If you are inclined to apply for a job in the US postal services, you should know and understand the eligibility criteria thoroughly. This will save you from any potential disappointments in the future.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is now the second largest employer in the US. It also provides a variety of different career paths and choices for its employees. These include several office-based jobs that include marketing, finance, and administration functions. Apart from that, there are many field job openings that include delivery and operations staff, i.e., people who actually handle and deliver the mail. The USPS has now also started offering special employment programs for fresh graduates, current students as well as veterans of the US armed forces.

You Have to Verify That You Meet the Basic Requirements of the Job

While the USPS has literally tens of thousands of different kinds of positions available, all of its employees must meet certain requirements that are as follows:

• The candidate has to be at least 18 years of age. 16-year old individuals can also apply if they have a high school diploma.
• The applicant must be either a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States of America
• He/she should be able to pass a drug screening test, criminal background check, and his/her medical assessment
• All candidates should have a safe driving record if they are applying for a field deployment
• They should be registered with the relevant ‘Selective Service’ (if applicable)
• While postal carrier positions do not have specific educational requirements, corporate level jobs require a 4-year degree program.
• The USPS is interested in candidates who can show stable, continuous employment history. People who have been fired or who have a history of tardiness and disciplinary actions will not be shortlisted for postal service jobs.

You Will Have to Choose Between Either a Desk Job or a Delivery Position

 Apart from the core requirements that evenly apply to all the candidates, different positions do have their own specific requirements.  For example, a corporate position will generally be an office-based job. On the other hand, delivery and operations positions typically involve a certain amount of physical labor. This is because the postman has to be physically fit if he is going to deliver letters all day long.

An office-based corporate career at the USPS will include marketing, business, finance, sales, human resources, and logistics.

Delivery and operations positions might include a postal carrier, custodian, automotive mechanic and technician, mail handler assistant, engineer, and tractor-trailer operator.

Conclusion

When you are applying for postal service jobs, it is imperative that you take into consideration your own aptitude as well as skill-set so that you can apply for a position that best suits your needs.