I applied online. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Union Pacific in Aug 2011
Interview
Long day, but not bad. Looooong testing. Be prepare to spend at least 5-8 hours there. The interview isn't too stressful. Questions were pretty basic. Included educational and professional background questions. Also situational questions, ie when have you had to act to avoid an unsafe situation (something like that) in a work situation. The questions are pretty standard HR questions, so if you brush up on answers to typical interview questions (posted all over the web), that should help.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
There are very few jobs in XYZ territory (for which I applied) would you be willing to take a position in ABC territory?
I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Union Pacific (Omaha, NE)
Interview
First thing to prepare yourself with that you do not see in any other hiring event or interview is how many times they try to get you to leave. Not joking. They have done this since the railroad started hiring people a hundred and fifty plus years ago.
You will not forget the interview process with this organization. I have gone through and been to both the labor side and management side of hiring events. I will tell you that it is unlike any other organizations hiring process. First, we still use scare tactics… yes at the recruiting events when we should be attracting talent. We tell you that you will be overworked, stressed out, out in the elements (even if hired for an office job or leadership position). Hiring managers tell you about all the time away from home that you will have as both labor and management. A few times they have literally said “If your marriage is not strong do not join.” How this critical issue has never been addressed before by senior management as an area for improvement is beyond me, it is simply accepted as a norm here.
After the scare tactics there is a brief oral intro about what the railroad does and how it operates. This is usually another talking point used transition back into a diatribe of how much this organization requires of all employees, labor and management.
There are multiple times where they ask you to consider all the perils of this job while you take a break. They even ask you to call your significant other and tell them what you have been told, then ask them if they are ok with these terrible working conditions, long and odd hours, and time spent away from home.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Be able to articulate how safety is important and relevant in the workplace.
Also, have examples of safe activities you engaged in at your previous employer.
Be able to explain what you would do if you witnessed a coworker or friend engaging in unsafe behavior.
I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at Union Pacific (El Paso, TX) in Apr 2016
Interview
I interviewd with the Sr. HR director insividual was pleaseant and had a structured interview process, gave handoutson the training lengths locations I would possibly be working in. Answered all of my questions.
I applied through university. I interviewed at Union Pacific
Interview
I applied through university. I then attended the career fair and was told to attend a meeting where they provide background on company. Scheduled an interview for the next day. The interview was a 1-1 interview (behavioral). the process after that takes awhile. I didn't hear back until 2 months later.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe a situation in which you witnessed an employee doing something unsafe. What did you do?