The Happy Factor
People receiving packages are in general happy to see the delivery driver. The delivery driver can differentiate himself from the mail man in that he only brings what his customers want to receive. The mail man often brings the things that we do not really want. Yes, we can talk to the mail man and have a pleasant short conversation just as we do with the delivery driver, but the delivery driver does not bring utility bills, medical bills, or other bad news. The delivery driver brings you either what someone wants to give you or something that you wanted to see delivered. In general, receiving something from the delivery driver is a pleasant and chosen experience. The positive element is all over and therefore the happy factor is guaranteed.
Training
The general population seems to think that any regular Joe can hop into a truck and work as a delivery driver. Well, the general population is wrong. While many can learn some essentials of the job and maybe do it for a while, those who work delivery driver jobs and stay in this field are just born to be where they are. Yes, this is the twenty-first century and a GPS can bring anybody to the right place most of the time, but not always; and if you do not have a feel for it, you are not in the right place. If you want a delivery driver job you have to work on and develop your sense of direction. Of course you will need a driver's license and, depending on what truck you are going to drive, you might end up going to school for a CDL (commercial driver license). Keep in mind that a high school diploma is not another word for common sense. That piece of paper alone is not going to make you succeed as a delivery driver.
The Career
To acquire a feel for this line of work it is advisable that young folks who aspire to become delivery drivers work in industry-related jobs for a little while. A job as a package sorter is the ideal precursor to the job, but if that position is not available at the time of your preparation to the field, any job at a corporate office, even a janitor job, will bring that connection, that bonding, that is incredibly valuable for your career as a delivery driver. The next step brings candidate delivery drivers a little closer to the real thing. Many of these delivery or package companies hire extra people as seasonal workers. These people do not go out on a truck by themselves, but accompany a well-seasoned driver so that the job can be done faster, for instance right before the Christmas holidays. For many, a co-driver position is the stepping stool to the real thing.
The Work Day
Do not underestimate the day of a delivery driver. There is much more to it than driving around a bit and hopping in and out of that vehicle. Early in the morning delivery drivers go to their corporate office where their truck is parked. Depending on what the companies' policy is they might be responsible for loading the packages into the truck before hitting the road. Even the days with the best preparation and planning can end up quite differently. A road that is closed can mix up your schedule and the occurrence of an accident involving other road users or sudden weather changes can mess up your time estimation. These little incidents can be extremely discouraging, especially for new delivery drivers. At the end of the day the delivery driver still has some paperwork to do and some companies require that hours are being called in.
The Pay
Delivery driver jobs bring in decent money. This is the case partly because the average delivery driver works 45 to 60 hours a week and that is way over the national work week average. Hours that exceed a forty-hour work week are generally paid as overtime hours or, in other words, paid as time and a half. Keep in mind that average hourly wages in this sector run up to about $15 an hour. Now you know why you see delivery drivers who step in cool personal cars at the end of their work day. This job requires little more academic education than a job in the fast food industry, but the revenues are considerably higher and even in a much higher category.
Retirement
Overall, delivery drivers retire comfortably and a job done well for many years produces that kind of satisfaction, financially and emotionally, that we all are looking for.
If you have the desire to work a meaningful job that does not require more academic education and you do have that sense of orientation, then you should definitely check out your options today.