There’s been a lot of talk lately about what it would be like to be an employee for a rideshare company, but did you know there are companies already hiring employee drivers? For today’s post, we’ve partnered with Shift, an online vehicle buying and selling platform that is looking to hire concierge drivers to pick up, deliver and help with test drives. Senior RSG contributor Paula Gibbins will introduce us to car concierge service Shift, and how Shift is a great opportunity for rideshare drivers looking to branch out of rideshare and into a new industry.
Today we’re going to take a look at Shift, a leading ecommerce based car company that is looking for car concierge drivers. We’ll cover what it is, where it’s available and why drivers might want to consider it as an opportunity.
Quick links:
- Get started with Shift here
- Check out all of Shift’s opportunities at the Shift job board
- Part- and full-time positions are available
- Shift does not require exclusivity, meaning you can still drive for Uber and Lyft too
What is Shift?
Shift is an ecommerce service that buys and sells cars. On their website, they state, “We combine our software – which provides transparent, fair pricing – with unparalleled customer service with test drives and pick ups delivered to the customer. That’s where you come in.”
Shift needs drivers like you to pick up cars being sold, conduct test drives and deliver cars to Shift’s customers.
As a car concierge with Shift, you’ll be a W-2 employee and have the option of being a part-time or full-time worker. You’ll also be responsible for guiding customers through the car buying and selling process on their app, engaging in customer experiences at their hub locations and delivering great customer service.
You would have a set schedule coupled with an hourly wage to give you some predictability and stability. Customer-facing roles are optional and benefits are available to Shift’s employees.
Shift states, “Our PT employees can make up to $37k annually, while our FT employees can make up to $83k a year.”
If you work for Shift, they do not require exclusivity, meaning you can still Uber and Lyft—or any other gig or rideshare app—in your spare time outside of your Shift schedule if you choose to do so.
Where is Shift Available?
Currently, Shift is available in the following locations:
- San Diego, CA
- Portland, OR
- Sacramento, CA
- Whittier, CA
- Seattle, WA
- South San Francisco, CA
Ready to get started with Shift? Check them out here!
Why Should Drivers Look Into Shift?
If you’re currently a driver for Uber, Lyft or other rideshare/delivery services, Shift is worth looking into, especially if you want the perks of being an employee. The biggest difference, of course, is that you’d be on more of a set schedule.
Here are Shift’s current listings on their job board:
They have both Car Concierge positions and Driver positions that may interest you.
As a Car Concierge with Shift, you’ll be earning $17 an hour while you evaluate customer’s vehicles and provide valuations, provide test drives, and deliver the vehicles to the buyers. For these positions, Shift is looking for people who have an interest in customer service and connecting with people. Uber and Lyft drivers earn on average $15-20 per hour but are responsible for all of their expenses so $17 per hour as an employee seems like a pretty good deal.
This could suit rideshare drivers nicely if you’re one who enjoys the interactions you have with your passengers. You could easily transfer that experience to this position.
Benefits such as medical, vision and dental are available if you become a full-time employee with Shift. But, there are flexible part-time shifts available if that suits your style better.
Drivers for Shift, on the other hand, are there to help support the Car Concierge by picking them up after they drop off a vehicle and are there to deliver vehicles to car dealerships, detailers, car washes, etc.
As a driver, you must be willing to work weekends, but you will have a flexible work schedule. Shift is also looking for someone who can be reliable and timely as well as a good communicator. If the driving part of rideshare driving is what excites you the most, this might be a good fit for you.
What Makes Shift Different from Uber and Lyft?
With Shift, you’ll be a W-2 employee and you’d be scheduled for a shift on a regular basis. You’d be working hourly and you have benefits available to you if you are hired as a full-time employee.
For part-time drivers, Shift aims to provide 20 hours of work. Full-time employees typically work 40 hours a week, but Shift says schedules vary based on what a particular person needs. Shift will customize your schedule based on your work and needs.
With Shift, there are even opportunities for advancement within the company. If you’re interested, you could move into a salaried position working on their corporate team. One of my biggest complaints with gig companies is that top drivers are not rewarded for their tenure, loyalty and high ratings. You could give 10,000 perfect 5 star trips for Uber and they will literally do nothing extra for you. A lot of companies tout advancement for employees but I think this is a real benefit if you’re looking for more of a career.
As an example, one of Shift’s team members, Dale, started out as a concierge a little over a year ago. Since then, Dale has been promoted twice and now is an Assistant Team Lead (manager) in LA. According to Shift, 1 in 5 car concierges get promoted and have been promoted since January.
While the medical and dental benefits are only geared toward full-time employees, they also have perks for their part-time employees, which includes provided snacks and drinks at the Shift hubs and lunch on a weekly basis.
One big difference is also that you wouldn’t be using your own personal vehicle to do the work at Shift. You do need reliable transportation to get to your job, but they provide the rest from there, including insurance to cover you while you’re driving/working. So this could be a nice option for those who don’t want to put a lot of miles on their car.
What Are People Saying About Shift? Shift Reviews
On Glassdoor, the company has an overall rating of 3.4 stars. 65% would recommend working there to a friend and 69% approve of the CEO George Arison.
Some of the “pros” listed were that they enjoyed the experience of meeting people and driving cars. It was also stated that the management really cares about the company culture and strives to make a better working environment.
Some “cons” included difficulty finding that work-life balance. It was also said that once you take the long hours into consideration, they feel the pay could be better.
Here are some recent reviews:
The five-star reviewer stated when asked the pros of the job, “Environment, pay, the job itself, great resources on the job, great team members.” This individual has been working at Shift as a Car Concierge in San Francisco, CA for less than a year.
The four-star reviewer stated when asked the pros of the job, “The people you work with are top-notch.”
When asked what the cons were, they said, “It’s a tough space, and sometimes there would be a lack of unity as to what we were building and where we fit in the market.” This individual was a former employee and worked at Shift for more than 3 years.
On Indeed, Shift has 3.7 stars out of 5 overall with 68 reviews. A 3-star review from a Car Concierge had the header “If you like to drive all day…then sure…” Which, as rideshare drivers are sure to say, “That’s what we do!”
A 5-star Car Concierge reviewer said, “I’ve always wanted to work at a place where the people are smart AND nice. Shift meets this criteria! Great people, helpful, fun, challenging. There is never a dull moment and we are always learning.”
Shift FAQ
How much can Shift drivers and concierges make?
PT employees can make up to $37k annually, while FT employees can make up to $83k a year.
Is Shift flexible with my schedule?
They do offer flexible part-time schedules. In addition, Shift is non-exclusive, meaning you can drive for Uber and Lyft when you’re not working for Shift.
What are the requirements to work for Shift?
- Must be over 18 years of age with at least 2 years of driving history in the U.S. and have a valid driver’s license
- Need to pass a DMV background check with an acceptable driving record
- Personal car is not required, but reliable transportation to and from work sites is necessary
- Automotive background is not required
- Driving manual transmission/stick shift is great, but not required
What kind of benefits are available?
For full-time Concierges, Shift provides:
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental benefits
- Snacks and drinks at our hubs
- Lunch on a weekly basis
For part-time Concierges, Shift provides:
- Snacks and drinks at our hubs
- Lunch on a weekly basis
Do I need insurance to work for Shift?
As a registered dealership, Shift’s insurance policy covers their Concierge team so you’re protected while driving on the job.
What is the Shift application process like?
- Apply online here. All you need is to submit your resume.
- A member of their recruiting team will review your application and reach out to you via email to begin the interview process.
- You can expect a phone or video interview with a Recruiter, and a final in-person interview with the Concierge Leads.
- If they decide that you’re a good fit for the role, they run a background check that checks driving record and criminal history.
How do I get paid by Shift?
You receive a guaranteed hourly rate with the ability to earn bonus incentives on top. The bonus performance pay is based on going above and beyond and landing top spots in their monthly Concierge contests.
Drivers, if Shift is in your city, is this something you would look into?
-Paula @ RSG
