One of the most common questions we hear from job seekers is: “I don’t see any USPS jobs open in my area right now — should I still apply?”

The short answer: yes, absolutely.

USPS job availability changes faster than you might expect. Postal positions can open and close in a matter of days, sometimes even hours. That means if you wait until you see an opening to start the process, you could miss your chance entirely.

Why USPS Jobs Open and Close So Quickly

The United States Postal Service operates on a constant cycle of hiring to keep up with mail volume, seasonal demands, and staffing needs. Positions often fill quickly for two key reasons:

1. High Demand – USPS offers competitive pay, great benefits, and long-term career potential, which makes their jobs highly sought-after.

2. Internal Processes – Certain vacancies are posted for only a short window of time to comply with hiring requirements and manage application volume.

This means you might check the USPS job board one day and see nothing near you, then find multiple listings in your area just a week later.

The Hidden Advantage of Starting Early

Even if there are no open positions today, you can still get ahead by:

• Creating your USPS candidate profile

• Completing the online application for your desired role

• Taking and passing the required USPS assessment

• Uploading a postal-ready resume

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be ready to apply the moment an opening appears. USPS hiring managers often move quickly, and candidates who already have their assessments and application completed get priority consideration.

Don’t Wait – Be Ready

Think of USPS job openings like boarding a train: when it arrives, you want to be standing on the platform ready to step on — not still running to buy your ticket.

Getting your assessment done now means you can submit your application immediately when a job posts in your area, giving you the best chance of being considered.

Bottom line: Just because there’s no active listing in your ZIP code today doesn’t mean there won’t be tomorrow. The best time to start the USPS application process is now so when the opportunity appears, you’re ready to claim it. Register today to gain access to our easy-to-use job finder tool, along with other resources to help you succeed in the hiring process including simulated practice assessments, a resume-builder tool and more!