Top 4 Soft Skills Needed by Every Courier Driver

The transport of small goods is central to modern commerce. Any city, much like a beehive, is criss-crossed with the frenetic movement of messages and items from one corner to another. This activity shapes the structure of the hive and gives cause to the buzzing of a healthy economy.

The skills required of workers in transportation are therefore quite particular, but they cross over with many 'soft skills' found in almost every type of effective work.

A firm handshake

It is no surprise, for example, that a courier driver needs to have a firm handshake. This is literally an out-dated exaggeration, but figuratively sums up a very important skill set: rapport-building. This covers the capacity of people in the transport industry to build a connection with their clients. Whether you run your own van or use a car on behalf of a larger business, when you pick up a parcel or hand over a package, rapport matters. A disinterested air and an unprofessional mode of communication can ruin impressions, while a firm, balanced attitude and clear communication may well compel your clients to use your services again.

A clear voice

So much of rapport building comes down to non-verbal communication. Gestures, posture and body language can either put a client at ease and fill them with confidence, or make them distrustful and overly cautious. However, a courier driver can also benefit hugely from a clear voice and well-articulated language skills. From a paper trail of forms to emails to interpersonal contact, being a good communicator is of benefit in any profession, but particularly in delivery work. The better you are at speaking in a clear and helpful manner, the more likely you are to build your reputation and forge better business contacts.

An eye for corners

While it is hard to imagine that many modern day businesses could do without effective rapport building and communication skills, some soft skills are more peculiar to a courier driver and others who work in a range of locations. If you know how to look ahead (or "read the road ahead" as professionals call it) and avoid the traffic lurking at an upcoming street corner, then you have the basis of good direction and location skills. It common sense that those who navigate the streets on a daily basis should have a solid awareness of where they are and the best way to get to where they are going.

A way with time

The hectic nature of many workplaces means that there is little patience for a slow pace. Whatever the effect this may be having on social health, there is a need to play the time management game if you wish to be considered reliable. A courier driver needs to be proficient at this skill more so than most professions. There is little to no patience for those who cannot hand over a package or a message on time at the right place. Being able to understand how you measure time and how much time you need for any given job is therefore vital.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier driver jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 3,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading courier jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.