Among the largest employers in the US is the US Postal Service. Shall we say it is the leading among independent government agencies? That already tells us about its viability as a reputable employer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the USPS employs over half a million workers in over 300 job categories every year. With over 35000 post offices and branches spread across the entire country, you cannot miss grabbing that full-time, part-time, or casual job from wherever you are. That is also as long as you meet the requirements. Natural attrition in retirement, deaths, and resignations also means there are gaps almost throughout the season.
What Positions Are Available at USPS; US Postal Service
Apart from those highly professional and technical jobs, such as finance, logistics, administration, and marketing, USPS constantly fills clerical and mail carrier positions. In addition, special employment programs also exist in USPS. So, if you are a recent graduate, current student, or veteran, you can land a position specially tailored for you.
Even military personnel have a chance to work for USPS. It would be best if you were on the alert, though, since the nature of advertisement differs from other corporates. For instance, those mail carrier and clerical job advertisements are mainly an internal affair, and you may have to keep checking the portal now and then to see if there are openings.
A Mini-Guide to Landing a Job At USPS; US Postal Service
Depending on the position you are applying for, you will first meet the basic requirements. After that, you will have to meet specific job requirements based on the qualifications. For instance, if you are applying for a corporate job, which essentially is office-based and handling essential programs, you need to meet the qualification requirements specifically for that job. The same applies to delivery and operations positions which in most cases involve manual labor. Here is how you can get started.
Basic Requirement Verification
The first step to landing your dream job at USPS is to meet basic requirements, which state that;
- You must be 18 years and above. But you can also apply if you are 16 and with a high school diploma.
- You must be a citizen of the United States. You are also eligible if you have permanent residency in the US.
- Physical requirements include a state driver’s license and drug testing for substance abuse. Once you get an offer, you will also undergo a physical examination to ensure you are fit to handle the various tasks that require physical labor. Still, depending on the specific position you are applying for, you could undergo those weight, lifting, hearing, and visual exams.
- It would be best if you also were prepared for a suitability check, and this includes; a review of your work history and a background check into criminal conviction history. Medical assessment only occurs after you qualify and you have a job offer.
How to Choose a Suitable Job at USPS; US Postal Service
The USPS online database features all available jobs in two main categories: corporate jobs and operations jobs. So, while at the portal, you will identify where you belong based on your qualification and skills.
But let us expound a little bit further. Assuming you are looking for an office-based job such as finance, logistic, marketing, or Human resources, it means you are in the corporate category. The delivery and Operations category, on the other hand, has jobs like technicians, mail carriers, custodians, and engineers.
You can use the filter feature to see results based on regions, type of job category, and title. However, the info here is basic because it only factors in the job application format. As such, you might not get a job description for your position. If you need further info, you will have to move to a different site such as American Postal Workers’ Union to find the job description for the job title.
Creating a Job Application Account; US Postal Service
Once you meet all the basic requirements, the next step is to create an account to make your job application. The brand new account has blank spaces, which you must complete with your name, email, username, and password. With that part of the registration complete, you can now update your profile.
Crucial info for this section includes education skills and employment experience. You must be as specific and accurate as possible as all this info will undergo verification. It would help if you also accounted for any gaps within the work experience. So, if you were unemployed at some time, please say so.
Taking the Post office entrance Exam; US Postal Service
Most of the positions at USPS are operational and delivery positions which require that you undertake an exam. The standard exam for applicants such as mail carriers, mail processing clerks, mechanics, machinists, and sales is known as Test 473.
There are several abilities that this exam checks, including if you can competently check addresses and fill forms. The test also assesses if you can use and assign various codes. Finally, the test is also about memory- to remember names and addresses.
You do not have to rush for this exam. Instead, due research using a full range of samples found on the site can help you pass it. Most libraries and bookstores also have study guides to help you in this area. And finally, the exam takes about 2 hours to complete, so if I were you, I would spare ample time specifically for the test.
Applying for A Position At USPS; US Postal Service
Besides completing both your profile and exam, you can now apply for your most suitable job. Remember, every job has specific criteria based on the education, skill, and work history already in the database. So only apply for a position that meets that criteria. With the application part done, you also need to upload your resume and submit it.
What Happens After Applying?
A few processes follow, assuming your application meets all the criteria. First, HR could ask that you attend a group interview. A personal interview could follow soon afterward. If USPS offers you the position for which you had applied, you may now have to undergo both drug tests as well as a background check to rule out a history of criminal convictions.
So, is this the final stage in the hiring process? Not exactly. Depending on the job position at USPS, you could still be requested to attend a final, personal interview to ascertain your suitability for the job.
How Long Does It Take to Complete the Hiring Process?
According to HR experts, the turnover rate at USPS is high. Due to staff shortages, the hiring process is often quick to fill the vacant yet critical positions. So, it could take just 4-5 days to get that notice to begin going through the necessary steps, including interviews and background checks. A typical interview process could take a month or so. So, the longest it may take for you to report for work is finally four months.
General Skills You Need to Land a Job At USPS; US Postal Service
Even though you need to have specific skills for the job you are applying for, a few general abilities run across the board irrespective of the position. Here are some that the recruiters will be keenly scrutinizing in your resume.
Soft skills:
HR assesses if you are a critical thinker who can use logic to make decisions and effectively handle problems. The agency wants someone who carefully weighs situations and makes the most rational decisions in any problematic situations.
Soft skills also encompass your leadership skills. A valuable trait the employer will be assessing is effective leadership. The question here is if you can effectively delegate tasks and work well in a team. The interviews will also evaluate your listening, communication, and overall interpersonal skills. And finally, your positive attitude and personality come in handy.
Flexibility:
The USPS, in essence, is the mailman’s stomping ground. Naturally, therefore, working here also requires working round the clock to meet deadlines. Often, rain, come shine, mail delivery takes priority, and so, HR looks for dedication and commitment to handling tasks without fail.
Collaboration and teamwork:
I have already mentioned the need for teamwork as an essential skill the employer keenly assesses. The recruiter will want to know if you are cooperative enough to work as part of a team.
They also want to assess how supportive of your team you can be under all circumstances. For example, can you perform your tasks well and give a helping hand to your colleagues whenever they need the support.
Tips for Landing That Job At USPS; US Postal Service
USPS is such a large and competitive organization, which means its open positions are up for grabs. Hence it would help if you adequately prepared incredibly when filling in the blanks in its automated system. Otherwise, the system rejects the application with any minor mistakes. So besides carefully and meticulously going through the entire instruction sheet, have every basic requirement ready. Here are additional tips you can use to nail the application and get that position.
Spare Adequate Time for The Application:
Like any other serious job, seeking a position at the post office needs careful planning by dedicating a sufficient amount of time to it. Handling any aspects of this application and hiring process in a rush sets you up for failure. Whether it is filling in the required info or taking the exam, allow enough time in between to breathe, recollect and be in the right frame of mind to do what is at hand.
Prepare Your Tools:
Tools, in this case, are your comp and a fast-loading browser so that you do not experience problems as you fill in the required info. Typical browsers that support the USPS system are Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Firefox. Then, of course, ensure your computer also has an Adobe PDF reader to support some of the system’s programs.
List Only Relevant Work Experience:
The trick is first to peruse through the job description for the advertised position. Then, assuming you have the skills and qualifications, ensure that any work experience matches the job requirements. Also, provide examples of how you handled various tasks and indicate your achievements too.
How to Prepare for USPS 473 Exam; US Postal Service
A larger percentage of the positions at the post office are delivery/ operational. Thus, applicants for any positions in this category must take the Postal 473 exam. Like any other test, you must be psychologically and even physically prepared, and more especially to sit for those 2 hours. So here is what I suggest you do.
Research Extensively:
By this, I mean searching the site and the entire online platform for practice tests to hint at what you might encounter. There are also plenty of study guidelines that could benefit you as you prepare for the test.
Practice with Your Speed:
One of the excellent score tricks is speed. The faster you complete the exam, the extra marks you earn. Therefore, it is prudent to utilize this aspect by practicing your pace. Still, be careful not to compromise your accuracy because you want to complete the test quickly. You would rather provide all the correct answers within the time assigned to you.
Schedule Parts of the Exam Within the Shortest Time Possible:
The exam is in two categories, online and in-person. I would suggest if you take your online exam now, then plan to take the in-person latest, two weeks later. Why? Because further delays might require you to retake the online exam, which can be both exhausting and demotivating.
Relax and Take Good Care of Yourself:
While exam preparation can trigger those anxiety and stress emotions, you shouldn’t let things get the best of you. You must eat well, have a night of sufficient sleep, and stay in excellent health to handle the exam better. Remember, if you are hungry or sleepy, you might have problems with mental concentration and focus. And since alertness and memorizing are essential skills recruiters are looking for, you might just have compromised your aptness and suitability for the job.
Schedule Your Time Well:
How would you settle if you arrive in a huff with just a few minutes to the exam? You would mostly be breathless and confused. Therefore, it is vital to plan and give yourself sufficient time, first arrive at the exam location at least 30 minutes to an hour before.
With adequate time, you can recollect your thoughts and get into the exam mood. However, proper timing means you can also make mistakes along the way, such as taking the wrong turn or haphazardly parking. These could land you in problems with traffic police. So can you pass an exam, however easy, while in a mix of sorts? It could take a miracle.
To conclude;
Applying for a position at the US postal service shouldn’t be a hassle. As long as you meet the basic and specific job requirements, nothing should stop you from landing your best job ever. But like any job application, preparation is key. First, have the right tools and enough time. Besides taking the postal exam, match the job description with the right skills to improve your chances. And lastly, there are numerous positions both in the corporate and operational categories. Depending on your skill, you should already know where you belong. It shouldn’t be too hard to use the filter feature to search for an appropriate position and a suitable location.
