Am I mad to turn down guard job?

[KatieK]

If there is one thing I can say, dealing with the great British public and customer service scores highly for me and I have to say is probably my forte, along with lone working. I would not consider a position that doesn't involve customer service no matter how well paid so at least the attraction in this respect is a positive.

 

[teslatech]

As someone who's still gutted to have failed interview for a guard job, I would be biting your TOCs hand off to accept the job. Were I in your shoes. Also I'd be a bit salty if I knew the position I didn't get had gone to someone who didn't really want it.

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[AlterEgo]

I like shift work too although was no lover of 12hr night shifts. A few conflicting pieces of advice here. I askespecially because this line of work is totally alien to me and one which I had no burning desire to do.

I'm wondering if others had simply applied due to a fantastic wage, even though they then loved the job or has this career path been a burning ambition only made more appealing due to it being well paid.

In other words is the pay, prospects, and working for a reputable company enough with the prospect of the job being lover or is it a career that should really be in the blood or a burning ambition

There are a lot of railway staff who do the job simply because they like the money and the perks. In my experience, they weren't the good ones.

The railway is a strange place with lots of idiosyncrasies. To make a proper career of it, and rise through the ranks, you'll need to really enjoy what you do. You can learn the job right enough but learning internal politics, the "way things are done", and learning things beyond your grade take a great deal of commitment.

 

[KatieK]

I am not particularly interested in rising through the ranks, for instance train driving doesn't interest me remotely.

What I am interested in is dealing with the great British public in this capacity and very customer service focused.

If it's one thing I can big myself up on its that however as a guards job is so alien to me this is why I ask these questions for the very reason not to go to work simply fora good wage.

I know that once my decision is made I will embrace my new career path as I am extremely focused and do not want to be unhappy at work.

I hope people will see that this is the reasons for my questions. It's not about the money although appealing, I want to make sure that I love this job and hopefully with my love if dealing with the public I am halfway there.

 

[notadriver]

Taking all leave and rest days into account I only work 185 days of the year averaging 35 hours a week with a salary in excess of 50k. What's not to like ?

 

[JohnR]

I was offered a job on the railway (in the Civil Engineers department) of BR Western Region (which shows you how long ago that was!). At the time I had just dropped out of university, and had doubts about the requirement to also study for a qualification (even though I would still be paid!).

I turned it down. I have often had regrets that I didnt go down that path - as I have since found, gaining qualifications through employment are a part and parcel of life, and not as bad as a uni course you're not suited for.

So my advice would be to go for it! In the worst case scenario, you end up hating the job, or the way it fits into your life - in which case you move on. Jobs for life ended years ago, so no one is expecting to find a job and stick with it for decades.

 

[Kim_Badger]

Hi Katie,
There is a thread I started titled questions for a conductor.
Have a read through that, I found it very useful to get an insight into the role before I went through the full process

 

[KatieK]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I think my fear is the unknown. I'm very hard working, a good team player as well as lone working and very much a people's person.

I love my colleagues and they have become like a very big family to me so it's adjustment that's hardone but I've heard the rail profession is a friendly environment to work

 

[keep truckin]

Well you've clearly demonstrated you have the aptitude for the role and as you come across as a positive, customer focused individual, I honestly think you'll enjoy it. You also get to make many new friends. Loads of days off and you get out and about.

 

[LowLevel]

Some of my best friends I've met through the Railway - we go out together for days and nights out, go off on holiday and probably because you spend so much time together in what can be a stressful environment, you will often find people detached from your family life who can be uniquely good listeners and just helpful if you have the most personal of problems. It's far for unusual for someone to walk in the mess room looking down in the dumps and for someone to grab them and take them off for some lunch or similar.

There's groups who go out golfing, groups who like beer and curry, walking, going out and getting wasted in Corfu etc etc, you'll find people like you.

It's the best environment I've ever had to work in.

Being an enthusiast is also entirely irrelevant.

 

[ItchyRsole]

35 hours a week. Stacks of social time!!

 

[grumblingalong]

Katie, from what I've read from you, if I were in charge of the interview you'd get a job right now. You've described every aspect that makes me love the job, I don't think you'll look back if you go for it, is there really much to lose? If it doesn't suit I'm sure your current lot would be happy to have you back.

I say go for it.

 

[E&W Lucas]

I am not particularly interested in rising through the ranks, for instance train driving doesn't interest me remotely.

What I am interested in is dealing with the great British public in this capacity and very customer service focused.

If it's one thing I can big myself up on its that however as a guards job is so alien to me this is why I ask these questions for the very reason not to go to work simply fora good wage.

I know that once my decision is made I will embrace my new career path as I am extremely focused and do not want to be unhappy at work.

I hope people will see that this is the reasons for my questions. It's not about the money although appealing, I want to make sure that I love this job and hopefully with my love if dealing with the public I am halfway there.

The railway will give you more time off than any other workplace.
The downside, is that of your life requires a particular time off every week, or revolves around weekends, you're stuffed.

 

[KatieK]

Thanks everyone. Feeling far more confident. My life doesn't require a regular time off per week and I have no commitments.

Pleased to say I've made a decision. Train guard here I come!!! It hasn't helped that my boss gave me my notice back and said think on it another week haha.

Thank you all so much for your help. Now my mind is made up and I feel a lot clearer about things, I'm looking forward to it!!!

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Kim_Badger]

Katie, I know you don't want to disclose TOC but I'm wondering if I met you at assessment.
Was your interview last Tues in the morning?

 

[KatieK]

Hi Kim no it wasn't. I had my interview in December and have been waiting for a course. Hence the time lapse and my questions

 

[Bellbell]

As someone who's still gutted to have failed interview for a guard job, I would be biting your TOCs hand off to accept the job. Were I in your shoes. Also I'd be a bit salty if I knew the position I didn't get had gone to someone who didn't really want it.

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I'm really sorry you didn't get through the interview, I know it stings to get turned down for a job you really want.

However, the OP is right to question the job before she accepts. There's nothing wrong with having doubts over a role and weighing up all the pros and cons of making the move. There are a lot of people who would give anything to work on the railway which means that they can't always understand why someone else wouldn't give anything. Being desperate to work on the railway doesn't necessarily mean someone would be the right fit for the role they've applied for, and not being desperate to work on the railway doesn't mean that someone can't subsequently enjoy the job and be good at it.

I wasn't desperate to work on the railway, I wasn't entirely convinced about taking the job as I worried about the shift work aspect of it and if I'm brutally honest it's slowly killing my relationship and has made it incredibly difficult for me to make new friends in a new area. But I still go to work and approach each shift as a professional and do my job diligently and with a smile on my face. I can do the job well despite the fact that it's never been my dream.

OP, I answered on your other thread. On balance I like the job and the industry. I'd struggle to go back to M-F 9-5 but I see you're not coming from that environment so perhaps that's not relevant. Sometimes I think I regret joining the railway but I can't imagine ever leaving, so that must say something! There are plenty of positives. Whether or not there are others who'd like to be in your shoes shouldn't sway your thinking in any way.

Also, I know the enquiries are well intentioned but I wouldn't reveal the TOC in question. You never know who's reading, whether that be HR or someone at your prospective depot who will be able to put two and two together.

 

[amateur]

What did you decide in the end Katie K

 

[KatieK]

Ah thought I'd posted my decision. I'm taking it. Be a fool not too

 

[scotland1977]

Taking all leave and rest days into account I only work 185 days of the year averaging 35 hours a week with a salary in excess of 50k. What's not to like ?

No you don't you need to work your rest days to make that wage..IE your Sunday shifts so it's hardly a 35hr week is it???

 

[notadriver]

No you don't you need to work your rest days to make that wage..IE your Sunday shifts so it's hardly a 35hr week is it???

Wrong!! My Sundays are inside. It is a 35 hour week and that figure doesn't include any rest day work.


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[Shaw S Hunter]

Ah thought I'd posted my decision. I'm taking it. Be a fool not too

Congratulations! I wish you all the best with it.

 

[ComUtoR]

Ah thought I'd posted my decision. I'm taking it. Be a fool not too

Congratulations. Fun times ahead

 

[whoosh]

Perfectly normal to worry about whether you are doing the right thing. If you can, get on a train and ask a Guard what their roster looks like. It's probably not as bad as you think it will be.

It's swings and roundabouts with shifts - sometimes they are a pain and frustrating as they don't fit in with your personal life, but other times they really do fit well, and you've been able to do something on a day off in the week that you wouldn't've had in a 'conventional job' or fitted in seeing a friend before or after work.

I say go for it, or you'll never know!

 

[KatieK]

Now I expect ma few my mind up I'm really excited now. Was just a bit wobbly as I was rung out of the blue whilst on holiday.

Can't thank everyone enough

 

[Bromley boy]

Some of my best friends I've met through the Railway - we go out together for days and nights out, go off on holiday and probably because you spend so much time together in what can be a stressful environment, you will often find people detached from your family life who can be uniquely good listeners and just helpful if you have the most personal of problems. It's far for unusual for someone to walk in the mess room looking down in the dumps and for someone to grab them and take them off for some lunch or similar.

There's groups who go out golfing, groups who like beer and curry, walking, going out and getting wasted in Corfu etc etc, you'll find people like you.

It's the best environment I've ever had to work in.

Being an enthusiast is also entirely irrelevant.

All very true, although for someone who simply wishes to deliver customer service, there are probably easier industries to join. I've been surprised since joining the industry by the lack of "enthusiasts" amongst rail staff.

Being an enthusiast is not a pre-requisite, for sure. Although, I can't help but feel, some level of interest/enthusiasm is beneficial for someone joining the industry. The early starts, late finishes, weekend work etc. take their toll and having genuine passion for the job can help to "take the rough with the smooth".

 

[KatieK]

Well it's difficult to know as yet whether I'm passionate or not about a job when I have not experienced this line of work. What I do know is I am passionate about helping people and delivering good customer care and am used to shift work and working weekends and 7 days a week on occasions as explained earlier so I'm sure I can cope with this aspect.

I have dealt with some extremely stressful situations regarding customer care and real emergency procedures so I am well aware that the rail industry may pose it's fair share of problems in this respect.

 

[JohnChuchu]

Well it's difficult to know as yet whether I'm passionate or not about a job when I have not experienced this line of work. What I do know is I am passionate about helping people and delivering good customer care and am used to shift work and working weekends and 7 days a week on occasions as explained earlier so I'm sure I can cope with this aspect.

I have dealt with some extremely stressful situations regarding customer care and real emergency procedures so I am well aware that the rail industry may pose it's fair share of problems in this respect.

You will definitely not regret it, you will enjoy every moment of it.

Keep us updated when you start