Questions about getting hired

[Anonymous]

Hi, I have a quick question. I am currently in the military and have 1 year left on my contract. I have heard that BNSF is hiring for Conductor positions. I looked at their web-site and seen that do not require a college degree. I have completed high school and taken some college courses and drug free of course. i was wondering what else to they look for on the resume? Will be prior military for 8 years help at all? Would this be a good career move? Thanks in advance.

[bnsfkline]

A military history will result in a 90% chance of getting hired

[Anonymous]

Good deal and thanks for the reply. I have another question if you could please answer. I know job security cannot be guaranteed . So, how often do lay-offs come about. Is there times you get laid-off more than you work? Is this a real risky career because of lay-offs? Also I noticed you are from the St Louis area. This is where am going to try and get based out of if I decide on trying to get on with the rail road. Currently I am stationed at Scott AFB.

[csxengineer98]

you will finde that the rail road is alot like the millitary.....its alot of hurry up and waite.... you get pushed out the door my the yard master..or train master...to get on your train...only ti pull it af few miles and sit becouse of traffic......or the one i love is when you have a great run..only to be held out of the terminal for hours becouse they dont have a track for you to park your train on.....
csx engineer

[edblysard]

Bettis35,
The sooner you hire on, the more seniority you have, the higher up the ladder you are, and the least likely to be furloughed.
They have to lay off those behind you, so the sooner you get hired on the better.
Dont look for any major furloughs any time soon, all the class 1s are in need of people.
Military service will just about guarentee you a interview at the least, and put your name on the list of "look at these guys closer".
Railroads like ex military people, the regimented life style and the fact that military people tends to follow orders better suites them and their management style.

Ed

[FThunder11]

I have a question too. I can see that being in the military is good. But what about if you get that railroad degree from the national academy of railroad sciences(NARS)? is that better or worse?

[csxengineer98]

the rail road degrees come from the rail roads that sponser the schools... most of the time..the schools will come with a job interview from that railroad....but they do not insure that you will have a job...you must pass the school with the requied grade average...must pass your drug test and physical exam....pass your background check...vistion tests....your drivers licence background check...and have a good emplyeement record....and do well on the interview.....if you can jump through all these hopps..you might just get the job...but like i said....the school IS NOT A 100% for getting the job.... but it is a big help..... most of the people that go though the schools go get jobs....
csx engineer