How to Become a Mail Man

Mail men work for the U.S. Postal Service delivering mail.

Mail men, or postal workers, work for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail throughout the nation. Carriers are classified as either city or rural postal workers depending upon their location and route. Work involves constant physical movement with many postal workers still delivering mail by foot. City carriers use company-provided vehicles while rural carriers often receive reimbursement for using personal vehicles for delivery. Shifts start in the early morning and overtime is common in urban areas. Postal workers experience a physically stressful work environment including walking, bending, lifting and carrying items in all types of extreme weather conditions. (See References 1)

Instructions

1. Obtain a minimum of education. No specific educational requirements exist, though a high school diploma would presumably help applicants meet related requirements for employment. Applicants must demonstrate satisfactory command of the English language. Since verbal and written communication plays such a large role in the work of a mail carrier, high school classes in English, language, speech and related classes should be considered.

2. Meet the basic qualifications for all applicants as set forth by the U.S. Postal Service. Carriers must be 18 years of age or older and provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Mail carriers also must register with the Selective Service at the age of 18, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (See References 1)

3. Take and pass the examination. Show exemplary abilities in quickly and accurately checking names and numbers in addition to memorizing procedural guidelines and requirements. Applicants are then graded and listed according to their scores, with the top three scorers being qualified for job offers. (See References 1)

4. Successfully complete the criminal background check, physical and drug test. Applicants must also have a safe driving record and pass a driving test if they will be driving. They sometimes must demonstrate their ability to lift and carry loads up to 70 pounds in weight. (See References 1)

Tips & Warnings

• Honorably discharged veterans receive an additional 5 points on the examination. Disabled or wounded veterans receive 10 points. (See References 1)

• Get preferred routes and supervisory positions as vacancies open and your seniority increases. (See References 1)

• Extreme competition for relatively few new job openings mean a one- to two-year wait for employment, even after successfully passing the examination. (See References 1)

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Postal Service Mail Carriers

Resources

• USPS: Employment with the United States Postal Service