Becoming a conductor

[itsjamierawr]

I'm really keen to become a conductor, mainly because (call me crazy) I don't mind working with the public however I don't have any work experience in a customer facing role and I feel this could hold me back. I've applied for First Transpennine (instant rejection letter, though that may have been based on distance despite saying I wanted to relocate) and I'm now looking to apply for Virgin as a Customer Service Assistant (any job I can possibly get just to get into the rail industry is what I'm currently following). I've just completed A-levels and I'm not planning on going to university; Does anyone have advice on what to do in my position?

 

[TheEdge]

Get a job in a pub.

With no customer facing experience (and I guess not much work experience generally) you have little to no chance of landing a conductor job.

Not trying to sound brutal but you really need some customer facing experience and by all means keep applying.

 

[harry42]

becomingaconductor.webs.com/

 

[142094]

Look for jobs with transferable skills - this is what they bang on about during the application process and ultimately during an interview. Working on a till or behind a bar isn't glamourous but you get experience working with customers and cash handling.

 

[507 001]

get a job doing something else for a couple of years and go and volunteer on a heritage/tourist line?

 

[itsjamierawr]

All good advice thanks, and that website link was useful. Another thing to add is the fact I currently hold a Private Pilots Licence (other hobby besides rail) and currently work as a part time private music teacher, would these work in my favour at all or would it not be worth mentioning on an application form?

 

[142094]

Rules and regs plus health and safety from your pilot training will stand out, especially seeing as it shows experience of long training sessions and having to pass competency checks.

Music teacher less so, but no doubt there are skills in organisation etc that can transfer across.

 

[TheEdge]

Agree with the above, PPL will be gold. Right there you've go working to strict rules, safety critical, communication protocol, possibly even dealing with an emergency.