Knowing the area initially?

[frost232]

Hi all

I've just registered here, hopefully I'm the right section.

Basically, I'm thinking of applying to be a postman but there's no jobs listed in my region, although I'm happy to move to a different part of the country as I've no restrictions in my life currently - so pastures new, and all that. Part of the problem with this is it'll take me a while to get to fully know the new streets and area off the top of my head. If I was to attend an interview for a postie job in a different area, would the questions be targeted towards discussing the region (like, "what's the fastest route to X street from here?"), or wouldn't these questions crop up, and they'd be more like "why do you want to work here" and "what would you bring to us?", etc? I presume I'd be shown the ropes and route within the first few days by heading out with another postie, so just wondered. Obviously I'd do revision beforehand but just wondered to what extent I'd need to know the area initially. Any advice appreciated.

[GHOSTman]

Hiya. to be honest I don't know what the current interview would be like as I joined the company over 10 years ago so things might have changed in that time. If you decide to apply I wouldn't worry about what questions they will ask you. They will probably be trying to decide how flexible your attitude is to working under pressure and to deadlines. You just need to demonstrate you are keen and prepared to get stuck in, and perhaps work over your time... . As for knowing the area a good A-Z would be a good first investment. What I would say... is if you've got a bit of fire in your belly ...and can stick up for yourself, go for it.... jump on the royalmail roller coaster...Just be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride. Good luck man.

[Straight4ward]

There's no need to know an area beforehand and you won't be asked questions on it at your interview. It's not the cabbies' "knowledge" or an RM equivalent.

Don't think you'll find any full time jobs anywhere currently. Most appear to be 25hr or 30hr contracts. Depending on which Delivery Office you apply to you'll probably find that there are opportunities to make up your hours with overtime.

Try http://www.royalmail.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for a job search.

Best of luck.

[Steviea34]

Hi Mate,
you firstly apply online to do a series of tests, if you pass this or depending on how many applicants,
have a high score you will then be invited to an interview. The test involves some maths & matching some
addresses & postcodes. The interview itself will revolve around your last 5 years of employment/what have you
been doing. The Interviewer will ask you some ops questions, i.e can you ride a cycle, is working saturdays a problem,
performing o/t at short notice etc. The second part will be questions such as" can you give me an example of when you
have worked as part of a team" ( life experience type questions) hope this helps & good luck

[krussel]

Greetings Buddy and welcome.

As already mentioned you will not be expected to know the area like a cab driver beforehand. When you actually go out on a delivery mostly you simply follow the letters, which if they are bundled correctly take you around the route.
You may get asked about your intended travel arrangements as some public transport services don’t run the same times on a sat etc.

Its seems that flexibility is the key topic at the moment and your ability to be able to work a little past your time, on the day, if you are required to do so. Other than that it basic stuff like enjoying working outside and facing some difficult weather from time to time etc.

Best of luck to you.

Ps Don’t get put off by all you read on here as we all like a bit of a moan but still get up everyday and go do the job.

[proper postie]

Knowing the area is completely irrelevant to the job,you learn the area by following the letters.it's confusing at first and can be a bit daunting to some the first time they go out on their own,but it's basically common sense.

I moved to a new area and joined rm almost immediately with zero knowledge of the local surroundings.

Be advised though,it's not a casual stroll about for a couple of hours,it's physically demanding work at times and can get stressful with the workload you are expected to complete.

That said,you don't have a manager breathing down your neck all day and you get plenty of exercise!

[TeeferTiger]

The interviews are more about can you read and know a little about addresses.

The area isn't important. Even though I live near where I work, I don't know the area that well and as a new starter, you'll be trained on the duty you'll be covering and left on it for 12 weeks (your workplace coach should ensure they pretty much leave you alone for that time!)

Remember though, there aren't any full time positions any more so can you really afford to completely upsticks and move somewhere completely different just to come work for a company that's going down the pan?

[motherhubbard]

as a new starter, you'll be trained on the duty you'll be covering and left on it for 12 weeks (your workplace coach should ensure they pretty much leave you alone for that time!)

If only that was true everywhere.

[savo]

At my first office they had little road maps for each walk, with first and last numbers ( both sides of street) marked on them.
Very useful to new starters.
at second office most walks were rurals, so only way was to go out with the experienced postie and learn the route. Official training time was 3 days on a rural, but the dim used to sometimes try to mug you off with just 1 or 2 days.