BucketofSpoons
Member
Evening all,
Looking for some advice on how I can progress within Network Rail as I seem to have hit a brick wall with applications, interviews and any form of support.
I have worked the last 5 years as a Crossing Keeper covering a handful of locations.
For the past 2-3 years I have been trying to get a job as a Mobile Operations Manager on my route and two other routes that are within a realistic distance of where I live.
Obviously I have made it known very clearly over the years to my LOM that I want to work in this role.
My LOM suggested the following in order to achieve this ambition:
1:Go out shadowing with the MOM’s on my route and asking them as much as possible about the role. (I’ve done this is on various routes many times)
2: They suggested I take my PTS course, which I did. (It took nearly a year to get me on one) and as far as I know I’m still a blue hat.
3: Suggested I learn the patches access gates myself in my own time. (I naively did so)
4: I would learn and gain competency to operate a ground frame and help out with shifts for wrong direction work when needed. (This never happened and hasn’t been mentioned again)
I am currently on application number 11 for MOM roles and have had just two interviews. Both on my route, LOM as hiring manager.
I understand for many there is an understanding that MOM roles used to go to signallers but on my route of the 12 MOM’s covering the patch only 3 were signallers before. The others were a mixture of maintenance, crossing keepers and external applicants with no railway experience at all.
Many were hired over me after a single interview and application.
I’ve also reached out via email to the career development team about interview advice or my other options outside operations but I haven’t had any response back.
With all that being said my questions are:
Should I continue to apply for any MOM jobs that come up? Do LOM’s typically reach out to other LOM’s about an applicant meaning I could potentially of been blacklisted in some way?
Is there any help I can receive from HR or even the RMT in regard to why others are being chosen over me each time?
What other jobs/areas could I look to apply for within Network Rail? Being a crossing keeper we don’t get to speak to many people nor really understand what is available to us in terms of career progression, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Apologies for the lengthy post but after years of trying I’m getting a little desperate.
Looking for some advice on how I can progress within Network Rail as I seem to have hit a brick wall with applications, interviews and any form of support.
I have worked the last 5 years as a Crossing Keeper covering a handful of locations.
For the past 2-3 years I have been trying to get a job as a Mobile Operations Manager on my route and two other routes that are within a realistic distance of where I live.
Obviously I have made it known very clearly over the years to my LOM that I want to work in this role.
My LOM suggested the following in order to achieve this ambition:
1:Go out shadowing with the MOM’s on my route and asking them as much as possible about the role. (I’ve done this is on various routes many times)
2: They suggested I take my PTS course, which I did. (It took nearly a year to get me on one) and as far as I know I’m still a blue hat.
3: Suggested I learn the patches access gates myself in my own time. (I naively did so)
4: I would learn and gain competency to operate a ground frame and help out with shifts for wrong direction work when needed. (This never happened and hasn’t been mentioned again)
I am currently on application number 11 for MOM roles and have had just two interviews. Both on my route, LOM as hiring manager.
I understand for many there is an understanding that MOM roles used to go to signallers but on my route of the 12 MOM’s covering the patch only 3 were signallers before. The others were a mixture of maintenance, crossing keepers and external applicants with no railway experience at all.
Many were hired over me after a single interview and application.
I’ve also reached out via email to the career development team about interview advice or my other options outside operations but I haven’t had any response back.
With all that being said my questions are:
Should I continue to apply for any MOM jobs that come up? Do LOM’s typically reach out to other LOM’s about an applicant meaning I could potentially of been blacklisted in some way?
Is there any help I can receive from HR or even the RMT in regard to why others are being chosen over me each time?
What other jobs/areas could I look to apply for within Network Rail? Being a crossing keeper we don’t get to speak to many people nor really understand what is available to us in terms of career progression, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Apologies for the lengthy post but after years of trying I’m getting a little desperate.
