How do you get a job working for a rail company?

Question

Do you need to know someone,Do they hire younger people?

Answer 1

All the class 1 railroads have web sites. You can fill out an application online for the Union Pacific i know for sure.And i imagine the other railroads are the same.You need to be 18 at least and have no felonies on your record.Go look at www.uprr.com for more info.And no you don't need to know anyone these days,although it doesn't hurt if you do to have a railroad employee to list on your app.

Answer 2

file an application and work your way up the ladder.

I used to work for the rr started in 1983 and quit in 2006

Made lots of advancement and cash. very good cash.

Moved out west and now happy

Answer 3

Find their office and ask for an application.

Answer 4

Frank-

If you are living here in the US, most of the rail companies have an application process via the internet.

I know for a fact that Union Pacific will not accept resumes sent into their main office in Omaha.  

The do this because they batch the applications and resume's by the area for which you applied.

BNSF, Norfolk Southern and most of the other Class 1 Railroads function this way.

Keep in mind they are hiring folks from all over their operational territory.  The last thing they really want to do is offer you a job in Elko, Nevada and you are living in Seattle.

Though you may get transferred around the area hub during your career, these stays are normally temporary at best.

Also, I think most of them have an age requirement of 21 years old.  

Just for the record let me also tell you what you are in for.  They are going to do a background check, if you have any felonies, you are disqualified.  Drug use, Disqualified.  Domestic Violence Convictions, Disqualified.  Smoking, Disqualified.

Their drug check consists of urine, blood and hair.  So if you have used anything questionable for the past 6 months, you are going to be disqualified.

I went through Union Pacific's interview process and its a pretty tough process.  First, we were invited to a hiring fair.  A list of materials is sent to you via email.  Bring EVERYTHING on that list.  The invite to hire is your interview.

When I got to mine there was about 40 other people who walked in.  Everyone who had smoke on their breath as they came through the doors, the Proctor sent them home.  That was the end of their interview.

Then they closed the doors and took roll, then asked each person to come to the front and show the items on the list.  The list was very simple.  High School Diploma and/or College Degree, Social Security Card, Driver's License and Birth Certificate.  

One person did not have their Social Security Card.  The Proctor looked at him and said, "Apparently you can't read and follow instructions.  Good Bye."  He was escorted to the door and away he went.

Then they go around the room, and you get to introduce yourself to the group.  After that they administer a Mock FRA Exam.  There is something like 60 or 70 questions that you have to answer in about 45 minutes.  After they got done scoring the tests, I was one of three left in the room.  

FYI, the test questions are pretty basic, like don't walk between moving freight cars, ect.  Basic safety rules.

They then put you through a pretty intense panel interview and ask you some questions about yourself, how much you know about trains, and if you are prepared to make some significant changes in your life.

What you do get out of the railroad is an excellent benefit package.  So its definately worth looking into.

Just a word of warning though.  Look at the jobs they have very carefully.  Maintenance Of Way, (MOW), is a very hard and physically demanding job.  You are going to spend many hours per day using shovels, picks, tie-tongs, rail jacks, mauls, and a variety of other hand-tools that are going to tax you.  You are also going to be required to work in all weather conditions.  

However, MOW is the very heartbeat of the railroad.  Without those guys the trains don't move.  Just understand the life of a Track Jack is a pretty demanding one on your body.  If you are not in excellent shape, you are going to shortly wish you were.

Good Luck in you new adventure!