Would you take a day off?

Question

I am in my early 30s.
Currently working in info technology in a contract that will wind down in about 2 months. I've signed up for USPS employment test, but I'll have to miss a day of work which will cost me about $120 of gross income. I am drained by the constant need to study and sometimes unreasonable demands of end-users in this IT field. Now even if I take this USPS test this does NOT gurantee an interview, and I am aware that competition is really tight for USPS employment. Would you still take a day off and lose $120 of gross income to take USPS employment test if you are interested in working for USPS?

Answer 1

You know the old saying "nothing ventured, nothing gained" go for it.

Answer 2

usps for what, clerk???

um, yeah, if you need the benefits. but the pay is not full time, entry ppl are only guarenteed 20 hours, and it's a flexible schedule meaning they can make you work 8 hrs a night, then 8 hrs in the afternoon a few days later, or what not, it's ****** up. only more senior ppl (at least a few years in the usps can bid on jobs that guarentee 40 hours, and a fixed schedule).

for the entry level stuff, you can work as a clerk (forget about working windows, you will end up working in some regional office miles away from home loading shitloads of mail into a sorting machine every night 1am-7am shift) with amangement constantly on your back and that gets monotonous and boring fast.

working as a mail handler is tiring hard work with all the mail you have to lift and sort through. i know some ppl who entered the usps as a mailhandler after months waiting, then quit the next day because it was so physically demanding.

working as a mail carrier is hard sweaty work where you have to do everything in your power to save time including cutting through ppl yards, jumping fences, walking around sorting mail with your two hands, eyes on the sidewalk, ahead of you, on the mail, etc. the mandatory hours and overtime.

if you have the education and the skills, you can take the test to be a mechanic, which is a electrical technician who services the machines, this test requires engineering, computer, and mechanical know-how, and it's difficult to get in because you have to compete with hundreds of ppl for just 1-2 jobs.

if you take the clerk test, you'll get your results in a few months, the higher you are on the waiting list, the sooner you get called for an interview. otherwise you languish on the list. average time it takes is several months minimum.

jumping form the clerk/carrier/mailhandler craft to usps support services is difficult. you first have to work a few years before you are even allowed to consider other positions. then you have to deal with human resources, and you know how HR ppl are.

usps is great for immigrants who need the money and benefits. but if you have an education and are bored easily, look for something else.

try going for an apprenticeship as a union carpenter, or electrician, it's 10000% better.

Answer 3

If you have a safe driving record, (no suspensions in the last five years, no DUI's ever, no more than 3 moving violations in the past 5 years etc.) and think you can pass the physical requirements - Do it!

The hiring process can be a bureaucratic nightmare, and your first two years on the job will be both physically and mentally demanding in any of the crafts. After that you should be somewhat adjusted to the way the USPS works.

Once you know the ropes, you might consider the ASP program which is the gateway to management in the Postal Service and your IT skills could get you far.

Nothing risked is nothing gained!

Answer 4

Yes, i would definitely take the time off to take the test. If you take the test at least you have an opportunity to get an interview and possibly get the job you are wanting at USPS. If you don't take the test then you have NO opportunity to get an interview or the job. $120 is alot of money but it is a sacrifice that you need to make. Go for it and good luck!

Answer 5

I would weigh out if it's cheaper to not take it now and end up without a job in 2 months or just lose one day's worth of work. I would maybe try to make up the time I need to take off with my employer. My husband took the test for USPS and said it was easy. He was offered a job but it's not full time and he wasn't guarantied he would be near home.
Good luck

Answer 6

Yes, absolutely. You are interested in working for the USPS, and your present job is winding down. $120 is a small price to pay (in the long run) for the chance to do a job you might actually like.

Answer 7

Why not? By the sounds of it you need a day off to just relax as well. Take it off do your best on the test and then relax for the rest of the day. If you get the job, great. If not, then at least you had the guts to try. Besides everybody should take a day off every now and then.

Answer 8

Do it.

You'll never know if you don't try.

One thing you might want to take into consideration... I don't know if you want to be a carrier or what but they usually have mandatory 6 day workweeks, and your day could be 12 to 14 hours long depending on the load for the day.

Answer 9

Can't you use a vacation day, sick day or misc. personal day? Any yes if that is what you want, budget for it and take the test.

Answer 10

A day off would defiantly be a well needed break for you. I would take advantage of it.