Career Advice for a Delivery Driver

Delivery drivers collect parcels from a depot and travel to various locations to deliver the items to customers. They make sure packages are packed securely in their vehicle and transport goods safely and timely to the required places.

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How to Become a Delivery Driver

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Delivery Driver

Should you wish to work as a Delivery Driver you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Delivery Driver

  • Some GCSEs including English and Maths
  • Intermediate apprenticeship as delivery operative
  • Good driving record

Key Responsibilities for a Delivery Driver

  • Assisting with loading and unloading of packages
  • Loading deliveries into the van and securing them
  • Checking delivery schedule and planning efficient routes
  • Travelling to each delivery location
  • Locating the package recipient and handing over items
  • Ensuring paperwork is complete with customer signature and other relevant information
  • Leaving call cards for missed deliveries
  • Answering questions and handling complaints from clients
  • Maintaining a safe driving record
  • Preparing reports and completing delivery documentation

What to expect as a Delivery Driver

Delivery drivers take parcels from a courier depot and take each box to its designated delivery address. You will drive to various locations and deal with customers, so you will need an excellent driving record. To be successful, you will need excellent organisational and customer service skills.

Recommended Delivery Driver Jobs

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How to get Delivery Driver Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Delivery Driver job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Delivery Driver application. If you have not held a Delivery Driver position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Delivery Driver role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Delivery Driver CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Delivery Driver application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Delivery Driver in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Delivery Driver 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Delivery Driver and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Delivery Driver experience.

How to get Delivery Driver Experience

What does it take to be a Delivery Driver? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Delivery Driver jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Delivery Driver through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Delivery Driver Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Delivery Driver part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Delivery Driver or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Delivery Driver freelance work

If you have impressive Delivery Driver qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.