If you’ve recently applied for a job with the United States Postal Service, you might have run across the words “Offer Phase (EXT)” on your application status. If so, it probably looked something like this…
But what does it all mean?
Basically, Offer Phase (EXT) means that you’re being offered the position you applied for, even if you haven’t been contacted directly yet. You should receive an official job offer via email after seeing the Offer Phase (EXT) code show up on your applications status. However, this process can take weeks or months.
If you haven’t received your job offer, check your email spam folders first. In some cases, your job offer might be extended to you over the phone, so keep a close eye on your calls and voicemails.
Most importantly, keep in mind that this process often takes quite a while, so try to practice patience. If you see Offer Phase (EXT), this means that you will receive an offer–you might just have to wait a while for USPS to reach out to you with the details.
To break it down even further, Offer Phase (EXT) means that your application is in the “offer phase” (meaning that you’re being offered the job) and that you are an “external hire” (hence the EXT code). People often assume that the EXT means “extended,” but this is not true. If you were already a USPS employee applying for a different position within the organization, you would see Offer Phase (INT) instead.
The USPS application system is called eCareers and can be found here . This is the only way to apply for positions with the United States Postal Service. If you attempt to apply for a job in person, you will be directed to the eCareers online portal.
Here’s a basic overview of the USPS application and hiring process…
It’s important to note that not all USPS positions require standard interviews. So, it’s possible that you could be offered a position without ever being interviewed.
Unfortunately, the waiting period to receive your offer once Offer Phase (EXT) shows up on your application status can be quite long.
According to accounts from current USPS employees, it can take anywhere from six weeks to two months to receive your formal offer.
After Offer Phase (EXT) appears on your application status, you can expect the following to happen…
* If you do not receive an email asking you to come in to provide fingerprints, it’s a good idea to visit the post office in person to offer up your fingerprints proactively. This can help speed up the process.
Unfortunately, this process can take a very long time from start to finish. If you’re feeling stuck in the process, try to be as patient as possible. Two to three months is considered a standard waiting time from the date you submit your application to when you start working, but the process can sometimes take even longer.
Not quite. It means that you have received or will soon receive a job offer. However, you must still accept the offer and go through the pre-hire process before you’re officially considered a USPS employee. If you don’t pass your background check, exams, etc., you won’t get the job despite having received an offer.
No. While you can apply for as many positions as you want, you can only accept one job offer.
While they are both statuses found in the USPS application portal, “pre-hire list” comes before “offer phase (ext).” If you see “pre-hire list” on your application status, that just means that you’re being considered for the position, but USPS has not decided whether or not to offer you the job yet. “Offer phase (ext)” means that you are being offered the position.
