Graduate Engineer, at Network Rail

The following is a Graduate Review for Network Rail.

Network Rail scores 3.7/5 based on 356 reviews.

All reviews are based exclusively on results of feedback from employees from Network Rail. Employees are asked to rate Network Rail on a wide range of work place topics, which is broken down through star ratings on the right hand side.

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What is the annual salary for this role?

Starting salary: £25,000 - £27,000

Current salary: £27,000 - £29,000

What hours do you actually work, on average?

Start: 8:00

Finish: 16:15

What advice would you give to someone applying to this role?

#1 DO NOT CONFUSE NETWORK RAIL WITH NATIONAL RAIL (The former is the UK Rail Infrastructure owner & maintainer; the latter is the UK ticketing agency). Your application will be binned immediately if you make this mistake, no matter how good it is.
- Another common mistake: NR are not responsible for the running of the trains (apart from signalling and track quality), however we do have a fleet of maintenance trains and rail vehicles.

#2 Take care when completing your application. The first 20% of applications to be rejected are those with 5+ grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.

#3 Think carefully about your answers in the situation judgement test.

#4 Above all, show an honest enthusiasm for the rail industry and your professional development

Do you have any interview tips?

#1 Turn up suited-and-booted and at least 30 mins before the scheduled arrival time. Behave professionally at all times - even in breaks - as you will be assessed throughout the day, and not just when you're sat in the interview seat.

#2 Show an honest enthusiasm for the rail industry and your professional development

#3 If you get asked a tricky question, try your best to answer; it's better than saying nothing

#4 Keep cognisance of point #1 of Application Advice!

#5 Be creative! You may be asked to come up with an innovative plan or design; don't be afraid to push the boundaries of our current methods and technology, but at the same time remember to keep your ideas somewhere close to solid ground!

#6 In teamworking exercises:
Do: Listen to others; discuss yours and other candidates opinions amicably and professionally; contribute effectively to the task; be prepared to accept that someone else may have a better idea and, if it is the best option, work with it rather than against it;
Don't: Talk over or ignore others or assume taking paternal control over the task will land you the job; have a passive involvement in the group task - doing nothing will get you nothing!; insist your idea is best just because you want to be the one who came up with the solution - this won't win you any 'points' with the Interviewers.