How to Be a Mailman

Letter carriers are just one type of post office worker.

The competitive compensation and benefits, the opportunity for a flexible work schedule and the chance to become more involved in the community make working as a mailman attractive for many. Because of these perks, U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier positions are competitive and difficult to obtain. However, all U.S. citizens who are 18 years of age or older and who can show a passport or driver's license to prove identification are eligible to apply for the job opportunity.

Instructions

1. Develop a basic competency of the English language. The United States Postal Service highlights the requirement because you must be able to read and understand the English language in order to do the job effectively. You are eligible for the position even if English is your second language, so consider taking language courses at a local community college or hiring a private tutor if you struggle with the language requirement.

2. Highlight your previous work experience, educational background and relevant skills when applying for a position as a mailman. Include all pertinent information on your application. If you are asked to come in for an interview, discuss the skills that will make you valuable to the post office. For example, if you previously worked in a library as a shelver, discuss how the organization and sorting skills you learned could be applied to your job as a mailman. Talk about how your educational experiences have prepared you for the work as well.

3. Complete a drug screen, medical assessment and safe driving record examination during the time of your application to the position. Because a mailman's job includes tasks such as driving a mail truck and walking through communities to deliver sometimes heavy packages, the Postal Service will need to determine whether you are in fit medical condition and have a safe driving record before approving you for the position.

4. Complete Test 473 for Major Entry-Level Jobs. This exam has five sections, including Address Checking, Forms Completion, Coding, Memory and Inventory of Personal Experience and Characteristics. The allowed time for the test is just over two hours. Study for this exam by purchasing book with preparation materials. A few of them are "Post Office Jobs" by Dennis V. Damp, "The Book of U.S. Postal Exams and U.S. Post Office Jobs," by Veltisezar B. Bautista, and "McGraw-Hill's Postal Exams 473/473C" by Mark A. Stewart.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics; Postal Service Mail Carriers; December 2009
• United State Postal Service: Employment Requirements
• Federal Jobs Network: 473 Postal Exam and Application Process

Resources

• United States Postal Service: Compensation and Benefits
• "Post Office Jobs"; Dennis V. Damp; 2009
• "The Book of U.S. Postal Exams and U.S. Post Office Jobs"; Veltisezar B. Bautista; 2008
• "McGraw-Hill's Postal Exams 473/473C"; Mark A. Stewart; 2006