Hey guys, I have a question but first a little background. I’ve tried to get hired on with NS for almost a year now and have been to seven hiring sessions. The fifth time I went, I got called back to test, got called back again and interviewed. Problem is I didn’t do so well.
Now my current job is at a restaurant and my previous job was at WalMart where I did operate some semi-heavy machinery and worked outside a fair amount. My question is this, do you guys think my job history hurts me, and what might be a good job to look into to gain some outdoor work experience. I’m almost desperate here, since they seem to hire “nobodies” and I know I’d serve them well if they’d just give me a chance.
i dont think it is your job history as we have had people hired on from pizza delivery to moms who just put thier kids in school. it might be the attitude. most eveyone ive seen hired come on board with the attitude of i dont want to work and carry that same attitude this day. by not even showing up for work. go to the next hiring session and tell them to make it snappy you have a party t get to and if they hire you you will promise to show up half the time and the half you show up you will only work for about 2 hrs before you disappear.
There is nothing wrong with your work history. In the old days they used to hire a lot of family members. The crew callers, master mechanics, yard masters and other employees pretty much knew who these kids were and how reliable they were. Now it is a random crap shoot and so the interviewers use “scientific” methods…along with personal bias. I have a degree in Personnel Administration and I wonder where some of these people ever learned to evaluate what these tests “tell” them.
All I can say is be persistent, the next interviewer might have a different perspective. Also, be willing to move half way across the country if they ask. The railroads all want flexible employees, the railroads expect that. The normal call time is about 90 minutes to report to work under all conditions. They expect you to drop EVERYTHING to report at their call. Nevermind that you didn’t expect to go to work for another 24 hours based upon their lineup figures, they suddenly want you NOW! If you express any reservations at all about that in an interview you are toast.
Well, you could always settle for CSX and buy your way into the RR. Look up AMDG, the RR school. You need about 4,250 for tuiton, plus 5 weeks of living expenses. But it’s probably more of a sure bet.
I would not worry about your work history. I’ve seen people come from all walks of life. Worked with a female condr once that had managed a topless night club before coming to the rr. One of the dispatchers on our teritory hired into the dispatching center and worked as a produce clerk at at grocery store. Just hang in there, keep trying and you’ll get in if this is your goal.
I worked for a transit company and I remember the two major factors managers looked at after experience: Work Ethic Attitude and Safety Attitude! I don’t know your age, but people under 25 were more critically scrutized as many I saw had that: “Well man…If it is…it is…if it ain’t …it ain’t!” laid back attitude. That’s a Major, major turn off to a transportation company interviewer, even if you’re a good hard worker! Rail, bus, and airline companies are concerned about hiring employees that are potential liability cases. People with the “It’s cool, whatever” attitude often fall into this category. This give the impression of a person that doesn’t pay a lot of attention and drifts into “La-La Land” for seconds at a time. With homeland security issues today, aletness is critical.
You have to emphasize your attitude about working safely, double checking details, and willingness to go the extra mile when not asked. Give examples of incidents where you’ve done this. It’s also good to emphasize that you maintain yourself physcially and can work under pressure while maintaining a cool head. (On the job, you or your crew are behind schedule and a dispatcher or foreman might be screaming at you!–Been there, done that! )[;)]
Lastly, don’t answer questions with a simple “Yes” or “No” unless told so. Put some thought into your answers and look into the interviewers face ( or ear, or forehead, if you’re nervous).
Thanks so much guys, all of the information here is priceless. They keep telling us persistance pays off, and hopefully one day it will. FYI, I’m almost 24 and always stress how saftey minded I am on the application. I’m starting to notice that some of the people from human resources defenitely differ from one another, so it may just be a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Take care guys.
I don’t really know anything about you, but here are a few more general tips.
If you are a railfan, do not tell anybody, ever, while you are trying to get hired.
Unless you have worked for a RR before, do not claim to know anything about RR’s
Tell them you are willing to train for any job on the property
I do some of the interviews for the RR I work for and if there is one thing that I cannot stand, it is someone telling you they know how to railroad because watch trains coming in and out of a yard, or read books. This is one industry that you can’t learn by reading books
Im a drvier/engineer in the U.K.I work for Virgin Trains operating the 390 tilting train.When i started 4 years ago a few of us came from the same background being - military, truck driver and bus driver in that order.So yes i think if you got a job say as a bus driver or get on with the railway company as another profession.Once your in you can always progress as is in Virgin Trains now.All positions are internal applicants only.
Im a drvier/engineer in the U.K.I work for Virgin Trains operating the 390 tilting train.When i started 4 years ago a few of us came from the same background being - military, truck driver and bus driver in that order.So yes i think if you got a job say as a bus driver or get on with the railway company as another profession.Once your in you can always progress as is in Virgin Trains now.All positions are internal applicants only.
Im a drvier/engineer in the U.K.I work for Virgin Trains operating the 390 tilting train.When i started 4 years ago a few of us came from the same background being - military, truck driver and bus driver in that order.So yes i think if you got a job say as a bus driver or get on with the railway company as another profession.Once your in you can always progress as is in Virgin Trains now.All positions are internal applicants only.