How to Find CDL Jobs Near You (That Aren’t Just on Indeed)

How to Find CDL Jobs Near You (That Aren’t Just on Indeed)

If you’re looking for a CDL job near you, the first place most people go is Indeed. And while that’s not a bad starting point, there’s a whole lot more out there if you know where to look.

We’ve helped thousands of students land their first CDL job at Emerge Career, and the biggest difference-maker is knowing how to find the right job — not just the first job you see.

Here’s how to go beyond the basic job hunt and really open up your options.

Start With the Big Job Boards (But Go Deeper Than You Think)

Yes, you should use Indeed, but most people just type in “CDL job” and hope for the best. You need to filter smart. Here’s how:

• Search “CDL A” + your city or zip code
  
  
• Use filters like “Entry Level,” “No Experience,” or “Hiring Immediately”
  
  
• Set up alerts so jobs come to your email as soon as they’re posted
  
  
• Read the fine print — if they require 6–12 months of experience, it’s not for you yet
  
  

But don’t stop there. Try these CDL-specific boards too:

• TruckingTruth Job Board – A lot of company recruiters post here directly
  
  
• CDLJobs.com – Cleaner interface, lots of paid training gigs
  
  
• TruckersReport – Forum-style with job leads and community advice
  
  
• Tenstreet (Driver Pulse App) – Lets recruiters come to you once you create a profile
  
  

Use Facebook & Reddit to Get the Inside Scoop

Some of the best leads don’t come from job boards — they come from other drivers. Facebook and Reddit are great for this:

Facebook groups to check out:

• CDL Jobs & Trucking Careers USA
  
  
• CDL A No Experience Jobs
  
  
• Women in Trucking
  
  

People post job openings, recruiter contacts, and give honest reviews of companies (which is super important when you’re new and don’t want to get burned).

Reddit has a few solid communities too:

• r/Truckers – General advice and rants, but lots of wisdom if you search
  
  
• r/CDL – New drivers helping new drivers
  
  

Post a question or search your city to see if anyone’s hiring locally.

Show Up In Person — It Works More Than You Think

If you live near a major road, highway, or industrial area, chances are there are trucking companies nearby that don’t even post online.

Take a stack of printed resumes and drive to:

• Truck yards
  
  
• Local delivery depots (like Pepsi, Sysco, or Amazon)
  
  
• Food distribution warehouses
  
  
• Ready-mix concrete and construction supply yards
  
  

Just walk in and ask:

“Hi, I just got my CDL and I’m looking for local work. Are you hiring, or is there a recruiter I can talk to?”

Even if they’re not hiring, they might point you to someone who is. These kinds of “old-school” efforts can set you apart in a world where most people are just clicking Apply.

Go to Your Local Job Center or Workforce Board

Every state has job centers that work directly with local employers. These are totally free to visit, and many of them are connected with trucking companies who need drivers.

Ask them:

• Do you have any current CDL job openings?
  
  
• Are there any local employers who partner with your office?
  
  
• When’s the next job fair?
  
  
• Do you know who’s hiring new CDL grads?
  
  

You can find these centers by Googling:

“[Your city] American Job Center” or “[Your county] workforce development board”

Let Recruiters Come to You

Some platforms make it easy to set up a profile and let recruiters reach out to you. This can be a big time-saver.

Try these:

• Driver Pulse (by Tenstreet) – Used by most major trucking companies
  
  
• TruckerPath – Create a driver profile and get alerts from nearby carriers
  
  
• Rig on Wheels – Especially good for students who are still in school
  
  

If You're an Emerge Career Student — Use Your Coach

Your coach can:

• Match you with hiring partners we already work with
  
  
• Find direct recruiter contact info for companies near you
  
  
• Help you avoid scams or companies with bad reputations
  
  
• Recommend local employers based on your location and needs (home time, pay, benefits, etc.)
  
  

You’re not in this alone — we do this every day and we’ve got your back.

Final Thoughts:
If you’re serious about getting hired quickly, cast a wide net. Apply online. Show up in person. Join communities. Ask questions. And if you’re a student at Emerge Career, talk to your coach.

Getting your CDL is a big first step — now let’s land you that job.

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