The day starts early for the delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers who ensure local businesses open with stocked shelves, and may continue late into the night as drivers ensure that customers receive their products and services throughout the day. These drivers’ vehicles are lighter than semis, weighing less than 26,000 pounds. Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers need a thorough knowledge of their local street grid to plan their routes —especially which roads allow trucks. Light truck drivers drive small trucks or vans from distribution centers or stores… to homes and businesses, following an established schedule. Most work for retail and wholesale trade companies, or couriers. Driver/sales workers usually have a regular delivery route, and also visit potential clients to expand their sales. They might deliver an order to a hardware store, then promote a new product to the store manager. They also deliver and receive payments for goods such as take-out food or pizza. These drivers generally work full time. It can be physically demanding work —driving for long periods, lifting, and carrying boxes. Injury rates are higher than for most jobs. Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers usually have a high school education, and must have a driver’s license and clean driving record. A few weeks of on-the-job training is typical.
What they do:
Drive truck or other vehicle over established routes or within an established territory and sell or deliver goods, such as food products, including restaurant take-out items, or pick up or deliver items such as commercial laundry. May also take orders, collect payment, or stock merchandise at point of delivery.
On the job, you would:
Drive trucks to deliver such items as food, medical supplies, or newspapers.
Inform regular customers of new products or services and price changes.
Record sales or delivery information on daily sales or delivery record.
Business
customer service
management
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
food production
Arts and Humanities
English language
Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Hand and Finger Use
keep your arm or hand steady
put together small parts with your fingers
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Integrity
Cooperation
Stress Tolerance
Self Control
Adaptability/Flexibility
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Data base user interface and query software
MobiTech Systems Route Sales Trakker
Soft Essentials Vending Essentials
Map creation software
GEOCOMtms A.Maze Planning
Route planning software
high school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force, Army, or Marine Corps.
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