Is USPS a Good Career?

If you’re looking for a new job, the United States Postal Service offers a wide range of options (USPS). It’s not just about becoming a postal worker; the USPS offers a wide range of job options for people of various backgrounds.

The USPS is the country’s second-largest employer, and jobs are in high demand. This is most likely due to the post office’s successful professional development program, which is meant to assist all employees in achieving their desired career goals. Many people are attracted to the job stability of working for a huge national corporation.

What Is USPS?

The United States Mail Service (USPS; often known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or Postal Service) is an autonomous agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for providing postal service across the United States, including its insular territories and affiliated states. It’s one of the few federal agencies that the U.S. Constitution authorizes explicitly. The USPS employs 516,636 career workers and 136,531 non-career employees as of 2021.

During the Second Continental Congress in 1775, Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first postmaster general; he also served in a similar role for the colonies of Great Britain. The Post Office Department was created in 1792 with the passage of the Postal Service Act.

Employment Requirements

Be a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident of the United States. One of the reasons the USPS is so well-liked as an employer is because it employs people of diverse backgrounds, including veterans and those with disabilities.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required to apply for a USPS position. Candidates must pass a criminal background check and a medical exam to be considered.

If you’re looking for a post office job that needs a driver’s license, you’ll need to have a clean driving record.

Why Do People Want to Work for the USPS?

The United States Postal Service is well-known for being a terrific workplace. Workers benefit from a diverse range of employment options, a clear route for advancement, and an open and honest work environment.

2020 demonstrated that working for the United States Postal Service is always a secure job — employees were deemed necessary during the COVID-19 epidemic and were not furloughed or dismissed.

Because the USPS requires a high school certificate, folks who have not had the same educational chances as others are just as qualified to work in the post office.

This signifies that the USPS is actively working to increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace. They also promise to provide professional advancement to all career employees, regardless of seniority.

Employees of the USPS Can Also Take Advantage of a Variety of Benefits, Including

Days off for annual and sick leave
Assistance to Employees Program
Wellness program for employees
Insurance for health and life
Benefits of Relocation (if required)
Plans for retirement savings
Assistance with tuition (if required)

Some USPS sites may also include access to fitness centers and parking.

What Qualifications and Skills will you need to Work for the USPS?

While a high school diploma is a sole prerequisite for certain occupations within the USPS, the credentials necessary will vary depending on the exact post office job you are looking for.

After all, a human resources manager’s qualifications are likely to differ from a postal worker’s.

On the other hand, the USPS is dedicated to being accessible to all.

The United States Postal Service provides a comprehensive employee training program that will allow you to earn new skills and credentials through on-the-job training.

Use your cover letter or CV to emphasize any specific transferrable talents related to the job role to assist your application for USPS employment standing out.

If you’re searching for a corporate job, for example, you may highlight your Microsoft Office knowledge in the skills section of your resume (particularly if you are asked to pass an M.S. Word or Excel test).

You may also utilize your cover letter to restate specific essential abilities pertinent to the position briefly. Consider the following scenario:

You function well in a group setting.
You have a good sense of organization.
You can efficiently interact with coworkers.

When you begin the application process for post office employment, make sure to read the job description as well as the job description itself.

You may adapt your application to showcase the most relevant talents once you know the post entails.

How Much Do You Make for USPS?

Employees of the United States Postal Service (USPS) earn an average of $62,494 a year. Salaries in the United States Postal Service (USPS) range from $42,507 to $92,323 per year on average. Labor Relations Specialists at the United States Postal Service (USPS) earn the most, with an average annual pay of $83,698, while Custodians earn the least, with an average annual compensation of $36,785.

Is Getting a Job at USPS is Hard?

It’s not difficult to get a job at the USPS. On the other hand, keeping the job is a different story, and it will rely on your performance at the USPS. As long as you don’t make any significant errors as a postal carrier, you might have a terrific career with many rewards.

How to Find A Job with the USPS?

The bulk of USPS job openings may be found on the USPS website.

This is the ideal spot to look for employment openings with the USPS and submit your application.

When looking for post office jobs, keep in mind that the USPS employs people throughout the country. As a result, you might want to narrow your search to your exact area. You may look for employment with the USPS by state or by city.

You might want to create an account to submit your application and store information about specific post office jobs that interest you.

You can also store specific search parameters to make it faster and easier to return to any posted post office jobs.

What are Graduates and Internship Opportunities Available Within the USPS?

The United States Postal Service has gained praise for its graduate and internship programs.

Young people are driven to post office careers because they trust the USPS brand, knowing that they will be given a chance to fulfill their goals no matter what post office profession they work in.

Why Do People Want to Work With USPS?

2020 demonstrated that working for the United States Postal Service is always a secure job — employees were deemed necessary during the COVID-19 epidemic and were not furloughed or dismissed.

Because the USPS requires a high school certificate, folks who have not had the same educational chances as others are just as qualified to work in the post office.

Employees of the USPS can also take advantage of a variety of benefits, including

Days off for annual and sick leave
Assistance to Employees Program
Wellness program for employees
Insurance for health and life
Benefits of Relocation (if required)
Plans for retirement savings
Assistance with tuition (if required)

Some USPS sites may also include access to fitness centers and parking.

Pros and Cons of Being a USPS Service

One of the most delicate jobs in the world is working for the United States Postal Service. Several advantages considerably outweigh those of private-sector employment. Like any other type of career, working in the United States Postal Service comes with its own set of problems. Let’s look at the benefits and drawbacks of working for the US Postal Service

Pros

Stability

One of the most significant advantages of working for the United States Postal Service is the stability and security that these employees experience. This is also one of the reasons why many stay at this work till they retire.

Job Requirements

Applying for a job with the United States Postal Service is far less scary than applying for a job in the private sector. Even if you only have a high school education, you may acquire an entry-level job and work your way up if you pass the postal exam 473 and the interview.

Good Pay and Benefits

A position with the United States Postal Service comes with many perks. Health, dental, and life insurance are all available to you. Working overtime and on vacations is also compensated. Even as an entry-level postal carrier, you may earn a handsome $56,790 per year.

Cons

You Can’t Fear Pets

You’re likely to come across many pets as a mail courier regularly. So, if you aren’t a big fan of animals, your day is going to be unpleasant. Dogs, in particular, may be aggressive toward you, and their protective instincts are powerful. Thus, your presence in or near their house may not be welcomed.

Bad Weather

Another significant problem for postal workers in the United States is the weather. Working in the sweltering heat may be as strenuous as working in the rain or snow. Due to the harsh weather conditions that U.S. postal worker works in, they are more prone to become ill when the temperature rises or falls.

Disgruntled Customers

Failure to satisfy a customer’s expectations might be a nightmare for a letter carrier. Even if you’re merely delivering the product, you’re frequently the unknowing target of their fury. The phrase “don’t kill the messenger” is commonly repeated but rarely followed, especially when dealing with a helpless postal worker.

The Threat of Technology

As much as we appreciate how technology makes our lives easier and more comfortable, we must equally consider how many jobs it may eventually displace. The newspaper industry is already in trouble, and the postal service may be next. Of course, specific components of the job will take a long time to automate, but for a postal worker, the worry of losing their job to a computer is quite natural.

What Is The USPS Hiring Process?

The bulk of USPS employment applications is also submitted through the website.

Pay care: When looking for a job at a U.S. post office, you may come across many listings with the exact location, pay, and criteria. This may be because it’s a position like postal clerk where there are several openings. You should pick the exact occupations you want to apply for in these situations.

The USPS has an exact hiring procedure. You will be required to give at least seven years of past job history or back to sixteen if you are under the age of 23. You will be required to submit complete employment records (dates and employer names) or explain any gaps in your work history.

You may be requested to complete a summary of accomplishments; if so, make sure your responses are relevant to the job description’s requirements. Your abilities must be relevant to the posted position for the hiring manager to consider you. You are restricted to 6,000 characters at this point in your application form.

Use all of the available places on the application form, such as the job experience and skills/association text boxes, to fill in any gaps in your application. It’s vital to know that USPS professions are incredibly competitive, and as a result, recruiting managers may be selective in who they choose for the next level.

You must ensure that your talents are as relevant to the application as possible and that you satisfy all of the job advertisement’s requirements.

Who Owns the Postal Services?

The USPS operates as a private company, even though the U.S. government wholly owns it. It is governed by an 11-person Board of Governors chosen by the President and ratified by the United States Senate, with one member serving as Chief Executive Officer: the Postmaster General.

Conclusion

The United States Postal Service is an excellent employer that provides successful career advancement for all employees, regardless of seniority or job.

It’s simple to see why so many people are interested in working with the United States Postal Service. Despite the increased use of emails and other communication, you should expect secure work.

As an employer, USPS prioritizes its employees, and it seeks to create a pleasant, inclusive environment where employees feel cared for. For many graduates, a job in the postal service is a top priority because of the numerous prospects for advancement.

If a job in the postal service appeals to you, you should carefully evaluate the admission criteria. Due to the high level of competition, the USPS can afford to focus exclusively on candidates who satisfy all of the requirements.