If you are reading this article, first of all, congratulations on passing your USPS postal exam and having secured an interview. Way to go! The US postal service is one of the largest employers in the country with over 500,000 employees nationwide. USPS offers multiple jobs, some even seasonal. Jobs like mail carriers, mail handlers, retail clerks, industrial engineers, etc. Although USPS is a branch of the federation government and have their own set of regulations and standards, the interviews at USPS usually are fairly easy. Sometimes, interviews are even skipped and jobs are given immediately after attaining a certain score in the online assessment. Keep reading to know about USPS Interview Questions.
However, if you do end up locking an interview, it is obviously best to go prepared. In this article, we will provide you with FAQs during the USPS interviews and a MODEL ANSWER for each of them so you can feel confident when you attend the interview. These are some of the questions that have been asked time and again regardless of the position for which the interview is being conducted. Being prepared for these questions will improve the chances of being selected.
Personality Based Questions
- Tell me a thing or two about yourself, who you are, what are your skills, etc.
This is one of the most common questions asked in an interview.
Although this question demands an expression of “you”, your skills, and experience, it has to be done in a certain way that connects to the skills required for the job you are applying for. Therefore, the answer to this question is highly influenced by the position you choose to apply for. For example, if you are looking for a job to be a mail carrier at USPS, narrate your driving experience and customer service experience.
Model Answer
“I believe that I possess a set of skills, values and have an experience that is definitely appropriate for working at the US Postal Service. I am a detail-oriented, hard-working person. I believe in creating connections and helping people and thus, am a good team worker. I have wide-ranging experience in handling managerial tasks and dealing with clientele. For the reason that I have such a skill set, I am assured that I will be a worthy match for USPS. I promise to be committed to my work and my team and to provide impeccable service.”
- What motivates you to work at USPS?
Another question all interviewees must be prepared for. In such a question, it is best to go beyond the monetary benefit of having the job. The interviewer here is looking for a personal connection to the company, how the company aligns with your values and what makes you want to work for them.
Model Answer
“I am a person who appreciates human connection and helping people over everything else. I respect what USPS embodies and I recognize how imperative the services offered by USPS are. I wouldn’t lie, the salary and the work environment are definitely huge factors, but, what matters more is the skills I will get to absorb and the people I will get to work with. I will feel gratified by the work I partake in, and with the skills I acquire, I will get achieve essential life goals. I would love to be a part of this establishment.”
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Strength
This answer should also be influenced by the position you are interviewing for. Pick strengths that complement the job profile and counter the weaknesses.
Model Answer
“I humbly believe USPS will benefit from several of my strengths. I am meticulous, dependable, and capable of working under duress. I really prefer working in groups, so I’m looking forward to becoming a part of one. Finally, I have a high desire for new information and self-improvement.”
Weakness
Mentioning your weaknesses does not cut away from your skills, it actually shows how self-aware you are and shows a desire to improve. There is supremacy in recognizing and disclosing the weaker elements of your life. However, do protect yourself and don’t mention a weakness that renders you ineffectual. Instead, mention a weakness that you can work on and improve and also explain what you are doing to improve it.
Model Answer
“I believe my biggest weakness is my inability to take an initiative. I feel stuck in coming forward and trusting myself to be able to do the job. I somehow always feel that I am not ready yet. Therefore, I end up staying in one role for a long time. However, I am slowly overcoming this trait by trying new things regularly, pushing my limits, and trusting myself more.”
Work-Based Questions
- The work at USPS gets pretty repetitive. How will you keep your motivation high/morale up?
Since a job at USPS can sometimes get boring and exhausting, it is important to have a source of motivation and/or strong values that support your decision of working at USPS. For this question, you can discuss the objectives that you desire to attain in your life outside of work.
Model Answer
“I am certain I will enjoy what is expected of me from USPS. Being a member of a company that provides services to millions of Americans makes me delighted, and it will outweigh the monotony of my job if there will be any. Outside of work, I have other ambitions to meet. I have a family to support as well as a way of life to sustain, which requires me to persist at my job. Furthermore, I am not averse to repetition. I know my strengths, and since I’m not the most creative person, I prefer to stick to regular routines and leave the office with a clean desk and a clear mind each day. With a position with USPS, all of this is achievable. .”
- What would you do if you are in a conflict with a co-worker?
Maintaining decorum at work is one of the most basic rules of the work environment and USPS prioritizes offering a safe and stress-free work environment to all its workers. Let your recruiter know about your communication and conflict resolution skills here.
Model Answer
“I am a very good listener and I have been appreciated for this quality by a lot of people. I also am understanding and empathetic so it won’t be a problem for me to accept opposing views without getting upset. I relentlessly believe that all conflicts can be managed through effective communication, reasonability, and willingness to find common ground. I will follow this system to resolve a conflict with my co-worker if I get myself into one.”
- What would you do if your manager asks you to participate in something you don’t feel safe about?
This is a rather puzzling question bearing in mind that you must look after yourself as much as you have to listen to the supervisor. This question is supposed to check your conflict dealing skills. A decent response for this would involve you respectfully enquiring about the security and safety procedure to be followed for the precise circumstance or duty.
Model Answer
“I recognize that respecting my superiors and keeping myself safe, are both necessary in such a situation. In such an occurrence, I will ask for specific instructions and directions on ways to securely fulfill the duty while sticking to protocol.”
- If there is an opportunity to look inside a package, what would you do?
This question assesses your ethical standing. A situation to see if you will respect privacy and confidentiality? You must ensure the interviewer of your integrity and your understanding of the US postal service’s policies.
Model Answer
“I believe that privacy is the most basic human right and should not be exploited under any circumstance. I would never go through anyone else’s mail as I understand basic human rights values and also what the USPS stands for. I would never disregard the integrity of this organization.”
- What would you do if you get confronted by a dog?
This is a very potential threat while working as a mail carrier and thus, is a very common USPS interview question. The interviewer needs to know you are not nervous around dogs. You could assure the interviewer about your confidence around dogs. That being said, you must not underestimate the threat that dogs pose and must be aware of the actions to be taken if you find yourself in a situation with a hostile dog.
Model Answer
“To begin with, I would totally try to dodge such conflicts in work. However, if I did encounter a dog, I would remain calm and collected and will work my way around such a situation. I say this so confidently because I myself have pet 3 dogs and have friends who have not-so-friendly dogs. I was able to handle them and I am certain that I know what actions to take to keep myself and the dog safe.
Customer Service-Related Questions
- What does good customer service mean to you?
USPS greatly treasures the service their clientele receive as their complete brand is constructed on it. Your personal description of exceptional customer service must align with what is important for the organization. Customer service is a crucial part of USPS and it depends on the type of job you are at, so your answer will adjust accordingly. So, for example, if you are a mail carrier, talk about calling the recipient upfront and being friendly and cautious throughout your interaction.
In a question like this, you should be positive and welcoming, verbally as well as non-verbally. Also, mention any previous job experiences with customer service that helped you define these skills.
Model Answer
“I will approach each and every customer positively, with a smile, and will give them my full attention and process their request as quickly as possible. Serving customers effectively and efficiently will be my priority. I know in what way to interact with customers and be of aid to them. My communication skills are competent enough to assist me to put across information and responding to customer inquiries. I am also a social person who can easily pick conversations. In every situation, I will try to be on my best behavior.”
- How do you plan on managing if a customer complains about your service?
When working with the USPS, excellent customer service is essential. This issue would most likely arise in your day-to-day work with USPS. This circumstance could occur for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you made a mistake, perhaps they misinterpreted something, or perhaps they are not in the appropriate frame of mind. Assure the interviewers that you will pay attention to every word your consumer says and that you will be open to their feedback.
Model Answer
“First and foremost, I recognize the importance of consumer input when working for a company like USPS. I’ve dealt with consumers previously, so I’ll keep my cool and try not to take their criticism personally. I’d try to figure out what was bothering the client, then listen to them and see if I could solve the problem. If the situation was beyond my ability to resolve, I’d pass it on to my manager and move on to the next customer. In any case, I shall make every effort to be courteous.”
Conclusion
Clearly, working in USPS is a great opportunity. You are associated with the government and the perks are, well, simply amazing! Therefore, any step taken to ensure your place in the organisation is a smart move towards your future.
One such step is getting these frequently asked questions right if you wish to serve the people of America. An additional tip for those appearing, of course, prepare well for your interview but don’t forget to work on your etiquette, non-verbal communication and self-presentation skills.
Now, get cracking to crack the interview. All the best!
FAQs
- How will you handle the work pressure of USPS?
Working with the USPS can be challenging, especially during peak seasons like Christmas and Thanksgiving. As a result, you must be able to deal with the stress that comes with the job at such times. If you have any work experience, you can apply it to this question.
Model Answer
“I have a calm demeanour and mindset that helps me deal with stressful events at work. During these times, I take a deep breath, organise myself, and prioritise my tasks. I also do not hesitate to openly communicate with my managers about any job concern that is causing me stress, as long as the situation is handled properly..”
- What are your salary expectations?
Since, it is a government job, which means that there’s no room for salary negotiations in the interviews. The recruiter could ask this question to check how aware you are about the job you are applying for. So, before entering the interview, Google the basic salary someone of your job title is supposed to get.
Model Answer
“I am extremely keen on being a part of this organisation and I value other factors such as the skills I’ll learn, the people I’ll meet etc., more than the monetary gains. So, salary is not the deciding factor for me, and l accept the standard salary that is paid to each new customer.”
