No employment history, but mandatory on application

[Esker-pades]

I am currently in the process of completing my application for an on train conductor (expires 28th of this month). Page 3 of the application asks that I give previous employment history. I am unable to do this as I have never had a job (I have been in full-time education since the age of 5). I would appreciate any advice on what to do.

 

[221129]

I am currently in the process of completing my application for an on train conductor (expires 28th of this month). Page 3 of the application asks that I give previous employment history. I am unable to do this as I have never had a job (I have been in full-time education since the age of 5). I would appreciate any advice on what to do.

IN my honest personal opinion, I wouldn't bother, with no previous work experience it's unlikely you'd get past the sift, however If you wanted to give it a go then see below.

 

[Esker-pades]

IN my honest personal opinion, I wouldn't bother, with no previous work experience it's unlikely you'd get past the sift.

Fair enough.

 

[221129]

Fair enough.

However, if you wanted to try anyway you could put your latest school or college down and state student, or any volunteering you may have completed etc

 

[Esker-pades]

However, if you wanted to try anyway you could put your latest school or college down and state student, or any volunteering you may have completed etc

I did 1 week of work experience with CrossRail (designing a high-speed railway and speaking to some of the engineers). That's probably the best I can do in terms of experience.

 

[221129]

I did 1 week of work experience with CrossRail (designing a high-speed railway and speaking to some of the engineers). That's probably the best I can do in terms of experience.

Put it down. It all counts, and I suppose you have nothing to lose by trying.

 

[SomethingRoyal]

I agree, you don’t have anything to lose by putting down what you did with CrossRail plus the fact you’ve been in full-time education, however I’m very sorry to say but I do believe it’s unlikely you’ll get past the sift. Best of luck though, I know how it feels to be in the position!

 

[Gemz91]

Is it you have no previous work experience because you're straight out of school, or you finished school three years ago and never got a job? I know of 18 year olds who have got jobs as conductors so no reason why you shouldn't get it if you're straight out of school.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Put down any summer jobs, part time jobs, work experience, Scouts etc. Everyone has to start somewhere. When I left uni, I joined the railway. 4 summer jobs and Scouts

 

[Stigy]

Sometimes it’s best to apply for entry level jobs for TOCs such as gateline if it’s your first job. Not saying they’re worth any less than any other Railway grade as they have a vital role to play in the customer experience, but with a job such as a conductor or train manager, you’ll have a far greater responsibility for health and safety of passengers and a lot of the time TOCs are looking for certain competencies to be demonstrated as part of the recruitment process. At least if you have your foot in the door in another grade, you can prove your worth and reliability, before applying for conductor roles.

 

[Esker-pades]

Is it you have no previous work experience because you're straight out of school, or you finished school three years ago and never got a job? I know of 18 year olds who have got jobs as conductors so no reason why you shouldn't get it if you're straight out of school.

I'm 19 and currently in university (yes, I will drop out if I get the job).

Sometimes it’s best to apply for entry level jobs for TOCs such as gateline if it’s your first job. Not saying they’re worth any less than any other Railway grade as they have a vital role to play in the customer experience, but with a job such as a conductor or train manager, you’ll have a far greater responsibility for health and safety of passengers and a lot of the time TOCs are looking for certain competencies to be demonstrated as part of the recruitment process. At least if you have your foot in the door in another grade, you can prove your worth and reliability, before applying for conductor roles.

I know it's a long shot, but if I don't apply for a position for the depot that I would most like to work out of, I will be on the wrong side of the "what if" part of human nature.
If I'm rejected (which appears to be the most likely), then I will keep an eye on jobs, and if something comes up (gateline, trainee conductor), I will go for it.

 

[bb21]

You need to consider very carefully if you really want to drop out of university.

Obviously I don't know you so don't know your exact circumstances, but if you don't have a good reason why you need to (rather than want to) drop out of university, it is not going to be a good trait you are showing your potential employer generally speaking. Questions are bound to be asked at interview stage as to why you wanted to do that, and simply answering "I want this job more" is highly unlikely going to convince your potential employer you will stick with the job.

By all means apply and give it a good go if you want this job really badly, taking onboard what other people have suggested before, but just remember, the railway is a massive industry and you will still have plenty of opportunities in the future even if you miss out on what may seem to be an ideal one for you on this occasion.

 

[Stigy]

You need to consider very carefully if you really want to drop out of university.

Obviously I don't know you so don't know your exact circumstances, but if you don't have a good reason why you need to (rather than want to) drop out of university, it is not going to be a good trait you are showing your potential employer generally speaking. Questions are bound to be asked at interview stage as to why you wanted to do that, and simply answering "I want this job more" is highly unlikely going to convince your potential employer you will stick with the job.

By all means apply and give it a good go if you want this job really badly, taking onboard what other people have suggested before, but just remember, the railway is a massive industry and you will still have plenty of opportunities in the future even if you miss out on what may seem to be an ideal one for you on this occasion.

It’s also worth noting that the rail industry loves a graduate entrant, so if s/he sticks Uni out, s/he may want to consider a graduate entry scheme, or at least will be better placed to apply with a degree. If I could go back and do the whole Uni thing now, I probably would. I’m not a fan of these schemes if I’m honest, but if you can’t beat them, join them as the old saying goes.

 

[Esker-pades]

This is all very useful advice, thank you.

 

[The One]

I personally would stay at uni unless you totally hate it.But if you stay at uni finish your course it will prove to your new employer in the future you have to will to complete long courses/education.As the person said the railway do love graduates .

 

[Pete C]

I dropped out of Uni after two terms, I have no regrets (and no debts). It's not for everyone. I went straight into full time employment and never looked back.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

You need to consider very carefully if you really want to drop out of university.

Obviously I don't know you so don't know your exact circumstances, but if you don't have a good reason why you need to (rather than want to) drop out of university, it is not going to be a good trait you are showing your potential employer generally speaking. Questions are bound to be asked at interview stage as to why you wanted to do that, and simply answering "I want this job more" is highly unlikely going to convince your potential employer you will stick with the job.

By all means apply and give it a good go if you want this job really badly, taking onboard what other people have suggested before, but just remember, the railway is a massive industry and you will still have plenty of opportunities in the future even if you miss out on what may seem to be an ideal one for you on this occasion.

I agree with pretty much with all of this, but equally if you aren't enjoying your course and have decided that it isn't for you then there's little point accruing a mountain of debt just for the sake of it. It may be the case that an employer might take a dim view of you dropping out, but equally they could admire the fact that you realised that it wasn't for you and you chose to take a different route.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Which company is this for?

 

[DarloRich]

I'm 19 and currently in university (yes, I will drop out if I get the job).

think VERY carefully about this suggestion. Very carefully indeed.

PS do you not have a part time job at uni?

 

[Boiliee]

I am currently in the process of completing my application for an on train conductor (expires 28th of this month). Page 3 of the application asks that I give previous employment history. I am unable to do this as I have never had a job (I have been in full-time education since the age of 5). I would appreciate any advice on what to do.

Just go with your school/college experience for references, you have just as much chance if your application is spot on. Most people fail at the first hurdle because their application is not filled in correctly

 

[185]

IN my honest personal opinion, I wouldn't bother, with no previous work experience it's unlikely you'd get past the sift, however If you wanted to give it a go then see below.

I disagree with this. Outside of any educational experience, if you have any other voluntary, medical, cadet experience etc do put that in your application. I have seen candidates straight from an educational background be successful, solely on their own merits - with some coming with decades of retail or customer service experience turned down as unsuitable. Just because you have never held employment before since school is never a reason to reject an application automatically. Try a variety of firms and be prepared to relocate. Keep applying for this and lower grade (dispatch etc) jobs- you'll get in at some point, and it's a great job.

 

[saracen]

I dropped out of Uni after two terms, I have no regrets (and no debts). It's not for everyone. I went straight into full time employment and never looked back.

I also dropped out after a year as both the university and course was not for me. I've been on the Railway 10 years, debt free and haven't looked back.

Do what's right for you.