First there is a hireview interview of a few questions. Unlimited attempts. Then a couple weeks later, you have an information session in the early morning. This consists of 4 tests for a grand total of 2 hours. One 20 minute test about your work experience solving problems, another 20 minute test where they play audio and you have to underline the correct statements and circle the incorrect statements, then a 40 minute math test, then a 40 minute reading comprehension of their safety policies.

You submit your CV and Cover Letter online on their website. A week or two later they will contact you to schedule your attendance for an informational session in Calgary, Alberta. This session, if you know anything about the Railway is entirely useless. They do not give you a realistic view of what an RTC does. The presenters do tell you that you will be working shift work from 0700-1500, 1500-2300 and 2300-0700. They let you know your hours will not be great but you’ll likely only be working 40 hours a week. From what I understand this is not true. CP Rail’s current agenda is to get more done with less in essence. You will likely be working 12’s more often than they speak of. Afterwards you are tested. You are tested on reading comprehension and mathematics. You will be asked to calculate D=RT and the speed of a train. Example: If a train is 300m and is travelling at 74km/h how fast will the train cross over a bridge that is 180m in length? The questions are easy, but if you haven’t taken any mathematics courses in a long time, or do not have prior railroad experience you may struggle with the tests. These both could have been done over the computer and for out of province candidates the entire experience so far is pointless and excessive. You will schedule an interview into a time slot later on in the week. You will attend the interview at CP Rail’s head office. Your entire working career, personality, and future with CP Rail is then based off of your response’s to four questions. Each question essentially asking you the same thing, but worded differently. As someone with prior railroad experience at both railways, and an education that extends well beyond a high school level, I was not offered a position even though I nearly aced both exams. I believe to obtain this job, it takes a lot of preparation. However, I also believe that there is some discrimination during the hiring period. Finally you will either be congratulated and offered the job approximately five days later via email or put into the system for future hiring pools. NOTE: Accommodation is not provided. For a company as large as CP Rail you would think they would provide candidates with air fare and a hotel in order to recruit the best candidates for the position. CN Rail and the competing railways do. The majority of the entire hiring process could be done over the phone and computer. Thank you for reading my review, cheers and Happy Holidays!