For the United States Postal Service (USPS) and a variety of businesses, organizations, and institutions, mail clerks sort incoming and outgoing mail and provide customer service. Although on-the-job training usually eliminates the need for a college education, you will need the necessary skills to perform the job. You must pass an exam demonstrating your ability to check addresses, address coding, and memorize address ranges if you want to work for the USPS as a mail clerk. Some jobs will necessitate math abilities, as well as customer service, data entry, and record-keeping abilities.
Although you do not need a college diploma to work as a mail clerk, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma and prior mailroom experience. This is not a requirement, and if you can do the work, you might be able to get a mail clerking job without finishing high school. If you want to work as a mail clerk as a stepping stone to higher positions within a company, you should consider pursuing a college degree because it will provide you with more opportunities for advancement.
If you want to work for the USPS as a mail clerk, you must pass the 473 Postal Exam. The exam is divided into sections and assesses your knowledge of address verification, form completion, address coding, and memorized address ranges. The inventory section of the exam takes up the most time and goes over your experience and personal characteristics. After passing the 473 Postal Exam, you will be eligible to apply for a variety of entry-level jobs within the USPS, not just mail clerk positions.
Some mail clerks also have other responsibilities, such as answering phones, entering data, and keeping track of company records. For jobs that require these additional tasks, computer and customer service skills are a huge plus. Mail organization responsibilities range from sealing envelopes and using letter openers to sorting mail and ensuring it reaches its intended recipient. Knowing shipping schedules and being able to estimate shipping costs for specific items can also be useful. Whether you work for a company or the USPS, math skills are very useful.
If you’re hired, you’ll receive on-the-job training, and you’ll need to learn how to operate office machines and how the company’s departments are organized. To learn how to distribute mail throughout the organization, you’ll need a keen eye for detail. If you work at a post office’s mail counter, you’ll need to learn how to use the checkout system, print labels, and package items according to postal rules and regulations.