SWR - entry level jobs

[SWRtrainfan]

I'm seeking a job with SWR (just an entry-level one for now) and have submitted 10 applications in the last couple of months. 8 of them have come back so far and none of them have been successful. I'm 21 and have GCSEs, A-Levels and an accounting qualification. I've never had a job before, but everyone has to start somewhere. Is there anything more I would need? Also just out of interest, for those who do work at SWR, how many applications did it take for you to get your first job with them? Just want to confirm that my experience isn't abnormal.

 

[mcgrindah]

Wha types of roles have you been applying for?

 

[SWRtrainfan]

Gateline Assistant mostly, but also Rail Operator 2.

 

[Rab Smith]

At your age and minimal work experience you should keep a look out for a customer service modern apprenticeship. Most rail companies have an intake of these. Check other operators and broaden your field a bit.

 

[mcgrindah]

My experience has been for trainee train driver roles, where it's very strict on journey times from your home to the depot you're applying for.

Not sure if that's also a factor for the positions you have been applying for.

Rab Smith makes a great point above, cast your net a bit wider and apply to as many companies as you can.

I'm not making any assumptions but make sure your English is good in any written applications, get somebody to proof read them before you send them.

 

[SWRtrainfan]

Not sure if that's also a factor for the positions you have been applying for.

It was for my initial applications, but in my later ones I said I would relocate (I've only heard back from one of them so far and was unsuccessful, I suppose there's still a chance with the other ones but I'm not feeling hopeful).

Anyway thank you both for your advice/input

 

[LCC106]

Do you have any kind of voluntary or paid work experience where you have had to give good customer service, work to rules and have any health and safety related experience? It could be that your application is lacking in these areas. Look at the job descriptions and try to tailor your application to tick all the boxes.

 

[traineesw]

I'm seeking a job with SWR (just an entry-level one for now) and have submitted 10 applications in the last couple of months. 8 of them have come back so far and none of them have been successful. I'm 21 and have GCSEs, A-Levels and an accounting qualification. I've never had a job before, but everyone has to start somewhere. Is there anything more I would need? Also just out of interest, for those who do work at SWR, how many applications did it take for you to get your first job with them? Just want to confirm that my experience isn't abnormal.

i'm 21 just graduated from uni in september, applied to Trainee Train Driver role at Waterloo for SWR end of september, I said I would relocate to within 60 mins of depot. All went well i'm on the penultimate stage of recruitment the mmi. keep applying your age should not be a factor however maybe expereince? Ive never had a permanent job but have a few warehouse jobs on my cv temp roles, you need to show that you understand you will be working in a safety critical environment in ur cv. Hope this helps!

 

[BRich05]

i'm 21 just graduated from uni in september, applied to Trainee Train Driver role at Waterloo for SWR end of september, I said I would relocate to within 60 mins of depot. All went well i'm on the penultimate stage of recruitment the mmi. keep applying your age should not be a factor however maybe expereince? Ive never had a permanent job but have a few warehouse jobs on my cv temp roles, you need to show that you understand you will be working in a safety critical environment in ur cv. Hope this helps!

I'm in this exact situation right now, i'm 21, I finish my history degree in a couple of months and hope to get either a trainee driver job at Salisbury driving 158/159's or another trainee job to get me in the door. Problem is, I have no experience at all. Do you think when I finish in May-June time I should get a retail job or something similar to at least get some experience and then wait for trainee driver jobs to open up?

I have GCSE's A-Levels and will have a Degree, so i'm assuming the only thing i'm missing is the experience?

 

[Urban Gateline]

I'm in this exact situation right now, i'm 21, I finish my history degree in a couple of months and hope to get either a trainee driver job at Salisbury driving 158/159's or another trainee job to get me in the door. Problem is, I have no experience at all. Do you think when I finish in May-June time I should get a retail job or something similar to at least get some experience and then wait for trainee driver jobs to open up?

I have GCSE's A-Levels and will have a Degree, so i'm assuming the only thing i'm missing is the experience?

This is what I was going to suggest to the OP as well, any paid employment experience will be helpful, retail shows you can work in a fast paced environment, follow rules and procedures, communicate, team work, lone work, be responsible (cash handling). It's definitely a benefit to have some employment experience over just studies.

Railway wasn't my first job, I started off in retail and then went over to the railway, which I found worked well with transferable skills, got into a gateline role on first application!