15 minute read
YRP NEEDS YOU
YOUNG RAIL PROFESSIONALS YRP NEEDS YOU!
DO YOU WORK IN RAIL? OR, IF YOU DON'T, WOULD YOU LIKE TO? OR DO YOU SIMPLY HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR TRAINS?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then please read on... Young Rail Professionals might just have the perfect volunteering opportunity for you!
YRP is searching for enthusiastic volunteers to join its dynamic committees at both regional and national level. The current team has navigated amazingly though the unprecedented challenges of the past year, keeping the community engaged through new and inventive initiatives, creating a support network for loyal members and utilising its voice in the industry to connect people from living rooms across the UK.
YRP has grown from strength to strength, adding new technologies, collaborators and activities to its repertoire. And now it needs your help to continue the YRP mission. WHAT DO YOU NEED?
Ultimately, YRP is looking for people with passion, awareness, dedication, ideas, drive, approachability ... people who want to join YRP committees and make YRP even more of a success than it already is. The search is on for the next team of YRP leaders!
A YRP leader is anyone who holds responsibility for YRP. There are eight regional committees, focussed on delivery of YRP initiatives and YRP networking at a local level. There is also a National Executive Committee that oversees the running of the organisation with finance, marketing and communications, strategy and coordination responsibilities.
Typically, YRP leaders start at a regional committee role and work up to a national executive role, garnering confidence, contacts and experience along the way. The range of roles is broad, so hopefully there’s something for everyone.
YRP needs young rail professionals to lead and support its national initiatives and activities, such as into rail, Rail Week, our networking and development programme, our annual awards, our heritage railways project and Young Rail Tours.
On top of all that, YRP needs young rail professionals to lead and support its regional committees, grow its activities on a regional level, encourage cross-working and build sustainable local networks.
Young rail professionals are needed to guide, support and engage with members, nurture and develop relationships with industry contacts and collaborators, manage the website, marketing and social media channels, raise YRP’s profile in the industry, share skills, share knowledge, share career insights and opportunities and endorse the UK railway industry as a great place to work.
In short, YRP needs young rail professionals to promote, inspire and develop the next generation of railway talent.
A full list of leadership positions can be found on the YRP website.
WHY JOIN?
YRP leadership is an opportunity unlike any other you are likely to have in the
early years of your rail career. It offers a chance to run elements of a business, lead teams of people or projects, raise your profile across the industry, and get exposure to a broad range of people, professions and experience levels. YRP leaders have used their experience in chartership and professional qualification applications, and many will tell you how their career progression has been accelerated by skills and experience acquired with YRP.
YRP is also fun! Whilst the work to inspire, promote and develop the next generation of railway talent is taken very seriously, YRP leaders form a tight community, together with their members, and make friends for life. There is a strong social scene and members enjoy relaxing together after their work is done.
In most positions, the workload is very manageable, even though it is in addition to the demands of the day job. Whenever circumstances change, and YRP leaders struggle with a commitment, colleagues are extremely flexible and support each other. No-one is left to be overwhelmed by work.
WHO CAN JOIN?
YRP provides maximum development benefit to those in the first 10 years of their career in rail.
But anyone who works in the rail industry (or with an interest in the same) can get involved - there are opportunities to suit all abilities, backgrounds and locations.
As well as committee members, YRP is always on the lookout for speakers, mentors, corporate members (more on that next time!), collaborators and, of course, members generally.
ANY OTHER USEFUL BACKGROUND?
YRP is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers alone, and its constitution restricts it from giving monetary benefits or gifts in return. This is for good reason - every penny of funding YRP receives from corporate members is carefully invested in its initiatives and aligned to its objectives.
That all makes for agility, allowing flexibility in roles and responsibilities, simplifying the process for onboarding new volunteers, and makes every member and leader of YRP equal, from newbie to executive.
That all sounds wonderful! So how do you get involved?
YRP’s election and appointments process is taking place right now, until 1 April 2021 - please contact chairsoffice@youngrailpro.com with expressions of interest or any questions if you’d like to get involved. You’ll find that everyone is happy to talk to anyone about the opportunities on offer.
And finally ... if you work for a company that’s interested in becoming a YRP corporate member - how does this work?
Keep your eyes peeled for the next article, where you’ll be able to find out more about corporate memberships. In the meantime, you can download the current YRP Corporate Members’ brochure from the YRP website or contact rachael.thompson@ youngrailpro.com (YRP Head of External Relations) for more information.
SET YOURSELF UP
FOR SUCCESS IN 2021
The 2020s have got off to a unique start, and for many, life has been turned upside down. If a new job is on your to do list for 2021, don’t miss out on Advance TRS’s top tips on how to land your perfect role in the new virtual world.
ENGAGE AN AGENCY
Recruitment agencies have been working with key clients throughout the pandemic and have a full understanding of who is hiring and what opportunities are out there to best suit you.
To get the most out of your agency make sure you select an industry-specific recruiter and build up a positive relationship with your consultant. Good recruitment consultants have exclusive relationships with their clients, with access to roles that are not openly advertised on the job market. Simply put, your dream job might be out there but you may never see it unless you engage with a consultant well embedded in your industry, working with the companies you want to work for. So do your research to find the consultant representing these companies and let them unlock the hidden gem jobs you didn’t even know about.
A recruitment consultant can help you throughout the job hunting process from updating your CV, to guiding you through the interview process, bringing you to life for the client, supporting you as an advocate in any uncomfortable salary conversations through to helping you settle in your new role.
Finally, remember this service is free for you! So make sure you get the full benefits of working with a pro.
GIVE YOUR CV SOME ATTENTION
Updating your CV should be your very first point of action. Bear in mind that recruiters and hiring managers look at dozens of CVs on a daily basis, so you want yours to really stand out and be interesting for them to read. You can do this by writing everything down, condensing the information to a maximum of two pages and restructuring.
Start with your most relevant experience and achievements and make sure to tailor your personal statement to the role you’re applying for. When it comes to personal statements, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Putting a little effort into getting it right can go a long way.
When it comes to formatting your CV, go with a layout that looks professional and will keep the reader interested. This is your chance to sell yourself and making your CV easy to read and interesting will help you stand out.
UPSKILL
Now is a great time to upskill and it doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of courses online that are either free or only require a small fee to be paid and you can enrol and get started right away. New certifications can then be added to your CV.
This will also show potential employers that you are proactive and take your personal development seriously.
You might even want to think about reskilling and getting qualified for a new role or sector entirely. Maybe it’s something you have been wanting to do for a while but never found the time to do it.
KEEP IT RELEVANT
When it comes to applying for jobs, try to stick with what is relevant to you and your experience. It can be very disheartening being turned down for a role, even if it wasn’t suitable for you in the first place.
Take your time to really read job descriptions and decide whether you have the right skillset and experience for the role before you apply. You will be much more likely to stand out and you’ll have a higher chance at hearing back and being invited for an interview.
TOP TIPS FROM SPECIALIST RECRUITER ADVANCE TRS ON HOW TO LAND YOUR PERFECT ROLE IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS
Many things about the interview process have changed or evolved in response to the pandemic, but the importance of preparation remains to be the most vital step.
Whilst the interview is an opportunity to learn more about the role and your potential new employer, it is important to make a strong first impression and the easiest way to do that is to prepare.
UNDERSTAND THE JOB
Read through the job specification and match previous experience against it ready to demonstrate in the interview. Make notes on key points or where you have any questions.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Look at their company website, key personnel on social media and note down any relevant information to have with you for the interview. Find out about the company’s Vision / Mission / Values / Purpose, key selling points and differentiators, key specialism and area of expertise, service offerings and geographical coverage
KNOW YOUR CV Read through your CV prior to the interview, making sure you remember start/finish dates of previous jobs and you can speak about any points on your CV, with examples of projects or work completed.
PREPARE SOME QUESTIONS
Make a list of 5-10 questions that are relevant to the role. You can then ask these during and at the end of the interview.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Be ready to back up any achievements or competency-based questions with statistics, supporting documentation and impact statements.
Just because you are not face-to-face does not mean first impressions are any less important! Even though you may not be able to be seen, your posture dictates a lot about how your voice is perceived. Make sure if seated, you are comfortable, and sitting upright (not slumped).
If you are more confident walking or standing, make sure you do not get out of breath or distracted by other activities and you have a place you can return to, to write notes or review documents.
VIDEO INTERVIEW TOP TIPS
• Test your camera and microphone set up before your meeting. • Do a couple of test runs with the specific software being used to become familiar with it. Often you can open the interview link early to test your camera and mic. • Make sure you are in a quiet location with strong wifi signal and good lighting so you can be clearly seen. • Make sure your background is suitable and you are well presented (if in doubt dress smart!). • Click the link in good time to make sure you do not miss the meeting.
PHONE INTERVIEW TOP TIPS
• Make sure you are somewhere quiet with good signal. • Set up a space where you can focus and have a surface where you can keep any documents to hand or write notes. • Make sure any other devices are on silent or do not disturb and make sure you pick up the call!
Advance TRS are a niche recruitment consultancy specialising in the provision of highly-skilled technical professionals for the built environment.
Advance TRS provide permanent, contract and temporary recruitment solutions to both candidates and clients across a number of key technical sectors including rail, water & environment, construction and property services.
Our specialist rail recruiters have over 200 years’ experience in the industry. We work with Tier One contractors on some of the biggest rail infrastructure projects in the UK. Key specialist disciplines within the rail industry include: Signalling, Telecoms, M&E, Civils, Permanent Way, E&P, HQSE, Commercial, Project Management, and C-Suite.
For more helpful interview tips and job search advice check out the Advance TRS website and Advance Advice articles.
For our latest opportunities visit www.advance-trs.com or speak to the team on 01483 361061.
MAKING
AN EARLY START
IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION ON THE FIRST DAY IN A NEW JOB. BUT ARRIVING EARLY CAN BE JUST AS IMPORTANT.
Colin Wheeler remembers a true story that can be taken as good advice to all new starters, but which can also act as a warning to the complacent.
I recall being told about the newly appointed railway divisional boss who had lodged locally near his new office and was expected to begin his first day by arriving at around nine in the morning.
Instead, he arrived at the office doors a little before 7am. The office messenger arrived, having collected the morning post, a few minutes later. He accepted the assurance that the man was “due to start work in the office but was early” at face value.
The new man offered to help unlocking the building and with sorting and delivering the mail around the offices. With a little prompting as they worked together, the messenger explained to the newcomer what each of the sections did, who was likely to arrive first and who he found best and easiest to do work for.
The office, the new boss had been warned, was not working well and “had its problems”.
An hour or more later, he thanked his confidant and, having admitted who he was (and shown proof thereof), he moved into his personal office, asking his confidant to say nothing as he thanked him profusely for their time together.
This gave the talented new boss a great start in his new job, in which he was most successful.
From this beginning, the individual went on to establish a good rapport with local engineers, supervisors, and indeed all staff, both outside and in the offices, before being promoted further.
He also earned the respect and commitment of trades unions and safety representatives.
DELIVERING QUALITY RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS FOR THE RAIL INDUSTRY
Regional Test Manager
This role is an excellent opportunity to work with a tier 1 global contractor and work alongside some of the most experienced signalling testers in the industry.
Design Manager - Rail Civils
Ideal for a Design Manager with depot build experience on stations and previous experience working in a similar role within programmes from a civils aspect.
+44 (0)1483 361061 info@advance-trs.com Principal Systems Engineer
Location: York Salary: Negotiable Type: Permanent
Lead the development, adaptation, introduction and systems delivery elements of SSI and SMARTLOCK systems for signalling systems in the UK and Ireland.
advance-trs.com
Head of Account Development
NATIONWIDE
Nationwide, based working from home
Full Time, permanent position, salary negotiable + competitive benefits package
As our Head of Account Development you will lead and develop our Account Management function to ensure that contractual framework opportunities are maximised across multiple divisions so as to embed our services in the clients supply chain. As a key member of the SMT, your focus will be on identifying new target customers and converting opportunities into a sustainable pipeline of work. This will be achieved through research and intelligence gathering, action planning and meeting with clients in order to promote our range of services.
Apply today by emailing
kaye.toy@auctusmg.co.uk
Subscribe to our free publications at
www.railsubs.com
join the team
Do you want to influence the future of Welsh infrastructure?
We’re one of the largest and most diverse rail organisations in the UK and we’re looking for ambitious individuals to be part of our team.
We’re supporting Transport for Wales with the Core Valley Lines Transformation project, upgrading the railway infrastructure on the Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr and Rhymney valley lines. You’ll be responsible for delivering innovative engineering design and operational delivery solutions, enabling you to make a genuine difference to the environment around us.
Broaden your skills, build relationships, develop leadership capabilities – our environment is one of collaboration and support that empowers you to take control of your career. Now is your time to join a team of specialist railway professionals.
