BNSF EFLS interview and assesment

darkon Apr 29, 2013

  1. darkon

    darkon New Member

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    Hey all first post here. I've been reading through the postings on the employment forum for the last couple of weeks. There is awesome wealth of information here

    I'm currently 42 and just applied for the first time last week to BNSF. I applied for the Conductor Trainee (Primary Recall) at a couple of places in Texas and also for an EFLS position. I just got called today for the EFLS position and am scheduled to go to a hiring event in a couple of weeks. I was asked on the phone to give my top 3 out of 5 places I would like. New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Illinois, Colorado. I have to take an assesment test and do well in order to continue the interview process. This has got me nervous now.

    Has anyone went through the Experienced First Line Supervisor hiring process or at least taken the assesment test? Can anyone tell me what to expect on the test or how it is formatted?

    I think I am more worried about my age being a factor more than anything. Would that be a deteerent to hiring ?

    Any information would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Hi darkon, Welcome to the TrainBoard, glad to have you on board. I've never worked for a railroad, but there are many here who have, so I think you should get plenty of information. In the meantime, Good Luck, hope you make it.
     
  3. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    I hired out when I was in my early 50s. I think your age may be in your favor.

    I know nothing of the EFLS you speak of. The name would suggest a need for someone with railroad experience but then again, I dont know what the position is.

    Break a leg!


    Charlie
     
  4. darkon

    darkon New Member

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    Thanks for the welcome guys.

    EFLS - Experienced First Line Supervisor. I saw the job posting on the site and what experience was required. I applied and got the call 2 days later. So I am hoping to find out more about the testing and interview before I go so I am a somehwhat prepared.
     
  5. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    By the way of a bit of advice... I might suggest you go without having a "prepared" agenda. The interviewers are just interested in knowing if you are capable of handling a railroad job. They want to see if you look physically capable, are honest,clean and sober and willing to work really crappy schedules in really crappy weather for LOOOOONG periods of time. You CV or resume will give them the specifics they might be interested in, should that be necessary. I interviewed with the main personnel wonk when I hired out. She was interested in knowing why I wanted a railroad job and if I was a family man, would it make a difference if I was away from home for extended periods of time. I told her that I had considered railroad employment many years ago but decided that the drug/alcohol culture was too prevalent at the time(I dont drink or drug)but that had since changed and observance was quite strict. I also told her that many economists and business wonks considered railroads to be a growth industry(still somewhat true)and that I felt that that would be an exciting challenge(it was!). I told her that being away from home was not a problem but might have been some 10 years prior when my kids were smaller,but at the time I hired out all I needed to face was college graduations and weddings. She appreciated my candor. Suggestions for interview, dress neatly and cleanly, business casual(polo shirt-khakis) are always good unless you are angling for a "suit" position. No torn or ragged edged clothing or any with profanity or refering to the use of booze,tobacco or drugs. Hair clean and groomed, no extreme hair styles. Facial hair neat and trimmed(hint-if it aint on your drivers license-lose it!), shoes shined and/or in good repair. Be honest with the interviewer. Dont be afraid to "blow your own horn"(ie. if you are an Eagle Scout-say so and included on your resume). Make sure you can back up any claims you make,dont "shade" your past work record or skills,(ie-if you say you can speak German-make sure you're fluent in it). Thats about it!

    Charlie
     
  6. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Listen to Charlie, he hit the nail squarely on the head. I never worked in or around the Rail industry, but I rose to middle management in defense contractor computer systems. Consequently I interviewed many, many engineers, technicians, and support candidates, both male and female. Honesty, openness, initiative, and consistency were the big winners in everyone I hired. The non-hired candidates apparently did not understand that inconsistencies between their resumes and their interviews made any difference, or even existed, not good. Good Luck..!
     
  7. darkon

    darkon New Member

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    Thanks again guys for the tips. They are very much appreciated.

    I think I am more nervous about the assesment tests. If you do not pass those, then you do not get an interview. That is the part I really do now want to blow.
     
  8. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    Mostly they give you a problem that is a challenge to your ethics or morals. They want to know if you work safely and know enough and are brave enough to challenge or question a colleague on their work practices or rule observance and how you relate to other people. Dont even try to answer with an answer you think the railroad wants to hear. Answer the way you feel is the best way. here's an example... You witness a fellow employee working without proper safety equipment. You would.....
    A/ ignore him/her if he/she gets hurt it's his/her own fault!
    B/Tell their supervisor immediately.
    C/Tell your colleague that they really need to have proper safety equipment before you can continue working the job.

    D/Slap the &^%$ outta him because he's so stupid!
    E/none of the above
    F/all of the above
    That's sorta what you might be facing, the other tests are basic logic and simple math.

    Charlie
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 30, 2013

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