Starting any new job is challenging, but delivery drivers soon settle into the pattern of working that is provided for them. But even if you have been working as a courier for some time, there are ways of performing your job even better.
Here are three suggestions for developing skills that will help all delivery drivers carry out their work with success.
Become more familiar with your delivery area
Delivery drivers often work in the same area every day. The longer they work it the more familiar they get with the surroundings. This means they have the capability to deliver more promptly and efficiently, since they can pick the best route to follow.
If you feel your knowledge is lacking, get a detailed A to Z of your area and study it on your down time. Note any particular problems you’ve had finding places and make notes on your map. This will make it easier to figure out where certain landmarks are and how to reach each address more quickly.
Proper document organisation
If you do this job for a living you’ll know it comes with its own amount of paperwork. Having good organisation skills makes the day easier on you as you can make sure you have the best process in place for transporting goods. Some of these processes are common sense, of course, but there is still room for you to work on the finer points your so you can get the best out of each day. Be wary of creating any more work for yourself than is absolutely necessary, however.
Good communication with customers
Some goods will need to be signed for, and the easier delivery drivers make this for customers, the quicker the process will be. Most people are familiar with signing for deliveries in one way or another, but don’t assume everyone you see will have done this before. Giving proper directions will make life easier for everyone. This might mean pointing out the relevant spaces on a sheet of paper or pointing out the box on the screen for them to sign in if you have an electronic device. Either way, it’s good to provide assistance whenever it might be needed.
You only have to look at the average job description for a courier to see what skills are required in general. However you may not always see the ones above mentioned. If you run your own transport business and you’re looking for the best team of employees, it might be worth bearing these skills in mind. There is a right and a wrong way of doing things, but there is also a right way and an “even better” way.