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Couriers and Messengers

O*NET files this work under Couriers and Messengers: people who pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance. The skills rated most useful are time management, speaking, and active listening. A regular part of the work is to deliver and pick up medical records, lab specimens, and medications to and from hospitals and other medical facilities. With a code of CRS, this is mostly a job for people drawn to orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. Realistic interests also help, rated 4.5 out of 7. Getting in usually takes a few months to a year of learning on the job, a level O*NET calls some preparation. People who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance.

Main tasks

  • Deliver and pick up medical records, lab specimens, and medications to and from hospitals and other medical facilities.
  • Walk, ride bicycles, drive vehicles, or use public conveyances to reach destinations to deliver messages or materials.
  • Load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods.
  • Receive messages or materials to be delivered, and information on recipients, such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, and delivery instructions, communicated via telephone, two-way radio, or in person.
  • Deliver messages and items, such as newspapers, documents, and packages, between establishment departments and to other establishments and private homes.
  • Record information, such as items received and delivered and recipients' responses to messages.

Skills

  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on time management and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CRS takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • Courier
  • Delivery Driver
  • Driver
  • Lab Courier (Laboratory Courier)
  • Mail Carrier

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.