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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome passengers, check tickets, and ensure a smooth journey.
- Company: Join Southeastern, one of Britain's busiest train operators with a commitment to community.
- Benefits: Enjoy free rail travel, 28 days leave, and a final salary pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on passenger journeys while gaining a nationally-recognised qualification.
- Qualifications: No railway experience needed; just bring your customer service skills and passion.
- Other info: Apply early as this role may close quickly due to high interest.
Looking for a career that will take you in new directions? Become a Southeastern Train Conductor.
- Imagine the pride you’ll feel when your customer service skills and problem solving keeps hundreds of journeys running smoothly.
- Our training will take you from trainee to train Conductor and give you a nationally-recognised qualification.
- Enjoy a career that comes with great pay and benefits, a real sense of ownership, and where every shift is a chance to create a connection.
Can you move people? Apply now.
Main Responsibilities
What you’ll do…
Make sure passengers feel welcome, comfortable and safe on our trains. This means greeting people as they step on board, checking and issuing tickets, communicating with the train driver, and dealing with any problem that comes your way.
Of course, sometimes there are issues with tickets or delays, which can be difficult for passengers. It’s up to you to keep them informed and do your best to help them get where they need to be.
Your home base will be one of our depots which are located at Ashford, Dover, Faversham, Gillingham, Hastings, Ramsgate, and Tonbridge.
Your training
- As a Trainee Conductor, you’ll be enrolled into our Conductor Apprenticeship Programme.
- You’ll complete a mix of classroom-based and on-the-job learning, covering everything from functional skills to safety procedures.
Your shifts
- You will work a varied shift pattern, which includes weekends, bank holidays and nights.
- Shifts can start before the first train departs in the morning, and some shifts will finish after the last train has dispatched at night.
The Ideal Candidate
The experience you’ll need
You don’t need railway experience to do this role. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds to join our team.
All you need is:
- a passion for making every passenger journey the best it can be
face-to-face customer service experience - some experience taking payments and handling cash
- excellent communication and good IT skills
- the ability to make good decisions and use your initiative
- resilience and the ability to be calm and professional under pressure.
However, we can only consider your application if you live within a 15-mile radius of the depot you’re applying for. That way, we can make sure you get a good amount of rest between shifts and your journeys to and from work are safe.
Other things to know
- This vacancy may close early if we receive a large number of applications. So, make sure you get yours in early.
- All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, a right to work verification, a basic criminal record check, and a pre-employment medical assessment. Work visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.
- If you applied but weren’t successful in getting a similar role at Southeastern, please wait six months before applying again.
Find out more about our recruitment process and get tips to help you apply.
What you’ll get in return
Along with your salary, the rewards you’ll get include:
- a final salary pension
- 28 days annual leave allowance (including bank holidays)
free rail travel across our networks.
Meaning you can feel secure in your career as well as fulfilled by your work. Click here to see our full range of amazing benefits.Â
About The Company
A bit about Southeastern
We’re one of Britain’s busiest train operators, serving London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. We run over 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers and serving 180 stations.
However, working on our railway is more than getting passengers from A to B. It’s about all the little moments that make a difference to their journey.
It’s also about making our railway a great place to work. With a team that represents the communities we serve. This is a journey we’re fully committed to and we’re proud to have been named a ‘Great Place to Work’ at the 2023 National Rail Awards and endorsed as a WORK180 Employer for Women.
Locations
Trainee/Apprentice Train Conductor employer: Southeastern Railway
Contact Detail:
Southeastern Railway Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee/Apprentice Train Conductor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the Southeastern train routes and services. Understanding the areas you’ll be serving will not only help you in your role but also show your genuine interest in the position during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your customer service skills. Since this role heavily relies on face-to-face interactions, practicing how to handle various passenger scenarios can give you an edge in demonstrating your suitability for the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your problem-solving abilities. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed difficult situations, as this will highlight your resilience and decision-making skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Make sure you know the locations of the depots you’re applying for. Being able to discuss your proximity to these locations shows that you understand the importance of being close to your workplace for shift reliability.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee/Apprentice Train Conductor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Trainee Conductor. Highlight your customer service experience and problem-solving skills in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the job description. Emphasize your face-to-face customer service experience and any relevant communication skills.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for customer service and your ability to handle pressure. Mention specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your resilience and decision-making skills.
Check Your Location: Ensure you meet the location requirement by confirming that you live within a 15-mile radius of the depot you are applying for. This is crucial for your application to be considered.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southeastern Railway
✨Show Your Customer Service Skills
Since the role emphasizes customer service, be prepared to share examples of how you've made a positive impact on customers in previous roles. Highlight your ability to handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of specific instances where you successfully resolved issues or challenges. This could involve dealing with delays or ticketing problems. Show that you can stay calm under pressure and make quick, effective decisions.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key for a Train Conductor. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer about the role or the company to show your interest.
✨Research Southeastern
Familiarize yourself with Southeastern's services, values, and recent news. Understanding the company will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your enthusiasm for joining their team.