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- Tasks: Be the face of our on-board service, ensuring customer safety and satisfaction.
- Company: Join South Western Railway, connecting communities across South West London and beyond.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, competitive salary, and 30 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by providing exceptional experiences and ensuring safety for all passengers.
- Qualifications: Must be over 18, adaptable, and able to multitask in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Training provided, with opportunities for career growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 26763 - 38594 ÂŁ per year.
Before applying for this role, please download and read the \”Realities of the Guard Role\” document attached to the bottom of this advert.
Please note, this advert is to build a talent pool for future vacancies. We cannot guarantee the timeframe for recruitment of this position.
Who are we?
South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England and the Isle of Wight.
Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.
About the team:
Our people are at the heart of our business! You will be joining a team of people that are dedicated to safety and have a passion for delivering exceptional experiences for our customers.
About the job:
As a Guard you will be the centre piece of our on-board service, going above and beyond for our customers, whilst getting them safely to their destination.Every day you will face new challenges whilst managing the train autonomously, this means you will need to be adaptable and proactive. Our highly skilled Guards need to be safety conscious, self-motivated, personable with the ability to multitask, ensuring that all duties are carried out to the highest standard.
Your main responsibilities will be:
- Staying alert to danger and ensuring the safety of our customers and colleagues at all times.
- You will be an ambassador for SWR and must strive to exceed our customers\’ expectations.
- Managing periods of disruption effectively, whether this is a change to your schedule or changes that will affect our customers journeys.
- Guards must be visible throughout journeys, proactively helping our customers, ensuring that everyone has a great & safe journey.
- Providing regular announcements, keeping everyone onboard the train up to date with any changes.
- You will manage the operational safety of the train, not limited to; customers safely boarding / alighting the train, safely dispatching the train from platforms & maintaining safety for all passengers whilst on-board.
- Commercial Guards are required to check passengers have valid tickets and retail tickets when necessary
In emergency situations, our Guards are responsible for getting the right help to the right people, this can mean walking on uneven terrain for sustained periods of time.
You\’ll need to:
- Be prepared for change, as a Guard you will need to be flexible in times of disruption.
- Maintain excellent focus and self-motivation for long periods of time.
- Be able to multitask and work systematically both in a team environment and autonomously.
- Enjoy interacting with customers and colleagues while going over and above to provide a great customer experience.
- Be able to recognize and act on changing safety and customer requirements.
- Undertake manual handling activities whilst moving through the train &help passengers board / alight the train when needed.
Working pattern:
On average you will work 37 hours per week over 4.5 days.
This will include a mixture of early and late shifts across 7 days.
Additional Information:
Because we always need to be alert, we have very strict requirements around drugs and alcohol and you will need to pass a medical checking your general health and eyesight to be able to be a guard.
Your travel time to the depot you have applied for must not exceed 60 minutes. As public transport will not always be available, a car is preferred.
You must be over the age of 18 and if applicable, you must have a minimum of 12 months on your visa at the time of appointment.
If successfully, there will be a period of training in Basingstoke, travel to and from the training centre will be in addition to your working day, however, you will have free travel on SWR services.
Please note that if you are successful at the screening stage you will be invited to attend an assessment in Southampton. Please note that once a date is agreed you will be sent a complimentary travel invite.
The Reward:
ÂŁ26,763 per annum rising in increments toÂŁ38,594 per annum, after completion of training and a further 12 months fully qualified. Plus, associated regional allowance of ÂŁ1,093.
As well as a competitive salary we offer a variety of valuable benefits, including:
- Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employee
- Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependant)
- 75% discount on many other train operating companies
- An annual leave entitlement of 30 days
- Full training and support with development
- Excellent pension scheme
We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all 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 a 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.
If you require additionalsupport to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, 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.
https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/
https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/
SWR do not employ for the role of Conductor, our team of highly skilled Guards safely manage our trains whilst in service. The term Conductor may be present during assessments, however, this is not representative of our companies job titles. If you are interested in a Conductor role, this position is comparable.
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Metro Guard - Guildford employer: South Western Railway
Contact Detail:
South Western Railway Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Metro Guard - Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the 'Realities of the Guard Role' document before applying. Understanding the expectations and responsibilities outlined in this document will help you demonstrate your commitment and readiness for the role during any interviews or assessments.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your customer service skills! As a Guard, you'll be interacting with passengers regularly, so think of examples from your past experiences where you've gone above and beyond to assist customers. This will highlight your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the assessment stage by practising situational judgement tests. These tests often reflect real-life scenarios you might face as a Guard, so being well-prepared can give you an edge over other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your adaptability and problem-solving skills. The role requires you to manage disruptions effectively, so think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated challenges in a previous job or situation.
We think you need these skills to ace Metro Guard - Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Realities Document: Before applying, make sure to download and thoroughly read the 'Realities of the Guard Role' document. This will give you valuable insights into the expectations and responsibilities of the position.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the role of a Metro Guard. Emphasise your customer service abilities, safety awareness, and any experience in a similar environment.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the company. Mention specific examples of how you can contribute to the team and enhance customer experiences.
Prepare for Assessment: If selected, you will be invited to an assessment. Prepare by reviewing common interview questions related to safety, customer service, and adaptability. Think about scenarios where you've demonstrated these qualities.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Western Railway
✨Understand the Role
Before your interview, make sure to thoroughly read the 'Realities of the Guard Role' document. This will give you insights into the expectations and responsibilities of the position, allowing you to tailor your answers accordingly.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
As a Guard, you'll be interacting with customers regularly. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've gone above and beyond for customers, demonstrating your commitment to exceptional service.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
The role requires flexibility in times of disruption. Be ready to discuss situations where you've had to adapt quickly to changes or challenges, highlighting your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.
✨Emphasise Safety Awareness
Safety is paramount in this role. Be prepared to talk about your understanding of safety protocols and any relevant experiences where you've prioritised safety, whether in previous jobs or everyday situations.
