CN employment question

[Lynx]

Hi from a new member,

I recently applied for a Conductor job position with CN using their online job application system. It is about a month now and the status is showing "under review" since about 2 days after applying. My question, for who ever was in my shoes, is.... how long it usually take them to make a decision ? I just like to know what to expect here time-wise. Thanks.

 

[bnsfrailrunner]

Railroads drag their feet during the application process. When I applied with BNSF, it taken 4 months for the entire process to be completed. In other words, rust will form faster on a car compared to getting an employment decision from a railroad.

I didn't take any physicals and strength tests until 3 weeks before my hire date, and didn't get notified of class start date until 2 weeks before.

So sit back, patience is a must when waiting on whether you get the thumbs up or down.

Good luck!

 

[CN_Signalman]

I can tell you this CN seeing that I am a employee for them takes there time unless it is a position that need to be filled quickly. But seeing that you applied for a transportation position those usually are pretty quick to fill.

 

[-chet]

Im currently looking to get into BNSF/CSX/NS/UP.

CSX has been the quickest to tell me I'm not qualified. UP and BN often take months. There is no real pattern to it. I might get a decline letter in 3 days, or 3 months.

I'm on my 2nd interview with UP and it's been a week and a half without any word.

 

[CN Sparky]

I applied, got the call two months later for interviews, started three months after that. It was painful, waiting not knowing what was going on.. then finally got the call (after almost three months) that I was expected to start next week.. like 4 days notice.

 

[Lynx]

thanks for replies all, I talked today to CN rep who answers to that general inquiry number under the career section, she said it shouldn't be more than 1 more month, so it should fall under that 2 months time

the day I posted first post I also applied for Conductor job for CPR as I noticed they have a recent opening, they weren't looking for Conductors when I applied to CN, funny part is CPR turned me down in 3 days

I don't feel to post all particulars out in the open, but if there is someone knowledgeable and can PM me and help me to figure out what I did wrong, so I can have better success in the future, in case CN will turn me down too

 

[-chet]

What I'm getting a feeling is, that a) they are getting so many applicants for jobs that they just cut off new applicants at a certain amount of time and b) there are so many retirements from the post merger days, that there is a lot of promotion from within which means c) you have to start in a entry level type position rather get hired into a existing senior type job.

 

[Hydroman114]

Can anyone help me? I have been applying with CN rail for 3 months now, mostly track maintenance and conductor positions all over Canada, I have my grade 12 education, valid drivers license and don't do drugs so I'm 100% sure ill pass the drug screening, I stated on my résumé and cover letters that I would be willing to relocate anywhere in Canada, and my brother is a track maintenance foreman with 5 years with the company, and I use him as referral when I apply on the website, I get emails back saying that they have received my application and its is under review, but that's as far as I've gotten in 3 months......

 

[Chris de Vries]

They need guys all over Canada. It may have to do with your current location.

 

[Hydroman114]

But I clearly stated that I'd move wherever they need me too

 

[Chris de Vries]

They will take applicants that live closer to the terminals they are hiring for before they take someone from the other side of the country.

 

[Hydroman114]

But I'm in Kenora, only 2 hours from Winnipeg and they do hiring out of Winnipeg and a lot of the jobs are there

 

[Chris de Vries]

That is a little strange that they wouldn't get back to you. They've hired TONS of guys here in Winnipeg over the past couple of years.

 

[Hydroman114]

Just got invited to a recruitment session in Sudbury, and it's invite only, does that mean that CN is interested in me?

 

[Chris de Vries]

Sudbury!

They might be looking for you to go to a Northern Ontario terminal if you're going way out there.

Did they say for what position?

Call one of the people that deal with that and see if you can get any more information. Get whatever you can and if you are still interested arrange for a room and be on your way.

 

[Hydroman114]

It's for a conductor position in western Canada

 

[Chris de Vries]

I find it odd that they'd send you to Ontario for that.