Have you ever been terminated from a position?

"Actually, once. At the time I was having car trouble, and it was something of a streak of bad luck. I used the car primarily to commute to work. I had a bad mechanic, and he kept claiming to repair the issue. So, three times in a row, the car quit on me on the way to work. It was unfortunate, and truth be told I hadn't properly maintained my vehicle at the time, so I take full responsibility for it. But before, and after that, I've had something of a spotless attendance record, and otherwise, my job history is clean."

According to several sources online, it is not uncommon for rail workers to be repeatedly written up and disciplined for the smallest infractions, resulting in retraining, mandatory leave, investigations, and even termination. Therefore, your interviewer is less interested in hiring those who are simply trying to secure a job to earn a paycheck, while putting in the bare minimum. Such employees are more likely to cut corners, repeat the same mistakes, disregard safety, have attendance issues or abandon their posts, have issues with those in positions of authority, and miss important details. Such behavior puts a heavy strain on their leadership team, negatively impacts morale, and contributes to a problematic work environment.

To showcase yourself as a top performer, it's important to go into your interview with a full understanding of the goals of the hiring manager, and the big picture of what they're aiming to accomplish as a company. BNSF is a business that employs a massive workforce to actualize its vision daily. There are many moving pieces, schedules, and timetables. All the while, safety is an absolute priority. The stakes are high. They aim to recruit stakeholders, who are emotionally and developmentally invested in helping them achieve their mission.

They need individuals who are punctual, have a high attention to detail, and support the efforts of their leadership teams. So, whether you have been fired from a previous job or not, go into your interview ready to showcase how you work with and support your leadership teams, and take ownership of your commitments, development, and growth opportunities. Express how you proactively seek out feedback and are grateful when you receive it, regardless of the feedback. Demonstrate that you take responsibility for your mistakes and have a track record of learning from each lesson. And, that you lead by example, and are a professional in every regard.

Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.