Exploring the surge in demand for delivery services and the essential skills required for route delivery drivers, this article outlines strategies for hiring skilled drivers and enhancing their efficiency with route planning tools like EasyRoutes.
If there was one positive aspect of 2020, it was the increased demand for delivery services and route delivery drivers.
In 2019, over 103 billion parcels were delivered, with that figure forecast to double by 2026. From 2019 to 2020, the number of grocery delivery customers in the United States increased by 133 percent.
There are now over 2.14 billion online shoppers in the world, up nearly 30% from 2016.
It’s no surprise that people are searching for distribution positions.
You’ll need professional delivery drivers if you’re running a delivery service. However, with so many people using third-party distribution systems like GrubHub and DoorDash, they can be difficult to come by. It’s so difficult that current hires being lost, breaking down, or stuck in transit can cause major delays. Worse still, customers complain about the drivers’ bad behavior.
Fortunately, by recruiting people with the right qualifications, you can avoid these conditions.
Whether or not your employees engage with customers, the aim of distribution is to build relationships. Many of the skills on this list are customer service related:
Organizational Problem-Solving Guided Communication
Customers who are delighted with your delivery service and the company from which they purchased it are more likely to use your delivery service and the company from which they purchased it again.
In the end, the route delivery drivers must put customers and their needs first.
One of the most difficult aspects of distribution driving is the lack of time. Customers anticipate deliveries arriving on time, if not ahead of schedule. Before you employ non-CDL route delivery drivers, make sure they can balance safety and performance. Concentration and navigation are two other similar abilities. Your workers must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time while driving. It should not be difficult for them to optimize their routes.
If a candidate can do all of this while avoiding road rage, they’re a keeper.
Is it a no-brainer that your future route delivery drivers would be able to survive on the road? Mishaps on the road happen more often than you’d like. Accidents, breakdowns, and other calamities may cause significant delays in deliveries. You can benefit the most from drivers who can solve these issues on a simple level. Don’t waste your time and resources on someone who can’t take care of a vehicle’s most basic needs.
Your company’s success depends on effective communication. Candidates for these positions must be able to interact effectively both orally and in writing. Look for people who are polite, courteous, and stay calm in the face of adversity. If they interact with customers often, they must communicate in a cool, friendly, and supportive manner.
A good driver also sees chances and reports something that seems to be out of the ordinary. They would be better able to deal with unclear or contradictory issues if they have an optimistic, can-do attitude.
It is common for the unexpected to occur. What if there’s an accident on the road? How does the driver you’re interviewing deal with adversity? What happens if they get separated? Even consumer experiences require problem-solving. What is your candidate’s strategy for dealing with a frustrated customer? A successful problem solver’s adaptability and creativity are telling characteristics.
Drivers can easily become overloaded with paperwork, various items, and sometimes difficult navigation to navigate. Anyone you recruit must be well-organized in order to keep everything in order.
Simultaneously, spending so much time arranging their cars or making required notes slows down the delivery time. That’s bad for company, and it’s even worse for customer satisfaction.
Time management, punctuality, and attention to detail are examples of other organizational skills. In each region, ask interviewees to provide examples of demonstrated skill. You may ask the same question of their references.
Digital skills are a must these days. Computers, route-planning software, and other distribution technologies are used by many delivery companies. Inquire about applicants’ digital skills during the new recruit interview. Drivers must be able to use a phone and any other productivity equipment the company uses, even though they are not programmers.
Heavy shipments are mostly handled by delivery drivers. Is your candidate capable of lifting the necessary weight? Is it possible for them to lift it safely? Drivers are more susceptible to back and neck injuries because they can sit for a long time before lifting. As an employer, you want to limit your responsibility for injuries as much as possible. Hire someone who will not jeopardize themselves – and, as a result, your business. Hire only those who can lift the minimum weight you need to eliminate this danger.
You’re aware of the qualities to look for in delivery applicants. You must now locate those drivers. Start by improving two aspects of recruiting: work listings and interviews, if that challenge seems overwhelming.
Since job boards are often where you meet potential drivers for the first time, job postings should do the majority of the “weeding” for you by providing succinct, straightforward, and targeted material.
Create a work posting that uses bullet points and headings to list the job’s terms in an easily scannable format. Have a short overview of the employer, the work type, the pay per hour/minimum wage, and whether the position is full-time or part-time. Often, the job description should not be overlooked. Define who you are, what your work description is, and what your responsibilities are. Be as descriptive as possible. Include all roles and qualifications, such as necessary skills, minimum lifting requirements, and prior experience. Inform candidates on how to apply and what kind of experience they should include:
Consider a job posting to be a letter to your potential employee, inviting them to join your team. Write in a language that they can understand. Make it appealing and interesting to them. They will come to you if you successfully market yourself to your ideal candidate.
After you’ve weeded out the less-than-ideal applicants, you can start conducting interviews. Questions that are unfair or may be construed as discriminatory should be avoided. If you’re stumped for questions, consider the following:
Check each route delivery driver’s driving record before interviewing them for driver jobs to see if their answers to the above questions match. Inquire for references as well. Two or three trustworthy references will provide insight into a person’s ability to meet work requirements. Better still, as a best practice, ask the top managers to refer people who they believe would be good employees. While this form of recruiting is risky, getting a recommendation from a trustworthy employee will save you weeks of time and effort.
It’s possible that you’re having difficulty attracting talent. As a last resort, consider recruiting and training high-potential employees. A fast learner with excellent customer service skills is preferable to a highly trained driver with poor social skills.
Do your drivers possess the eight skills described above? If not, train them – and make it simpler by using a route delivery app like EasyRoutes to help with the operation. EasyRoutes boosts efficiency while lowering costs and saving time. There will be no more excuses, and no more petrol will be wasted. Concentrate on your business rather than route planning. Your company will soar with professional employees and a well-planned path.
Roundtrip's mission is to equip every business with the software tools they need to deliver products to their customers in a delightful way. Thousands of Shopify merchants worldwide choose EasyRoutes to power their local deliveries across dozens of product categories, from meal kits and groceries to coffee, cupcakes, kibble, and so much more. Our easy-to-use route planning and delivery optimization app is certified Built for Shopify, a two-time Shopify staff pick, and the top rated local delivery app on the Shopify App Store.
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