Are you a senior citizen searching for additional income? Do you need a reason to get out of the house more often? Are you a competent driver who feels comfortable behind the wheel? A driving job might be your answer.
If you’re like me, you may not want, or be able to do, a physically demanding driving job that requires a special license, heavy lifting, long hours, or night work. Fortunately, driving positions are available that can accommodate the needs of nearly anyone. There are leisurely no-stress jobs, high-energy jobs for the type A’s, and other jobs that provide a healthy amount of physical activity rather than labor.
You might desire a daylight job which requires nothing more than a few hours daily and a few days weekly driving late model vehicles from one point to another. You may prefer a driving job that is “on call”, or has varied work hours and work days, or offers scheduled part-time work. Various schedules are available as are choices of city or highway driving. Take advantage of the following preliminary points then get yourself off to a rolling start.
Realistically Assess Your Availability, Endurance, And Driving Personality
When a senior citizen intends to pursue a driving job the first point to concentrate on is your availability. Scrutinize the days per week and hours per day you have available for work. Now, factor in your abilities, reflexes, attention span, and stress threshold. One or more of these issues may not endure the available time you’ve calculated. Don’t allow more hours than you are truly comfortable with. You don’t want to mislead the employer, have the job abuse you mentally or physically, or consume all of your free time.
Initially committing to just a few hours or days per week leaves you stress free during personal time and allows for job adjustment and assessment. Don’t worry about your minimal time when starting. You will quickly discover that additional hours are commonly available in today’s part-time labor environment .
The second point for consideration should be the type of driving you prefer, or can comfortably accomplish. To help you make that determination the following three basic types of driving opportunities are considered to be the most realistic for senior citizens.
Basic Characteristics Of Appropriate Driving Jobs
The first type involves driving a vehicle for the singular purpose of delivering, shuttling, or shagging that vehicle from one point to another. The vehicles are normally late model passenger cars that are comfortable, dependable, and easy to drive. Operations usually occur during daylight hours and driving times vary. Some jobs in this sector are “on call” but most give you a day or two advance notice. You can designate which days you prefer to work. Number of days on the job fluctuate and may include some weekends. These driver positions typically have the lowest rate of pay but are the least demanding.
The second type of driving is the transport of loads, either one-way or round-trip. Vans and pickup trucks are often utilized for this task. If the operating vehicle is used for highway driving the maintenance will likely be up to date. However, city delivery vehicles may have poor maintenance resulting in a more stressful driving experience. Loading/unloading is not typically performed by the driver. Transporting may include night driving, weekends and long hours behind the wheel. Most of the work days are scheduled in advance. Jobs in this category usually have the highest pay rates – a reflection of the demands on the driver.
The third type is driving a vehicle for the purpose of physically delivering and/or picking up various items. Vehicle age, dependability, and comfort ranges from the worst to the best. In this broad category one must expect various degrees of vehicle entry/exit and the handling of small to large items during the shift. This is the most time-sensitive and scheduled type of driving. Therefore, employers have necessarily higher expectations. Most local delivery companies operate during daylight hours throughout the work week, but a few work around the clock every day of the year. Pay rates in this sector average low to moderate.
In the loads and pick up/delivery categories, senior citizens are most comfortable with a vehicle no larger than a pickup truck.
Now, with the achievement of your self-assessment and knowledge base, you’re ready to use the telephone book or computer to research companies that might fit your needs. Here are some research starting points: for shagging, shuttling, or vehicle delivery – rental car companies; major manufacturer car dealerships; car auction facilities. For light pickup/delivery: hospital couriers; airline lost luggage; flower shops; auto parts stores; medical supply; catering; local quick delivery. Also, personnel transport for railroads, oil fields, major construction sites, and ski areas. Heavier delivery and loads: motor home dealerships; electrical/plumbing trades wholesale warehouses; pump supply firms and farm implement/machinery dealers.
Don’t be distressed if a phone inquiry reveals no current openings. The person you’re conversing with will quite often provide additional leads. This seems to be a common occurrence when senior citizens are inquiring, so make sure that your status is established during the conversation. Have your notepad ready.
Always ask for leads if they aren’t voluntarily offered. Immediately follow up on all verbal leads – they are often the best opportunities because they’ve not been advertised and the position may need to be filled right now.
Your research will reveal companies that are an obvious yes or no. But give some serious thought to those business field listings that you’re unfamiliar with – they may have driving opportunities that are a surprise to you. It’s just a phone call – nothing to lose!
When driving your personal car, notice the variety of business delivery vehicles on the road – keep your notepad handy. If you personally encounter a delivery driver, tell him about your search, ask for leads.
After a few phone calls following the suggestions here, you will enjoy a pleasant surprise – there exists a greater demand for your services than you had anticipated. Of course, the number of driving opportunities available in your locale will vary depending on the population.
Your Services Are Needed
The business community is slowly coming full circle in realizing that senior citizens of today have excellent work ethics – as they did during their full-time working years. Keep them wheels a’rollin’!
