A little help please!

[GNER 373]

Ok so,

I've been working in numerous 'fulfilling' jobs over the years but I want and for my sanity, need to do a job I really want to do, which is work on the railway. Of course as per usual I'm wanting to be a Train Driver and have extensively researched the ways and means of getting to this post.

One way is to join up with a TOC and work your way through the various jobs until maybe one day a chance to make it as a Driver opens up. Because of my location the two main TOCs that operate from Newcastle mostly are Northern and East Coast. I have signed up to job alerts with both websites of these TOC's however as with many jobs within the UK there aren't many about!

What I'd like to do is find out some names/contacts of the right people from within these two TOC's and possibly send my sparkling CV along with cover letter basically begging for a shot within the company as part of a train/station crew. I have tonnes of experience dealing with the public and I could even rely on my qualifications as a chef to work in a catering car....just a foot through the door. I really think if I show my interest directly they may give me at least an interview!

What I would like to know is if anyone on here can give me any pointers, names, contacts, advice, etc etc to give me a fighting chance just to get a response!!!

Any help is massively appreiciated

 

[Darandio]

What I'd like to do is find out some names/contacts of the right people from within these two TOC's and possibly send my sparkling CV along with cover letter basically begging for a shot within the company as part of a train/station crew.

As someone who has worked in recruitment, don't do that. In an industry that is rife with people harbouring childhood dreams of working on the railway, it's a major put off.

That said, I have always been signed to alerts for various TOC's and companies through previously working in recruitment, many don't actually correlate to the jobs shown on the vacancies section of the website, some don't appear at all! Just keep looking, in fact, Northern have had a steady stream of recruitment despite the current climate.

 

[142094]

To be fair to other people, I'd hope that most companies wouldn't give you special treatment if you sent in an unsollicited CV or letter. I'd expect the only reply you are likely to get is to keep checking the vacancies. Unfortunately you'll just have to wait until one comes up.

 

[GNER 373]

As someone who has worked in recruitment, don't do that. In an industry that is rife with people harbouring childhood dreams of working on the railway, it's a major put off.

That said, I have always been signed to alerts for various TOC's and companies through previously working in recruitment, many don't actually correlate to the jobs shown on the vacancies section of the website, some don't appear at all! Just keep looking, in fact, Northern have had a steady stream of recruitment despite the current climate.

Slight mis-use of the word begging there but thanks for the reply! I am hoping if I give a good account of myself with letter and CV they may just take a chance and give me extra info or even some sort of appointment?!? Theres always hope! And there's no harm in trying I suppose! What do you think is the no.1 quality they may look for in your previous experience if you don't mind me asking?

 

[mac]

i think it would be a waste of your time,the TOCs have a strange way of doing things just look at post from this week where people have even filled in appliccation forms to be told they have changed there minds and now don't need staff all in 1 week.

 

[Waiting]

Slight mis-use of the word begging there but thanks for the reply! I am hoping if I give a good account of myself with letter and CV they may just take a chance and give me extra info or even some sort of appointment?!? Theres always hope! And there's no harm in trying I suppose! What do you think is the no.1 quality they may look for in your previous experience if you don't mind me asking?

I am probably in a similar boat to you, i passed interview for Metro job and tests at Doncaster a year ago, was advised i had job but on waiting list, last week i went back for reinterview and had a nightmare. I started applying for Northern only for the job to be pulled. I thought of sending unsolicited cv's on grounds i have passed the Drivers assessment,its interviews that are not my strong point.
Personally i'm selling my property and am prepared to relocate, this should open up more possible posts, i was also worried that my age may count against me, i'm 45, but reading posts on here apparently not.

No 1 quality i would assume would be an adherance to safety, rules and procedures. I would look at job adverts and pull out the requirements and highlight your achievements in those areas.

 

[GNER 373]

Thanks for all the replies guys/gals seems whatever I do is gonna be an uphill struggle! I suppose everyone that works on the Railways has to start somewhere! I think maybe sending a letter/cv is still a good idea but I'll continue to keep an eye on all railway jobs/pages/subsriptions! I'll let you know if I get anywhere!

 

[Traineeconductor]

Thanks for all the replies guys/gals seems whatever I do is gonna be an uphill struggle! I suppose everyone that works on the Railways has to start somewhere! I think maybe sending a letter/cv is still a good idea but I'll continue to keep an eye on all railway jobs/pages/subsriptions! I'll let you know if I get anywhere!

To be fair i wouldn't send a letter and C.V Most companies dont accept C.V's now you have to either apply online or fill out a application form. I would wait untill a vacancy is put online before aplpying for it and just give it your all in the application form.

 

[GNER 373]

To be fair i wouldn't send a letter and C.V Most companies dont accept C.V's now you have to either apply online or fill out a application form. I would wait untill a vacancy is put online before aplpying for it and just give it your all in the application form.

Thanks Dan,

Will do!

 

[spacehopper]

Biggest recruitment list I've seen in a while this week lots of fleet vacancies. RPA jobs listed at Boro and Newcastle- keep an eye on the Northern website as these should appear externally. Get in quick as these jobs normally go to drivers sons and daughters....

 

[GNER 373]

Biggest recruitment list I've seen in a while this week lots of fleet vacancies. RPA jobs listed at Boro and Newcastle- keep an eye on the Northern website as these should appear externally. Get in quick as these jobs normally go to drivers sons and daughters....

Thanks for the heads up! Forgive my stupidity but what are RPA jobs?

 

[142094]

Revenue Protection Assistants is what comes to mind.

 

[spacehopper]

If you get on the railway it's a whole new language and acronyms aplenty.

RPA / AFC / TE / ATE- all the same job basically helping the guard out with tickets on busy trains plus blocking stations, crowd control that sort of thing.

Only part time jobs mind but chance to do overtime at weekends and during school holidays to bump up your basic.

Good leg up for other roles especially if you want to go guarding.

Job going on Hartlepool station as well.

 

[GNER 373]

Thanks spacehopper! I'm all signed up with both EC and Northern job alerts so I'll keep checking those!

 

[E&W Lucas]

Ok so,

I've been working in numerous 'fulfilling' jobs over the years but I want and for my sanity, need to do a job I really want to do, which is work on the railway. Of course as per usual I'm wanting to be a Train Driver and have extensively researched the ways and means of getting to this post.

One way is to join up with a TOC and work your way through the various jobs until maybe one day a chance to make it as a Driver opens up. Because of my location the two main TOCs that operate from Newcastle mostly are Northern and East Coast. I have signed up to job alerts with both websites of these TOC's however as with many jobs within the UK there aren't many about!

What I'd like to do is find out some names/contacts of the right people from within these two TOC's and possibly send my sparkling CV along with cover letter basically begging for a shot within the company as part of a train/station crew. I have tonnes of experience dealing with the public and I could even rely on my qualifications as a chef to work in a catering car....just a foot through the door. I really think if I show my interest directly they may give me at least an interview!

What I would like to know is if anyone on here can give me any pointers, names, contacts, advice, etc etc to give me a fighting chance just to get a response!!!

Any help is massively appreiciated

First up, what do you mean by "fulfilling job"? We've all had jobs we didn't like, even nominally good ones. The answer gives a better pointer to where you should head next. If you're flipping burgers, then you should be looking for CSA jobs, and trying to work your way up. If you're the guy that's running a shift of people flipping burgers, then that shows that you can handle responsibility, communicate, etc. , so you could be rather more ambitious. Remember, there are entry points at all levels on the railway now, and there is no clear internal line of promotion. Also, in the meantime, get as much responsibility in your present career as you can. It all boosts your CV.

"Informed Sources" tell me that there's next to no likelyhood of any trainee driver positions on EC at Newcastle for the forseeable future, and that trainee positions across the whole route are in low single figures in a typical year. So that leaves you with Northern.

Are you in a position where you can relocate? You will give yourself far more opportunities. Also, don't sit about waiting for vacs to be advertised. Make a well constructed speculative application, being clear about what types of work you will consider. Be specific and sensible - make it relevant to the level of experience that you have.

A pointer - don't come across as a "big time trainspotter", if you are one. An interest is great, but they don't want people who are going to be watching everything else, apart from what they are supposed to be doing.

Best of Luck.

 

[GNER 373]

First up, what do you mean by "fulfilling job"? We've all had jobs we didn't like, even nominally good ones. The answer gives a better pointer to where you should head next. If you're flipping burgers, then you should be looking for CSA jobs, and trying to work your way up. If you're the guy that's running a shift of people flipping burgers, then that shows that you can handle responsibility, communicate, etc. , so you could be rather more ambitious. Remember, there are entry points at all levels on the railway now, and there is no clear internal line of promotion. Also, in the meantime, get as much responsibility in your present career as you can. It all boosts your CV.

"Informed Sources" tell me that there's next to no likelyhood of any trainee driver positions on EC at Newcastle for the forseeable future, and that trainee positions across the whole route are in low single figures in a typical year. So that leaves you with Northern.

Are you in a position where you can relocate? You will give yourself far more opportunities. Also, don't sit about waiting for vacs to be advertised. Make a well constructed speculative application, being clear about what types of work you will consider. Be specific and sensible - make it relevant to the level of experience that you have.

A pointer - don't come across as a "big time trainspotter", if you are one. An interest is great, but they don't want people who are going to be watching everything else, apart from what they are supposed to be doing.

Best of Luck.

Hey,

Many thanks for posting!

Firstly the term 'fulfilling jobs' is laced with sarcasm although they have taught me enough skills and experience to cover more than one job role within the railway industry!

I have also done research and have it from almost the horses mouth of how to enter EC at a different angle and work my way through the company toward a guard/driver role! I'm not adverse to relocating although I am pretty well positioned in Newcastle as I know train crews are based from this station. I am not counting out working for Northern but I'd prefer EC if I'm totally honest! I've signed up to job alerts with EC and Northern but I'll take the plunge and, like you say a constructive speculative approach to EC and Northern and see where that gets me!

I must admit that I'm not a hardcore trainspotter more of a healthy interest in railways, the workings an such and that should hopefully give me an edge that I have an interest in the job I can do!

Again I really appreciate your post

Cheers

 

[E&W Lucas]

I have also done research and have it from almost the horses mouth of how to enter EC at a different angle and work my way through the company toward a guard/driver role! I'm not adverse to relocating although I am pretty well positioned in Newcastle as I know train crews are based from this station. I am not counting out working for Northern but I'd prefer EC if I'm totally honest! I've signed up to job alerts with EC and Northern but I'll take the plunge and, like you say a constructive speculative approach to EC and Northern and see where that gets me!

Guard is very much more achievable than driver, especially if you already have customer service experience. On any company, the London depots are easier to get into. Then put in a transfer request, and wait your turn. The likes of Virgin or EC have replaced virtually all their drivers since Privatisation, so their recruitment/ training requirements are not large. When they do recruit, it is often qualified drivers, as they have the pick of the market. Rather than waiting and hoping for a scarce trainee vac on an intercity company, plenty of internal applicants choose to try their luck with the suburban companies.