Job Placement
Train for Your CDL. Prepare for What Comes Next.
HDS helps students explore job opportunities, meet employers, and prepare for the hiring process before graduation.
HDS also brings carriers and employers to campus so students can meet recruiters, learn about current opportunities, and ask questions before deciding where they want to apply.
From CDL Training to Your First Job
You do not have to wait until graduation to start thinking about employment. HDS helps you prepare throughout your training.
1
Start With Your Goals
Meet one-on-one with the Job Placement team to receive realistic guidance and identify opportunities that fit your goals and qualifications.
- Local, regional, dedicated, or OTR driving
- Preferred schedules and home time
- Long-term career goals
- Qualifications and endorsements
- Driving history or other factors that may affect employment
2
Explore Employers & Apply
Meet recruiters, attend carrier presentations, and learn about entry-level opportunities. You may even begin applying before you finish training.
- Find employers that hire new CDL drivers
- Compare routes and job types
- Complete your first employment application
- Present your experience and CDL training
- Connect with hiring contacts when available
3
Complete the Hiring Process
Our team can help you compare offers as well as guide you through the hiring process.
- Motor vehicle record review
- Background and employment checks
- Drug screening
- DOT medical certification
- CDL completion and testing
- Employer orientation or additional training
4
Stay Connected After Graduation
Job placement assistance does not stop the day you graduate. Graduates can stay connected with HDS as they enter the workforce and may reach out again when they are ready to explore another opportunity as their experience, qualifications, or goals change.
HDS provides job placement assistance but does not guarantee employment.
Meet Employers Looking for CDL Drivers
HDS works with local and national employers that recruit qualified CDL drivers.
Carrier relationships give students opportunities to hear directly from recruiters, learn about current openings, ask questions, and better understand what employers are looking for in new drivers. HDS is an independent CDL training school. We are not tied to one carrier, which means you can compare opportunities and decide where you want to apply after graduation.
Meet Recruiters Before You Graduate
These events give students a chance to:
- Meet recruiters face-to-face
- Hear about current opportunities
- Learn about pay, benefits, routes, and home time
- Ask questions about hiring requirements
- Compare different employers and career paths
“Werner has proudly hired exceptional CDL graduates from HDS for many years, deeply valuing a program that does far more than teach students how to drive—it equips them to become true professionals who safely and reliably transport valuable goods across America. HDS delivers world-class CDL driver training that prepares students seamlessly for the next step in their careers. Their preparation is truly second to none, consistently producing highly skilled graduates who arrive at Werner ready to excel from day one.”
Lee Lozo
Field Recruiter
Career Support With Your Goals in Mind
Your first job should fit more than your CDL.
Because HDS is not tied to a specific carrier, our Job Placement team can help you explore your options without requiring you to work for one particular company after graduation.
FAQs About Job Placement
Yes. HDS provides job placement assistance to help students and graduates explore opportunities, understand hiring requirements, prepare for applications, and connect with employers that hire entry-level drivers.
Being honest with our Job Placement team about anything that may affect your eligibility helps us provide realistic guidance and identify potential challenges early.
Job placement assistance is available, but employment is not guaranteed.
You can start while you are still completing CDL training school.
Starting early gives you time to discuss career goals, understand employer requirements, prepare applications, meet recruiters, and learn about opportunities that may be available after graduation.
It is possible, although local positions can be more competitive for new drivers.
Some employers hire recent CDL graduates for local positions, while others require previous driving experience. Being flexible about schedules, routes, and job types may give you more options.
Some graduates begin with an OTR or regional position to build experience before moving into local driving.
Many employers hire entry-level drivers who recently completed CDL training school. OTR, regional, and some dedicated positions may be more accessible to new drivers, while certain local or specialized jobs may require previous experience.
HDS can help you identify opportunities that fit your current qualifications.
Yes. HDS maintains relationships with employers that recruit CDL drivers and regularly connects students with recruiters, company presentations, and available opportunities.
Employer participation and hiring needs can change, so students should talk with the Job Placement team about current opportunities.
No. HDS is an independent CDL training school and does not require graduates to work for a particular carrier.
Our Job Placement team can help you compare opportunities, but you decide where to apply and which employment offer to accept.
Possibly. A criminal record or past driving issue does not always prevent someone from earning a CDL or finding work, but it can affect the opportunities available.
The type of issue, how long ago it occurred, driving history, drug-testing history, licensing requirements, and individual employer policies can all play a role.
Be completely honest with HDS before beginning training. This helps our team identify potential challenges early and provide realistic guidance about possible employment options.
HDS cannot guarantee CDL eligibility or employment.
Looking for CDL Drivers?
Recruit HDS Graduates
If your company is hiring, interested in presenting to students, or would like to participate in an upcoming recruiting event, tell us more about your organization and opportunities.
It was a nice experience, they give you shirts and hats for improvement which is nice. They are short of instructors so make sure you rise your hand every time they ask who wants to go out for a driving class. Hector was especially attentive to us and any questions helped me a lot.
Tara and Jessica are amazing help me every single step of the process! I was driving from Phoenix to Tucson but it was worth it! The instructors are really kind and helpful specially Hector!, I highly recommend HDS truck driving institute.
It was a great experience for me all the instructors were really helpful they all had great experiences to share with us in class I was nervous at first but by the end of the first week I already felt at home and confident in my skills even tho I was new to driving part
This place is awesome. They train the heck out of you and prepare you for taking the CDL Test that they administer on-site. They’ve worked with me on accommodating my schedule and when I was going through some tough times, they even put me up in a truck with a sleeper for as long as I needed, so I wouldn’t be on the streets. Great school. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.
Instructors know what they’re talking about, staff is very helpful, and job placement is above and beyond. I came with a criminal history, that didn’t stop Lori or Leon. Hired within a week of graduation, over 20,000 miles my first month in I lost count of the states, and the money is phenominal.phenomenal. Loving it!
