Give me an example of how you have been reliable in the past. Why do you feel this trait is important for USPS staff?
According to their service standards of conduct, which can be found on their website, USPS employees are required to be honest, reliable, trustworthy, courteous, and of good character. Knowing that hiring a reliable new employee will be for the overall good of the team, your interviewer wants to hear you discuss how you have proven yourself to be dependable in the past.
"I used to work the morning shift at a coffee shop. I arrived every morning at 6 a.m. and was always on time, making sure that everything was set up before the customers arrived. I never complained about having to be there early and took pride in my espresso-making skills. A customer even told my manager that the only reason he came to our coffee shop was that he loved seeing my smiling face!"
As you answer this question, demonstrate how you follow through by showing up and taking care of your responsibilities. The United States Postal Service will always be enthusiastic about hiring someone they feel can fulfill daily duties with integrity. Give an example that proves you are dependable and can be entrusted to handle your responsibilities.
"I know that your team at the USPS counts on every person to be punctual and responsible for their duties every day on the job. As a new graduate, I've proven my ability to be reliable to my baseball and football teammates by being an upstanding student, a student-athlete that trained hard, and a teammate that was always there to help pick up a teammate. I feel so fortunate to have gained these skills and knowledge that will be vital to my success here."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I used to work in a restaurant in New York when there was a hurricane. Most of the businesses were closed, but our restaurant owner wanted the business open. No other employee was ready to work, but I thought this is the time when the company needed me most so I opted in. On that day I was working as a dishwasher, server, bartender and food runner by my self. The business worked smoothly, and the customers were happy.
Rachelle's Feedback
Very good example of a time when you stood out above the rest!
Anonymous Answer
When I was working at ________ (Indian grocery store) at that time my shift is morning. One day my manager could not come in time, and he told me that I have to open cashier counter instead of him. I reached 15 min. earlier and watch everything and started the counter perfectly on time.
Stephanie's Feedback
This is a wonderful example of dependability, as well as your loyalty to your employer. I am sure your manager was very grateful for you stepping in! The only suggestion I have for improving this response is to add a closing sentence that shows the impact of your reliability. Was the store able to open as a result? Did everything run smoothly without a glitch? Adding this as a closing sentence helps to show how the business benefitted because of your reliability.
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