In today’s economy, many people are looking for a little extra income. I have found that delivering pizzas can be a flexible way to bring more money in with limited work experience or industry knowledge.
There are many pros and cons to this job field that you should consider before applying at a local pizza shop. You may be able to handle the objections you have prior to taking a driving position and make your experience much more pleasant.
Pros:
Evening hours are usually available so it serves as a good night position to counter your day job
Simple tasks / easy work
Tips – you can accumulate many tips in an hour, supplementing your per hour income
Limited interaction with coworkers, less workplace angst
Service oriented job – good manners go a long way
You stay busy – there is always something to do from organizing after a rush, preparing for the next rush or moving pizzas out during a rush, evening pizza delivery is usually fast paced so you wont’ get bored
Cons:
You drive your own car – most places will have gas and maintenance allowances built into their pay plans
Personal relations with many different types of people at the delivery addresses
Tips are not guaranteed money – pay can fluctuate drastically at times
Safety is sometimes an issue as some drivers have been targeted for their cash, but not often
Easily overwhelmed with a short staff list – if your boss doesn’t have enough people on call and the orders keep coming in, you have to pick up the slack wherever you can, so busy can get overwhelming quickly if you let it
Limited Holiday time – people eat more pizzas in the days just before and just after major holidays, plus big game days and large events so you have to pick the days to request off very carefully
Making this job work for you
Before you apply:
You should really ask yourself if your method of transportation can stand up to the driving requirements. Get it up to speed with current oil changes and belt replacements. If you start out with your car in it’s best condition, it will be easier to keep maintained.
Don’t use your families best car because it will get used quite a bit and you don’t want to put yourself out of the main transportation if you can help it.
Give an honest look at how much time you can afford to spend on your second job. Evaluate your current working schedule and factor in your day job, any classes you may be taking and any family requirements you have to get people to and from activities.
Have a plan for hours you would like to work vs. hours you’d like to have off and also Holidays you are willing to work vs. ones you’d like to have off.
During the interview:
Make sure to ask about car maintenance and gas compensation.
Get a clear idea of the pay scale and any promotional opportunities.
Be very up front about what you expect to offer and receive from this as a second job. If your boss knows you’re’ willing to compromise days off and you want to stick to 15 hours a week, he can fit that into his plan for your employment much better from the get go. You wont’ get burnt out as quickly if you have your schedule the way you want it in the beginning.
Ask if the company has a safety policy or support if you do have an issue with a customer.
Once your hired:
Double check all your orders before you leave the building. You will only have one shot to get everything where it needs to go. This is especially important for when the orders come in fast and you have to deliver several at a time. If you start the habit of double checking early, it will be easier when the going gets rough.
Keep your car maintained well. Put aside some money from each night’s tips to put back into your car so you don’t find that you slack off on this issue.
Interact just enough with the customers so that you are not rude, but don’t over do communication. That will help to eliminate any unwanted stressors if customers are having a bad day or are under the influence from a party.
Have a personal safety plan. Know what you will do if you get approached by someone who wants to rob you. Keep pepper spray or a flashlight in the car at all times. Being prepared will be very helpful if the situation ever occurs.
Try to get a good night’s sleep as well. Whether closing the shops up at night or not, you should have gone in with your schedule intentions. If you are working a day job, make sure you sleep enough so that the second job does not interfere with your other work.
Make sure to put money away during your employment. Some days you will be making less money in tips, so prepare yourself accordingly.
Pizza delivery can be a very easy option for students who need work, or for family people who need extra work. Know ahead of time what the job entails and be prepared to handle the small objections that come with the job to ensure your success. Drive carefully and have fun!!
