Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure customer safety and satisfaction while managing train operations.
- Company: Join South Western Railway, a leading transport provider in the South West.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free travel, 30 days annual leave, and excellent training.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of our team, making journeys safe and enjoyable for everyone.
- Qualifications: Must be over 18, adaptable, and have strong multitasking skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with great career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 26763 - 38594 £ per year.
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.
Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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. 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.
About the team
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. 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.
Compensation & Benefits
£26,763 per annum rising in increments to £38,594 per annum, after completion of training and a further 12 months fully qualified. Plus, associated regional allowance of £2,439. 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
Equality & Diversity
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 additional support 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.
Metro Guard - Strawberry Hill employer: South Western Railway
Contact Detail:
South Western Railway Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Metro Guard - Strawberry Hill
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research South Western Railway and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! As a Guard, you'll be interacting with passengers all day. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to get comfortable handling different situations and ensuring everyone has a great journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for anything! The role requires adaptability, so think about past experiences where you've had to manage change or disruption. Prepare examples to share during your interview to demonstrate your proactive mindset.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining the SWR family. Don’t forget to follow up after applying to express your enthusiasm!
We think you need these skills to ace Metro Guard - Strawberry Hill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Customer Service Skills: As a Guard, you'll be the face of SWR, so make sure to highlight any experience you have in customer service. Share examples of how you've gone above and beyond for customers in previous roles.
Demonstrate Adaptability: The job requires you to handle unexpected situations, so it's important to showcase your adaptability. Include instances where you've successfully managed change or dealt with disruptions in your past experiences.
Safety First!: Since safety is a top priority, mention any relevant training or experience you have in maintaining safety standards. This could be anything from first aid training to managing safety protocols in previous jobs.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Western Railway
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Metro Guard. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects like safety protocols, customer service expectations, and how to manage disruptions. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Since the job requires you to be adaptable and proactive, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed unexpected challenges. Whether it’s dealing with difficult customers or adjusting to sudden changes, having these stories ready will demonstrate your ability to think on your feet.
✨Emphasise Customer Interaction Skills
As a Metro Guard, you'll be the face of the company, so it's crucial to highlight your interpersonal skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve gone above and beyond for customers in previous roles. This could include anything from resolving complaints to providing exceptional service during busy times.
✨Prepare for Safety Scenarios
Safety is paramount in this role, so expect questions related to emergency situations. Brush up on safety protocols and think about how you would handle various scenarios. Showing that you can remain calm and collected under pressure will set you apart as a strong candidate.
