How to Be a Postal Worker

Each day, the United States Postal Service is responsible for delivering billions of mail items to homes and businesses across the country. More than 600,000 people work for the Postal Service to process, sort, deliver and provide customer service. Employees of the U.S. Postal Service earn a competitive salary and benefits package, making it a highly sought-after job. Consider these tips to learn how to be a postal worker and work for the U.S. Postal Service.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Meet employment eligibility requirements. Postal workers must be at least 18 years old or 16 years old with a high school diploma. Postal workers are US citizens or must possess a green card after being granted permanent resident-alien status in the United States. To be eligible to be a postal worker, all males must have registered with the Selective Service at the age of 18.

2. Request a study guide to prepare for the written exam by calling your local post office. The exam measures your speed and accuracy for checking names and numbers and your ability to memorize mail distribution procedures.

3. Contact your local post office or mail processing center to find out about the dates and times available for the written exam. It's only offered in certain locations at specific dates and times.

4. Pass the written exam designed specifically for postal worker applicants. The Postal Service lists applicants according to their exam scores. Men and women who've served in the military receive additional points on their exam. An honorably discharged veteran receives an additional five points and a veteran wounded in combat or a disabled veteran receives an additional 10 points. The appointing officer at the Postal Service picks one of the top three applicants to fill a vacancy when it becomes available.

5. Wait if you're not hired right away. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that applicants typically wait one to two years after passing the exam for the Postal Service to hire them.

Tips & Warnings

• Your examination scores expire two years after the examination date. If you want to be a postal worker and you're not hired within two years, consider re-taking the exam to keep your scores up to date.

References

• USPS
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.