Couriers and Messengers

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Deliver and pick up medical records, lab specimens, and medications to and from hospitals and other medical facilities.85
• Walk, ride bicycles, drive vehicles, or use public conveyances to reach destinations to deliver messages or materials.80
• Load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods.78
• 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.77
• Deliver messages and items, such as newspapers, documents, and packages, between establishment departments and to other establishments and private homes.76
• Obtain signatures and payments, or arrange for recipients to make payments.76
• Record information, such as items received and delivered and recipients' responses to messages.75
• Unload and sort items collected along delivery routes.73
• Sort items to be delivered according to the delivery route.73
• Plan and follow the most efficient routes for delivering goods.73
• Unload goods from large trucks, and load them onto smaller delivery vehicles.73
• Open, sort, and distribute incoming mail.72

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Active Listening56

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Speaking56

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Time Management56

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Critical Thinking50

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Reading Comprehension50

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Service Orientation50

  Actively looking for ways to help people.

• Writing50

  Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

• Judgment and Decision Making47

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Coordination44

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Monitoring44

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Social Perceptiveness44

  Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Active Learning41

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Transportation61

  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

• Customer and Personal Service59

  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• English Language50

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Public Safety and Security44

  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Law and Government38

  Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

• Production and Processing33

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Administrative31

  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

• Telecommunications29

  Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

• Communications and Media28

  Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

• Mathematics27

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Administration and Management26

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Computers and Electronics22

  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Oral Comprehension66

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Oral Expression66

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Far Vision56

  The ability to see details at a distance.

• Multilimb Coordination56

  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

• Near Vision56

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Speech Recognition56

  The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

• Written Comprehension56

  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Category Flexibility53

  The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

• Finger Dexterity53

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Information Ordering53

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• Manual Dexterity53

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Problem Sensitivity53

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment79

  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events74

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Getting Information67

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Handling and Moving Objects66

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates64

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Performing General Physical Activities63

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships58

  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards54

  Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work53

  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

• Assisting and Caring for Others52

  Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

• Communicating with People Outside the Organization51

  Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems51

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Dependability85

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Attention to Detail61

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Integrity58

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Cautiousness46

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Social Orientation39

  A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

• Cooperation38

  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

• Stress Tolerance38

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Perseverance37

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Adaptability33

  A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

• Self-Control28

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

• Sincerity28

  A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.

• Initiative24

  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Conventional68

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Realistic58

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Social33

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Enterprising31

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Investigative1

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Artistic0

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Telephone Conversations

  • Every day97%

• Freedom to Make Decisions

  • A lot of freedom80%
  • Some freedom20%

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day75%
  • Once a week or more but not every day24%

• Time Pressure

  • Every day74%
  • Once a week or more but not every day24%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others70%
  • Contact with others most of the time29%

• E-Mail

  • Every day68%
  • Once a week or more but not every day23%

• Spend Time Sitting

  • Continually or almost continually30%
  • More than half the time65%

• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

  • A lot of freedom44%
  • Some freedom36%
  • Limited freedom15%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Fairly important14%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

• In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

  • Never13%

• Exposed to Disease or Infections

  • Once a week or more but not every day20%
  • Once a month or more but not every week20%
  • Never12%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Some college, no degree
• Less than high school diploma

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Electronic mail software

  Microsoft Outlook

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

• Route navigation software

  Route mapping software

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Postal Service Mail Carriers
• Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers
• Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
• Postal Service Clerks
• Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
• Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers
• Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
• Dispatchers
• Cargo and Freight Agents
• Baggage Porters, Bellhops, and Concierges
• Stock Clerks and Order Fillers
• Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers
• Cargo and Freight Agents
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
• Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers
• Miscellaneous transportation workers, including bridge and lock tenders and traffic technicians
• Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
• Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers
• Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Deliver items.
• Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
• Load materials or equipment.
• Relay information between personnel.
• Obtain written authorization to perform activities.
• Record shipping information.
• Sort mail.
• Unload materials or equipment.
• Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
• Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.
• Load shipments, belongings, or materials.
• Distribute incoming mail.