Messengers are required to deliver letters, packages, telegrams, messages, documents and other items to private homes and businesses, travelling on foot or by bicycle, motor scooter or car.
Work tasks vary according to employer and include the following:
- preparing lists of cheques, drafts, notes, and other items drawn on banks
- making deliveries to clearing and business houses for payment
- providing clerical supplies
- receiving messages to be delivered, and information on recipients, such as names, addresses, telephone numbers and delivery instructions, communicated by telephone, mobile, two-radio or in person
- recording information such as items received and delivered and recipients' responses to the messages
- opening, sorting and distributing incoming mail
- collecting, sealing and stamping outgoing mail
- collecting and distributing paperwork such as records and time cards between departments
- operating duplicating machines
- calling by telephone to deliver verbal messages
- obtaining receipts for items delivered
- running errands
- marking, tabulating and filing of articles and records.
In small companies the messenger may be expected to do cleaning around the office and/or to make tea and coffee.
Personal Requirements
- reliable and dependable
- get along well with others
- honest
How to Enter
Schooling & School Subjects
- must be able to read and write
What to Study
Messengers receive training on the job.
Employment
- banks and financial institutions
- stockbrokers
- government departments
- provincial administrations
- municipalities
- private concerns
- businesses
- industry
Further Information
Any of the above potential employers
Getting Started
- try to obtain a part-time or vacation job as a messenger
- speak to a messenger about this type of work
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