What Does a Courier Do? A Day in the Life of a Courier Delivery Person

Have you ever wondered what a courier does?

Couriers have been around for hundreds of years, but they’re a bit different today than how they were in the past. Today, couriers work to deliver a variety of goods whereas, in the past, couriers would deliver one or two things at a time.

In an age where companies are promising customers with quicker shipping options, couriers have become increasingly popular. However, many people still don’t know what exactly a courier does.

What does a courier do? Read on to learn everything you need to know about couriers!

What Is a Courier Driver?

A courier is someone responsible for delivering goods to consumers or businesses. Couriers are different than standard deliverymen because they work individually. They’re often independent workers that have a contract with a company to deliver.

One of the things that make them stand out is that the courier provides their transportation. Some companies also allow their couriers to wear anything, so it can be difficult for consumers when they see someone walking up to their home with a package.

As larger companies are expanding to offer new things, like same-day shipping, they have to bring in new people to help them fulfill their services. Many postal services have strict working hours, but couriers can work at any time.

What Does a Courier Do?

The main part of a courier’s job is to deliver packages, but there are several aspects of their job. We’ll go over the process of a typical day in the life for a courier:

Report to Loading Facility

The first thing a courier will do when they start their shift is to report to the loading facility. At the facility, they’ll receive all of the packages that they’ll be delivering during the day. Every courier service has a different way of verifying couriers, usually with the likes of QR codes and checking license plates.

Most loading facilities will make up carts that consist of packages which will be transported together. This allows the facility to keep organized and prevent the courier from having to take long detours from their route.

After the courier is assigned their cart, they’ll start loading their vehicle with packages. Most couriers drive larger vehicles so that they can store more things, and companies often require couriers to have SUVs.

Delivery Process

When a courier has everything packed and is ready to go, they’ll start the main part of their courier duties: delivery. Couriers don’t run the same route during each trip, so they use GPS to see where they have to go.

Anytime a courier arrives at a destination, they’ll attempt to hand-deliver the package to the recipient. If that’s not possible, they’ll leave it on the porch or in a secure area of the property, such as with a receptionist.

The workload varies because one day a courier could have 40 packages and 3 on another. To confirm that they’ve delivered the package, they’ll either use a scanner or their cellphone.

After the courier has delivered all of the packages, they can either go back to the loading facility to do another load or they can go home. That’s why many people become couriers, because of the flexibility.

How to Be a Courier

Becoming a courier isn’t a difficult process because it doesn’t require higher education. The demand for couriers is increasing as companies get larger, so you wouldn’t have too hard of a time getting a courier job.

Depending on the company that you’re applying for, you’ll need to look into their job requirements. If they require you to drive a specific kind of vehicle, you could consider leasing out one to secure you a job.

However, most companies just want you to show up with a decent vehicle that can fit a lot of packages. Your car will need to be in good shape and you’ll have to look good while delivering.

Most courier jobs can be applied for directly from the website of the company that you’re interested in. However, you can also apply to job sites, like Indeed. Before applying, ensure that you prepare a resume to increase the likelihood that you get hired.

Your First Day

When you get hired, your first day on the job might be a bit different than that of a regular shift. Some companies will provide rookie couriers with someone to train them, but there’s a chance you could be left by yourself.

If you ever run into problems while you’re alone, your company’s app will usually have a variety of answers for you. The worst thing that can happen is you’ll have to call someone to figure out what you do.

It’s important to remember that everyone starts from nothing, so don’t be too nervous when you’re delivering. Keep a calm demeanor, greet recipients with a smile, and pay attention to the road.

Get Involved with Courier Services Today

If you want to ship packages to someone, a courier would get the packaged delivered quicker than the likes of USPS or FedEx. That’s because they work flexible hours and only have packages that will allow them to stay on a quick route. With this article, you no longer need to ask, “What does a courier do?”

As soon as a courier visits the loading facility, they’ll be off with your package. Here at Need It Now Delivers, we ensure our couriers drive safe while getting your goods delivered as quickly as possible.

Go ahead and get a quote today to learn how much you could save by using our services.