How to Be Mail Handler - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

The rising costs of living have had a direct effect on the average household budget. As prices of food, utilities, and housing steadily increase, people find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. In response, they are forced to make budget cuts that can include cutting back on entertainment, clothing, and vacations.

This can lead to increased stress and frustration as families struggle to make necessary payments with limited funds. it can lead to a decrease in purchasing power as consumers are unable to purchase goods and services as they once could.

Steps How to Become

  1. Visit the website of the United States Postal Service (USPS) and review all the requirements for becoming a mail handler.
  2. Complete an online application at the USPS website.
  3. Take the Postal Exam 473, which tests your reading and writing skills, as well as memory, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
  4. Pass a drug screening test.
  5. Complete a background check and security clearance.
  6. Participate in an interview with a USPS representative.
  7. Complete a medical evaluation to ensure you are physically able to handle the job.
  8. Attend a three-week training course to learn about postal policies, procedures, and regulations.
  9. Take an on-the-job training period of six to eight weeks where you will practice sorting mail, labeling packages, and operating machinery.
  10. Receive certification from the USPS that you are a qualified mail handler.

The cause of an inefficient mail handling process can be attributed to several factors. Poorly trained staff, inadequate equipment, and inadequate resources are among the most common issues. When it comes to staff, a lack of knowledge and experience in mail handling can lead to errors and delays.

Inadequate equipment can also be a major issue, as it can lead to mistakes in sorting and tracking letters. Finally, inadequate resources can be a major contributor to inefficient mail handling, as it reduces the ability of staff to process mail quickly and accurately. To ensure efficient mail handling, it is essential to provide well-trained staff, quality equipment, and sufficient resources.

This will help to ensure that all mail is processed in a timely manner, and that all letters reach their destinations safely and securely.

You may want to check Letter Carrier, Postal Services Manager, and Rural Carrier Associate for alternative.

Job Description

  1. Mail Handler: sorts and processes incoming mail, such as letters and packages. May also prepare outgoing mail, operate mail-sorting machinery, and operate postage-metering machines.
  2. Courier: picks up and delivers mail, documents and packages. Verifies accuracy of delivery items, maintains delivery records and prepares receipts.
  3. Mail Clerk: sorts incoming and outgoing mail, prepares packages for shipment, files and retrieves documents, and maintains records of correspondence.
  4. Postal Clerk: collects and processes payments for postage, maintains records of postal transactions, and assists customers with postal services.
  5. Postal Inspector: investigates reports of stolen or damaged mail and suspected fraud, inspects postal facilities, and enforces laws governing the movement of mail.

Skills and Competencies to Have

  1. Knowledge of mail sorting systems and processes.
  2. Ability to accurately read, understand and follow instructions.
  3. Good organizational skills.
  4. Good manual dexterity.
  5. Physical stamina to stand for extended periods of time.
  6. Knowledge of mail handling equipment and tools.
  7. Ability to lift, maneuver and transport mail and packages of various sizes and weights.
  8. Proficiency in basic computer skills and programs.
  9. Excellent customer service skills.
  10. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Time management is an essential skill for success in any field. When it comes to mail handling, the ability to prioritize and efficiently manage tasks is paramount. Being able to accurately and quickly sort through incoming mail, respond to inquiries, and prioritize tasks can make a huge difference in the overall efficiency of a business.

It can also help ensure that all important matters are addressed in a timely manner, while less urgent items can be addressed at a later stage. having an organized filing system can help keep track of important documents and communications, allowing mail handlers to quickly reference them when needed. This can help streamline processes and prevent errors from occurring due to misfiling or incomplete information.

With the right time management skills, mail handlers can ensure that the business runs smoothly and efficiently.

Mailroom Supervisor, Mail Processing Clerk, and Bulk Mail Clerk are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

  • What experience do you have in mail handling?
  • How do you stay organized when managing a large number of packages?
  • What strategies do you use to stay on top of deadlines?
  • How comfortable are you with learning new software relevant to mail handling?
  • What safety protocols do you follow when handling packages?
  • Describe a difficult situation you encountered in a mail handling job and how you handled it.
  • Can you explain the process of sorting mail by zip code, weight, and size?
  • Have you ever encountered an issue with a customer regarding their mail? If so, how did you handle it?
  • What is your experience working with both manual and automated mail sorting systems?
  • How would you handle a situation where a package is damaged or lost?

Common Tools in Industry

  1. Email Client. Software used to access, send, and manage emails. (eg: Outlook)
  2. Email Tracker. Software used to track emails and measure effectiveness. (eg: Yesware)
  3. Email Archiving Software. Software used to store emails for long-term retention. (eg: Mimecast)
  4. Email Spam Filter. Software used to detect and prevent spam emails. (eg: Mailwasher)
  5. Email Encryption Software. Software used to secure emails and protect confidential information. (eg: Virtru)
  6. Autoresponders. Software used to automatically respond to emails based on set criteria. (eg: AWeber)
  7. Email Parser. Software used to extract data from incoming emails. (eg: Cloudparser)
  8. Email Verification Software. Software used to verify emails and ensure accuracy. (eg: ZeroBounce)

Professional Organizations to Know

  1. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
  2. American Institute of Architects (AIA)
  3. Project Management Institute (PMI)
  4. American Planning Association (APA)
  5. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  6. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
  7. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
  8. American Chemical Society (ACS)
  9. National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
  10. Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP)

We also have Postal Courier, Postman, and Postal Clerk jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

  1. Mail Sorting. The process of organizing and categorizing mail by type, destination, and other attributes.
  2. Bulk Mail. Large quantities of mail sent to multiple destinations.
  3. Delivery Confirmation. A service that allows mailers to confirm successful delivery of their mail.
  4. Address Verification. The act of verifying the accuracy of an address to ensure that mail is delivered correctly.
  5. Returned Mail. Mail that is sent back to the sender due to an incorrect or incomplete address.
  6. Weighing and Metering. The process of measuring the weight and size of a piece of mail to calculate the postage required for delivery.
  7. Postage Payment. The process of paying for the postage required for delivery of mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mail Handler?

Mail Handler is a service provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that delivers and processes bulk mail for large-scale mailers. It is an important part of the USPS’s operations, which process more than 160 billion pieces of mail annually.

What types of services does Mail Handler provide?

Mail Handler provides services such as sorting, processing, and delivery of incoming mail and packages. Additionally, it assists in the preparation of outgoing mail and packages for shipment, and provides support to post offices and other facilities.

What is the role of a Mail Handler?

The primary role of a Mail Handler is to sort, process, and deliver incoming mail and packages. They also assist in the preparation of outgoing mail and packages for shipment, as well as provide support to post offices and other facilities.

How much does it cost to use Mail Handler services?

The cost of using the USPS Mail Handler services varies depending on the type and volume of mail being shipped. Generally, the cost per piece for standard mail is lower than for other types of mail.

What is the turnaround time for Mail Handler services?

The turnaround time for Mail Handler services depends on the type of mail being shipped. Generally, standard mail can take up to two days for processing and delivery, while other types of mail can take up to five days.

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