Postperson

As a postperson, you may:

• load and unload delivery vans
•  sort mail and parcels for your route, by hand or using a sorting system
•  walk for up to 6 hours a day to deliver mail
•  use a hand-held computer device to get customer signatures
•  pick up mail from post boxes, post offices and businesses
•  deal with wrongly addressed or returned mail
•  transport mail to and from processing centres, delivery offices, railway stations and airports

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work on your own
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of English language
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

You'll usually need your own transport to get to and from work, as you may not be able to get public transport to suit your shift times.

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

With experience, you could be promoted to higher grades like delivery office supervisor or manager. You could also move into national parcel deliveries, HGV driving or customer care jobs.