I am a forty year old paramedic firefighter with past military experience who has been out of work for a little over a year.
Ive been a Model Railroader and Railfan since I was a teenager. I just revived notice from Norfolk Sourthen’s Detroit Office that I have been selected for the second step of the hiring process for a Conductor Trainee position.
I am scheduled for an Interview January 7th 2011 at the Holiday Inn in Romulas. Now based on this information I’m assuming this will be a large cattle-call session.
I’ve downloaded the NORAC OPERATING RULES, EIGHTH EDITION, Effective January 1, 2003 to study and review as preparation for the interview. Howevery Im looking for advice that will in cress my chances of being hired. Things such as how to stand out from other job seekers, what the RR is looking for, the correct things to say and do ect. Also any websites, fourms with in the Rail operations coumminety would also be welcomed.
On your resume, have any railroad experience front and center. Any railroad education (there are some trade specific schools around as advertised in Trains. Having been a subscriber to Trains and RailRoad Classics for a number of years, the railfan turned railroader have stated they needed to keep the rainfan bit in check. In this particular hobby, it would be a negative more then a positive in a job interview.
The goal here is to sell yourself, what can Brad do for NS? Brad brings (made up example) 20 years of military experience, Brad managed a firefighter team of 6, Brad maintained the schedule for a paramedic company of 25. Pointing out you have been self-studying transportation operations might be a plus. Any relatives who worked on the railroad would be worth mentioning (my two cents.) Keep in mind that railroad life is 24/7 with being on the extra board. The interviewer is going to be looking for someone who can cut working all hours of the day and night.
Keep in mind basic interview methods, wear a suit, look interviewer in the eye (expect a 20 something to be doing the speed interivew), firm handshake, all they normal things. Plus smile!
I wish you the best of luck. Myself I tired for a job with the old DL&W right after highschool in 75. The receptionist in Hoboken NJ office took one look at me with my glasses and said if you can see clearly for 90 days you can fill out an application, else the door is behind you. So instead of running EMDs and GE’s I manage IT projects, the headaces and hours are about the same.
NS likes people with a military background because they want people who can take orders in a top down organization. I would emphasize your specific experiences in top down organizations that show you will be a SAFE employee that can take orders so NS can make money. I would not say anything about being a rail fan. Rail fanning is about having fun, the NS is about making money and they take that very seriously.
Brad: Having worked with, but not for, NS in the past, I can tell you that they emphasise SAFETY All the way. I got my first job as Conductor by showing that I knew how to switch cars, plan ahead and work with a team (in those days, both Engineer and Brakeman) safely. It wasn’t 'til after I was assigned that I told the Road Foreman and GM that I had learned it all in 1:87 Railroading. I agree with the others: Don’t disclose that you aare a MRR or foamer; put forth your best atributes, as suggested by other responders. JWH
Also, NS doesn’t give a hoot about prior railroad experience, they tend to automatically disqualify RR academy grads, and people working for other railroads. It’s too hard to unlearn them and teach them up the NS way.
Emphasize your military background, you are used to working in a 24 hour environment, working outdoors and you know how to work safe.
All the advice written above is good, but I think showing up in a suit to interview for a blue collar craft position is a bit much. A clean pressed sport shirt and dress slacks would be the minimum for the interview; and if you want to look a little more formal, perhaps wear a pullover sweater and a necktie. Polished leather shoes would be a plus as well.
Your military background certainly will give you an edge in the interview process - no doubt about that. Ever since General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, the railroad has fancied itself as a quasi-military organization. That’s why the industry loves veterans.
Since being a conductor is an outdoor position, emphisize that you enjoy working outdoors. Also understand that switching freight cars is really a game of planning and tactics. If you enjoy that sort of thing, you’ll be a natural fit as an engine foreman or footboard yardmaster. Flat switching freight cars into classification tracks and then folding those tracks together to build a freight train is one of the most satisfying jobs I’ve had in my railroad career.
Be prepared to answer any possible questions about any paramedic encounters you may have had with the railroad industry. If you’ve had such experiences, be careful not to be judgmental against the railroad - even if it wasn’t NS.
At this time, whether your heart is there or not, leave open the possibility that you would be interested in advancement into management at some future date. Admitting such will probably give you an additional edge.
The railroad game is a personality business. During the interview process don’t be too stiff, clipped in your speech, or too formal. Remember, you not only need to sell yourself as to how you can offer something good to Norfolk Southern, but you also need to make the interviewer comfortable with you. Keep yo
I penned a feature that ran in the October 2008 issue of TRAINS on this subject. At the risk of immodesty, I’d recommend checking it out. I talked to quite a number of folks with insight on this, including NS’s AVP of HR.
Still more.#### 1) Never, never con your interviewer.#### 2) Be yourself.#### 3) Have some well thought-out questions about the company and the work you are interviewing for. This shows you are interested in the company, its problems and opportunities.#### 4) Take the time to put together [truthful – see (1) above] short stories relating how you were able to solve problems or get things things done faster, cheaper, more efficiently. You should star in these.#### 5) Keep the tightest lid on your railfan interests. A friend who years ago went through the Penn Central management training program with a number of others related that a colleague who exhibited foameresque knowledge of railway rolling stock was INSTANTLY branded an “FTN” – TN meaning Train Nut. Since you’ve been in the service, you can guess what the F stands for. The term was not meant as an accolade.#### 6) Best of luck!
Best of luck to you. I don’t work for a railroad…never have…and probably never will…However I do have some experience in hiring people for transportation related positions. Apart from what was already stated, I wouldn’t hesitate to show my railfan interest although I would be careful to present it in a professional way that says “I’m qualified and interested”. The world is full of people who sleep walk through their jobs and careers because they really have no interest in what they’re doing. They wake at age 55 or 60 and come to the realization that they’ve accomplished little and will have a poor retirement as a result. Any interest at all above and beyond the minumum requirement is welcome and like a breath of fresh air…if you’re interested then show it.
Conductor is essentially the foreman of the crew - a low-level manager - and responsible for planning ahead and coordinating activities, estimating times to complete tasks, etc. Do you have any experience that is similar in responsibility ? If so, then be prepared to “highlight” it.
Likewise, the ability to know, master, and comply with a thick book of rules and complex operating procedures - and having done that successfully a couple of times in your career - would seem to be a plus - again, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it !”
I must say they when I posted this I was swimming in a plethora of emotions. Excitement, apprehension, worry, and a sudden flood of “got to hurry up and prepare” top the list. I think that this comes from that fact that I have been unemployed for some time now and the frustration of constant rejection in my search to provide for the family is really taking its toll.
I want to thank everyone one for all of the useful information and putting my mind to ease… All of the information has been honest, well thought out and I will put it to proper use. Thanks!
I’ve only had one Railroad interview in the past. A Few months ago I interview with a local short line in Mid-Michigan for a dispatcher position. After reading your posts I’ve determined that disclosure of my rail hobby interests was most likely the killer even tho I have experience as a 911 call taker/dispatcher and logistics.
I see that the majority feel that my rail hobby interests should be kept for disclosure after I’ve got some time under my belt. I can relate to this now that I step back and think about it. In emergency services we have people who are considered Jr Coder’s and “Trauma Trooper’s. This would be equal to a “Former” if I understand the term correctly. We didn’t look too highly upon them ether as they usually got in the way, was to quick to jump in the mix and generally was performing skills that they were not trained or sometimes licensed/certified to do.
I want to send a special thank you to Steve F for the YardLimits.com lead. I spent all day reading several areas of that site and I found it to be a great investment in time. I closed my browser w
Sounds to me like NS stands to gain a great employee… well spoken, literate, and experienced to boot. If that shines through in your interview I can’t see why they wouldn’t hire you if there are positions available. Good luck!
One further thought: Have you ever had a ‘lost-time’ injury ? How long ago ? Or not ? How about the people you supervised ? I don’t know if the interviewer can properly ask the questions - likely not - but if the answer works in your favor, consider bringing it up on your own.
Keep in mind that NS’ current ratio is 1.08 personal injuries per 200,000 man-hours worked - see http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Investors/Financial_Reports/Investor%20Book/safety.html - which is roughly 1 per 100 full-time employees (at 2,000 hrs. per year = 50 weeks x 40 hours per week). So on average only 1 in every 3 workers or so would have one during their lifetime of employment.
If you haven’t done so already, it might be worthwhile to review that page - and the company’s website generally, just to learn more about the ‘culture’. One member here - who is an NS manager - has already remarked that they don’t hesitate to march to a different drummer if they think that’s the right or best way for them, so perhaps some of what ‘you think you know’ about railroads in general may be a little different there. For example, getting on and off moving equipment - which seemed to be a required job skill ‘back in the day’ - is now forbidden.
Forget about the NORAC or any other type of studying. You’ll be trained in all that crap if they hire you
Other things to highlight:
working in conditions other than 9-5 and 70 degrees. Any experience in outdoor work, work in the cold, the heat, at night, weekends, swings, should be stressed.
SAFETY. Mention any type of safety rules or committees former employers had - OSHA type stuff for example. PPE. Working around any type of machinery.
You don’t want a job, you want a career.
Do not admit to being a railfan. I actually had a paid internship with a RR museum in a past life. But I downplayed it, by admitting (honestly I might add) that I was a basement dweller working with the archives. That, and the TM that hired me was a railfan, too. Lucky me…?
But seriously, you sound like you would make a fine RRer.
If you have been involved in safety meetings/functions as a leader/facilitator or have worked on some sort of safety related project in the course of your previous employment, tell the interviewer. Make them think you have safety dripping out of your pores. NS is dead serious about safety. If you have an exemplary driving record, make the interviewer aware of it. If you have a poor record don’t bother going to the interview. Also be prepared to list and furnish dates of any traffic violations . If there is any discrepancy from what they find in their investigation and what you report, this could eliminate you. Also ,anyone you list as a reference will be contacted. I’m telling you these things from experience. I hired out with NS in 1999 at the ripe old age of 49, so don’t worry about your age being held against you. I hope and pray that you are successful in this endeavor.
Just finished up a 30 minute phone interview with Canadian Pacific. I have been invited for an interview on January 4th. Three days before my NS interview. He is what going through my head.
(1) I live one hour from NS they require 1.5 hr arrival. The CP Job will require relocation as they require 2 hr arrival. I applied for four different locations with CP. The interview asked what location I preferred. I replied; “I have no preference but, Elkhart IN. (3hrs away) is the closest and I have Family in St. Paul MN, but I planed on relocating anyways so I go were I’m needed”. I’m interviewing in Indi at there request. I’m ok with relocating so long it is for the better with the right company.
(2) NS pays $600 wk for training, CP pays $735wk for training. Not that big of a difference but what about the yearly salary differences? Plus I don’t know were CP’s training center is located. My passport active and valid so that’s not an issue.
(3) Is the salary, regulated by the same bargaining agreements?
(4) How the benefits are different since one is a Canadian Company?
(5) Is one company better than the other? Now I know all companies have issues. That’s just the way it is. I’m looking for longevity, position advancement, retirement, ect. I may be looking to far a head at this point but I w
Both NS and CP are well regarded and good companies. Keep in mind that the interview process works both ways: they check you out…and you also check them out. Thus, your questions are probably best answered via that interview process. Of course, I wouldn’t mention that you’re trying to decide between offers…but make sure you make a list of questions and you get detailed answers from each carrier. Although CP is a Canadian company I believe their operations in the US are pretty much autonomous…ie.e. you’ll be trianed in the US and dispatched by people who work in the US…although the extent of Canadian involvement and potential for advancement as an American in a Canadian headquartered company might be worth looking into.