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- Tasks: Deliver a world-class customer experience and ensure safety on board our trains.
- Company: Join Great Western Railway, a leader in transforming train travel in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy free rail travel, competitive pay, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Be an ambassador for rail travel and make a real difference to customers' journeys.
- Qualifications: Excellent communication skills and a passion for outstanding customer service.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 45000 £ per year.
Who are we? GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel's railway - one of the most prestigious in the world. We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services and open new stations. With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 280 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK's top tourist destinations. We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empowering our diverse team of nearly 7,000 people to make it a great experience for our customers. Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel - relaxing, fast, efficient and sustainable.
About the team Conductors are part of the On Train team and work alongside colleagues from Revenue Protection, particularly our Ticket Examiners. You will also liaise with the driver of the train and station colleagues.
What is the job? As a Conductor, you will deliver a world-class customer experience throughout the journey and will ensure the safety of everyone using GWR services. You'll be able to adapt to new people, new places and new situations. We are proud in GWR to share a common set of values - these help us deliver for our customers and serve our communities across the West. Working on board our trains, you will clearly demonstrate these behaviours and attitudes and will give our customers an experience they will remember for all the right reasons!
What are the main responsibilities?
- To be an ambassador for Great Western Railway by delivering the best customer experience and a safe journey.
- To be visible to our customers, providing information and help in a friendly and reassuring way.
- To manage the safety and operational activities of the train.
- To check and sell tickets, providing information and assistance as required.
- To ensure a safe, clean, and pleasant environment is maintained.
What are you looking for? If you can say "Yes" to these questions, you might be just the person for the job!
- Are you passionate and proactive about delivering outstanding customer service?
- Are you determined to always perform well and be proud to portray a professional image?
- Can you be flexible in your working with the ability to work a variety of shifts including weekends and bank holidays?
- Are you comfortable with working in a strictly regulated industry?
- Are you able to stay cool, calm, and collected when things don't go to plan?
What do I need?
- An understanding of customers' needs.
- Excellent communication skills.
- The ability to build relationships and work as part of a team.
- Experience of front-line customer service.
- The confidence to manage challenging situations.
Where is the job? The position is based in our depot at Reading station, just a short walk from the shopping centre. This is where you will start and end your shifts.
What else do I need to know? The shifts include early starts and late finishes as well as weekends and bank holidays. You will be working an average of 35 hours a week. Starting and finishing times may be at times when public transport is not available so you must be able to get to and from the station without relying on this. You must live within 60 minutes travelling time of the depot. As this is a safety-critical role, you must be at least 18 to apply. You will have a medical which will include testing your hearing, vision and colour vision.
The Reward: As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including on-going development, defined benefit pension scheme, free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family, company-sponsored health care plan, discounted shopping and an employee assistance programme. The basic rate of pay during your training is £25,501 and this rises to a basic rate of £37,251 when you are passed out as competent. Many Conductors earn over £45,000 a year.
We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent. We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive. We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details. If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.
Conductor employer: Great Western Railway
Contact Detail:
Great Western Railway Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Conductor
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know GWR and its values! Research the company culture and what they stand for. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! As a Conductor, you'll be the face of GWR, so think about how you can demonstrate your ability to handle challenging situations with a smile. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former GWR employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for you. This could give you valuable insights and even a potential referral!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the GWR family. Don’t forget to follow up after applying to express your enthusiasm!
We think you need these skills to ace Conductor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Customer Service: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your passion for delivering outstanding customer service. We want to see how you can bring a friendly and reassuring attitude to our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Conductor role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to reflect the values and responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Show us how your experience aligns with what we’re looking for at GWR!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered for the Conductor position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Great Western Railway
✨Know Your Customer Service Basics
As a Conductor, you'll be the face of GWR, so brush up on your customer service skills. Think about past experiences where you’ve gone above and beyond for a customer. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your ability to handle challenging situations with grace.
✨Demonstrate Safety Awareness
Safety is paramount in this role. Familiarise yourself with safety protocols and be prepared to discuss how you would ensure a safe environment for passengers. You might even want to think of scenarios where you had to act quickly to maintain safety.
✨Show Your Flexibility
GWR values flexibility, so be ready to talk about your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Share any previous experiences where you adapted to changing circumstances or worked outside your comfort zone.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Conductors work closely with other team members, so highlight your ability to collaborate effectively. Think of examples where you’ve successfully worked as part of a team, especially in high-pressure situations, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to a positive team dynamic.