How to apply

Here’s what you need to know and how to get started.

Legacy application website (eCareer) help & tips

The page contains helpful tips for using and applying for jobs within legacy job application system (eCareer). As we roll out our new application system (jobs.usps.com/), the information on this page will only be applicable to jobs that can be applied for in the legacy system (eCareer). For more information, see which application system should I use?

For the best experiance, use a desktop or laptop computer rather than a mobile device. eCareer inly supports a limited selection of web browsers; Internet Explorer IE 7-11, Mozilla Firefox, Chrome and/or Safari.

Videos: How to apply

This video series provides an overview of how to apply for a position with the United States Postal Service (USPS). You will learn how to search for different job opportunities, create an online profile, submit an application, and what to expect after applying. The videos provide instructions on how to navigate both our Careers webpage and the online application portal. Additionally, they will summarize any steps to complete after applying for an open job.

video thumbnail with title Explore job opportunities and search for jobs
Explore job opportunities and search for jobs
video thumbnail with title Create profile and apply
Create profile and apply
video thumbnail with title Post-application activities
Post-application activities

What to know before you apply

To help set some expectations, there are some details to know before jumping in.

Important details:

We encourage you to take your time with the application to best detail the experience that you bring to the table. Within the eCareers application you have the ability to save your progress and return to your profile at a later time if needed.

Both the application and any exams are free – if you see any websites that are charging a fee they are not legitimate and should be reported to the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Contact the person listed on the job posting if you have questions about a particular job.

You may apply to multiple jobs at a time if you wish. If you are not selected for a job, you can apply to another position as soon as you choose.

  • For best experience, use a desktop or laptop computer rather than a mobile device.
  • Use a supported browser; Internet Explorer IE 7-11, Mozilla Firefox, Chrome and/or Safari.
  • Ensure Adobe PDF Reader is installed and enabled in supported browsers.
  • You must have an email address to apply for a job or create a Candidate profile. This is the only way that USPS can communicate with you about your application and job status.
  • Must be 18 years old at the time of appointment or 16 years old with a high school diploma.
  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check, drug screening, and medical assessment.
  • Must be a United States citizen, permanent resident, or citizen of American Samoa or other U.S. Territory.
  • Must provide recent employment history.
  • Must have a safe driving record (if applicable to the position).
  • Must be registered with Selective Service is applicable.
  • The Inspection Service criminal background check is conducted using United States information resources only (e.g., FBI fingerprint check, state and county checks). A criminal background check involves a 5-year inquiry for any location where the individual has resided, worked or gone to school within the United States or its territories. As a result of this limitation, the criminal background checks of individuals who have not resided in the United States or its territories for the preceding 5-years may not be considered complete. The Inspection Service may be able to process inquiries for U.S. Citizens only, but only if their time spent out of the country was spent as: a trailing spouse or dependent of someone working for the U.S. government (military or civilian), a missionary, a student attending school in a foreign country, a Peace Corps participant, or as an employee of a U.S.-based employer/company. If the Inspection Service is unable to perform a complete background check because of residency outside the United States, such individuals will be ineligible for Postal employment.

eCareers job search functionality

The search function allows you to enter detailed search criteria and produces refined results. Use this to search for open positions.

  • Enter at least one keyword to narrow your search, for example “HR” or “Human Resources”.
  • If you know the job title you wish to search, enter the job title.
  • If you are searching for one of our seasonal positions, include the keywords “Casual” or “Holiday”.
  • If you are looking for a city, enter it here (rather than the Location field).

To get you started, USPS Careers are organized into the following categories. Use any of these keywords to filter your search:

  • Administrative
  • Auto Mechanic
  • Carrier
  • Clerk
  • Finance/Accounting/Supply Management
  • Human Resources
  • Legal
  • Mail Handler
  • Maintenance
  • Management
  • Marketing/Sales
  • Motor Vehicle/Tractor Trailer Operator
  • Rural Carrier
  • Seasonal
  • Technical/Information Technology
  • Select a state name of interest (city names are not an option here, if you would like to search a city use the Keyword field).
  • To select multiple locations, hold down the CTRL or CMD button.
  • This option will narrow the results extremely (for the broadest selection, do not use this option and instead use the Keyword or Location fields).
  • Don’t select too many criteria at once. Use multiple searches to find a variety of options.
  • Searches are not case sensitive.
  • Search in full text, do not use quote (“or”) and do not use the words ‘and’, ‘or’, ‘not’.
  • If you have created your Candidate profile, save your search query to run that search again later.
  • Use the “Reset” button before every search. If you do not reset, criteria from a prior search may affect the outcome of your search.
  • You may find that there are many job positions listed with the same location, title, salary and requirements. Carefully review each posting for unique information and you are free to apply to as many positions as you wish.
  • You may save job postings to your Favorites to find them quickly (once you have created a Candidate profile). Saving does not extend the application deadline though, so be sure to apply by the closing date and time.

Once you have found the perfect job for you, it is time to create a profile and apply.

Create a profile & apply

You are now at the point of creating a profile and filling out your USPS application. This page can be a resource for any questions you may have as you navigate the system to complete both. Read over the information provided here to make this part of the process as easy as possible.

Create a profile | Master your application | Using the eCareers application

Create a profile

A Candidate profile will house your general information and allow you to create a unique username and password that you can log into from any computer anytime. You can search for jobs without creating a profile. However, in order to apply you will need to create one.

First you will create a username and password, and then you will complete the profile with your information. Get started here:

Create my profile

Log into account

If you have forgotten your username or password, you may retrieve if by selecting either the “User Name Forgotten” or “Password Forgotten” link that appears in the lower right corner of the Login page and following the steps provided. You may also follow these links:

Profile login Forgot username Forgot password

Helpful tips for managing your profile

  • You may only create one profile.
  • The profile will supply much of the information for your application and can be reused across separate positions for which you apply.
  • You may edit specific sections of your Career profile or application by going to that specific section or page to make changes. You cannot edit the “Data Overview” on the “Review/Release” screen.

By creating your Candidate profile, you are now able to log into your account at any time to fill out applications.

Master your application

Just like any other organization, USPS is looking to understand each applicant’s skill set, education and training to see how your experience can apply to a specific job opening. When filling out the application, we suggest a few things to ensure you are setting yourself up for success.

  • Make sure that you fill out all items that are mandatory and marked with an asterisk (*).
  • We suggest you upload your resume if you have one.

  • The Summary of Accomplishments should address the list of job requirements. When completing this section, we recommend that you write about how your skill set, education and training matches the job posting in a supplemental document to upload with your application. This will ensure that you can fully explain your experience for the reviewing committee, more so than you may be able to within the form itself.
  • If there is a requirement list, applicants must meet all requirements to be considered for that position.
  • If a specific list of requirements is not provided, applicants may skip completing a Summary of Accomplishments. However, it is still recommended that applicants provide references as part of the Summary of Accomplishments.
  • The Summary of Accomplishments text box is limited to 6,000 characters. However, there are other sections of the application or profile where you can insert this kind of information.
    • The Work Experience portion of the Candidate profile allows 2,000 characters to present your qualifications.
    • The Skills/Associations section allows 2,000 characters to describe your related experience.
  • There is no limit to the number of entries for work history.
  • Grade level for a specific position refers to Federal and Postal employment only. If you do not know the grade level you may leave this item blank.
  • If you are unable to locate former employer information you may enter “unknown” or “out of business” if applicable.
  • Dates can be estimated or use the first day of the month if unsure.
  • Enter a full and complete work history back five years or to your 16th birthday, whichever is shorter.
  • For periods of unemployment, enter “unemployment” to ensure the entire work history period is covered.
  • If you have been fired from a previous job, it does not automatically disqualify you from applying. The Postal Service individually evaluates each candidate's employment history, paying close attention to a candidate's reasons given for leaving.

Using the eCareers application

We hope to make filling out the application within our eCareers site as easy as possible. If you find that you need some assistance, please refer to the application tips below that were collected from frequently asked questions.

Your application will only move out of “draft” status once all required boxes are checked. You can go to the “Send Application” tab and confirm that all required information is complete and it was sent.

If you need to pause an application for any reason (or your computer is inactive for 30 minutes), you may log out and pick back up where you left off at a later time.

You may save job postings to your Favorites to find them quickly in the Favorites tab at a later date. Saving does not extend the application deadline though, so be sure to apply by the closing date and time.

You can find the status of your application by selecting the “Job Opportunities” tab and finding the “Applications” link.

If copying and pasting text from another source that is not compatible with our application, the copied text may now have replaced all apostrophes with # signs. Please review and correct all errors manually.

To edit within the eCareers application, you will typically have to select the box to the left of the data you’d like to revise. Once it is highlighted in orange, you may hit the “Edit” button to edit. Be sure to press “Save” once finished.

You can only print the Candidate overview of your application found within your Candidate profile in the “Submit Application” tab.

If the posting is still open, you may withdraw your current application and then complete a new one and resubmit. If the posting is not open, you may not revise your application.

You may delete your registration by selecting the “Delete Registration” link on the “Candidate profile” tab. You cannot reverse a deletion of a profile.

With your application submitted, look out for an email from USPS with details on a pre-employment assessment if required.