Attempting a comeback

[Journeyman]

This is quite a long story, but I'll try and keep it brief.

I started working on the railway in 1994, when I joined SWT as a booking clerk. After a couple of years, I left to do a Transport Planning Degree, and then in 1999 I joined London Underground, where I ended up being a Duty Station Manager and then a manager in the Network Operations Centre. I finally spent a year working on the Connect Radio upgrade project, before getting itchy feet and joining Network Rail in 2007. I spent two years with them, working on the Thameslink Programme as a project manager.

In 2009, for family reasons, I quit and moved to Scotland with my wife and kids. I tried to transfer within Network Rail to something in Scotland but I couldn't find anything suitable at the time so I ran the risk of moving without a job, hopeful that I'd find something quickly.

Although I've managed to stay in work most of the time, my attempt to return to the rail industry has been patently unsuccessful, despite multiple applications for jobs I reckon I'd be extremely suitable for. I know I've got to keep trying, and keep trying I will, but it's really, really hard going sometimes and feels very discouraging. I'm close to Edinburgh and Glasgow so plenty of good stuff comes up that I try for, but somehow I never quite manage to get my foot back in the door.

Most recently, I passed the trainee driver psychometrics and had interviews with DRS and ScotRail, but missed out on them (by a narrow margin with DRS, they did seem to like me).

I'm currently working in the financial sector, which pays OK but I find absolutely soul-destroying. I have to get back into rail again, but it's just so hard to know how to do it.

Can anyone say anything even remotely encouraging at this point?!?

 

[Louby]

If you have passed the assessments your in a very good position, was it the DM interview you failed?

 

[SkinnyDave]

Have you been give feedback on both interviews?
Act on the feedback both positive and negative ( if any) and keep going..

Lots if trainee jobs out there and more to come

 

[Journeyman]

Have you been give feedback on both interviews?
Act on the feedback both positive and negative ( if any) and keep going..

Lots if trainee jobs out there and more to come

I've had feedback from DRS and it was very encouraging - only a couple of minor weak points and they said they'd be happy to have another application from me. ScotRail - meh. I didn't bother getting any. Interviewer was pretty unpleasant and seemed to take an instant dislike to me, so I know why I didn't get that one.

I'm aware there's quite a few things on the horizon, so I will try again - I know that passing the psychometrics is a big deal so I won't let those go to waste.

 

[Saltire]

Chin up Journeyman,

Glad you've "got back on the horse" so to speak. I've seen a few comments about the Scotrail DM interviewers doing a good cop - bad cop routine so don't take it to heart. Get on the phone or email and get that feedback, you never know there might be something other than him not liking you and if it's the same feedback as DRS you've got it sorted for next time.

Remember passing everything still doesn't guarantee a place on a course.

Keep your eyes on the careers pages and remember you've done the hard part

 

[rocky1807]

journeyman I found this the same with the interviewer at Yoker - even more so when he started to eat during the interview.
I will apply in future though so don't let this get you down.
You done well to get this far.

 

[Bodiddly]

I too worked for BR/ First Engineering/ Network Rail before getting totally brassed off and leaving for pastures new. I had a few years sabbatical from anything remotely railway related until I started missing the unique camaraderie that the railway provides. I just kept applying for every job I could until eventually landing a job with Scotrail and I haven't looked back since. Unfortunately, NR didn't seem to recognize real talent and had a policy of promoting idiots into management who made it their life goal to wear you down. Speaking from personal experience, it was a good move for me to leave when I did as you realise there is a difficult working world out there where you don't get the same treatment as you do in the railway. That said, I believe I am one of the lucky ones to get a second bite of the cherry as employers tend not to favour ex railway rightly or wrongly.
Keep trying and keep applying for that foot in the door, you just need a break.
Good Luck!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Don't lose hope, I passed my assessments with DBS, failed the Managers Interview, one year later I started my drivers course elsewhere.

 

[whoosh]

That's a bit disheartening that your skills and experience aren't seemingly being acknowledged.

Don't be too annoyed about Scotrail - you shouldn't necessarily write them off, as if you applied again it could well be a different Manager interviewing. In fact, for Trainee Drivers, a lot of Driver Managers do interviews, so even applying for the same depot you might get a different one to your previous interview.

Project Management - A slightly different country, a different railway, no funding as yet, but they may need someone in Project Management in the future if they haven't already. DART - The Dublin Metro has extensions planned. One to keep an eye out for maybe?!

There's a job you'll be happy in out there somewhere. Keep smiling!

 

[Smudger105e]

I had a falling out with my employer after 38 years service, and have been signing on for four months which I found soul destroying.

I applied for a number of jobs, some of which I was ideally suited as I had done them before, but was unsuccessful even though I had excellent interviews. One interview was three hours!!


I have now got a job as a contractor on T&RS and loving it. Not going to say where I am working but standing outside the shed today I could see 37s, 57's, 08's, 73's, DBSO's as well as some passing HSTs and Meridians...

Keep plugging away and something will come up.