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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure safe train dispatch and assist passengers with their journeys.
- Company: Join South Western Railway, connecting communities across South West London and beyond.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel on SWR services and discounts on other train companies.
- Why this job: Be the face of SWR, making a difference in customers' daily lives.
- Qualifications: Must be organised, proactive, and a great communicator; safety critical role.
- Other info: Flexible shifts required; inclusive environment for all applicants.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
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.
The Reward
Opportunities to work on rest days or to do overtime could increase your annual earnings. Some Rail Operators earn up to £30,000 pro rata per annum plus regional allowance.
On top of your salary, we offer a variety of valuable benefits, including:
- Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
- Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
- 75% discount on many other train operating companies
- Full training and support with development
- Excellent pension scheme
About the job
As a Rail Operator at South Western Railway, you will be at the heart of ensuring trains are safely and efficiently dispatched and stations are presented to the highest standards. You will provide the most up to date travel information for our customers and assist them in reaching their destinations safely and on time.
Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- You will be safely dispatching trains from the platform, ensuring all customers are clear of the train whilst observing the correct signal is showing. You will need normal colour vision for this position.
- Offering passenger assistance to those that need it, whether this be additional support with moving luggage or helping customers board and alight our trains with ramps.
- You\’ll keep customers updated about their journeys by making announcements and in your face-to-face interactions and importantly bring your own personality along to make it a truly personal experience for our customers.
- You will need to be flexible in your approach and not afraid to get stuck in with a variety of tasks as you are responsible for your station and making sure it meets the quality and safety standards our customers expect. Whether this be cleaning toilets, checking everything is working and safe, clearing up rubbish or providing a helping hand to a customer, you are the face of SWR and can make a difference to someone\’s day.
* For a full list of responsibilities, please download the job description available at the bottom of this advert.
You\’ll need to be:
- Organised, proactive and able to efficiently prioritise tasks.
- Able to cope with repetitive tasks under pressure.
- A great communicator that enjoys working with people.
- Confident and happy to approach and talk to new people.
- Passionate about doing the right thing – nothing is too much trouble.
- This is a safety critical role and you will be required to pass a medical including vision and hearing tests.
Applicants who require a visa must have 6 months remaining at the time of their appointment. Training is full time and you must be able to commit to this.
Working pattern
Our customers need us all day, every day (except Christmas day) and as part of the stations team, you\’ll need to able to work shifts at all times of the day and on every day of the week.
You will work an average of 20 hours across 5 days per week including early & late shifts, typically: Monday to Friday, 07:00-11:00 or 16:00 – 20:00
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.
https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/
https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/
- Click to Download – Rail Operator 2 (Station Assistant) Job Description.pdf
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Rail Operator 2 employer: South Western Railway
Contact Detail:
South Western Railway Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Rail Operator 2
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with South Western Railway's services and routes. Understanding the network will not only help you answer customer queries effectively but also demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills, especially in a busy environment. Being able to convey information clearly and confidently is crucial for a Rail Operator, so consider role-playing scenarios with friends or family.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your customer service skills by volunteering or working in roles that require interaction with the public. This experience will highlight your ability to assist customers and handle various situations, which is key for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your flexibility and willingness to work shifts. Since the role requires working at different times, having examples ready of how you've managed similar schedules in the past can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Rail Operator 2
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Rail Operator at South Western Railway. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with these duties.
Highlight Communication Skills: As a Rail Operator, strong communication skills are essential. In your CV and cover letter, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with customers or worked in a team environment.
Showcase Flexibility and Proactivity: The role requires flexibility and a proactive approach. Use your application to demonstrate instances where you have successfully adapted to changing situations or taken initiative in previous roles.
Personalise Your Application: Bring your personality into your application. Share why you are passionate about customer service and how you can contribute positively to the experience of passengers at South Western Railway.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Western Railway
✨Show Your People Skills
As a Rail Operator, you'll be interacting with customers regularly. Make sure to highlight your communication skills and any previous experience in customer service during the interview. Share examples of how you've helped others or resolved issues.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
The role requires a flexible approach to various tasks. Be prepared to discuss times when you've adapted to changing situations or taken on different responsibilities. This will show that you're ready to tackle the diverse challenges of the job.
✨Emphasise Safety Awareness
Since this is a safety-critical role, it's crucial to convey your understanding of safety protocols. Discuss any relevant experience you have in maintaining safety standards and how you prioritise safety in your work.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and customer interaction skills. Think about potential situations you might face as a Rail Operator and how you would handle them effectively.
