The expanding economy of Saudi Arabia and the huge infrastructural projects are causing a rising demand in heavy vehicle drivers. Whether it is delivering materials to the futuristic city of NEOM or participating in critical oil and gas projects, heavy drivers will have endless chances to help the country develop and receive competitive salaries. However, in order to get these well-paying jobs, the candidates need to strategize their application procedure to prevent the pitfalls of the application process.
This guide will take you through the most frequent errors committed during the process of applying to the jobs of heavy vehicle drivers in Saudi Arabia and how you can avoid them to increase your chances of success.
Why Heavy Vehicle Drivers Are in High Demand in Saudi Arabia
The huge investment in infrastructure by Saudi Arabia as part of its Vision 2030 program has resulted in several mega projects that involve large logistics and materials transportation. Projects such as The Line, Qiddiya Entertainment City, and Red Sea Project have been depending largely on skilled drivers to ensure the projects are on time.
To the heavy vehicle drivers, this translates to well paying jobs, and in most cases, with other benefits such as free accommodation, transport, and food. Nevertheless, there may be a lot of competition in these positions, hence, it is necessary to have perfect applications.
The Mistakes that People Usually Make in Applying to the Heavy Vehicle Driver Jobs (and how to avoid them)
1. Sending Unprofessional CV
Your CV is the initial impression you leave to the potential employers. A sloppy, old-fashioned, or half-baked CV can automatically send your resume into the reject bin.
The way to prevent it:
- Make your CV presentable and follow straight and simple headings and bullet points.
- Put emphasis on your driving experience, your specialties (e.g. using forklifts or long-haul trucking), and licenses you have (e.g. heavy vehicle licenses or safety training).
- Customize your CV to the job description highlighting skills that are in line with the requirements of the employer.
- Put current personal contact details.
2. Neglecting Language and Communications Skills
Although technical driving skills are very important, most candidates fail to take into consideration the significance of basic English or Arabic skills. In its absence, the candidates can have difficulties in the interview process or when handling contracts.
The way to prevent it:
- Take a brief course in English or Arabic language to enhance your ability to communicate.
- Include any language skills that you already have on your CV.
- To feel more confident when passing tests, practice the answers to typical job interview questions.
3. Not doing Research of Employer Requirements
Each employer expects different things, including having a particular license, experience in driving a certain type of vehicle or a route. It is an unprofessional sign to submit a generic application.
The way to prevent it:
- Pay attention to job advertisements to know what is required of the job, whether it is the required Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) license or experience in certain terrain like deserts or highways.
- Do some research on the company, their recent projects and the reputation to determine how your skills can meet their requirements.
4. Ignoring the Needed Certification and Licensing
In Saudi Arabia, it is almost impossible to get a driving job without valid heavy vehicle licenses and foreigners who apply should make sure that their documents are valid and acceptable in Saudi Arabia.
The way to prevent it:
- Get the necessary heavy vehicle license or Commercial Driver License (CDL) in case you do not have it.
- Recheck the validity of your license and make sure that the license of your country can be exchanged to an equivalent approved by the Saudi.
- Take any other safety or vehicle training courses to become an outstanding candidate.
5. Omitting Visa and Preparation of Legal Documents
Legally prepared candidates are well received by employers in Saudi Arabia. Lack of paperwork or document processing mistakes may cause delays or, even worse, missed opportunities.
The way to prevent it:
- Make sure that your passport has a validity of 6 months.
- Undergo all medical tests needed to apply a visa.
- Engage registered recruitment agents so as to abide by the Saudi labor laws.
6. The undervaluation of the Role of Experience
Although there are jobs that do not demand much experience, heavy vehicle driver jobs in Saudi Arabia that pay high salaries usually demand a proven record of similar work.
The way to prevent it:
- Seek similar experience in your home country first then apply to international posts.
- Point out major driving achievements, including delivery on time, fuel economy and trouble shooting in difficult situations.
- Include experience in dealing with certain types of vehicles, terrain or dangerous materials.
7. Neglecting the Safety Principles in the Applications and Interviews
The safety is a priority to the employers in Saudi Arabia because of the nature of the heavy vehicle operations. The inability to mention safety procedures in your application or interview may indicate that you are not a professional.
The way to prevent it:
- List all the certifications or training you have done on safety on your CV.
- In the interview, talk about how you have been able to comply with safety standards and avoid incidences in your past jobs.
- Study the road safety rules in Saudi Arabia in order to demonstrate awareness of the local needs.
Advice on How to be a Distinguished Candidate
In order to be successful in the competitive job market, emphasize your special characteristics and devotion to excellence. Here’s how:
- Obtain Higher Certifications: Seek higher qualifications such as defensive driving certificate, haulage safety certificate or road security certification.
- Use References: Obtain good references that you have worked under at your past jobs to prove your abilities and work ethics.
- Demonstrate Cultural Flexibility: It is one of the most important skills of expats, so be sure to mention that you are able to collaborate with various teams and in various settings.
Expectations when being a heavy vehicle driver in Saudi Arabia
Work Conditions
Depending on the policies of the employer, most heavy vehicle drivers work 6-days a week with Fridays off. The work is usually long and long-haul transportation projects are usually long.
Salary and Wages
Tax-free salaries are one of the many things that are usually included in heavy vehicle driving jobs, and this makes it extremely profitable. The other benefits can be:
- Accommodation and Meals: They are usually paid by the employer.
- Health Benefits: Medical insurance is provided in a lot of jobs.
Etiquette and Culture in the area
There are certain cultural norms that should be considered in Saudi Arabia:
- Be dressed in modest ways and respect the traditions of the country.
- Get acquainted with the domestic road regulations and traffic traditions.
Your Career to Success
When it comes to the application of heavy vehicle driver jobs in Saudi Arabia, it may sound as a competitive process, but the above-mentioned pitfalls can be easily avoided, which will enhance your chances of getting a job. Paying attention to professional preparation, including the submission of a well-polished CV and acquisition of the required certificates, you will be a good candidate.
Want to make the next step in your career? Begin by perfecting your application strategy and by getting the appropriate documents ready. Take your chance to develop professionally in one of the most vibrant job markets in the world.
