30Northern Railway Interview Questions & Answers
1.In this role with Northern Railway you will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of trains and the movement of customer freight from one destination to another. How will you contribute to our reputation for safety and excellence?
2.This role with Northern Railway requires union membership. How do you feel about being part of a unionized environment?
3.Explain to me the role of a freight conductor. What do you feel are the top 3 skills a freight conductor at Northern Railway should possess?
4.Explain to me the responsibilities of a train dispatcher. In your opinion, what is the most critical component of a dispatch position?
5.Walk me through your experience supervising crews, and facilitating schedules or loading and unloading duties.
6.How familiar are you with the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) and the part they play with Northern Railway daily operations?
7.Do you have experience collaborating with dispatchers, yardmasters, engineers and other train crew?
8.At Northern Railway we do everything as a team. Have you ever had difficulty working in a team environment?
9.Do you have experience working on an on-call basis? Are you willing and able to comply with an on-call schedule?
10.Describe your overall experience working around and operating heavy equipment.
11.Working for Northern Railway can be physically demanding. Are you able to lift 50-85 pounds, work in confined or enclosed spaces, and spend much of your day bending, kneeling, and climbing?
12.Federal regulations require Northern Railway to conduct a series of background checks as well as random testing for drugs and alcohol. Are you able to meet these requirements?
13.How do you maintain familiarity with scheduled trains, destinations, times of arrivals, and departures?
14.Do you have experience working with trains containing hazardous material or restricted shipments?
15.Which aspect of working within the rail transport industry is most exciting for you?
16.Northern Railway values problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. Tell me about a time you solved a significant issue in the workplace.
17.In the rail transport industry, reaction time is everything. How often do you create alternative scenarios to help you adjust to potential change?
18.Have you ever been terminated from a position?
19.Successful communication between departments is key to success at Northern Railway. How do you encourage healthy communication in the workplace?
20.Your background is not in rail transport. Tell me what skills and characteristics qualify you for this position, regardless of your lack of industry experience.
21.Stress is an every-day presence in the rail transport industry. How do you manage in the most stressful situations?
22.Northern Railway needs reliable team members who can adhere to our schedules. How many days were you unexpectedly absent from work last year?
23.Do you have any concerns around this role, or working for Northern Railway?
24.How honest are you, on a scale of 1-10?
25.Northern Railway values team synergy. Tell me about the type of people you enjoy working with.
26.Talk to me about your most recent performance evaluation. What was one positive, and one area for improvement?
27.Northern Railway employees are always busy, with critical tasks. Talk to me about what hard work looks like, to you.
28.Name for me some specific characteristics that make you a functional problem solver.
29.Northern Railway works hard to offer competitive wages and employee perks. Besides your pay, what is the most critical factor when considering a job offer?
30.Working in rail transport can be stressful due to high-stakes safety issues and a lot of moving parts. What advice would you give to a colleague who seems to be cracking under pressure?
