With online shopping being the popular method of purchasing items, it’s hard to go a day without seeing some delivery truck in your neighborhood. As a result of this online shopping trend, delivery companies increase their need during specific times of year to make sure that they can keep up with the delivery needs of their customers.

This can be an ideal place to work. There are many positions within this industry that require a variety of talents on the part of the employee. Some of very customer service based positions, while others are truck positions that have little or no contact with their customers.  The hours are flexible, and there is an opportunity for seasonal employment during the holiday seasons if you are looking to gain a little extra money.

This industry will be around for the long haul as more people do the majority of their shopping online. Business will always have the need for delivery drivers to be sure that people get the items that they purchased in a timely fashion, while all items remain in good care. This industry requires customer satisfaction to be the top priority.

Whether you like to work independently or enjoy ensuring customer satisfaction, you can find an opportunity that you’ll enjoy in this field.

Job Opportunities

Here are some of the opportunities that you can find within the delivery industry:

Delivery Driver: The delivery driver is mainly responsible for picking up and delivering packages from the customers. They mostly transport goods to business or residential areas from distribution centers. This job is very physically demanding, often requiring them to lift and move very heavy objects. Driving trucks for long periods of time can cause muscle soreness, and sometimes you are required to walk for certain distances. A driver will need at least a high school diploma or equivalent for this industry. They will need a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. A delivery driver will undergo a training period where they learn about company policies and practices they must abide by. On average, a driver can earn around $27,000 a year.

Customer Service Agent: There are many functions of the customer service agent. One is to run the counter at the company’s store. When they work the counter, they will receive payments for shipping items. They will ensure that all labels are filled out properly. They will also need to have computer skills to track packages, input packages for processing, and doing record keeping. This position can be very fast paced, and does require some heavy lifting of items between 20-70lbs. They should be prepared to handle situations with unhappy customers, as sometimes packages get lost or damaged. It is their job to ensure that the customer is satisfied with the resolution of any problem. A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position, along with on the job training. An agent can make around $10 per hour.

Package Handler: A package handler is the person who loads and unloads the trucks on a daily basis. They must be well-versed in the company’s policies for handling packages. They should know how to properly load a truck to ensure that the packages do not get damaged in the truck, and be able to properly handle potentially fragile items. They must handle all packages with care. You must have an ability to lift heavy objects. Since this position is based in a warehouse, a person must be comfortable being in that type of environment. They are supposed be aware of safety precautions within the warehouse to ensure everyone’s safety. This position is very fast paces and physically demanding, with working on your feet all day doing heavy lifting. A person must have a high school diploma or similar and will need to complete all necessary on the job training. Typically, a person can earn $11-$13 an hour.

Automotive Mechanic: These types of companies have discovered the cost benefit of employing their own mechanics to work on the delivery trucks. The automotive mechanic is responsible for the daily maintenance of the trucks to ensure they are in good repair. When a problem does occur, the mechanic must be able to diagnose and fix the problem in a timely fashion to reduce the downtime of the trucks. They are tasked with ordering the required parts to fix any issue that comes up. It is desired that the mechanic has previous experience in working with diesel engines and fleet engines. Having a keen ability for troubleshooting issues is a must. For this position, a diploma from high school or equivalent is mandatory. It is preferred they have certifications and a degree in auto mechanics. They should have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. The average yearly salary for a position like this is around $37,000.

Job Outlook

The job growth in this industry is at around 5%, which is much lower than the 11% that is the national average. Some think this is as a result of exceptional GPS capabilities, creating more efficiency in the delivery trucks. This efficiency means fewer jobs are required as trucks can now do their routes quicker. There are seasonal opportunities that open up during the holiday seasons that help employment growth for a short period of time.