Tips For a Rewarding Career in Courier Jobs
If you enjoy interacting with new people, tackling a diverse range of tasks and love being out on the road, you'll make a pretty good candidate for success.
However, passion and enthusiasm are not the only key elements needed to make a go of a career in this field.
Below are a few tips from experienced drivers with a wealth of on the job knowledge.
Improve Your Customer Service Skills Those who have transitioned into courier jobs from another industry will testify how important it is to nail customer service.
It is not merely about being forthcoming and friendly to customers, however.
A large part of good customer service skills involves looking smart and talking smart as well - including the ability to correctly answer customers' queries.
It also has to do with really understanding the requirement of the job - which is to deliver quality service, on time, every time.
Consistency is the key, and as with any other client-facing situation, you are only as good as your last job.
On the flip side, being able to interact with new customers every day will naturally hone your people skills, so you should embrace the opportunity to better yourself and learn along the way.
Don't Neglect Your Health Contrary to what some may think, courier jobs can be quite physically demanding.
While it may not appear physically exhausting, as drivers spend a good portion of their time sitting in their vehicle, there is far more the job than meets the eye.
Drivers not only have to be able to withstand long hours on the road, but they also have to be fit and healthy in case they are required load, unload and shift packages.
Don't get complacent - ensure you take care of your health both on and off the job in terms of diet and exercise.
Work On Your Organisation Skills One very important requirement of courier jobs that not everyone may consider is that you'll need excellent organisation skills - especially during peak seasons when the number of deliveries to be made increases exponentially.
The truth is, no matter how good a driver you are or how terrific you are with people, if you cannot handle pressure and organise an often-heavy workload assigned to you, you may struggle to keep up with the pace.
Being organised not only keeps your head clear to attend to the job in hand (driving) and makes you more efficient, but it also contributes to better customer service, increased reliability, and a more satisfying work day.
Overall, being a delivery driver involves a host of practical skills that, if targeted and honed properly, can be a ticket to a very rewarding career in an exciting industry.