How to Apply to Herc Holdings

Key Takeaways

Herc Holdings uses Oracle Taleo as its ATS — optimize your resume with clean formatting and targeted keywords to pass automated screening effectively.
Safety is a core value at Herc Holdings — prominently feature safety certifications, training, and your track record of safe work practices on your resume.
The company has approximately 7,600 employees and a relatively small number of active postings at any given time, so competition can be high — apply promptly and tailor each application carefully.
Technical roles require demonstrated hands-on experience with heavy equipment — be specific about equipment types, brands, and systems you've worked with.
Complete all fields in the Taleo application profile and answer screening questions thoroughly, as incomplete applications are commonly filtered out early in the process.
Prepare for behavioral interview questions using the STAR method, with examples that demonstrate safety awareness, customer service, and teamwork.
Follow up after interviews with a professional thank-you message to reinforce your interest and leave a positive impression with the hiring team.

About Herc Holdings

Herc Holdings Corp., operating primarily through its subsidiary Herc Rentals Inc., is a leading equipment rental company in North America. The company provides a broad range of heavy construction equipment, aerial platforms, earthmoving machinery, material handling equipment, trucks, trailers, and industrial tools to customers across diverse industries including construction, infrastructure, energy, and government sectors. With approximately 7,600 employees and a network of branches spanning the United States and Canada, Herc Holdings has established itself as one of the largest equipment rental firms in the industry. The company culture commonly emphasizes safety, operational excellence, customer service, and teamwork. Herc Holdings is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker HRI and has a long history in the equipment rental space, having previously operated as Hertz Equipment Corporation before rebranding. The company typically values employees who demonstrate mechanical aptitude, customer focus, and a commitment to safety standards. With a reputation for investing in fleet modernization and technology, Herc Holdings positions itself as an innovative player in the heavy construction equipment rental market.

Application Process

1
Explore Open Positions on the Herc Rentals Careers Page
Begin your application journey by visiting the official Herc Rentals careers page at careers.hercrentals.com. Browse available positions by keyword, location, or job category. With approximately 10 active job postings at any given time, openings can be competitive, so it's important to check the page regularly and act quickly when a relevant role appears. Common roles include branch managers, diesel mechanics, CDL drivers, sales representatives, and equipment operators. Take time to read each job description thoroughly, noting required qualifications, preferred experience, and specific certifications mentioned.
2
Create a Taleo Candidate Profile
Herc Holdings uses Oracle Taleo as its applicant tracking system (ATS). You will need to create a candidate profile within the Taleo platform to submit your application. This typically involves entering your personal information, work history, education, and uploading your resume. Many applicants recommend completing every field in the profile rather than relying solely on the resume upload, as Taleo's parsing technology may not always capture all details accurately. Save your login credentials, as you can use the same profile to apply for multiple positions and track your application status over time.
3
Tailor Your Resume and Submit Your Application
Before submitting, customize your resume to align with the specific job description. Mirror the language and keywords used in the posting — for example, if the listing mentions 'preventive maintenance' or 'fleet management,' incorporate those exact phrases where truthfully applicable. Upload your resume in a compatible format (PDF or Word documents are typically safest for Taleo). Complete any supplemental questions or screening questionnaires that appear during the application process, as these are commonly used to filter candidates early. Double-check all entries for accuracy before final submission.
4
Phone Screening and Initial Interview
If your application passes the initial screening, you may typically expect a phone call from a recruiter or HR representative. This initial conversation commonly covers your background, interest in the role, salary expectations, availability, and basic qualifications such as certifications or CDL status. For many field-based roles at Herc Rentals, recruiters may also verify your willingness to work in outdoor conditions, travel requirements, and physical capability for the position. Prepare a concise professional summary and be ready to discuss your relevant experience in the equipment rental or heavy construction industry.
5
In-Person or Virtual Interview with Hiring Manager
Candidates who advance past the phone screen are commonly invited to a more in-depth interview, often conducted in person at a local Herc Rentals branch or via video conferencing. This interview typically involves the hiring manager and may include behavioral and situational questions focused on safety awareness, customer service scenarios, mechanical troubleshooting, and teamwork. For technical roles such as diesel mechanics, you may be asked to demonstrate knowledge of specific equipment systems. For sales and management roles, expect questions about revenue growth strategies, team leadership, and customer relationship management.
6
Background Check, Drug Screening, and Onboarding
Following a successful interview process, Herc Holdings typically conducts background checks and drug screenings as part of their pre-employment process. Given the safety-critical nature of the heavy equipment industry, this step is standard and thorough. For roles requiring a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), DOT physical examinations and driving record checks are commonly required. Once cleared, you will typically receive a formal offer letter and begin the onboarding process, which many employees report includes safety training, equipment familiarization, and company orientation programs.

Resume Tips for Herc Holdings

critical

Emphasize Safety Certifications and Training

Safety is paramount in the heavy construction equipment industry, and Herc Holdings is known for its strong safety culture. Prominently feature any relevant certifications such as OSHA 10/30, forklift operation, aerial lift certification, CDL with appropriate endorsements, MSHA training, or first aid/CPR. Create a dedicated 'Certifications' section near the top of your resume so both the ATS and human reviewers can quickly identify your qualifications. If you have a clean safety record or have contributed to safety programs at previous employers, highlight these achievements with specific metrics.

critical

Use Industry-Specific Keywords from the Job Description

Taleo's ATS relies heavily on keyword matching to rank and filter candidates. Carefully analyze each job posting and incorporate relevant terms naturally throughout your resume. Common keywords for Herc Holdings roles include 'equipment rental,' 'preventive maintenance,' 'fleet management,' 'hydraulic systems,' 'customer service,' 'CDL Class A/B,' 'heavy equipment operation,' 'P&L management,' and 'territory sales.' Avoid keyword stuffing — instead, weave these terms into your accomplishment statements and job descriptions to demonstrate genuine experience.

critical

Quantify Achievements with Metrics and Results

Herc Holdings operates in a results-driven industry where performance is measured by utilization rates, revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and safety records. Transform your resume from a list of duties into a showcase of accomplishments. For example, instead of 'Responsible for equipment maintenance,' write 'Performed preventive maintenance on a fleet of 150+ pieces of heavy equipment, achieving 98% uptime and reducing unplanned downtime by 20%.' For sales roles, include metrics like revenue generated, accounts managed, or customer retention rates. Quantified achievements help you stand out in both ATS screening and human review.

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Keep Formatting Clean and ATS-Compatible

Taleo can sometimes struggle with complex formatting elements such as tables, text boxes, headers/footers, graphics, or multi-column layouts. Use a clean, single-column format with standard section headings like 'Work Experience,' 'Education,' 'Skills,' and 'Certifications.' Use standard fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-12 point size. Avoid using images or icons for contact information. Submit your resume as a .docx or .pdf file, and test your formatting by copying and pasting the text into a plain text editor to ensure all content remains readable and properly ordered.

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Highlight Equipment-Specific Experience

Given that Herc Holdings rents a wide variety of heavy equipment, demonstrating familiarity with specific equipment brands and types can set you apart. Mention experience with major equipment manufacturers like Caterpillar, John Deere, JLG, Genie, Kubota, Case, or Volvo. For mechanic roles, specify your experience with diesel engines, hydraulic systems, electrical diagnostics, and welding. For operations roles, mention experience with inventory management systems, logistics coordination, or equipment inspection protocols. This specificity signals to hiring managers that you can contribute from day one with minimal ramp-up time.

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Include a Targeted Professional Summary

Open your resume with a 3-4 sentence professional summary tailored to the specific Herc Holdings role you're targeting. This section should immediately communicate your years of relevant experience, key skills, and what you bring to the role. For example: 'Results-driven equipment rental professional with 8+ years of experience in fleet management, customer relationship development, and branch operations. Proven track record of increasing rental revenue by 25% while maintaining industry-leading safety standards. Seeking to leverage expertise in heavy construction equipment operations at Herc Rentals.' This summary helps both the ATS and human reviewers quickly assess your fit.

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Address Physical Requirements and Availability

Many roles at Herc Holdings involve physical work, outdoor conditions, and non-standard schedules. If the job description mentions physical requirements such as lifting capacity, willingness to work in various weather conditions, or availability for overtime and weekend work, consider addressing these in your resume or cover letter. For CDL driver positions, clearly state your license class, endorsements, and any relevant DOT compliance history. This proactive approach can help you pass initial screening questions that are commonly built into the Taleo application workflow.

ATS System: Oracle Taleo

Herc Holdings uses Oracle Taleo, one of the most widely deployed enterprise applicant tracking systems, to manage its recruitment pipeline. Taleo processes applications by parsing uploaded resumes, extracting key data points such as work history, education, skills, and certifications, and then matching this information against the requirements defined by the hiring team. Applications are commonly scored or ranked based on keyword relevance, qualifications match, and responses to screening questions. Recruiters and hiring managers then review filtered candidate pools through the Taleo dashboard. Understanding how Taleo processes your application can significantly improve your chances of advancing past the initial automated screening stage.

Complete every field in the Taleo candidate profile manually — do not rely solely on the resume parser, as it may miss or misinterpret information from complex resume formats.
Use exact keywords and phrases from the job description throughout your resume and profile, as Taleo commonly uses keyword matching algorithms to rank candidates against job requisition requirements.
Submit your resume in .docx or .pdf format with clean, single-column formatting to maximize parsing accuracy. Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and embedded images that can confuse the parser.
Answer all screening and knockout questions carefully and completely — Taleo commonly uses these to automatically disqualify candidates who don't meet minimum requirements such as certifications, years of experience, or willingness to relocate.
Create a comprehensive Taleo profile that you can reuse across multiple Herc Holdings applications, updating it each time to reflect the specific requirements of the new role you're targeting.
Check your application status regularly through the Taleo candidate portal, as status updates (e.g., 'Under Review,' 'Interview Scheduled') can provide insight into where you stand in the process.

Complete Oracle Taleo Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

The interview culture at Herc Holdings typically reflects the company's operational, safety-focused, and customer-centric values.

Many applicants report that the interview process is straightforward and practical, with a strong emphasis on assessing real-world skills and cultural fit rather than abstract problem-solving exercises. For field-based roles such as diesel mechanics, equipment operators, and CDL drivers, interviews commonly focus on technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and safety awareness. Candidates may be asked to describe specific maintenance procedures, troubleshoot hypothetical equipment issues, or discuss their approach to workplace safety protocols. For branch management and sales positions, interviews typically explore leadership capabilities, business acumen, and customer relationship skills. Behavioral interview questions are commonly used, following the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Examples might include: 'Tell me about a time you resolved a difficult customer situation,' or 'Describe how you improved operational efficiency at a previous employer.' Herc Holdings' culture is commonly described as team-oriented and hands-on, with an emphasis on accountability and getting the job done safely and efficiently. Interviewers often assess whether candidates demonstrate a strong work ethic, adaptability, and willingness to go above and beyond for customers. The company's values around diversity, inclusion, and community involvement may also come up during the interview process. Many candidates report that interviewers are professional, respectful, and genuinely interested in understanding each applicant's background and career goals. Dressing appropriately for the role — business casual for office positions, clean and professional for field roles — is commonly recommended. Following up with a thank-you email after each interview stage is considered good practice and can help reinforce your interest in the position.

What Herc Holdings Looks For

Strong commitment to workplace safety and knowledge of OSHA, DOT, or industry-specific safety regulations
Hands-on technical skills and mechanical aptitude, particularly for maintenance, operations, and driver roles
Customer service orientation with the ability to build and maintain strong client relationships
Adaptability and willingness to work in physically demanding outdoor environments and flexible schedules
Team collaboration skills combined with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Relevant industry certifications such as CDL, equipment operation licenses, or trade certifications
Business acumen and results orientation, especially for sales and management positions
Problem-solving ability and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving equipment or operational issues
Alignment with Herc Holdings' core values including integrity, safety, teamwork, and customer focus

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a job at Herc Holdings?

Visit the official Herc Rentals careers page at careers.hercrentals.com to browse open positions. You'll need to create a candidate profile in their Oracle Taleo applicant tracking system to submit applications. You can search for roles by keyword, location, or job category and apply directly through the platform.

What ATS does Herc Holdings use, and how should I optimize my resume for it?

Herc Holdings uses Oracle Taleo to manage applications. To optimize your resume, use a clean single-column format without tables or graphics, incorporate keywords directly from the job description, complete all profile fields manually rather than relying solely on the resume parser, and submit your file in .docx or .pdf format.

What types of jobs are commonly available at Herc Holdings?

Common roles at Herc Holdings include diesel/heavy equipment mechanics, CDL truck drivers, branch managers, sales representatives, equipment operators, service managers, and various corporate support functions. The company operates across numerous branches in the U.S. and Canada, so positions are available in many geographic locations.

Do I need a CDL to work at Herc Holdings?

Not all positions require a Commercial Driver's License, but many field-based roles — particularly driver and delivery positions — do require a CDL Class A or Class B with appropriate endorsements. Job descriptions will clearly state CDL requirements. If you hold a CDL, make sure to prominently list it on your resume along with any endorsements and your driving record status.

What is the interview process like at Herc Holdings?

The interview process typically involves an initial phone screening with a recruiter followed by one or more in-person or virtual interviews with the hiring manager and potentially other team members. For technical roles, expect questions about equipment knowledge and safety practices. For management and sales roles, behavioral questions using the STAR format are common. The overall process is commonly described as professional and straightforward.

Does Herc Holdings require drug testing and background checks?

Yes, Herc Holdings typically conducts pre-employment background checks and drug screenings as part of the hiring process. This is standard practice in the heavy equipment industry due to safety requirements. For CDL positions, DOT-compliant drug testing and physical examinations are commonly required. Candidates should be prepared for these steps after receiving a conditional offer.

What benefits does Herc Holdings typically offer?

While specific benefit details can vary by role and location, Herc Holdings commonly offers competitive compensation packages that may include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plans, paid time off, and employee development programs. For the most current and detailed benefits information, check the careers page or inquire during the interview process.

How long does the Herc Holdings hiring process typically take?

The timeline can vary depending on the role, location, and number of applicants. Many candidates report the process taking anywhere from two to four weeks from initial application to offer, though some positions — particularly those requiring extensive background checks or specialized certifications — may take longer. You can monitor your application status through the Taleo candidate portal after applying.

Can I apply for multiple positions at Herc Holdings simultaneously?

Yes, the Taleo system allows you to apply for multiple open positions using the same candidate profile. However, it's recommended that you tailor your resume and application responses for each specific role rather than submitting identical applications. This demonstrates genuine interest and helps your application score better against each position's unique requirements.

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View open positions at Herc Holdings

Sources

Herc Rentals Official Careers Page — Herc Holdings Corp.
Herc Holdings Corp. — About Us — Herc Rentals Inc.
Herc Holdings Corp. Investor Relations — Herc Holdings Corp.
Oracle Taleo Enterprise — Applicant Tracking System Overview — Oracle Corporation