Posted: 4/11/2012 11:00:46 PM EDT
Call me crazy but i just applied at the Post Office. I took the first part of the exam (473E) online this afternoon and have the proctored portion scheduled for next Wednesday.Anyone here recently take it or work for the post office and want to give me some pointers or tips. I looked over the information sheet for the exam and it looks similar to parts of the ASVAB(coding operations and clerical) when i took it back in '99.
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One of my brothers is a carrier and when HE took the test years ago there were "probably" 500 people trying to get something like 20 positions. They didn't call anyone back who scored below 97% (My brother got a 98). He also bought a book that had sample tests in it and practiced with that for a few days before the test. You can find them all over (Online, book stores etc) and it might help you edge out some of the competition. Good luck. |
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Thanks for all the replies so far. I applied on a whim. We'll see where it goes. Quoted: Thought the title said "Tips for a prostate exam." I was going to inform you that they are going to give you quite a bit more than just the tip. I used that line on my first long term girlfriend. "come on....i'll just put the tip in." To be 17 and impatient again! |
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You can only take the test where the job opening is. If the job opening is in Wyoming, than you must fly to Wyoming and take the test there, when it is given.
You may transfer your test scores to different locations. To do so, you have to do it in person. If you take the test in California, and wish to apply for the same job in Wyoming, you have to go to Wyoming on test day, then announce prior to the test being administered that you wish to transfer your scores. I took the electrical equipment technician test in 2005. I was one of 9 people in the room (this was for Santa Clarita). The first part of the test is audio: The proctor will play a tape, and play it only once. Instructions will be given. You will follow those instructions. If you miss an instruction, tough. The first instruction will be something like "Question 1: Black out the "A" next to question 1 on your answer sheet." The next will be "Question 2: Black out answer"B" for question 2 if "A" is blacked out for question 1. Otherwise, black out answer "C". The next will be––and pay attention––"Question 3: Black out answer "D" next to question 15 if "A" is blacked out for question 1. Otherwise, black out answer "C". That's right, they'll skip numbers. The first 10 questions were like this, and took up the first 25 answer spaces––not all question spaces had answers. The last question was along the lines of "Question 10: If 25 divided by 5 is more than 4 AND the answer to questions 6 and 7 are both answer "C", black out answer "D" next to question 4. Otherwise, black out answer "A" on question 17. If Question 4 already has an answer blacked out, black out answer "B" on question 25." The rest of the test––I don't remember how many questions it was, but I want to say it took me over an hour––was about 75% technical, and 25% workplace safety and general admin knowledge. Actually, the electrical portion was very, very similar to the Navy electronics exams that I took in the service. Accordingly, I did quite well––I scored a 99% on the test, and gained an additional 10 points for military service and service-connected disability. That brought me up to 109%. Within the first ten minutes of the test (after the dialog questions), two people closed the book in disgust and left. Twenty minutes later, another man left, and a couple of minutes after that, another man left. So, only five of us finished the test (I'm assuming: I was the first person done and left after I took it). Never even got a call back. Went to Bakersfield to take the same test there (transfer my scores) two months later––never got a call back. That time, there were well over 75 people taking the test. This was for electrical equipment repair, mind you––not the letter carrying jobs. It's pretty tough to get in. |
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Quoted:
You can only take the test where the job opening is. If the job opening is in Wyoming, than you must fly to Wyoming and take the test there, when it is given. You may transfer your test scores to different locations. To do so, you have to do it in person. If you take the test in California, and wish to apply for the same job in Wyoming, you have to go to Wyoming on test day, then announce prior to the test being administered that you wish to transfer your scores. I took the electrical equipment technician test in 2005. I was one of 9 people in the room (this was for Santa Clarita). The first part of the test is audio: The proctor will play a tape, and play it only once. Instructions will be given. You will follow those instructions. If you miss an instruction, tough. The first instruction will be something like "Question 1: Black out the "A" next to question 1 on your answer sheet." The next will be "Question 2: Black out answer"B" for question 2 if "A" is blacked out for question 1. Otherwise, black out answer "C". The next will be––and pay attention––"Question 3: Black out answer "D" next to question 15 if "A" is blacked out for question 1. Otherwise, black out answer "C". That's right, they'll skip numbers. The first 10 questions were like this, and took up the first 25 answer spaces––not all question spaces had answers. The last question was along the lines of "Question 10: If 25 divided by 5 is more than 4 AND the answer to questions 6 and 7 are both answer "C", black out answer "D" next to question 4. Otherwise, black out answer "A" on question 17. If Question 4 already has an answer blacked out, black out answer "B" on question 25." The rest of the test––I don't remember how many questions it was, but I want to say it took me over an hour––was about 75% technical, and 25% workplace safety and general admin knowledge. Actually, the electrical portion was very, very similar to the Navy electronics exams that I took in the service. Accordingly, I did quite well––I scored a 99% on the test, and gained an additional 10 points for military service and service-connected disability. That brought me up to 109%. Within the first ten minutes of the test (after the dialog questions), two people closed the book in disgust and left. Twenty minutes later, another man left, and a couple of minutes after that, another man left. So, only five of us finished the test (I'm assuming: I was the first person done and left after I took it). Never even got a call back. Went to Bakersfield to take the same test there (transfer my scores) two months later––never got a call back. That time, there were well over 75 people taking the test. This was for electrical equipment repair, mind you––not the letter carrying jobs. It's pretty tough to get in. They were probably looking to hire somebody in the 65% - 75% range. |
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No matter what anyone says, it is a highly political process.
I have been good friends with the Operation Manager (over about 1/3 of my state) for 15 yrs. He was the boss of the people doing the interviews and hiring. I had references from three postmasters in my area. Did not get hired. Mind you this was for a temporary rural carrier job. They can pretty much do whatever they want for this position, and they proved it. They hired an 18 yr. old kid who had never had a job before. Turns out he was dating the postmasters daughter and was related to the interviewer. My friend offered to intervene but I said 'no thanks, I still have to work with these people'. Look for another line of work. |
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Quoted:
Be a minority. Asian might not count. +1 It doesn't...... My wife has an Asian Male friend who just applied to Ohio State's Dental school. He applied with his black female friend. The GPA standard is a 3.6. He had a 3.75, she had a 3.4. They also took their DAT (Dental Application Test) together. Again, he trumped her with a much higher score. Guess who got in and who didn't.......residency status did NOT have a factor, either. It's scary people are getting jobs, such as being Dr.'s.......NOT because they're qualified. I hope I am never treated by one of them. |
| My sister hires at teh post office in my area, heres some thing to know, disabled get 10+ points to start, vets get 10+ as well. So if you are neither you are 20 points behind before you start. they hire in threes, three people areinterviewed and out tof the three one MUST be hired the remaining 2 get two more shot against another candidate, if you haave three interview and arent hired your out. Just an FYI and the hiring manager has a lot of freedom in their hiring. And lastly you will be amazed at who you test with, kinda scary and then when you see who they hire youll want to run and hide. She loves her paycheck but hates her employer, The postal Union has caused many years of multi billion dollars deficits and mail counts are down year after year, my sis has almost 30 yrs and is hoping to make it to retirement before bankruptcy. |
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24 years in. Clerk, carrier and then into maintenance. The PO is a shitty place to work. If your in an area that is cheap to live you might be okay. I'm on the coast and it's tough to get by. No more overtime, crappy ben. package. Sorry retirement. Get a study guide if you're gonna go for a clerk-carrier-mail handler position. Don't make it a career. Find something better and get out. Wish I had. Now I'm 45 and looking to start over at a new job. 
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Thanks to everyone who responded. This is just an attempt at finding a second job. Something part time,mainly bullshit and mindless. Figured i couldn't go wrong with the post office From what I've been reading, the position i'm testing for isn't even a "career" job anyway. Sounds like the USPS is looking for part timers who can fill a variety of roles. It can't be any worse than the 12+ years i have with a certain retailer.
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