Even with the ever-growing use of electronic communication, there is still a large demand for delivery of regular mail, or "snail mail". Learning how to become a mailman will bring great benefits and good pay, as the job is a federal position and eligible for government benefits.

A mailman is responsible for delivering mail and packages to homes, apartments and businesses on a specific route. Often the mailman must sort the mail prior to delivery. Being a mail carrier can involve a great deal of walking while carrying heavy bags of mail and you will need to be open to working a variety of hours.http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-become-a-mail-carrier.htm

Understand the Basic Requirements

In order to become a mailman, there are several basic requirements.

1. You must be over 18 at the time of application.
2. You must be a United States citizen.
3. You must speak English.
4. You have to pass a drug test, medical screening and background check.
5. You need to have a clean driving record as you will most likely be expected to drive a mail truck.
6. You should have excellent communication skills as you will be interacting with the public on a daily basis.
7. You need to be prepared to deliver mail regardless of weather conditions.http://www.usps.com/employment/employrequirements.htm?from=employment&page=leftnav_employreqs

Take the Postal Exam

In order to be considered for a job as a mailman, you must take and pass the USPS Exam 473, a standardized exam which tests reading and memory skills. The higher your score on this exam, the sooner you can expect to be hired. In order to even be considered, you need to score at least 70%.

1. Go to your local post office to apply for a mail carrier position. Ask to register for the next exam date.
2. Study, study, study. You can usually find study guides at your local library or ask at the post office for "60-A Test 473 Orientation Guide for all Major Entry Level Jobs," a pamphlet that includes practice questions for the exam.
3. If you don't do as well as you would like the first time, you can retake the exam. Only your best score is considered for employment.http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-become-a-mail-carrier.htm

Be Patient

Competition for mail carrier positions can be tough, so you should prepare to wait in order to be hired, sometimes up to two years.http://www.ehow.com/how_2060737_become-mailman.html Once you do become eligible for a position, you should also be prepared to start on a part-time basis, working your way up to full-time employment.http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-become-a-mail-carrier.htm