Companies to contact

[TQ]

I currently work in IT for a manufacturing business but have been looking to move into a more management based role for a couple of years.

I'm now toying with the idea of achieving my aspirations by joining the railway industry. In the long term I'd like to be in a senior management position, short term probably anything office based although I am particularly interested in signalling, project management/planning and obviously IT.

I don't mind taking a pay cut in order to widen my long term opportunities but realistically I'd probably struggle to go much below £24k-£25k.

As I'm relatively happy in my current job I'm in no particular rush (I'm only 26 and getting married next year) I'm just trying to create a "plan of attack" and work out the best way to get my foot in the door and (hopefully) get a job I enjoy in an industry I'm interested in with good career prospects.

In the past I've had good results sending out a fairly general "selling myself" letter to companies. It tends to differentiate you from those applying for loads of jobs at the same time and providing it's well written should result in at least a phone call if not a meeting. Where I am struggling is deciding which companies should receive such a letter. I'm currently thinking along the following lines: Network Rail, any TOCs operating locally to me (which includes the WCML) and freight operators. What I'm not sure about is people like Siemens, Signalling Solutions, Bombadier etc...

Has anyone else had any success moving into the industry in this way? Hints, tips, feedback on my idea and suggestions of companies to look at would all be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Cheshiretrain]

I'm not sure if sending a speculative application would work, because of the volume of applications. It's worth a try definitely, you aren't going to lose anything.

Not being in any rush is a good thing as it's a long process. Just keep your eyes peeled for new positions on all websites.

You sound like somone who has alot to bring to the table, so my advice would be to send a strong application and stay positive.

Good luck

 

[TDF]

If you're interested and open to change, try applying for DBS and their jobs in the UAE. Plenty of potential roles on the website, worth a go

 

[Luski28]

If you're interested and open to change, try applying for DBS and their jobs in the UAE. Plenty of potential roles on the website, worth a go

Is this not open to existing employees only. Would be interested but I see that they are taking on a lot of trainees at the moment so can only guess that this is to back fill exsisting employees taking up the offer on the UAE. Sent them an email to clarify anyway.

 

[TDK]

I'm not sure if sending a speculative application would work, because of the volume of applications. It's worth a try definitely, you aren't going to lose anything.

Thinking about speculative applications, would you not be in a better position if the application is read by a manager as an individual application other than among hundreds of them? Just a thought and by the way this is how I managed to get a trainee drivers job!

 

[Cherry_Picker]

A speculative application was what worked for me.

 

[Cheshiretrain]

Thinking about speculative applications, would you not be in a better position if the application is read by a manager as an individual application other than among hundreds of them? Just a thought and by the way this is how I managed to get a trainee drivers job!

That's very interesting, I've not been on here long and I was under the impression that due to the volume of applicants it wouldn't be a good idea. Glad to be proven wrong, may give this a try myself.

Well done for getting your trainee position. What company was it for if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

TDK has been a qualified driver for 15 years or so I think. Maybe even longer than that.