First,
You have to take a 473-E test and understand how the scoring works. My recommendation is STUDY and take online tests that are accurate meaning just like the test. The only section you will have problems with is ADDRESS Comparison & MEMORY[you're given 10 minutes to remember ~8 address in A/B/C/D section].
[CTRL+MOUSEWHEEL/CTRL & +/- will zoom in/out...useful for the test if the lettering is too small for you to read]
Second,
Urine test & initial background check. relatively simple, find the medical facility closest to you and take a urine test[they usually make you wait an hour or two unfortunately, so hold IT IN]
Third,
Interview process - there's two ways they do this...either you have a choice of date, or there's only one day of interviewing READ THE EMAIL.
Fourth,
The offer which you'll probably accept and go back to a facility to do paperwork and another background check will be performed in which you need to provide information for the postal inspection force[someone once told me, "above F.B.I. or cops and below C.I.A."]. You will need approximately $20 for fingerprinting services to which you will CONGRATULATIONS be in the system, so no more crimes, or past crimes will come back on you.
Fifth,
You will have a shadow day, orientation, & start working training date set.
Shadow day is basically a supervisor, or worker show you around the facility and a simple overview of what you'll be doing in 4 hours though I left early, but this is free money. THIS IS CONSIDERED YOUR 360 day contract JOIN DATE & your first day of the 90-day PROBATION.
Orientation is the most boring & relaxing 2 free working days you will ever have working for the USPS. On your 2nd day you will meet your workforce union president & V.P., but they will do anything to make you sign there and then. My advice is this ask them, "Will you be taking money out of pay during, or after my 90 day probation?"
If they say during then DO NOT SIGN. The UNION CANNOT PROTECT YOU DURING YOUR 90 DAYS UNLESS IT REALLY IS A SUPERVISOR SCREW UP[in doing your exit paperwork] WHICH IS EXTREMELY RARE.
Finally after all of THAT - you will finally be doing your job that you prepared for. Your training period is usually 3-5 days and extra if you needed more training on certain area. Supervisors STRESS this POINT...DO NOT SIGN/INITIAL IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH A CERTAIN AREA. YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO PERFORM THAT DUTY LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING ONCE YOU SIGN THAT LINE.
after your first week of training you'll be given your own belt/section to look after w/ your O.J.I.[Trainer] watching over you[w/ their own section to take care of] making sure you do your job and recommend techniques to make your work more efficient.
After your training you will then be moved to the busiest time period of all[6PM-6AM] for 6days/week and 12 hours constantly until your contract runs out, or you get converted to regular.[MHA to MH conversion they tell me takes 6 months up to 3 years]
TIPS:
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS GETTING GOOD SHOES & GEL/INSOLES TO ABSORB THE SHOCK OF WALKING ON SOLID CONCRETE ALL DAY FOR 12HRs/DAY
Learn & Practice the techniques your O.J.I. teaches you
Go to sleep when you get home immediately
PROTEIN BEFORE, DURING, AFTER WORK EVERYDAY.[your daily intake of protein should be 1/2 your body weight into grams i.e. you weigh 180 then take 90 grams of protein everyDAY]
HYDATE CONSTANTLY if you stop sweating THEN DRINK MORE WATER.
MOVE CLOSER TO YOUR STATION, so you can MAXIMIZE YOUR SLEEP PERIOD/REST
Massage your feet when they hurt during your break periods & AT HOME.[Warm bath w/ Epsom Salt for feet]
NEVER USE YOUR BACK TO LIFT this is a MARATHON JOB[30 years to retirement] not a one-time thing.
6PM-6AM is Night differential & after 40hrs/week you will be making over-time bonus,
so if you like working at night + give 100% throughout the night + making alot of money[for uneducated work] + working 12hrs/day[this is a given and constant], 14 hrs/day[this is rare and only for special days like holidays, or the facility is REALLY far behind on it's 24 hour mailing period] this IS THE JOB FOR YOU.
Just FYI once you become a regular all of this changes. you're only obligated to work 10 hrs/day and can volunteer for 12/14hrs/days;though, I wouldn't recommend it unless you really don't have an outside life because the USPS EASILY BECOMES YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. As regulars put it, "you spend 90% of your total life at a postal facility."
The question now...is this really what you want for yourself? I won't lie though it's better than working for McDonald's with no retirement plan, or benefits, but this is of course a governmental job that you hear people whine about all the time because it isn't EASY WORK, but someone's gotta deliver the mail.
