How to get a Job at UPS: Understanding the Interviewing & Hiring Process

– How to get a Job at UPS –

During the months leading up to the holidays, the United Parcel Service opens up many seasonal positions to fulfill their needs. These temporary openings are almost always for part-time package handlers and are usually the only way to get a foot in the door at UPS.

UPS promotes its employees from within, so the only way to become a delivery driver is to start out as a package handler. Part-time package handlers work about 20 hours a week and must be able to lift up to 70 lbs (packages average approximately 30 lbs).

This guide discusses the Parcel Service’s application, interview, and hiring processes and provides tips for new applicants.

Applying

UPS only takes applications online. Check the careers page on their website to look for open positions in your area. The best time to apply is in the fall, prior to the winter holiday season.

You will need to enter your social security number and will be prompted to set up a personal passcode before beginning the application.

When filling out the application, be sure to enter a phone number and an email address where you can be contacted by a UPS recruiter.

A recruiter will call and/or email you if your application is chosen for an open position. Your application is valid for sixty days. Once the sixty days pass, you will need to start the application process over if you are still interested in employment at UPS.

Patience Is Key!

Every year, UPS hires as many as 90,000 employees for the holiday season. That means the company has to sift through thousands and thousands of applications.

Being impatient and calling to check on the status of your application will not help you whatsoever.

The only way to keep tabs on the status of your application is to log on to the UPS website using your social security number and passcode. Once logged in, you will be able to view any updates to the status of your application.

Getting the Call

Once you are contacted by a UPS recruiter, you will be given the time and location of your interview. In some cases, you will be given a tour of the UPS facility during or after your interview.

Usually, your recruiter will let you know what type of attire you should wear to your meeting.

If you’re not sure where your interview is, log on to your UPS account with your social security number and passcode. Here you will find the date, time, and location of your interview.

How to Dress

In getting to dress you should ask what and what you should wear

What Should You Wear?

Applicants vying for manual labor jobs like driver helper or package handler should dress business-casual for an interview with UPS. Because of the nature of the job, candidates who wear overly formal attire to the job interview may not necessarily improve the chances of hire.

How to Behave

Show enthusiasm and interest in UPS operations during the tour of the building, and ask questions if given the opportunity. Refer to prior employment when possible to show experience and competency in management.

Keep responses focused on company values, employee morale, and customer service, as well. Remain patient and consistent throughout each portion of the UPS hiring process and thank all hiring personnel for the opportunity at the conclusion.

The Interview and Tour

UPS does not have a set interview and hiring procedure. At some facilities, you may be given a tour before your interview, while at others, you might be interviewed first then taken through the facility.

In some cases, your hiring contact may let you throw a few boxes to give you a feel for what a package handler does.

No matter what UPS location you go to for your interview, you’ll need to bring a government-issued picture ID and your social security card.

When you sit down for your interview, you may be speaking with a member of human resources, a supervisor, or both.

The questions tend to be fairly simple and interviews rarely last over 10 minutes. When your interview is over, you will usually be told when to report back for orientation and training.

UPS Interview Questions & Tips

United Parcel Service, or UPS, operates as one of the largest and most successful logistics and shipping companies in the world. Job hunters find a plethora of seasonal, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities on the UPS website.

Candidates request employment by creating profiles and completing hiring forms at the Careers section of the site.

Hiring Process Overview

The hiring process overview involves:

1 on 1 or Group Interviews Depending on Position

Human resource representatives contact eligible applicants to set up interviews. Entry-level interviews for positions like driver helpers, truck loaders, or package handlers usually commence with a tour of the building and move on to 1:1 or panel meetings with hiring managers.

The UPS interview process includes interviews of 10 to 15 candidates at a time for part-time or seasonal positions, with hiring personnel spending several minutes with each applicant before making employment decisions.

A single interview typically suffices for delivery applicants to gain hiring consideration with the logistics company.

Management Positions Interviews

UPS also interviews job seekers for a variety of management positions. The delivery company frequently uses the panel interview format, with multiple hiring managers interviewing managerial candidates.

Some hiring procedures for management positions require applicants to take part in multiple UPS job interviews.

What to Expect

There are certain things to expect and they are:

Background check, drug tests

Drug testing and criminal background checks remain common formalities during the entry-level hiring process. During group meetings, hiring personnel typically takes a few minutes to outline job duties and company expectations before asking candidates a few questions one-on-one.

What Questions Do They Ask?

Common inquiries used during the UPS interview process include:

• “Are you aware of the physical demands of this job?”
• Can you lift 70 pounds?
• “Did you play any sports in high school or college?”

Questions for Drivers

Driver candidates field UPS interview questions concerning:

• past commercial or delivery driving experience
• following directions
• interpreting maps
• computer and customer service skills

Popular prompts include:

• “Tell me about a time you drove/delivered a package in inclement weather.”
• “How well do you know the area?”

Questions for Managers

Interviewers often ask behavioral and situational questions like:

• How would you deal with a conflict between two subordinates?
• “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a decision from upper management; how did you move forward?”
• “How would you motivate an employee who seems depressed?”

Answer questions briefly, using professional tones.

Getting the Job

Recruitment staff usually makes hiring decisions at the end of the meeting. Hiring managers usually contact applicants for employment decisions via telephone and schedule starting dates for orientation and driver school within a week of the final interview.

Orientation

Orientation takes up to five hours and is usually conducted by a member of human resources in a classroom setting with other new hires in attendance.

Instructional videos will be shown to teach proper lifting techniques and other procedures.

If you didn’t fill out all of your employee paperwork at your interview, you will complete it during your orientation. This is also when you will receive your work schedule.

At the end of your orientation class, you may be given the opportunity to work out on the floor and get some training.

In conclusion, remember to be patient when seeking employment at UPS. It may take weeks or months to get your foot in the door, but when you do, it will be worth it. UPS is a good company to work for and offers many competitive benefits.

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