in your favor. With load boards like the DAT truck load board, you even get to read up about the brokers before you book with them. Truckload.com also provides data on brokers, like any complaints, average pay, and credit ratings. On the other hand, the brokers can also look up your information, ensuring that neither of you loses time to and fro. In addition, the platform will also update you about any changes that have been made to your brokerage.

Lets you pre-plan the routes
Efficiently planning your routes can play a crucial role in increasing your profit margin. Panning out your route enables you to select loads and avoid deadhead miles carefully. In addition, you will be able to make the most of your trips from your haul destinations. If you have an empty rack in the middle, trucking load boards can help you fill the space so that you can make more money on a single trip.  Load boards will enable you to plan trips with multiple stops without any crossovers. It will consider your loading and unloading destinations, and some might even offer route suggestions for optimum performance.

Cuts out excessive mileage
Transit between two assignments can end up costing the driver money. During this time, the driver may not earn anything and end up spending more to get to their new assignment. If anything, deadhead miles cost more time and mileage. So, to make up for those expenses, ensure this amount is covered in the consignment. Using trucking load boards can help you cut down your deadhead mileages on your return trip, if not completely eliminate them. Search for assignments on your return route and fulfill them on your return trip.

The government has mandated electronic logging devices or ELDs for truckers. It makes keeping track, recording, and locating the driver easier. It has been determined that truck loads are a win-win for both, brokers and truckers. But that’s not all that truckers can do to increase profits and keep better track of their gains. The truth is that there is more technology can do. And combining trucking load boards with ELDs is a great example.

Here are some portals that are synchronized with top ELD for truckers:

DirectFreight
This trucking load board service allows brokers and truckers to post details and availability. However, with a monthly subscription comes the benefit of text alters, saved searches, credit reports, route planning, and weather reports. A free subscription to the service lasts for a trial period of 15 days. After this, users are welcome to subscribe for a monthly fee of approximately $35.

TruckStop.com
Also known as the “Internet TruckStop,” this particular trucking load board was launched back in 1995. The platform has a huge user base and offers three different plans for trucking companies. TruckStop Basic also provides search results and posting services at $35 a month. Some of its advanced features include credit reports, route planning, and days of payment. The most expensive TruckStop Pro comes with real-time data and the option to search for top-paying loads.

DAT
DAT truck load boards and freight load boards are among the top choices for truckers. It offers three versions (DAT Power, DAT Express, and DAT TruckersEdge) to users based on the quality of service and the number of features they want to be covered. While these three are paid subscriptions, users can take advantage of free posting with TruckersEdge. DAT is a top choice for trucking companies to combine their data and synchronize with an ELD device.

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Find Jobs Nearby With These 9 Easy Tips

Getting a job in your area can cut down on the amount of time spent commuting to and from work, giving you more downtime. Add to it the perks of spending time with family and friends and the ability to nurture a work-life balance. Working close to home can also help improve work productivity as it takes away the stress of travel. So, check out these simple ways to find a job in your area. Broaden your social network Networking helps improve the chances of finding suitable local jobs. Your friends, former colleagues, and even previous employers can help you get in touch with recruiters around town. Also, portals such as LinkedIn can help you connect with local professionals from your field. You can turn on job alerts with your preferred location and get regular notifications on the website/app. Request referrals Companies offer incentives to existing employees for providing referrals for vacant positions. If you know a friend or a fellow professional who may be in a position to refer you to their employer for a role, do not hesitate to ask. If the company hires you, your referrer will also receive a decent commission for their input. You can even inquire about referrals on social media platforms and mainstream portals and send official requests for referrals. Explore traditional avenues Before online portals became popular, newspapers and weekly magazine newsletters would primarily list all the available jobs in your area. Many small and medium businesses still adopt this practice to attract local talent. You can also visit career fairs organized by town planning committees that encourage mass recruitment. Recruiters set up booths on behalf of their organization to discuss new employment opportunities. They may even conduct the first round of interviews on the spot to shortlist potential candidates. Check out online classified ads Try looking through local and niche classified ads online to considerably narrow down your search. There are several active platforms that regularly list and update local jobs. For example, Craigslist has an entire category dedicated to locating jobs in your area. You can even use filters such as full-time, part-time, or contract work for precise search results. Even social media platforms like Facebook feature community groups and company pages that list available vacancies. So, explore all available avenues to increase the odds of finding the right opportunity. Contact local employment agencies Employment agencies can identify suitable vacancies in your area, especially if you are new to the city or are switching careers. They have dedicated career counselors who analyze the candidate’s education and work experience and consider their interests and preferences to recommend suitable roles. You can alternatively contact individual headhunters who work as freelancers for companies to fill up vacant positions. These agencies and headhunters typically charge a fee for their professional services. Check company websites Make a list of local companies that you wish to work for. Not all companies update available vacancies or even post detailed requirements on job portals or social media platforms. So, it might be a better idea to look for vacancies as well as apply for the role on your preferred company’s official website. Company websites list specific qualifications and skills required for the role. They even provide a brief job description. This makes it easier for you to compare available opportunities across organizations and make an informed decision. Most such sites feature a dedicated careers page that gives a brief overview of the company’s mission, values, work culture, rewards, and benefits. It is also possible to find the contact details of the talent acquisition team on this page. Contact your alumni groups Actively reaching out to peers and members of your social groups improves your chances of finding jobs in your area. Tap into every available connection, starting with your college alumni group. Seniors or other job holders share updates about vacancies in their organization from time to time. You can also contact your professors to inquire about openings in companies that have previously hired people from your academic circle. Explore walk-in opportunities Many local businesses and companies conduct walk-in interviews for positions that need to be filled urgently. For example, retail businesses, restaurants, hospitality services, and even public utility companies can conduct on-the-spot interviews with a large number of candidates. As an appointment is not required, you can ask the recruiter for an application form and submit your resume and relevant documents in person. Employers usually share details about the role, along with those regarding salary, perks and benefits, and work timings. Most places conduct multiple rounds of interviews on the same day. The hiring decision is announced immediately after the interview. As the process for walk-in interviews is quick, you end up saving a lot of time compared with other forms of recruitment. Follow up If you are applying for several roles or at least speaking to local recruiters often, keep track of your applications and maintain the contact details of hiring managers. Staying organized helps you effectively monitor the status of all your applications in case you need to follow up. Sometimes recruiters may be swamped with applications. A polite reminder or a follow-up email can make them take a second look at your application and share an update regarding your candidature. Further, keep in touch with the recruiters who have previously interacted with you. They may reach out as and when an opportunity arises.

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8 Tips for Finding the Right Contractor Nearby

You need a contractor if you've decided to redo your home, retile the bathroom, or even get a few small renovations done. But finding the right person to get such a job done can be a bit tedious and even stressful. You need to research, interview many contractors near you, and read through terms, among other bureaucratic chores. Here's an eight-step guide that can make this process a lot easier: Use the right sources Finding a contractor to renovate or repair your home is no simple task. You want someone reliable and trustworthy who will give you precisely the kind of work you need. The easiest way to find someone suitable for the job is to ask friends and family. But if you're new to a particular area, you could find a contractor nearby by searching online. A simple search with "contractors near me" could also give you potential leads. Various services will help you find the right individual for the job.  Ask for recommendations Although asking your near and dear ones to help you find a contractor is an easy way, taking this step could also mean that you could have too many options to consider. At this stage, you can narrow the search by asking for referrals and recommendations. Ask your family and friends about their experience working with the company, reliability, customer care, payments, and other important aspects. Check out reviews online Another way to validate the services provided by the companies is to check their presence online. You could start by finding a local contractor with an online portfolio or website and check their services. Another crucial step in finding a contractor nearby is checking customer reviews. This step includes finding their business on social media platforms and review sites like Yelp and reading what other customers say. You can use these reviews and in-person recommendations to narrow your list. The Federal Trade Commission also suggests running searches of the company name along with "complaints."  Keep the plans ready Once you've decided on a list of potential contractors, it's time to get to work. But before you get in touch with them, it is important to understand your plans. Decide on the amount of work you want to be done, what kind of work it is, the timeline you want it done in, the kind of building materials you want, and other such factors. The more details you provide the shortlisted candidates for the job, the better estimates you get from them.  Interview multiple contractors Once you've decided on the plan, start interviewing the shortlisted choices. Having an in-person interview with all candidates is essential to discover if the two of you have developed a rapport. Such an initiative also helps you build trust and understand if you can easily communicate with them. Typically, you want to interview at least three to five local contractors to gain a strong comparison scale. But having too many options on your list will cause confusion. Note that the interview should simply be introductory, wherein you share your requirements and have a quick chat about their work.  Check the licenses Another important aspect of finding the right local contractor for you is checking the licenses. The standard code and regulations for home contractors are not the same for every state. You may want to ensure that the chosen person has the right permits to do the job. The concerned party should either be licensed, registered, or bonded. Licensed workers are the most secure choice as they are definitely equipped to tackle any project on hand. To get the necessary certification, they must undergo rigorous training, undergo written tests, and even do education programs. Contractors should also have proof of insurance or bonding. Being registered simply means that they have paid a fee and have proof of insurance and bonding. Registered workers do not undergo any specific training and educational programs. Bonding is insurance that a third party takes out. If you feel that the contractor has not done the work properly, you can contact the third party to claim your losses.  Ask for a formal project estimate During the interview, share your plans with the potential candidates and ask them for a formal written breakdown of the costs. The itemized bid can help you see how much different contractors charge for a particular job and the markup on different supplies. Don't hesitate to ask for a complete breakdown, including the cost of labor, profit margins, and even the cost of materials. Find the wholesale cost of the item to help you decide on the bid you want to choose Don't rush while choosing the bid Once you have all the essential information, it is time to pick the contractor that meets your requirements. But remember that you don't always want to choose the lowest bid. There may be a red flag if there are massive variations in the labor and markups. Also, ensure that you search and choose a contractor nearby to save money and allow you to be in touch with them easily.   Don't forget to ask for a detailed written contract that includes the payment schedule, the kind of material you want to use, and other information about the project as much as possible. Also, don't make any upfront payments. You should only make payments in part and pay the final installment once the project is complete.

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