Yes, you absolutely should consider putting DoorDash experience on your resume, especially if you’re a student, recent graduate, or changing careers. It showcases valuable transferable skills like time management, customer service, problem-solving, and independent work ethic, making you a more attractive candidate for many jobs.
Navigating your first few resumes can feel a bit daunting, right? You might be wondering if your gig work, like delivering for DoorDash, really belongs alongside more traditional job titles. It’s a common question, especially when you’re building your professional profile from scratch. Many students and recent grads have this exact concern. Don’t worry! We’re here to break it down. This guide will help you confidently decide if and how to include your DoorDash experience to boost your resume. Let’s make sure your resume truly reflects all your hard work and skills.
Why Your DoorDash Experience Matters for Your Resume
Think of your time as a DoorDash driver. What did you actually do? Beyond just picking up and dropping off food, you were managing a small business on wheels! This experience is packed with skills that employers actively seek, even if it doesn’t look like a typical office job. Let’s explore why it’s so valuable:
Transferable Skills You Gained
The beauty of gig work like DoorDash is that it hones a diverse set of skills that are highly sought after in almost any industry. These aren’t just “nice-to-have” abilities; they are foundational for success in many roles.
- Customer Service Excellence: Every delivery is a customer interaction. You learned to be polite, efficient, and handle customer inquiries or issues promptly. This direct experience in making customers happy is gold.
- Time Management & Efficiency: Juggling multiple orders, navigating traffic, and meeting delivery windows requires serious organizational skills. You learned to prioritize tasks and optimize your routes for maximum efficiency.
- Problem-Solving: What happens when an address is wrong, an item is missing, or there’s unexpected traffic? You had to think on your feet and find solutions quickly. This demonstrates resourcefulness.
- Independent Work Ethic: As a DoorDash driver, you were largely unsupervised. This shows you can be motivated, responsible, and productive without constant oversight. Employers love self-starters!
- Adaptability & Flexibility: You worked in various conditions, dealt with different customer personalities, and adapted to changing schedules. This flexibility is crucial in today’s dynamic work environment.
- Financial Management (Basic): Tracking earnings, managing expenses (like gas and vehicle maintenance), and understanding your income stream demonstrates a basic level of financial literacy.
- Logistics & Navigation: You mastered using GPS and understanding routes, which is a practical skill in any field that involves coordination or travel.
When DoorDash Experience is Particularly Beneficial
While DoorDash skills are broadly applicable, they shine particularly bright in certain scenarios:
- No Prior Work Experience: If this is your first paid job, DoorDash is a fantastic way to demonstrate that you can hold down a job, be reliable, and possess fundamental work skills.
- Career Changers: If you’re moving into a role that requires strong customer interaction, independent work, or logistical coordination, highlight your DoorDash experience to bridge the gap.
- Entry-Level Positions: Many entry-level roles value demonstrated responsibility and a willingness to work, which DoorDash experience proves you have.
- Sales or Customer-Facing Roles: Your experience interacting with diverse customers directly translates to success in sales, retail, hospitality, and client support positions.
- Entrepreneurial or Startup Roles: The self-starter attitude and problem-solving skills honed during gig work are highly valued in fast-paced startup environments.
How to Effectively Include DoorDash on Your Resume
Simply listing “DoorDash Driver” might not fully capture the value you bring. The key is to present it strategically, emphasizing the skills and accomplishments relevant to the jobs you’re applying for. Here’s how:
1. Choose the Right Resume Section
Where you place your DoorDash experience depends on your overall resume structure and your other work history.
- Work Experience Section: This is the most common and often the best place. Treat it like any other job.
- Relevant Experience Section: If you have many different types of experiences (like volunteer work, projects, or other gig work), you might create a “Relevant Experience” section and include DoorDash there if it aligns with the target job.
- Projects or Freelance Section: If you frame your DoorDash work as a form of independent contracting or freelance work, this section could also be suitable, especially if you want to emphasize the entrepreneurial aspect.
2. Craft a Compelling Job Title
While your official title was likely “Delivery Driver,” you can use a slightly more professional or descriptive title on your resume. Consider these options:
- Delivery Driver
- Independent Delivery Professional
- Logistics & Customer Service Associate
- Field Operations Specialist
- Personal Delivery Coordinator
Choose a title that best reflects the skills you want to highlight for the specific job you’re applying for.
3. Write Powerful Bullet Points Using the STAR Method
Don’t just list duties; showcase achievements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to craft impactful bullet points. Focus on quantifiable results whenever possible.
Example Bullet Points:
- Original (Weak): Delivered food to customers.
- Improved (Using STAR):
- Delivered an average of 25+ orders daily across diverse urban and suburban environments, consistently meeting delivery time targets. (Situation/Task, Action)
- Managed multiple delivery routes simultaneously, optimizing navigation to reduce travel time by 15% and increase earning potential. (Task, Action, Result)
- Ensured customer satisfaction by maintaining a 98% positive feedback rating through polite communication and accurate order handling. (Task, Action, Result)
- Resolved delivery discrepancies and customer inquiries efficiently, maintaining strong relationships and repeat business opportunities. (Task, Action)
- Maintained vehicle upkeep and adherence to safety regulations, ensuring reliable service delivery. (Task, Action)
4. Quantify Your Achievements
Numbers grab attention and demonstrate impact. Think about:
- Number of deliveries per day/week/month.
- Percentage of on-time deliveries.
- Customer satisfaction ratings.
- Miles driven.
- Average delivery time.
- Number of different neighborhoods/areas covered.
5. Tailor Your Resume
Always customize your resume for each job application. Read the job description carefully and highlight the DoorDash skills and achievements that best match the employer’s needs.
For example, if applying for a customer service role, emphasize your customer interaction and problem-solving skills. If applying for a logistics position, focus on your route optimization and time management.
When NOT to Put DoorDash on Your Resume
While generally beneficial, there are a few situations where including DoorDash might not be the best strategy:
- When You Have Extensive, More Relevant Experience: If you have years of experience in a highly specialized field, and DoorDash is unrelated, it might clutter your resume and distract from your core qualifications.
- When Applying for Very Senior or Specialized Roles: For high-level positions where specific industry experience is paramount, your gig work might be seen as less relevant compared to your direct professional achievements.
- If Your DoorDash Record Was Poor: If you had consistent issues with performance, customer complaints, or reliability during your time with DoorDash, it might be better to omit it to avoid raising red flags.
- When You Have Other “First Job” Experiences: If you have other early work or volunteer experiences that are more directly related to the field you’re pursuing, prioritize those.
Example Resume Snippets Featuring DoorDash
Here are a couple of ways you could integrate DoorDash experience into different resume formats:
Example 1: For a Recent Graduate Targeting a Customer Service Role
Work Experience
Independent Delivery Professional | DoorDash | City, State | May 2022 – Present
- Provided exceptional customer service during over 500 deliveries, ensuring prompt and accurate order fulfillment.
- Successfully navigated complex urban environments, maintaining a 97% on-time delivery rate.
- Proactively resolved customer issues, such as incorrect addresses or missing items, leading to positive feedback and repeat order potential.
- Managed personal schedule and delivery logistics efficiently to maximize earnings and service coverage.
Example 2: For a Career Changer Targeting a Logistics Coordinator Role
Relevant Experience
Logistics & Delivery Specialist | DoorDash | City, State | August 2021 – Present
- Optimized multi-stop delivery routes daily, reducing travel time and fuel consumption by an average of 10%.
- Coordinated with restaurant partners and customers to ensure smooth pickup and delivery processes.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills by adapting to traffic delays and order changes to meet customer expectations.
- Maintained meticulous records of deliveries and earnings, exhibiting strong organizational and basic financial tracking abilities.
Table: DoorDash Skills vs. Job Requirements
Understanding how your DoorDash skills map to common job requirements can help you tailor your resume effectively. Here’s a quick comparison:
| DoorDash Skill | Transferable Value | Example Job Application |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Interaction & Problem Solving | Directly applicable to roles requiring client support, conflict resolution, and relationship building. | Customer Service Representative, Retail Associate, Hospitality Staff |
| Time Management & Route Optimization | Essential for roles involving scheduling, coordination, project management, and operational efficiency. | Administrative Assistant, Project Coordinator, Operations Assistant |
| Independent Work Ethic & Reliability | Valued in any position where self-motivation, accountability, and consistent performance are needed. | Sales Associate, Data Entry Clerk, Warehouse Worker |
| Adaptability & Flexibility | Crucial for dynamic work environments, roles with changing priorities, or those requiring work in varied conditions. | Event Staff, Field Technician, Temp Roles |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is DoorDash considered “real” work experience?
A1: Yes, absolutely! While it’s often classified as gig work or independent contracting, it provides genuine work experience and develops valuable transferable skills that employers recognize and appreciate.
Q2: Should I list DoorDash if I only did it for a short period?
A2: If you gained significant skills and can demonstrate achievements during that time, even a short period can be valuable, especially if it’s your only experience or fills a gap. Focus on the skills learned.
Q3: How do I explain DoorDash to a recruiter if they ask about it?
A3: Be confident! Explain it as a role where you managed your own schedule, provided customer service, and ensured timely delivery. Highlight the skills you developed, such as time management, problem-solving, and independent work ethic.
Q4: Should I include my DoorDash earnings on my resume?
A4: No, you should not include specific earnings figures on your resume. Focus on achievements and skills, not salary. Your earnings are typically discussed during salary negotiations, not on the resume itself.
Q5: Can I use DoorDash as a reference?
A5: As an independent contractor, you typically won’t have a direct supervisor at DoorDash to provide a reference. You can list former customers (if they agree) or focus on references from previous traditional jobs, academic settings, or volunteer work.
Q6: What if I worked for multiple delivery platforms? Should I list them all?
A6: If you have experience with multiple platforms, you can group them under one entry, perhaps titled “Independent Delivery Professional” or “Gig Economy Driver,” and then list the platforms and dates. This shows a consistent ability to work in the gig economy.
Conclusion
Your experience as a DoorDash driver is more than just a way to earn money; it’s a valuable stepping stone in your career journey. By understanding the transferable skills you’ve acquired and presenting them effectively on your resume, you can significantly enhance your job prospects. Remember to focus on achievements, quantify your successes, and tailor your application to each specific role. Don’t underestimate the power of your independent work ethic, customer service skills, and logistical abilities. By strategically showcasing your DoorDash experience, you’re not just filling space on your resume – you’re demonstrating your readiness and capability to excel in your next professional endeavor. You’ve got this!