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The role of delivery driving has experienced significant growth in recent years. It became one of the fastest-growing occupations. In the United States, more than 1,300,000 individuals are employed as delivery drivers. There are nearly 400,000 job openings in this sector still available.
Becoming a delivery driver is indeed one of the most attainable career goals right now. Moreover, we can attest that this job is often challenging yet always rewarding. At the end of each day, we can reflect on something new and exciting that we've experienced.
The appeal of being a delivery driver, whether full-time or part-time, is why we've crafted this article. By highlighting the essential skills for newcomers, we ensure you meet delivery times like a professional. When it comes to job searching and securing employment, we'll share the secret of effective delivery driver skills for resumes.
By following the advice gathered from experienced delivery drivers, you are guaranteed to find success in your delivery driver career!
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Many qualities contribute to being a successful delivery driver. The focus is on staying organized and maintaining momentum even during challenging situations. Delivery driving may appear straightforward from an outsider's perspective. Yet, those with experience understand the constant need to adapt and remain attentive.
To excel in handling the myriad challenges faced by delivery drivers—such as traffic, complex addresses, and unfamiliar routes—aim to develop and hone these skills daily while on the road. By doing so, you'll witness a significant improvement in your delivery efficiency.
Throughout the delivery process, potential mishaps can occur at any stage. So, it's crucial to take the time to thoroughly check your work whenever there's a chance of making an error. Neglecting this step could lead to scenarios like returning to the distribution center due to picking up the wrong package or encountering other significant issues.
After loading everything into your vehicle, it's important to double-check that you have all items listed on your manifest. Taking a moment for a quick count to compare your inventory with the manifest can be done in just a few seconds. Yet, it can save you significant trouble in case of any issues later on.
As a delivery driver, you may need many items throughout the day. It makes it essential to be well-prepared and able to access everything quickly. Even items that could be purchased from a convenience store like 7/11 should ideally be on hand. That allows you to save significant time and ensure smooth operations.
Even more so, waiting in a long line feels especially tedious when you have packages in your truck waiting to be delivered.
Let's review the essential items every professional delivery driver begins their day with.
The specific documents required for a delivery driver to have in their vehicle can vary significantly. That is based on the laws of the country or state in which they are operating.
For instance, in the UK, essential documents include your driver's license (along with another form of identification), a CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) card, as well as various types of insurance. These include Hire and Reward Insurance, Goods in Transit Insurance, and optionally, Public Liability Insurance.
Missing any of these documents or IDs can lead to a disaster if you encounter a situation where they are required.
Aside from wearing comfortable clothes, it's advisable to carry backups and additional options to change into as needed.
For example, if you're wearing pants on a warm day, it might get uncomfortably hot in the afternoon. So, consider bringing along a pair of shorts to change into. Later, if the temperature cools down, you can change into pants as necessary.
It is also essential to have extra clothing in case you get caught in the rain and become wet.
For personal protective equipment (PPE), it's essential to have it on hand when making deliveries to construction sites or buildings undergoing renovations. To protect yourself, always carry items such as a hard hat, high-visibility vest, steel-toed boots, gloves, and safety glasses. Having these items ensures access to locations that need PPE.
You can use five-tonne and two-tonne straps to securely fasten heavy or fragile packages to the interior walls of your van. That not only protects that package but all the ones around it. Being able to judge and properly secure packages is certainly one of the skills of a delivery driver.
Whenever you’re using straps like these, you should also have WD-40 on hand in case one gets sticky and hard to unclasp.
Finally, corner protectors and shrink wrap will be helpful when a package only requires a small amount of cushioning rather than being fully strapped in.
Besides the items needed to secure your packages, it's crucial to bring along essentials to keep you energized and organized throughout your day. Carry tea or coffee in a secure drinking vessel to avoid spills and accidents. Specifically, using a thermal coffee flask is much safer than drinking from paper takeaway cups. Having a snack or two on hand is also wise if you get hungry, saving you time that would otherwise be spent waiting in a drive-through.
Here are a few other essential items to have: pens and a notepad, your phone for communication and navigation, a flashlight, a multi-purpose pocket knife; and a small first aid kit.
There are many apps and technological tools to assist delivery drivers. It's important to leverage them to maximize speed and efficiency. Let's briefly explore eLogii's route optimization software, which is highly beneficial for delivery drivers. Adapting to new work methods is indeed one of the essential skills for package delivery drivers.
One of the most valuable aspects of delivery driver apps like eLogii is their capability to generate efficient route plans that can significantly save time if followed. While navigating from point A to point B may seem straightforward, it becomes indispensable when your route encompasses 8 or 10 distinct stops. Attempting to optimize the shortest route between these stops without an app like eLogii is ultimately based on guesswork.
Now that we've covered some of the essential delivery driver skills, there's another important aspect. It has to do with how to effectively showcase your capabilities on a resume. We've compiled a list of key delivery driver skills tailored for resumes, using language that communicates effectively in a professional context.
Naturally, highlight your driving skills and emphasize any relevant experience you have behind the wheel. It's also crucial to mention any extra licenses you hold for vehicle classes such as trucks or motorcycles.
Highlighting your communication skills is crucial. It demonstrates to potential employers that you can effectively interact with dispatchers and other colleagues within the company. Additionally, mentioning you are comfortable with paperwork and text-based communication is important to showcase your communication abilities.
Several skills mentioned earlier, such as double-checking and preparedness, show a strong attention to detail.
Employers place a high value on having the ability to interact with the public courteously and pleasantly.
Delivery drivers are accountable for performing their job safely, efficiently, and accurately without errors or mix-ups. These responsibilities are essential job requirements, not just optional skills.
By developing these skills, fulfilling these responsibilities becomes much easier.
In any job involving risk and danger, your foremost responsibility is safety. This includes prioritizing your safety and ensuring the safety of others around you.
Driving responsibly, using correct lifting techniques for packages, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and staying hydrated are crucial aspects of the job as they directly influence your health and safety.
While some companies have specialized teams for truck loading, in many delivery driver roles, you'll be responsible for loading your own truck. It's up to you to load the correct items accurately and without errors.
Mistakes can occur during the truck loading process. For example, always confirm that you're placing the correct packages or products onboard when loading your truck. Avoid loading items intended for someone else. That would require removing everything you've already loaded.
To ensure your packages reach their destination undamaged, you'll need to use straps and other equipment to secure them during transportation. Additionally, driving smoothly without sudden stops or sharp turns is essential to delivering everything safely to your destination.
You're also accountable for accurately tracking deliveries. Follow your employer's package tracking system meticulously. That will help you ensure you know the status of each package and avoid any uncertainties about their whereabouts.
When beginning as a delivery driver, it's essential to focus on developing positive work habits immediately. That will help to prevent forming negative habits.
As a delivery driver, you represent the company, and your actions can impact its business reputation. So, it's crucial to maintain a personable demeanor even in challenging situations. It's never acceptable to vent frustration on customers, even if they are difficult or unpleasant.
By the end of the day, the capacity to handle unexpected situations is one of the key skills for delivery drivers. Despite how well a delivery system is organized, there will always be unforeseen challenges. Responding effectively to issues will keep you on track, even in situations that could otherwise be setbacks.
Identifying potential issues before they arise is even more helpful. Proactive drivers are considered top-tier delivery drivers, in my opinion.
Now you should have a solid understanding of the best practices to incorporate into your daily delivery routine. For further support in achieving consistent and efficient deliveries, try out eLogii today and stay ahead of the competition!
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