BNSF Railway Company Mock Interview
Practice 30 BNSF Railway interview questions covering safety protocols, operational scenarios, and rail industry standards.
Question 24 of 30
What does hard work look like to you?
Experienced
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
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Community Answers
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"I would say that hard work cannot be achieved unless you are motivated to commit to it. You have to be passionate about the work you do, and if it is just about earning a paycheck, then you're gonna burn out fast. For example, at my current job, there just isn't the career advancement opportunity I need. So, I am looking for a job elsewhere. But, I still work hard because I care about the people I work with. Even though that's not enough to keep me there, I care about my work friends, and I'm not gonna do a mediocre job just because I am no longer invested in the company. I also work hard because I have integrity, and believe in doing the right thing. So, hard work means putting your greatest effort in because it's the right thing to do."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Your interviewer is trying to assess what your work ethic looks like. Their aim here is to use your answer as a performance indicator, which will help them determine what going above and beyond looks like to you. Additionally, how you answer could provide insights into your leadership potential, and how experienced you truly are.
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Many of BNSF's job positions state: "At BNSF, we take pride in moving the nation's freight, but that wouldn't be possible without our dedicated team." They also further state there may be future career opportunities with the company for those who follow through with "hard work, the desire to learn, and the ability to develop productive working relationships."
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Anonymous Answer
"My mom would always say, 'the early bird gets the worm,' which I agree with, but I think hard work goes beyond that. Being a hard worker means that you are invested in the goals and targets of your company. You don't leave your job until it's done 100% right. You also don't just leave your job the moment you walk off the site. It's always with you; thinking of ways that you can improve your performance the following day."
Marcie's Feedback
Great! The interviewer will undoubtedly be impressed with your explanation of hard work. Is there a time when you worked hard that you could talk about? You might discuss how it made you feel, accomplishing your goal, and how it benefited the company or your team. An example would personalize your response and make it even more meaningful. Good job!
Anonymous Answer
Hard work to me is coming in before your shift to prepare for your day. Understanding what problems arose before I arrived and how can I assist my team with working through those issues safely and efficiently. Doing everything in my power to prevent accidents and keep my cohorts safe. Oftentimes, I worked overtime to assist with my company's queue to make sure a positive light was shined on my department.
Marcie's Feedback
Awesome! This is a strong answer that shows how dedicated you are to working hard and maintaining a great work ethic. Beyond coming in early and staying late, how do you work hard yet efficiently during the day? You might mention that while you always work hard, you also strive to work smart so you're not just occupying your time with busy work. Excellent job!
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