How to Get a Job as a Delivery Truck Driver
Delivery truck drivers must have solid math skills and decent hand-eye coordination, but that’s not all. They also need sound communication skills, given that they often prepare reports and converse with the general public and law enforcement officials. McMackin says customer service skills are crucial, and drivers must be both interested and comfortable serving other people. “You might not have a problem driving a truck, or you might not have a problem doing a physical job. But if you’re not interested in serving other people, that’s not the job for you,” he says.
What is the Job Like?
Operating on a regular daily or weekly schedule, a delivery truck driver’s day typically involves loading and unloading cargo, dropping off small or large packages to customers, handling any paperwork (like receipts or delivery confirmations), and reporting any suspicious roadside activity they may encounter. Most of them are given freedom to plan their own routes. A good sense of direction, basic mastery of street grids, and knowledge of the safest roads for trucks are essential to truck-driving success. Finally, McMackin says turnover for delivery drivers at UPS is virtually nonexistent. “Our drivers tend to stay with us,” he says. “You can almost call it a cradle-to-grave philosophy. I started out when I was 17 and I’m still with the company 33 years later.”
