Want to be a postman...

chubsta

My post is the happiest guy in the world, always seems cheerful and happy in his work.

I may have the chance of 'early-retirement' in the next couple of years but having worked for over 30 I don't feel that i would be able to just give up work like that, I just don't fancy carrying on in my current job. I am therefore looking around at other potential lines of work and being a postman really appeals to me - I have been a shift-worker all my life, working outdoors in all weathers which doesn't bother me at all (in fact i love winter) and am a great fan of exercise, particularly walking! So, in essence, being a postman would seem like my ideal job!

Of course, i am sure it is not that simple. I doubt the money is that great and what are the chances of being able to be a 'beat' postie straightaway, would i have to spend a few years in a depot first before being allowed out into the light?

Any and all advice on what it is like to be a postman and the application process (although i have looked it up and seems straightforward enough you never know...) would be appreciated, I have thought bout this for a couple of years now and cannot really think of another job I would like to try as much!

tykesi

Maybe a bit of googling might have been an idea before asking on here.

http://www.royalmailgroup.com/careers/royal-mail

RedfordML

I was a postie for a short while - joined a few weeks before xmas, so was manic and very busy.


For me, the rounds, were extremely long, obviously at that time of the year, cold and wet so for me a little depressing!

Very much marmite role. Some will love, others will hate. Money is ok, think its about £9 a hour, plenty of overtime.

I was on rota 7.30-1.30 but would be out on rounds much later.

They have phased out most bikes, so its either rural or non rural rounds. Plenty to learn first few weeks, I found it a little daunting when you see the size of a round - but you will get used to it.

Flip side is the summers, lovely weather although its shorts year round

I would say have a go. Potentially an ideal time for you. (I would wait till after January if you are in no rush, although vacancies maybe harder to come by!)


I shadowed for 2 days on my round and was then left to get on with it. This was the hardest part, at the time of the year. Quite daunting every morning but you learn...

marcarm

It's better than walking the streets, plus you'll have letters after your name.

SailorSam

I'm unemployed at the moment so i read the Universal Job Search website each day, and one thing i've seen them advertising quite a lot is, not a postie but something similar where you're left alone to work out your own route and hours, is a meter reader.
You'd only need to carry a small phone thing to enter the readings and not a heavy sack.

SailorSam

I know it's not what you asked but this is from the JobSearch site about meter readers.


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Job summary
Job ID
21890928
Posting Date
06/11/2015
Location
UK-NW-Liverpool
Industries
Internet services
Job type
Full time
Salary
8.00 - 9.00 per hour
Hours of Work
Annual hours
Job reference code
6473205
Jobs4.co.uk

E.ON Meter Reader - Liverpool South

Job description

E.ON Meter Reader - Liverpool SouthDue to continued growth we are currently recruiting for a Meter Reader to join our client E.ON Energy on a temporary ongoing basis, with no anticipated end date, there is potential opportunity to progress and apply for permanent positions within the business further into your assignment.As a Meter Reader you will be responsible for visiting both commercial and residential customers to obtain gas and electricity readings from their meters, inspect connections, accurately capture data and provide ongoing customer service.The ideal candidate should have experience of working with customers as you will be seen as an ambassador for E.ON in the local community and the service you provide will be a positive lasting impression on the customer.You will be a lone worker who will be outdoors on a day to day and will be responsible for servicing E.ON customers within a set geographical location.***Please note that a level of physical ability is required to work in confined spaces and outdoors in all weathers on a daily basis***Sound like the perfect role for you?Location: You will be responsible for covering the following postcode areas in Liverpool South (L1,L2,L3,L6,L7,L8,L12,L13,L14,L15,L16,L17,L18,L19,L24,L25,L26,L27,L28,L34,L35,L36)Pay Rate: 7.63 per hour increasing to 8.02 after 12 weeks + monthly incentive which is on average between 200 - 600 depending on performanceAnnual leave: 28 days per annum pro rata for the first 12 weeks increasing to 34 days per annum thereafterHours: Full Time 37 hours fully flexible to work a 7.4 hour shift between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday - You will be required to work 1 late shift every week (11am to 7pm) and 1 Saturday every 8 weeks (when you work a Saturday you will get a day off in the week)Minimum Driving Requirements - As you will be provided with an E.ON Branded Van which will be for work use only and a company fuel card, you must have a full UK Driving Licence with no more than 6 points - must be two separate 3 point offencesA home telephone connection is a must to download and upload daily data as required.
Apply

Abbydog

Well I've been a postie for 6 years now, it is a bit of a marmite job! I love it but it can be very hard work - the rounds are very long and it does take a while to get efficient and fast enough to get round in the time.

If you want to apply - apply now I doubt they will be recruiting after January they do let you loose out delivering straight away. Most rounds are shared vans now so you will have someone experienced with you all the time. At my office new people are usually given a part time job at first, when full time contracts become available they are offered to the longest serving part timers first.

It is worth taking a temporary contract as any permanent contracts available will be offered to the temps. It varies from office to office but st my office they are usually short of staff so if you take to it you stand a good chance of getting a permanent job.

Money is just over £10 an hour now.

The 'computer' games on the online application aren't as bad as they look! I didn't think I'd done very well with them - but still got the job!

HTH - good luck

SailorSam

I had another look on the JC website and found this. You'd have to put your own postcode in and do a search for where you live





Postman/Postwoman with Driving - Leicester MC

Job description

Royal Mail are now recruiting for delivery postwomen and postmen with Driving at Leicester Mail Centre.
Job Reference Number 26163
As the face of Royal Mail you will work from 09:00 to 15:00 as part of a team, ensuring we continue to deliver the high standards of service our customers expect.

When you think of jobs at Royal Mail, the first thing you might think of is the postwomen and men who deliver mail to your home day in, day out. From exam results and tax returns, to wedding invites or online purchases, joining Royal Mail gives you the opportunity to deliver much more than mail. It allows you the chance to deliver smiles and successes; new toys and old memories – making a real impact in the heart of your community, while working for one of the UK’s most well-loved brands.

About the Role

Delivering mail and parcels to houses and businesses within a set area. You’ll be the face of Royal Mail in your local community, and work flexible hours to deliver the outstanding levels of service our customers have come to expect.
You’ll start your day in the local delivery office, sorting the mail for your route, before joining a colleague in a shared van ¬to start your round. You’ll each be given a hand-held computer device to capture customer signatures for deliveries and the round will take around four hours to complete. But don’t worry – our new delivery methods mean you won’t be carrying heavy bags (there’s a trolley for that) although completing your round on foot will keep you in good shape.

About You

Upbeat and self-motivated, you’ll be as happy working alone as you will be working as part of a team and getting to know the different people on your round. You’ll have a strong sense of community and the idea of doing a job that involves flexible shift patterns will appeal. We deliver mail come rain or shine, so we’re looking for people who like being outdoors whatever the weather, and because there is walking involved in every round, you’ll also be someone who likes the idea of doing a job that will help you keep fit. Some experience in a customer facing role would be ideal and for roles with driving, a full driving licence with no more than six penalty points is essential.

About Us

Five centuries in business has made Royal Mail more than a household name. We connect companies, customers and communities across the country, delivering a ‘one-price-goes-anywhere’, universal postal service to more than 29 million addresses across the UK.

A FTSE 100 organisation, we’re undertaking one of the biggest industrial transformations in the UK in recent history. Letter volumes are declining. So, we are focused on leveraging the increasing number of parcels being driven by the growth of the online shopping industry. We want to be more flexible and efficient and are employing our strong brand and a range of new products and services to achieve this.

We are an inclusive employer with equality, diversity and fairness at the heart of our values. We welcome applications from individuals from all different backgrounds and are committed to promoting fair participation and equality of opportunity for all of our job applicants.

Pay and Benefits

You will be paid weekly, increments at 6 months and 12 months are subject to satisfactory performance.

Starting Salary

Age 17 £7.28 + 6 months +12 months
Age 18 £9.36 £9.89 £10.40

We also offer a weekly Delivery Functional Supplement of £23.58 (pro-rata) plus overtime and shift allowance if applicable.

Hours of work:

We are looking to offer Permanent contracts for
Part time, 20 hours per week (Monday to Saturday with 1 day off)

Other benefits include:

• Holiday entitlement starts at 22 days on entry rising with length of service (pro-rata)
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Excellent career development opportunities
• Full uniform provided for contracts of longer than 3 months
• Childcare voucher scheme where you can save tax and National Insurance by paying for your childcare by the childcare plus scheme, and an excellent maternity / paternity leave policy.
• Cycle2work scheme
• Many varied corporate discounts e.g. lifestyle discounts to include high street vouchers. Travel &attraction discounts for family days out. Fashion, gifts and health &wellbeing to include discount on beauty products and gym membership

What happens next?

After

robatwork

Do you own any long trousers?

If so then you have ruled yourself out for the job.

usefulmale

I was a postie 10 years ago. When you start, you are usually a stop-gap filler. You will almost certainly be on a different walk every day, so you never have a chance to learn your frame. That means you are last out of the depot and the driver who drops all your bags off has gone. After 4 years (in my case) I had been in the job long enough to secure a walk of my own (They are usually repicked every few years and the most senior (in terms of length of service) gets first pick, then the next senior etc. The ones picked last are usually the sink estates etc that nobody wants.

Summers (for me) were the worst time. Hot weather, no shelter from the sun, back doors open, so the dogs can come charging out when they hear the gate open, bratty kids, people thinking you have all day to chat. Best time really is winter or when its pi$$ing it down. Doors closed, so few dogs out, few kids, few chatterboxes.

The money itself is not so bad but the management treat you like dirt. For instance, I was attacked by a dog on the street. First thing the manager asked when I phoned the office was 'have you finished your walk?'

chubsta

tykesi wrote: »

Maybe a bit of googling might have been an idea before asking on here.

http://www.royalmailgroup.com/careers/royal-mail

I have googled but whilst i understand what the process is, it is always nice to hear peoples actual experience of the process!

At the moment i am looking perhaps a couple of years ahead as i am in a very stable job that i could quite easily stay in until I am 60 (I am currently 49) but just know that i really don't want to be still doing in 10 years time, the only thing i really want out of a future job is that it is outside and involves exercise, i really cant abide sitting at a desk. having said that, working indoors is fine as long as it is active.

Meter reading is another option i hadn't considered so thanks for that, and also thanks to 'usefulmale' for the experience report, I did wonder how routes get chosen, my postman said he had chosen ours as it is a really nice one where people are very friendly.

Robatwork - I wear shorts until the end of December and they usually come out again in February so with a little work i may be able to get up to post-standard!

thanks for the replies guys!