Smartest pathway into Network Rail based on my experience?

[joseph4]

I love the idea of starting a career with Network Rail (currently have an application in for an Operative role). However, I am doubtful that my CV will even make it past the initial sift as I have no direct experience.
I have a Criminology degree and four years work experience as a chef in an open kitchen (so some customer-facing interaction does occur).
Basically I'm asking... what role would I have the best chance at pursuing first? Is there anything additional I can do to make myself a better candidate (e.g. PTS)?
Thank you (and apologies, as this style of question most likely gets asked far too much).

 

[Ducatist4]

You cannot do a PTS course without a sponsor which would be a rail company who would put you forward and pay for it.
I'd look at customer services roles like gateline assistant or similar that don't need any specific qualifications other than great customer service skills.

 

[joseph4]

You cannot do a PTS course without a sponsor which would be a rail company who would put you forward and pay for it.
I'd look at customer services roles like gateline assistant or similar that don't need any specific qualifications other than great customer service skills.

Thank you for your response. I did not know that about PTS courses - I thought you could do them as an individual, as long as you paid for it.
There are seemingly no vacancies for any gateline assistant roles near me right now but I'll set up some alerts so I don't miss any in the future. Thanks!

 

[Ducatist4]

Look at the various train operating companies as well as Network Rail, they all have their own station staff as not all stations are run by NR.

 

[Ses16]

Four years experience as a chef? Avanti have chef roles for on board their trains, I’m sure other TOC’s could use your experience.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Four years experience as a chef? Avanti have chef roles for on board their trains, I’m sure other TOC’s could use your experience.

Very true

Outwith that - have you thought about going in as a signaller? Kitchen work provides a lot of good material for a signaller interview, and quite a few have taken this route in the past

 

[Harpo]

Focus on your degree. ‘Educated to degree level’ opens doors. Consider elements of your degree and any specialisms it may give you.

My guesswork says you might now be educated in areas such as human behaviours, investigation and analysis (possibly at a forensic level?), security, policing strategies etc.?

Project/programme assistant or analyst might be a good route in for you?

But don’t confess to asking for advice on the internet!

 

[Unicorn7]

Operational Planner vacancies. No previous experience required. Everyone who submits an application goes straight through to the technical assessment to determine if you get through to the next stage being video interviews. Based in Milton Keynes only and you need to live 75 mins from QMK. Next round of recruitment should be sometime in June

 

[CapabilityB]

I love the idea of starting a career with Network Rail (currently have an application in for an Operative role). However, I am doubtful that my CV will even make it past the initial sift as I have no direct experience.
I have a Criminology degree and four years work experience as a chef in an open kitchen (so some customer-facing interaction does occur).
Basically I'm asking... what role would I have the best chance at pursuing first? Is there anything additional I can do to make myself a better candidate (e.g. PTS)?
Thank you (and apologies, as this style of question most likely gets asked far too much).

Difficult to answer without understanding why you want to work for Network Rail, what sort of work interests you and why, etc...

We could offer you all sorts of awful advice without understanding your motivation

 

[driverd]

I love the idea of starting a career with Network Rail (currently have an application in for an Operative role). However, I am doubtful that my CV will even make it past the initial sift as I have no direct experience.
I have a Criminology degree and four years work experience as a chef in an open kitchen (so some customer-facing interaction does occur).
Basically I'm asking... what role would I have the best chance at pursuing first? Is there anything additional I can do to make myself a better candidate (e.g. PTS)?
Thank you (and apologies, as this style of question most likely gets asked far too much).

Your degree is a door opener - try looking at graduate schemes, they're a great way to build a wider experience base, especially if you'd like to work on the managerial side of things.

If you're thinking more frontline, you can either keep applying for a certain role as vacancies arise (say, trainee signaller) if you have your heart set on a very specific role and dont mind waiting, or alternatively, apply for any job that's vaguely transferable and move around until you're where you want to be (if you want a job quickly).