Howdy. I'm going in for an interview next Monday for a conductor trainee position and would like some advice. I've read the importance of stressing safety and teamwork, something I appreciate. I was wondering what the interview process is like, will they do a strength test that day, and what consists of the strength test? I'm pretty strong for a woman, but not as strong as many guys. I can lift my 75 lb dog with ease. Also, since I am a woman, are coworkers gruff? I can handle gruff. Would there be a lot of singling out to be picked on, though? Any advice is helpful.
Welcome to TrainBoard! Your post is fine where it is placed. Where I reside, I have certainly seen females coming through as train crew. So it obviously can be done. I'd say put all doubts from your mind, and outwardly be confident. Male or female, co-workers can be gruff. That could happen anywhere you work.
Welcome to trainboard! I understand your concern about co-workers being gruff. I am a mgr in the auto motive industry. I have 2 female technicians in my shop of 37 techs. They fit in well with the guys now, but at first it was awkward for the guys as they had never worked with a woman in the shop before. I told both of my female techs that IF for ANY reason you feel uncomfortable by one of the comments, remarks, or just general body language from one of the guys, feel free to let me know. With that being said, your supervisor should know the laws and take corrective action once it is reports, if by you or anyone else for that matter. Good luck with your interview. Ryan
For the interview, as you know, safety and team work are what they are looking for. Also, the BNSF says, "every accident is preventable," just to give you an idea of the safety attitude. Chances are the interview will be short and to the point, because they usually have quite a few interviews to get through in a short time. Don't be too worried if the interviewer(s) seem uninterested. They pretty much ask the questions that are important, take a few notes, and that is it. There is generally little chit chat or socializing. Usually the strength test is done only after you have been given a job offer. They will have you take a reading comprehension and workplaces practices test before the interview. Seeing as you wrote a coherent post for this forum, I am sure you will not find it difficult though. They interview everyone who passes that test. The strength test consists of a few exercises in which they measure your range of motion in each leg and arm, and strength while going through the range of motion. It is also pretty simple. I had mine at a physical therapy place, and they had me sit in a chair and strapped one leg to the machine. They then had me lift my leg as high as possible, and then bend it at the knee as far as possible. Then they had me go through that established range ten times with some resistance on the machine. Repeat with the other leg. Then they did the same thing with both arms. If you can lift your 75 pound dog, you will probably do fine with that too. Actually, I have never heard of anyone failing the strength test. The attitude of your coworkers will depend entirely on who your coworkers are. At my location, in Montana, we have quite a few women who work as Conductors and Engineers, and they are generally treated quite well by everyone. There is no singling out or picking on the women in my terminal. Women are becoming more common on the railroad though, so I would expect you would be treated just fine almost anywhere you go.
Good luck with the interview!!! Even though I have never been a female, I agree, being the new guy, you often get picked on. There are also the coworkers you will like and ones you will despise. Good luck and keep us posted, hope you land the job!!! Ben
thanks for the info and encouragement, y'all! the interview's not until Monday, but I figured to get in as much research in as possible. I'll make a note on my calender to definitely check back on Tuesday of next week.
passed the test and had the interview. i was open and honest and emphasized teamwork. but, in my mind, i sounded like a twit. the coordinator said all interviewees should know fairly soon~~by Thursday evening or Friday.
Good for you! If you dont hear anything,call them. Sometimes it's a ploy they use to find out who is really serious about the job. As for your co-workers... I can't candy coat it... most male railroaders are 12-14 years old psychologically. Porn is considered heavy reading to most of them. Rough language is what is spoken on the job. Mother is only half a word on the railroad. If that offends you, dont hire out. If a male colleague starts to give you a ration of *%^# , dish it back 10fold! They want to see what your weak spots are. If they find you have a "hot button" they will push it often. If you are sexually harassed, report it immediately! That sort of conduct along with fighting and drug/alcohol use/abuse are NOT tolerated. Even though they are psychologically "little boys" most male rails are gentlemen and act that way most of the time. If you're their "buddy",they will treat you like a buddy, gender nothwithstanding. The guys that are genuine @$$hats, are that way to EVERYONE. Treat them in the same manner they treat you. If you feel you must take an air hose wrench to somebody,STOP,Take a time out,sit down in the clear and catch your breath. I was able to save 3 lives that way. 1 engineer,1 switchman and myself for not going to the electic chair for murder (LOL). Mostly I'm just pulling your leg. You'll do just fine,act like an adult and treat everyone else the same way. You are not on the railroad to make friends, just money. If you want to make friends on the job, you will. Work safely, insist your co-workers work safely, go home to your family safely. It's a job, make the best of it! Charlie
Congratulations! If they don't call right away or right when they said they will, don't be too alarmed. Sometimes the timetable the BNSF says it will follow and the time table they actually follow are quite different. They generally tell you pretty fast if they want you, but for me it took them another month to figure out when they wanted me. If it gets to be several days past when they said they would get back to you, then give them a call and find out what is going on. When I interviewed, I had a job offer within two weeks, but it was another month until I got a start date. Part of that was them waiting to see how long it would take to get my background check, physical, drug test, etc., done. The faster you can get all that done, the sooner you can start, usually. Get them the information they need quickly, and they'll start you sooner. The background check is, to a large extent, out of your control. That depends how quickly the background check company gets it done. If they have complete and accurate information from the beginning, it usually goes a little faster though.
Congratulations on the test and hopefully you get hired on, as others have said it can take some time for the hiring process.
