The industry’s target to secure 100,000 job opportunities across the UK by 2027 is further evidence – if any more was needed – of the railway’s long-term commitment to the growth and development of its workforce.
While the opening of new colleges and the creation of new apprenticeships offers exciting opportunities for newcomers, the new year will present people at all different stages of their careers with the chance to take on new challenges and find their dream job.
For anyone launching a job hunt this January, here are a few pointers to help make your search a successful one.
Assess your options
If you’re thinking of changing jobs, ask yourself why? Salary is often not the primary reason people choose to leave. What are you looking for from prospective employers? Decide what type of employment contract suits your needs. Are you looking for a permanent position? Are you open to contract or part-time roles?
Retraining and upskilling
If you’re looking to take your career in a completely different direction, there are various opportunities out there. For example, the National College for High Speed Rail (NCHSR), which has sites in Birmingham and Doncaster, is keen to attract existing railway employees who are looking to add high-speed rail engineering skills to their CVs.
Set up job alerts
RailwayPeople.com can have up to 2,000 jobs online at any one time so you need to be smart about your search. If you register as a candidate and upload your CV, you can set up alerts to email new vacancies that fit your experience and competencies straight to your inbox. You can also make your details visible to recruiters, who can contact you directly about roles.
Get your CV fighting fit
Your CV may need a bit of work if it’s been a while since your last job hunt. With so many examples of ‘the perfect CV’ online it can be difficult to know what’s right for your sector. There are lots of companies that offer professional CV writing services but a good place to start would be to use the National Careers Service’s free advice line, which can be contacted either by phone or web chat.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
It can be disheartening to go through several rounds of interviews and assessments to ultimately find out you were unsuccessful for a job you seemed perfect for. Try to stay positive and keep responding to ads even if you’re confident about another opportunity.
