Getting hired by any organization is not an easy task by any means, especially if you are to be hired by a government entity. The United States Postal Service in the past 3 years has emerged as a savior for those who have been seeking a responsible job after a devastating pandemic hit where companies were mass firing employees leaving many with bleak hopes for a kick start to their career. USPS is a nice place to work, but the ease of getting a hired at USPS may vary depending on your qualifications and experience.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but getting hired by USPS depends completely on your overall performance; from school to college, along with your past job performance (if you’ve had one previously). Some tips on how to improve your chances of being hired by USPS include submitting a well-written resume and cover letter, attending job interviews with poise and confidence, and demonstrating that you are knowledgeable about the company’s mission and values.
Is it easy to get a job at USPS?
- Not Exactly. The hiring process is very competitive, and every time there are many more applicants than there are open positions.
- Getting hired by the United States Postal Service is easier when compared to jobs that require high-level skills such as coding, Data Science, etc. Postal jobs are the kind of jobs that any healthy, educated individual can do. Once you advance from a mail carrier, CCA (city carrier Assistant), RCA (rural carrier associate) or PSE (postal support employees), to Custodian or Maintenance. In-job promotions are solely based on seniority, similar to working at FedEx, UPS.
- Once you secure a position at USPS, the next and perhaps the most important thing to always keep in consideration is performing to the optimum best of your potential because it’s tougher to retain your job than getting hired.
- A single irreversible mistake or a series of them can spell doom for not only this job but perhaps your career too regardless of what the job or position you get. Working at USPS as a mail carrier, you get the opportunity to have a prosperous career with ample amount of benefits, as long as you don’t make mistakes one after the other.
- A mail carrier can turn out to be a well-paying job with benefits once you gain enough seniority because your pay is determined on basis of your seniority. It is preferable to start working in your late 20s and early 30s if you are seeking longevity in this field.
Requirements for getting a job at USPS
To be eligible for a job at the United States Postal Service, applicants must be in a position where they fall under these requirements:
- The applicant must be a minimum of 18 years of age
- Should be a permanently residing US citizen
- Have a recent employment history (optional)
- Should pass a medical assessment, drug screening, and a criminal background check
- Should have a clean driving record if applicable to the position
- Must be registered with Selective Service (only if applicable).
The process of getting hired at USPS
The ease of getting a job at USPS may vary depending on your qualifications and experience. The following is the detailed process for successfully getting hired:
- Go to the USPS official Website and finish setting up your account
- Read the requirements outlined in the USPS job posting in detail. The job postings will inform you how your education, experience/skill sets, and training match the requirements.
- Before you start with the process, research well the posts that are of our interest. Then, click the apply button once you find a position of your liking. You will then be redirected to your USPS profile to further continue applying for your position.
- Be careful when filling up the application online as it is a thorough process and might take a couple of hours. Don’t forget to mention the key details such as your education, previous accomplishments (if any), work experience, etc.
- Successfully take and pass the examination.
- Once you pass the exam, you will be contacted to take part in a pre-employment interview. The interview in question can be a group or a solo interview. The interviewer at USPS will be evaluating you on the following personal characteristics and skills:
- Communication skills
- Ability to adapt to changing work environments
- Your level of cooperation and dependency on the organization
If you follow the instructions vigilantly right from the beginning then it is sure that your name will be among those short-listed for the final hiring process.
The benefits of working at USPS
Some positions that are usually in demand by all those who are applying include mail carriers, clerks, and sorters. The pay structure and benefits particularly depend on the location and the type of job you choose.
Although the starting salary for a postal carrier is only $17.29 per hour, the pay and benefits package at USPS can be very good. Postal carriers receive full benefits, including retirement benefits, health insurance, and paid time off.
In addition, they are eligible for cost-of-living increases and promotions based on their length of service and performance. The downsides to working for USPS are its long, irregular working hours and the fact that your job can be physically demanding.
Conclusion
To sum things up, getting hired by USPS isn’t tough but it definitely can be a long-drawn process. A job with USPS is guaranteed to keep you busy all day. The job can be physically and mentally exhausting, it gets even tougher if you join as a post-delivery driver. To balance out its rigorous work requirements, USPS provides quality health and retirement benefits and even paid leaves to keep its hard-working employees appeased and committed. Working at USPS can be challenging but a promising opportunity where you prosper and gain the necessary skills for a long, prosperous career.
