At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage mail and parcels for students, ensuring a smooth post room service.
- Company: Vibrant university campus focused on creating a supportive environment.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, store discounts, and perks from top retailers and gyms.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for growth in a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real difference in student life.
- Qualifications: Experience in similar roles with strong communication and admin skills.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 13 £ per hour.
A successful university campus is about so much more than buildings. It’s about the environment, the atmosphere and the people – creating that sense of home that will help students feel safe, secure, and help them thrive. This is a zero hours fixed term contract (until end of May 2027) with an hourly rate of £12.98.
Our Post Room Assistant is responsible for providing a flexible, efficient and professional post room service for students living in halls of residence. Role responsibilities include:
- Responsible for the secure receipt, sorting, distribution and management of mail parcels for residents and staff
- Maintain and update various records and registers both manual and computerised as required
- Provide appropriate notification of post to residents and staff as required
- Ensure that the working environment is properly maintained and kept tidy at all times
- Provide prompt and effective help, information, and advice for all residents, and staff
- Assist with reception duties as and when requested
- Comply with health and safety, ensure work is performed in a safe manner
- Prepared to be added to an emergency contact list to assist in emergencies out of hours which may include manning a door or fire alarm panel
We are looking for you to have worked in a similar role and environment with great communication and administration skills with excellent attention to detail. Most of all you will have the passion to work as a team to do an excellent job to our students and staff. You will also be flexible to work (with notice) to work additional hours when the need arises, especially during the main student arrival and departure weekends.
In return, we are offering a fun and interesting environment to work in with a competitive salary and a great benefits package which includes store discounts, as well as discounts from a variety of top retailers, restaurants, gyms and more. We welcome all applications and recognise the value of having a diverse and inclusive culture, which reflects the communities we work with and has a positive impact on our people, our student residents, and our university partners, for the benefit of all. We understand all disabilities, impairments and conditions are unique, so please advise us of any adjustments which would support you through our recruitment process and also help you to thrive at work. Our core values of Innovation, Sustainability, Community, Partnership and Respect, are fundamental to our culture and summarise what is important to our business and our people. We are a team with energy, pace and passion; if that sounds like you.
Postal Assistant (zero hours) employer: UPP
Joining the UPP team at Reading University as a Post Room Assistant means becoming part of a vibrant community dedicated to creating a supportive environment for students. With a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a commitment to employee growth through training and volunteering opportunities, we foster a culture of innovation and respect. Our inclusive workplace values diversity and ensures that every team member can thrive, making it an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful employment in a dynamic setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Postal Assistant (zero hours)
✨Get Social with Customer Support Communities
Join customer support groups on platforms like Facebook or Reddit. They often share job openings or temp opportunities. Engaging with these communities can help you learn more about the specific skills and experiences employers are looking for, plus you'll meet folks who might know about openings at companies like UPP.
✨Leverage Seasonal Hiring Trends
Since customer support roles can spike during busy seasons (think holidays and sales periods), keep an eye out for timelines when companies ramp up hiring. Make sure to apply early and stay active; sending a quick follow-up a week after applying can show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Flex Your Communication Skills
In customer support, communication is key! Prepare for hypothetical scenarios that test your problem-solving and customer interaction skills. Practising answers to common role-play questions can really help you shine in interviews—trust us, it makes a difference!
✨Make the Most of Job Boards
Use industry-specific job boards like Glassdoor or Indeed to find temporary roles. Don’t forget to set up alerts for customer support positions at companies like UPP. The earlier you apply, the better your chances, so keep your finger on the pulse!
We think you need these skills to ace Postal Assistant (zero hours)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Communication Skills:In customer support, top-notch communication is key. Make sure your CV showcases any previous experience where you’ve had to clearly convey information or resolve issues. If you’ve handled customer queries via email or chat, mention it! Let’s see those strong verbal and written skills shine through.
Showcase Problem-Solving Experience:Employers love to see how you've handled tricky situations. Include examples in your application where you’ve tackled customer concerns or had to think on your feet. It's all about proving you can keep cool under pressure and find solutions—something super important in a temporary customer support role!
Tailor Your Approach for Temporary Roles:Since this is a temporary gig, make sure your cover letter emphasises your flexibility and eagerness to dive right in. Mention that you're ready to hit the ground running and are adaptable to new tools or systems—this shows that you understand the urgency often needed in temporary positions.
Proof of Customer Satisfaction:If you’ve got any quantifiable achievements from past customer support roles, like improved customer satisfaction scores or successful project completions, make sure to include them. Numbers speak volumes! This not only shows your capability but also gives us a reason to believe you'll bring that same success to UPP.
How to prepare for a job interview at UPP
✨Master the Customer Interaction Game
In customer support, we need to showcase our people skills. Prepare for role-playing scenarios where you'll demonstrate how to handle difficult customers or resolve complaints. Think about the types of issues common in UPP's industry and how you can respond empathetically and effectively!
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
For a temporary role, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the products or services UPP offers. Brush up on key features, common issues, and FAQs. This knowledge will enable you to respond quickly and confidently to customer queries, showing you’re ready to jump in at a moment’s notice!
✨Flexibility is Key - Emphasise Your Adaptability!
Since this is a temporary role, we're looking to convey how quickly we can adapt to new systems or processes. Be ready to share examples of how you've quickly learned new tools or adjusted to changing environments in past roles. Show them you're the go-to person when the pressure's on!
✨Prepare for Quick Conversational Q&A
You might face a rapid-fire round of questions about customer service principles or how you'd handle specific situations. To ace this, think through different customer scenarios ahead of time, and practice your responses to ensure they're concise and impactful. The aim is to demonstrate your quick thinking and problem-solving skills!
