Are you seeking an employer who shares your values?

Consider a career in federal law enforcement.

Value match matters more than material might in the pursuit of meaningful fulfillment. Some may wonder how to find a federal law enforcement employer with shared values in comportment with their own priorities.?

Many potential employees are becoming more selective about job offers, thanks to an evolution in how work is viewed as part of a lifestyle, autonomy to make decisions and advance initiatives, and digital fold increasing the use of hybrid work. If you’re considering your options, this may be an ideal time to find an employer who shares your values. More specifically, if you are considering a career in federal law enforcement now is a good time to consider the unique value proposition of the United States Postal Inspection Service as an employer of Federal Agents - Postal Inspectors.?

Cultural fit has been a standard part of career advice for generations because happiness at work usually means thinking about more than your salary. After all, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled if you support your company’s mission and practices.?

In fact. more than 9 out of 10 adults are willing to earn less money in order to do meaningful work, according to a report by Harvard Business Review.?

Figure out your priorities and use them to plot your career path.?

How to Identify Your Personal Values:?

Be authentic. Work values vary greatly from one individual to another. You might yearn for a chance to travel our country while someone else wants more time in a specific area close to long term family and friends.?

Federal Agent – Postal Inspectors are hired under a mobility clause, so you can expect to at a minimum move around the country once or twice within a 20-year career. Those seeking roles in leadership may be required to move more, while those that remain at the “journeyman” level (non-management) conducting investigations are typically allowed to remain at the location to which assigned. As openings occur the U.S. Postal Inspection Service does consider employee-initiated transfers based on the needs on the organization. This often allows our journeyman employees to get to a location they desire for long term assignment where they can work the remainder of their career.?

Make a list. If you search online for core values or guiding principles, you’ll find lots of tools to help you get started. Pick out the words and phrases that resonate with you.?

You may find alignment with the guiding principles adopted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.?

• Accountability: We will foster accountability in our organization by setting high expectations for performance, customer service, and individual responsibility.
• Integrity: We will preserve the trust given to us by the U.S. Postal Service, Congress, and postal customers. We will act with integrity in every encounter and maintain a standard of conduct above reproach.
• Respect: We will value diversity and commit to treating everyone with dignity and?respect.
• Excellence: We will stand for continuous improvement, positive change, and making breakthroughs in what we do and how we work.

Review your experiences. Take some time to reflect on the kinds of situations that energize or drain you. Previous jobs or volunteer work might give you ideas for what you want out of life.?

Then consider your future options. You may find reward in protecting the innocent and ensuring the safety and security of American commerce and communications as they flow through our Postal Service network at more than 30,000 facilities in the hands over of over 600,000 employees.

Imagine your dream job. In the real world, any position has some trade-offs. However, visualizing can help you clarify your goals.?Does your vision of a dream job include a sense of adventure and helping others?

I envision my future self in my nineties on a porch with a grandchild on my knee. What stories will I be able to convey to this child about the value of contributions I made during my working years? Did my work matter? Was I part of something larger than just making a living? Did I help others?

We are all different, but for me a career as a Federal Agent - Postal Inspector positions me well to answer these questions affirmatively with zest when I reach that later stage of life.

How to Apply Your Values to Your Job Search:?

Do your research. Take a deep look at any prospective employer. Read annual reports and news stories to learn about their leadership and community activities. Check websites like Glassdoor to browse through reviews from current and former employees.?The U.S. Postal Inspection Service website has annual reports and variety of other helpful resources available here: https://www.uspis.gov/press-kit

Talk with others. Once you’ve gathered some background information, you can reach out to your network contacts and try to find referrals to anyone familiar with the companies that interest you. That way you can ask pertinent questions and confirm your impressions.?

Follow social media. Facebook and other platforms let you see what organizations say about themselves and the kind of image they want to maintain. You can also gain insights into how they interact with the public. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Broaden your sights. Big corporations hire PR firms to help them look socially responsible. However, smaller government organizations can have incredible impact, too. You might find promising opportunities anywhere.?Serving as a Federal Agent – Postal Inspector with U.S. Postal Inspection Service is a prime example of quiet humble contribution with incredible rewards and a huge positive impact across communities.

Discuss the mission. Use networking conversations to learn more about an organization's mission statement. Find out how it guides decision making.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has a very unique mission that covers every address across America.

• The mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is to support and protect the U.S. Postal Service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers; enforce the laws that defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use; and ensure public trust in the mail.

Finding an employer who shares your values can take some time and thought. However, the results are worth it. Feeling like you belong can make your work life less stressful and more rewarding.?The U.S. Postal Inspection Service offers a unique and rewarding career in federal law enforcement. We are hiring this year. Check out our website to learn more. You can sign up for email alerts when our hiring portal opens: https://www.uspis.gov/about/careers/postal-inspectors

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