Delivery Driver Jobs Overview
A world without delivery driver jobs is unimaginable. Delivery drivers connect goods to customers. Gone are the days when delivery drivers were only synonymous with pizza. Now, they are the people making sure we get everything we order online, from tonight's dinner to new bed sheets.
A job as a delivery driver is great for those who feel at home behind the wheel. To work in this fast-paced role, a clean driving record is a must. You'll be spending many hours on the road, and it will work to your advantage if you're familiar with local streets and neighborhoods.
You'll inspect your vehicle daily, follow all safety measures during the loading and unloading process, and pick up, transport, and drop off packages to businesses and private residences. In some cases, you might also collect signatures or take photos as proof of delivery as well as handle payments for cash-on-delivery orders.
With the rise in online shopping and food delivery apps, delivery drivers are in high demand. Here are a few industries offering jobs for delivery drivers:
- E-commerce. Online marketplaces like Amazon are in constant need of drivers.
- Food delivery. Apps like UberEats, DoorDash, and GrubHub have changed the way we order food.
- Grocery delivery. Many supermarkets now offer home delivery services.
- With more people ordering medicine conveniently online, there’s a demand here too.
- Furniture and appliances. Ever ordered a sofa online? Someone’s got to deliver it for you.
The top cities in the U.S. for delivery driver jobs are:
Salaries for Delivery Driver Jobs
Wondering how much money you'll be making once you hit the road? Before you start looking at job offers, you need to know what you're worth. Pay for delivery drivers varies based on the industry you work in and your location.
For example, the national pay for a sales delivery driver ranges from $13.06 to $21.76 per hour, while restaurant delivery drivers’ salaries range from $25,858 to $46,632 a year. Use Monster's convenient Salary Tools to discover how much you could earn in your area.
Finding the Perfect Delivery Driver Job for You
With so many jobs for delivery drivers, how do you choose the one that suits you best? Start by asking yourself the following questions to help you identify the most fitting opportunities:
- What’s my favorite driving environment? Some jobs will have you zipping between skyscrapers, while others might have you cruising past cornfields.
- How’s my sense of direction? Some roles might provide more tech support with GPS, while others expect you to know your way around.
- Am I a night owl or a morning person? Some delivery jobs require early morning shifts, while others keep you busy at night.
- How do I feel about heavy lifting? Delivering letters is different from delivering furniture. Make sure you’re comfortable with what you’re expected to carry.
Look beyond the big names and remember that small and medium local businesses offer some fantastic opportunities as well.
Analyze Job Descriptions
Some jobs provide a vehicle, while others require you to use your own. Are you looking for full-time, part-time, evenings, or weekends?
Make sure to apply for jobs that align with your schedule. If you are looking for a side gig or something with flexible hours, some companies might be more accommodating than others.
Research the Employer
Researching your potential employer is important to find the right fit. For example, some companies have a strict corporate vibe, while others are more laid-back. Check the company’s social media, online presence, and reviews. Pay attention to how they interact with the community.
How a company treats its staff and clientele reflects its character. Good employers will typically have positive reviews from employees and customers, and happy employees usually mean a supportive work environment.
How to Apply for Delivery Driver Jobs
Applying for a delivery driver job is like embarking on a thrilling road trip. But before you hit the open road, you’ve got some preparation to do. Think of your resume as your car, your cover letter as the ultimate road trip playlist, and our platform as your GPS.
Update Your Delivery Driver Resume
If you want to make your delivery driver resume shine, follow these tips:
- Add relevant experiences that showcase your skills and achievements. For example, your record for on-time deliveries and great navigation skills.
- Mention if you’re familiar with specific delivery apps like Postmates or GPS tools like Google Maps.
- Flaunt your clean driving record, which is a must for most employers.
- Customize your resume for each job application. Include the same terminology used in the job description.
Need help from an expert? Check out Monster’s professional resume services.
Include a Cover Letter
A cover letter is your opportunity to forge a personal connection. Begin your letter by addressing the hiring manager directly. It might take a little digging, but using their name instead of a generic greeting makes a difference.
Narrate a story from your past experiences to offer a glimpse into your dedication and problem-solving skills. Let your genuine enthusiasm for the company shine through.
If you’ve always admired how a particular company treats its drivers or its commitment to timely deliveries, say so. It shows you genuinely care about being a part of their team.
Submit Your Application
No more shooting applications into the void and hoping for the best. When you create an account on Monster, you can keep a close eye on the status of your job applications in your own dashboard.
Complete your profile and we'll also connect you with recruiters, send you custom job alerts, and provide you with personalized career advice. Browse the jobs for delivery drivers on this page, use the filters to refine your search results, and optimize your resume and cover letter before you click on “submit”.
How to Follow Up with an Employer
A gentle follow-up can help you stand out from the crowd. Wait at least a week from when you sent your application unless the job ad mentions a specific review time. It’s like waiting for a light to turn green: you don’t want to be that impatient driver who honks too soon.
In our digital age, email is the best non-intrusive way to follow up and it gives the recipient time to respond. Start with a friendly reminder of who you are and the position you’ve applied for. Highlight what makes you excited about the job and ask directly, yet politely, about the status of your application.
Interviewing for Delivery Driver Jobs
Job interviews can feel intimidating, no matter how experienced you are. Just remember, they're already so impressed by you that they've invited you for an interview.
The interview for that dream delivery driver job is the main highway to your destination, and just like any trip, preparation and knowing the route are key. If the job includes using your own vehicle, make sure it’s in tip-top shape and you have all the paperwork you need.
Expect questions about your driving record, experiences with past deliveries, and how you handle challenging scenarios. They might want to know how you navigate, how you adapt to different driving conditions, and your experience with fragile or special deliveries.
Commonly Asked Job Interview Questions
To help you prepare powerful answers that will charm any hiring manager, check out our sample interview questions for delivery jobs. Some questions you can expect to answer include:
- What goods have you delivered before?
- What types of routes are you used to driving?
- How do you ensure deliveries arrive on time and correctly?
- Do you have experience using delivery management software?
- Tell us about an incident that went wrong, like a missing package, a massive traffic jam, or an upset client. How did you handle it?
Following Up on Your Job Interviews
A simple email sent within 24 to 48 hours of your job interview can solidify a positive impression. Thank them for their time and mention something specific from the interview to show you were attentive.
It’s good to be enthusiastic but avoid bombarding them with multiple follow-ups. Give it at least a week and send one last check-in email if you haven’t heard back.
What to Do When You Get an Offer for a Delivery Driver Job
When your journey down the application highway is showing some promising signs, and you’ve got job offers honking at your door, it might be tempting to just accept one right away. However, stop for a moment, carefully inspect the job offer, and make sure it’s the right fit for your adventures ahead.
Ensure you understand all the job particulars. For example, what’s the vehicle maintenance policy? What about fuel and repair reimbursements? Look out for clauses about overtime, expected delivery loads, or weekend shifts.
If you’re leaning towards declining an offer, be gracious. Provide feedback if appropriate. Remember, the world is vast, but paths often cross.
Delivery Driver Career Paths
A delivery driver’s career offers rich experiences that one can translate into various roles within the logistics, transportation, and customer service sectors. Here’s a look at three potential careers that could be your next stop:
- Dispatcher. Assign delivery tasks, provide drivers with route details, handle emergency situations, and make sure that deliveries go smoothly.
- Customer service representative. Manage client accounts, handle customer complaints, or upsell services.
- Logistics coordinator. Plan and manage the logistical aspects of deliveries, including verifying that goods are stored, transported, and delivered efficiently.
Delivery Driver Jobs: Similar Occupations
To increase your search results, try looking for other transportation jobs as well. Or give these comparable positions a try: