Why Courier Work is a Great Option for Self-Employment

Many couriers are self-employed. Whether you’re an independent owner-driver or freelancing with one or more companies, courier work makes you your own boss, on your own clock (within reason), and allows you to make your own decisions about your career. Below are some of the benefits of being a self-employed courier driver.

Earning Potential

At first, the work may be slow, but if you keep your standards high and make your deliveries in a timely and professional manner, word will get around that you’re a person to be trusted. Once you’ve made your name as a trustworthy and reliable driver, you’ll be faced with plenty of opportunities, and it’s entirely possible to earn excellent remuneration as your own boss.

It’s Enjoyable

Many people enjoy driving, although not everyone chooses to make it their job. But if you think you could do it professionally, it's worth considering as your day job? Courier work gives you the opportunity to do what you enjoy all day, in your own vehicle, with mutually agreed deadlines. Additionally, many people dislike the drudgery of working at a desk in one place all day every day, whereas courier work will see you out and about working with different clients in different places every single day.

You Set Your Own Boundaries

As a self-employed professional you're working for yourself, and the satisfaction of a job well done is all the sweeter when it’s a job you’ve done for yourself. It's far easier to motivate yourself to do a speedy and professional job when it’s you who reaps the benefits, rather than your boss.

Career Progression Opportunities

Being a courier is far from having a static career. A typical career progression might see someone beginning as an employee, learning the ropes and moving on to freelancing. After making a name for themselves, the driver might then set up shop as an owner driver, and after some experience running their own business, they could set up their own larger courier firm.

Community

But there are social benefits to being in the trade as well! Since there are more and more online platforms out there which connect couriers with each other (and with potential clients), connecting with likeminded individuals, online or offline, becomes increasingly easy. You would also be surprised by the number of blogs and forums out there where stories of the road are shared - they often make for entertaining reads.

For those who are attracted by the prospect of self-employment and enjoy driving, being a courier is an opportunity to follow a rewarding and progressive career path.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier work in the express freight exchange industry. Over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.