Friday, January 3, 2014

Tips on Gaining Employment at the U.S. Postal Service



It is possible to find employment at the United States Post Office even without training or examination. You can easily become a Temporary Rural Carrier or substitute mail distributor. This job is already a form of training and preparation when a regular job is available. The pay is about $13.05 every hour and another $0.60 for the duration of the mail route. On the contrary, applying for a permanent position right away is a longer and more difficult process. Thus, it is advisable to try out for the provisional position simply to get in the postal service. 

The following are pointers on how to apply as a Temporary Rural Carrier:

        Visit the local post office during normal business hours from Monday to Friday. Inquire from the postmaster if applications are being accepted for this temporary position. As a practice, these opportunities are not advertised in local publications of listed in the postal service website.

        If there is an opening, accomplish the USPS job application form and submit tit immediately. You may be asked to submit additional requirements such as clearance from the local police force.

        Take the mandatory drug testing and get the results for submission to the postmaster.

        You will be schedule for an interview which will be conducted by designated interviewers. This will be followed by a physical exam. It is not a real physical but a written test where you will be asked to answer questions related to your medical condition. 

        Once you have passed the initial screening, attend the postal service job orientation. This is usually scheduled for eight hours daily for four to five days. Individuals attending this briefing are paid the regular rate as well as mileage in case the training center is located far from your residence. You will be trained how to sort out different types of mail such as first class, second class and bulk mail rates. 

        Learn how to drive the postal vehicle and the technique of unloading mail boxes from the car. There will be a so-called job shadow day wherein the regular carrier will guide you along the route. Your work schedule depends on this employee’s vacation and sick leaves as well as days off. 

        Once you become a temporary worker, it is possible to aspire for the regular post which pays a starting salary of $17.98 and additional mileage allowance. 

There are higher positions available depending on your qualifications. Look for these in the web page of the U.S. Postal Service http://about.usps.com/careers/welcome.htm. Click on the word “Careers” located at the bottom of the page. There are steps that you can follow on how to apply for a specific job. You have to send a request for application. Applicants will be scheduled for an examination and given a test booklet. There are no fees for taking this testing. The website has study tests that you can use to review for the actual screening. The standard passing rate is 70 percent. Successful examinees will be asked to attend a group orientation prior to the urinalysis and driving tests. The last phase is the personal interview and finger printing. There will be a three-week paid orientation before starting your work.