Effective Driver Recruiting and
Retention Strategies:
Is There Any Way to Get GOOD People
Carmen Daecher
Daecher Consulting Group, Inc.
Support the Company’s Mission
The key to providing “superior passenger
transportation” is having dedicated and
trained employees who can deliver “…safe,
high quality, reliable service...”
Depleted staffing and employee turnover
affects the company’s ability to achieve this
objective.
Cost of Driver Turnover
Turnover Costs =
Cost per Hire (e.g., advertising, agency fees, sign-on
bonus, etc.) + Vacancy Cost (e.g. lost opportunity,
productivity and morale of other employees
providing coverage for vacant positions) + Learning
Curve Productivity (e.g., cost to train new employee
plus cost of lost business knowledge)
2 to 3 times annual salary of employee!!
DRIVER HIRING
Policies
Procedures
Consistent application
Advertise Position
Structured Telephone/Walk-in Interview
Driver Application
Background Checks
Motor Vehicle Reports
Written Exam
Driver Profile
Structured Personal Interview
Drug Test
Road Test
DOT Phy. Exam
SUCCESSFUL HIRE
Recruiting
Strategies
Recruiting Strategies
Create New Recruiting Advertising
Campaign
Emphasizes Company’s “Brand” and Values
“We Want You To Be A Part Of Our Family!”
Recruiting Strategies
Radio and Print Ads
– Existing bus drivers would appear in ads
discussing rewards of being a bus driver
RESPECTING OTHERS LEADS TO EXCELLENT SERVICE
Wouldn’t you like to be a part of a company that has built its success on this Mission?
As a member of the ABC Bus team, you will have a chance to serve your community, by
transporting its most precious asset, its people. Employees are valued and respected! They
also earn a competitive wage and gain health and retirement benefits.
To find out how you can become a member of our team today…
Call 1-800-555-1212 or go to www.abcbus.com
I am making a difference in my community…
Each day I transport people to and from their desired destinations. I have a chance
to get to know these people and in these uncertain times…I like to be one person
they can count on for a smiling face and a supportive word…even when they are
not having a good day…I feel like I am really making a difference…
For more information on how you can make a difference…
Call 1-800-555-1212 or go to www.abcbus.com.
Recruiting Strategies
Conduct Job Fair
– Advertise on billboards; in ethnic communities;
churches; and retirement communities; send
postcards to past applicants/prospects
– Issue press release to attract local media
coverage
– Current bus drivers talk about their experiences
– Offer prizes
– Conduct immediate interviews
Recruiting Strategies
Set Up Booth At Local Community Events,
Career Fairs, Libraries, Etc.
Distribute marketing collateral materials to
support campaign
Place Advertisements At Churches, Gyms,
and Retirement Communities.
Recruiting Strategies
Pilot Running Ads and having Recruiters available
on Saturday and Sunday to take calls from potential
applicants
Develop Targeted Military Base, Retirement
Community, or Downsizing Business Recruiting
Campaign
Initiate Employee Referral Program
Retention
Strategies
Retention
Conduct Focus Groups
Existing bus drivers
Assess why they joined the Company,
completed training program, etc.
Conduct Phone Surveys
Individuals who started training program and
dropped out
Employees who left after short period of time
Focus Group Questions
Present Employees
What about the recruiting process made
you join ABC Bus Company?
Having gone through the training program—
do you think there is anything that could be
done to improve it?
What do you like most about working at
ABC? What do you like least?
Focus Group Questions
Present Employees
Have you ever referred anyone to work
here?
What ideas do you have for recruiting bus
drivers?
How do you feel about the benefits the
company provides?
What do you think are the characteristics of
an ideal bus driver?
Focus Group Questions
Trainees
How is the training progressing for you? Is it
what you expected?
What do you like about the training? What
are you finding most challenging?
Is there anything you would change about
the training process? If so, what would that
be?
Is there anything about becoming a driver
that you are concerned about?
Phone Survey of Former
Employees
Why did you not stay with the program?
What would have made you stay?
How was it different then from what you
expected?
What recommendations would you have for
improving the program?
Would you consider returning to the
program?
Would you refer a friend to the program?
Retention Strategies
“Perfect Attendance” Bonus
Offer year end retention bonuses
based on years of service
Health Insurance Cost Sharing
Create Defined Career Ladders Within
Company
Run “Thank You” Ads In Local Paper
ABC Bus Drivers
Thank you for another year of great service!
You are making a difference in our community
“Re-Recruitment”
“Re-Recruitment”
Conduct Extensive Exit Interviews
All departing employees
Use data to enhance training and coaching practices
After 3 Months
Send If the Grass Isn’t Greener Come Back to Your Roots
notice
After 6 Months
Send recruiting brochure with invitation to attend an
open house
Follow-up with phone call from member of
management team
ABC Bus Companies
PLACE
POSTAGE
HERE
Great part-time opportunities are
available for bus drivers!
Call 1-800-555-1212 to apply or go to
www.abcbus.com to apply online.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Joe Smith
100 Street Road
Anytown, PA 10000
Management
Development
Management Development
Train Managers
Effective coaching techniques
Non-financial rewards and retention tools
Hold Managers Accountable For
Recruitment, Retention, and Discipline
Processes
Provide Managers Incentives Related to
Employee Performance (e.g. Employee
Attendance and Safety Records)