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- Tasks: Ensure passenger safety and provide exceptional service on board our trains.
- Company: Join South Western Railway, a leading transport provider in the South West.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free travel, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Be the face of our service and make a real difference to passengers' journeys.
- Qualifications: Must be over 18, adaptable, and enjoy customer interaction.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent training and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 26763 - 46683 £ 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 successful, 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: £26,763 per annum rising in increments to £46,683 per annum, after completion of training and a further 12 months fully qualified. Plus, annual regional allowance of £519 and 5% commission on ticket sales. 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 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.
Health Assured Neurodiversity Blog
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.
Commercial Guard - Weymouth employer: South Western Railway
Contact Detail:
South Western Railway Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Guard - Weymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before you even think about applying, dive into South Western Railway's values and mission. Understanding what they stand for will help you tailor your approach and show them you're a perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role as a Guard. Personal connections can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the assessment! If you get invited to an assessment in Southampton, practice common scenarios you might face as a Guard. Think about how you'd handle customer interactions and safety situations—show them you’re ready for anything!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the SWR team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity—get your application in!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Guard - Weymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you dive into your application, make sure to read the job description thoroughly. It’s packed with important info about what we’re looking for in a Guard, and it’ll help you tailor your application to show us you’re the right fit!
Download and Review the 'Realities of the Guard Role': Don’t skip this step! Download the 'Realities of the Guard Role' document and give it a good read. It’ll give you insights into what the job really entails and help you understand our expectations better.
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills: We love candidates who can demonstrate their customer service skills. In your application, share examples of how you’ve gone above and beyond for customers in the past. This will show us you’re ready to be an ambassador for SWR!
Apply Through Our Website: When you’re ready to apply, make sure to do it through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Western Railway
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you've read the 'Realities of the Guard Role' document thoroughly. Understanding the responsibilities and challenges of the position will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
As a Guard, you'll be the face of South Western Railway. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've gone above and beyond for customers. Highlight your ability to stay calm under pressure and how you’ve effectively managed customer interactions.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
The job requires flexibility and the ability to handle disruptions. Think of situations where you've had to adapt quickly to changes or unexpected challenges. Be ready to discuss how you managed those situations and what you learned from them.
✨Emphasise Safety Awareness
Safety is paramount in this role. Be prepared to talk about your understanding of safety protocols and how you would ensure the safety of passengers. You might even want to mention any relevant training or certifications you have that relate to safety in a public environment.