Train Conductor Interview Etiquette
Conductor Interview can be nerve wracking. However with planning and preparation you should do you best and get yourself the job. This article gives you a head start on the skills required for a successful interview. Remember when you go in cold you are likely to come out cold. And don’t go in hot either lest you burn yourself and the conductor managers. We say that you should go in warm, friendly and fully prepared.
As the saying goes “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”.
Planning and Preparing For The Interview
Read the job description carefully and predict the questions the interviewers are likely to ask. Questions regarding you ability to do monotonous work, follow rules and procedures as well as dealing with an irate customer are likely to pop up. Use the Situation Task Action Results Reflection (STARR) acronym to flesh out your answers. Remember questions will range from welcoming, situational to competency. Once you have got your answers, book an interview coach where you can take mock interview for an expert feedback.
Know the venue of the interview and ensure that you arrive 15 minutes earlier. It is better to be early than sorry. So take a mock journey towards the venue. Observe how the flow of traffic is like if you are driving. If you are using public transport observe how congested the bus or train you take. This will help you to determine the minutes or hours it takes to reach the venue and factor in any delays and disruptions. Once I had to go to an assessment at Watford. When I arrived at the station, I realise that the assessment centre is very far so I had to take a taxi. I was lucky to get a taxi at that instant. So take time and plan your journey carefully.
Dress well. For gents grey or navy blue suit with white shirt and a plain coloured tie is recommend. For ladies black stockings, black skirt, white blouse or ladies office wear is recommended. Let your dressing express to and impress your interviewers that you are the candidate they are looking for. First impression counts according to various independent psychological research.
What to do at the interview
Smile and give your panel of interviews a firm hand shake. Avoid fish hand shake. Stand tall – I mean with your spine fully erect without shrugging your shoulder and thank them for the invitation. Be aware of your first impression! You have less than 60 seconds score this mark.
Do not sit unless invited to. Be positive from the on set. “Positive Mental Attitude” as my instructor Dave used to say
Answer questions in a thoughtful way. We know that you have practise and rehearse your answers before coming but don’t give this out by answering in a parrot-fashion way. Look at the interviewers’ face when they are asking the question. Before you answer take a quick look the ceiling or feet to come across as thinking and then answer. Look at the panel while you talk to them. Also make the person in the panel who asked the question feel that you are answering them by looking at them and ending your answer looking at their face with smile.
Know when to smile and when not. Example when dealing with an irate customer question you don’t want to smile. Because your smile wouldn’t match the story.
Body language. Let your eyes smile as well. Sit erect. Put you hands on lap or cross it and place it between you laps. If there is desk then it is alright to place your hands on them. Only raise your hands to emphasize a point. Don’t stiff. Though some say you can cross your legs, I for one disagrees. This may be OK in some countries or some industries, but in the UK Railway Industry. You will be perceived as ignorant or arrogant. And you may be on the next train to your humble abode.
Ask for clarification if you arr not clear abut a question.
After the Interview
Before you exit thank your panel for inviting you and their time.
All the best with your upcoming conductor interview.
