Quality Connections, Streamlined Process: The Intent Engine's Impact on Trucking Recruitment
Executive Summary:
Picture this: a carrier insists on a full application before a driver has a conversation with a recruiter, while the driver hesitates to commit until they've had that crucial talk. It's a classic standoff in trucking recruitment, a roadblock that hinders both parties from discovering a potential connection. However, just because a driver hesitates with a full application doesn't mean they aren't the perfect fit for the job. In fact, they might be the qualified candidate you've been looking for, surpassing those who hastily completed a full application.
By understanding driver intent beyond full application completion, the Intent Engine transforms the trucking recruitment narrative, ensuring meaningful connections and outcomes for drivers and carriers alike. Key benefits include increased engagement, higher response rates, and a streamlined recruitment process.
Introduction:
Traditionally, the trucking recruitment space has equated full application completion with higher intent and quality. However, our deep industry analysis and experience reveal that this approach often falls short in accurately assessing lead quality or intent.
As a powerful engine within the trucking industry, CDLLife understands the nuances of lead generation and effectively connecting carriers with the right drivers. This white paper explores the Intent Engine, highlighting its innovative features and the substantial benefits it brings to trucking recruitment. The Intent Engine goes a step further by implementing a more personalized approach that values immediate engagement and human connection. This not only aligns with the demands for higher-quality leads but also rectifies a common misconception in the industry that the full application process inherently denotes higher intent.
By establishing a new perspective and resonating with the challenges faced by recruiters and drivers, we aim to redefine driver intent and recommend a more streamlined lead generation process.
Problem:
The recruitment process demands initiative from drivers but often fails to provide compelling reasons for them to do so. Simultaneously, recruiters prioritize high levels of intent through full application completion, overlooking genuine human interactions. This misalignment hinders the development of strong, lasting relationships.
A successful trucking company is built on the bond between the company and its workforce. The foundation of this bond? Genuine relationships.
To attract and retain the best drivers, we must redefine our approach for lead generation.
Background:
The creation of the Intent Engine is rooted in extensive industry experience, research, and feedback. We recognized the limitations of traditional, recruiter-centric approaches and sought to develop a solution that not only captures leads efficiently but builds lasting relationships.
The quality of a lead is intricately linked to the driver's intent.
Converting a driver's interest into action is the power behind any lead generation vendor, and begins with understanding their intent.
Intent: Dynamic and often fleeting factors that are influenced by a driver's current level of involvement, the timing of their engagement, and their immediate needs. Intent encompasses behaviors, motivations, and interests that direct a driver’s decisions at any given moment in the recruitment process.
Enticing a driver to perform an action starts with these questions:
Why did this driver engage with this content?
What do they expect in return for their engagement?
Every driver has different needs. Their unique goals and interests are factors when considering a new carrier. They will likely want to learn more, talk to a recruiter, look up more details online, or talk to a colleague who may have more insights. They consider all of this while going about their normal routine, which may put any step of the trucking recruitment process on hold.
The Driver Funnel:
Drivers follow a distinct funnel. It is crucial for a recruiter to place themselves in a driver’s shoes throughout each phase of their job search journey.
All of these factors are calculated into the driver's intent.
Intent Formula:
So, how do we increase intent?
Increase their interest in your job
Increase their interest in a job
Decrease the competition
A common perception is that a complete application indicates a higher intent to work and, thus, a higher-quality candidate. However, we believe this has significant concerns:
Overemphasis on full applications: Because of the emphasis on full application goals, strategies and tactics have been deployed to make the process much easier for the applicant. As a result, there is an undefined percent of full applications that suggest a higher level of intent than there really is. This completion does not necessarily reflect a driver’s genuine intent to pursue the role, leading to a mismatch between the recruiter's expectations and the candidate's actual readiness.
Ignoring interested yet cautious candidates: Many promising candidates prefer engaging with recruiters and understanding the job opportunity before completing a full application. A full app emphasis strategy will likely overlook this cohort, missing out on potential hires who require a more personalized approach.
Unnecessary obstacles deterring candidates: Additional hurdles in the recruitment process may filter out unqualified candidates from your pipeline, but they also deter highly qualified candidates who don’t want to jump through hoops to apply.
Limited adaptability to evolving candidate preferences: As communication trends and candidate behaviors change, a rigid focus on the full, traditional application processes may hinder a recruiter’s ability to adapt quickly. This lack of adaptability could result in missing out on candidates who seek more dynamic and streamlined interactions throughout the trucking recruitment process.
Industry insights from recruiters and drivers shaped the foundation of the Intent Engine, driving its innovation.
Analysis and Findings:
The solution: Creating an engine that powers connections: The Intent Engine
By incorporating a holistic understanding of driver concerns, preferences, and priorities, CDLConnect positions itself as a platform that goes beyond the conventional recruitment landscape. Through a more tailored experience with the Intent Engine, you can access true alignment of drivers’ interests and requirements with your recruiting needs.
Turn interest into action
Evaluate engagement level
Guide their decision-making process
Provide information and resources
Assist through subsequent recruitment steps
Strategically connect drivers with recruiters during moments when they are most recept
Case Study:
After a spike in monthly CPH, the implementation of the post-apply Intent Engine was an effective solution for Laced Agency’s needs.
Problems:
Increase in cost per hire
Decrease in all post-apply metrics
Concerns raised about diminished quality of lead sourcing
Alignment:
Strategists confirmed sourcing of leads was appropriate but there was a need for driver-recruiter expectation alignment
Solution:
Implementation improved driver engagement post-apply, resulting in an increase of full apps and a more efficient CPH
Unlike other vendors, who prioritize cheap lead volume, the Intent Engine focuses on driver-recruiter alignment and engagement as shown by full app rates that can reach over 60%.
With a powerful approach that redefines the Contact, Engagement, and Handoff of your trucking recruitment, the Intent Engine delivers high-quality leads directly to your team.
By implementing the power of the Intent Engine into your recruiting, experience:
Increased engagement
Higher response rates
Streamlined recruitment process
Unobtrusive Connections
Engage drivers through targeted marketing campaigns and personalized texts to engage without pestering. Two-step lead verification streamlines priority candidates directly to your recruiters.
Reengagement
Engagement cadence prevents drivers from slipping through the cracks, minimizes miscommunication, and maintains interest with timely follow-ups.
Prioritized Handoffs
With NextStep, efficiently fulfill the next steps within the trucking recruitment workflow for more streamlined driver engagement.
Summary:
CDLLife's Intent Engine prioritizes meaningful connections over traditional measures. Recruiters unlock enhanced connections, streamline lead generation, and adapt to evolving candidate preferences. The Intent Engine empowers recruiters to shift their focus from full application completion to personalized engagement, fostering stronger relationships and more efficient lead generation. The Intent EngineIt is a dynamic solution that not only reshapes trucking recruitment but also ensures recruiters stay ahead by embracing meaningful connections.