Rail is one of the most vital parts of a country’s transport network. It transports millions of people every single day, whether they’re going on days out or they’re heading to work. Most governments pledge quite a bit of their funds each year to the transport network on expansion and upgrading it. A large number of new jobs are also usually created to support this investment.
The railway industry is an exciting industry to work in. There are constant developments happening and job opportunities across the country that can take you traveling as part of your role. Roles in the rail industry not only offer long term benefits, but come with several career options and pathways to get you to a place of financial security. If you want to pick your career in the railway industry, take a look below.
How do I get a job in the rail industry?
The first thing that you can do is start researching the job market to decide what type of position you would like in the railway industry. You might have to go through several interview steps along with a railway medical, too. That will give you a good idea of the type of jobs available and help you to really narrow down that field of interest.
Once you’ve decided on a role that you feel is right for you, take a look at the list of their qualifications and training required and start taking those courses. You can then gain some experience and develop your skills. You’ll then need to get your safety certifications and complete other required certifications too. This will demonstrate how committed you are to the industry and it will show employers that you want to go the distance.
What are the different types of jobs in the rail industry?
The exciting thing about the rail industry is there are a lot of jobs out there that you can choose from. There are main sectors such as engineering, maintenance, operations and the professional services sectors. They all have their own job vacancies and career opportunities available.
Different jobs involve different tasks. With the increasing use of technology, it’s one of the most advanced industries in the world. Jobs associated with the rail industry involve a range of responsibilities. Some of the roles you can find include:
Railway engineering jobs. A career in engineering is already a diverse place to be, but a career in the rail sector is an exciting prospect. You’ll cover all elements of engineering, from design to mechanical, and that means engineers in the rail sector work on a lot of projects, from laying new networks to implementing and updating modern digital systems.
Operational roles. These roles are responsible for the day-to-day running of the whole rail network, and they’re one of the most rewarding rail industry jobs out there. From train dispatcher to signal our roles, you’ll find something out there that suits your personality and your skill set.
Professional services. The rail industry can also offer a career in professional services, including HR, legal, finance and marketing. The day-to-day upkeep of the rail network all depends on this area.
Switching jobs can feel overwhelming and for some, they would rather not take the risk of switching careers, for fear of failure. However, when it comes to your happiness and career prospects, it might be that it’s worth the risk for the sake of making yourself happy.
With that being said, here are five signs it’s time to switch jobs and try something new as a career this year.
You’re Feeling Tired and Stressed
Feeling tired and stressed is common with any job at times. However, it shouldn’t be something that’s happening on a regular basis. You should consider how you’re feeling when you step into the workplace and how often you feel that way.
While a tiring day or stressful week might happen every now and then, it’s important to make sure this isn’t happening constantly. If it is, then it might be necessary to switch careers for the sake of your health.
Feeling tired or stressed is going to result in ill health and an eventual hatred towards your working environment. It’s better to take a look at new career prospects like software developer job vacancies rather than putting yourself in a situation where the job is too stressful.
You’re Watching the Clock
Are you watching the clock? This is often a clear indication that you might want to switch jobs. From checking the clock several times a day, to staring at it and wishing it was already home time.
While there are days where time does drag, it shouldn’t be something that you’re doing every single day.
If you find yourself staring at the clock and wishing you were elsewhere on a daily basis, then this might be the right time to find something new.
You Feel Undervalued
Feeling undervalued is an all-too-common feeling when it comes to a job. It’s important to find a job that brings you joy and that you get recognition when you put in the work.
If you’re not getting the recognition you need and deserve, especially if that’s a lack of promotion or financial incentive, then you might want to look elsewhere. It’s always worth speaking to your manager or supervisor to see if there’s an opportunity for growth and to get that recognition.
However, at the same time, you should always have to ask to be rewarded. You should ideally be rewarded on your own merit.
Sometimes, you might find that you’ve grown out of your current role. This is something that can happen, especially if the company you’re with is too big and there are no roles readily available or it’s too small and it can’t cater to your career prospects. When you’ve grown out of your role, it might be worth exploring new ventures and opportunities elsewhere.
Switching jobs or careers is something to consider, especially if you’re feeling any of the above. Use these tips to help give yourself the best opportunities to grow in your role or career this year.
You shouldn’t solely think about the present when finding a job. One eye must be on the future as well; you need to ensure your job rewards you when you retire. This could mean it rewards you with an early retirement, though your main concern will be the retirement benefits provided by the role.
In other words, does the job provide a good pension plan? Will you have enough money to live comfortably on your pension alone when you retire? If the answer is yes, then you’re in for a treat. You should still save for retirement as well, but being able to rely on your pension takes a lot of the financial stress away.
With that being said, which jobs have the best retirement benefits? We’ll caveat this by saying it largely depends on the company providing the benefits – but we can still spot a few jobs and roles that traditionally and commonly have great pensions:
Registered Nurse
Being a registered nurse – or a healthcare provider in general – usually means you get the best benefits packages. It’s a strange one as the wages you’re paid may not reflect the work you put in. Yet you’re given one of the biggest pensions to reward you when you eventually retire.
There’s a huge demand for nurses and healthcare providers as the country will always have sick people. Becoming a nurse isn’t all that challenging either. You’ll need to complete a series of courses to gain the right qualifications before then adding things like a BLS certification to your resume so you can perform CPR and other emergency life-saving acts. It’s a role anyone can do, but you need the right mindset.
You also need to find a job in a prosperous hospital with a union. This is mainly why registered nurses are on this list; the majority are unionized and the unions are responsible for getting good pension plans and retirement benefits in place. Keep that in mind if you go down this career path.
Teacher
This has always been a traditional profession with traditional pension plans in place. Teachers receive better benefits than most other occupations, though pensions have decreased over the last few years. This is nothing new; it’s the case throughout different industries due to the economic state. And yet, teachers still get better pensions and retirement benefits even with this decline.
Again, it’s largely down to the presence of trade unions. Around 90% of teachers are enrolled in a union, which helps them get the retirement benefits they need. Pensions are still pretty weighty – though choosing which state to work in can make a huge difference. According to District Administration, Connecticut is the best state for teachers with an average salary of just over $81,000 and an average teacher pension of $53,452.
By comparison, a state like Utah only gives an average pension of just under $18,000 – so you should choose where you wish to work wisely! In any case, teaching jobs are in high demand. It shouldn’t be difficult to find what you’re after or to get a secure job with no risk of being fired, and plenty of room to climb the career ladder.
Military
Most people should know that military jobs provide excellent retirement pay and benefits. It’s one of the biggest draws of a job like this; everyone knows the risks involved with being in the military, so there needs to be something to tempt you to sign up. A good pension with an early retirement is a great way to encourage more workers to join the military.
US News states that the average military pension is around $30,000-$35,000 per year for a typical enlisted person. You’re eligible for this after just a few years in the military. The exact amount you’re paid will depend on your rank and the specific military pension plan you choose – of which there are many!
It’s also reported that this figure can double if you’re an officer. This means you earn enough through your pension alone to live very comfortably. A lot of people in the military will retire early and enjoy something of a semi-retirement. This is when they take the smaller pension and continue to work part-time elsewhere. It’s handy if you want to get out of the military early or were perhaps forced to retire due to medical grounds.
Speaking of which, military personnel can enjoy more than just retirement pay from this job. They may also get survivor benefits, medical benefits, and a host of other benefits packages.
Construction
Believe it or not, construction jobs are some of the best for retirement benefits and pensions. With an average base salary of $40,000 per year, these jobs are hardly the most well-paid out there. However, they almost all come with a 401(k) plus a pension or retirement plan of sorts.
Once more, this is down to the presence of trade unions in this sector. Construction jobs are very hard and physical with a lot of potential health risks to worry about. As a result, unions are required to ensure individuals are being paid a fair amount while also enjoying a well-balanced life at work. Without the unions, many construction workers would be taken advantage of and get very little for the work they put in.
There are lots of unions for construction workers and they provide benefit plans to opt into. Every construction worker is encouraged to become a union member and take full advantage of these plans. They’ll provide workers with additional income in retirement by taking money from their salary and contributions from their employer to build a retirement fund. The good thing about this line of work is that anyone can do it. That’s not meant as a slight towards the construction industry, it’s simply the truth. There usually aren’t many requirements for construction jobs. As long as you’re willing and can handle physical labor, you could be taken on and trained internally.
Police Officer
Jobs in the police force are in high demand, though they receive fewer applicants each year. We can think of multiple reasons why this might be, but that’s a discussion for another time. For now, let’s focus on the average police officer pension – which, according to World Population Review, ranges from $36,859 in Delaware up to $63,900 in Arizona.
It’s a very beefy retirement plan – and there’s an additional benefit that comes with a police pension. Compared to other jobs in different industries, the retirement age is much lower. The average age for retirement is 65, though a lot of people in different jobs aren’t retiring – nor are they allowed access to their pension funds – until they’re 67. In the police force, many states lower the retirement age to 50. Some have it as 55, while others don’t set an age, but do it based on years of service. For instance, in Nevada, you can retire at any age with 30 years of service or you can retire at 50 with 20 years of service.
Don’t underestimate the advantage of having a low retirement age like this. It may not seem like a huge jump when written on paper, but even the ability to retire at, say, 60 compared to 65 is a huge deal. That’s five extra years of your life to spend doing whatever you want before you get too old to enjoy certain things. Hell, if you’re retiring in your 50s you’ve got SO much time to travel or explore new things.
Much like construction workers, electricians are in fairly high-risk jobs. When your daily routine involves playing around with live electricity, anything can happen. Sure, steps are taken to mitigate the risks, but they still exist – and that’s why electricians and electrical engineers often have a fantastic pension plan.
Without wanting to play the same tune again, the reason behind the strong pensions in this industry is the presence of unions. Union Pay Scales displays a good list of electrician salaries and pension contributions to show you what you could put away each week in this line of work. Many of the pension schemes and retirement plans here are extremely prosperous and you can put away lots of money for your golden years.
You’re not forced to break down barriers to become an electrician either. It’s one of those jobs that requires formal training, but there’s no need for a college degree or any form of higher education. The barriers for entry are almost non-existent. It’s often a popular choice for individuals who want a practical career from an early age.
You should always keep one eye on the future and how you’ll cope when you retire. Choose careers wisely to ensure you’re getting as many benefits as possible. Yes, you can get any job and pocket a 401(k) plus a private pension – but you can do this with all the jobs above PLUS the benefit of a provided pension plan. The more money you have in retirement, the better your latter years will be.
Are you thinking about changing jobs? If the answer is yes, then you need to consider a few things before you can make this happen. There are some people who don’t take the time to think these things through. Then they end up with no job and no plan of what they want to do going forward. The issue here is that you’re then stuck in limbo, and that’s not a place you want to be. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that we think you should consider when it comes to changing jobs, so keep reading down below if you’re interested in learning more.
What Do You Want To Do?
First, we recommend trying to consider what you would like to do. If you’re going to be changing jobs, then you need to have some idea as to what you would like to do to make money going forward. You can’t just leap into the unemployment market without any sense of what might be the next step for you, as this simply isn’t practical.
Some people already have an idea in mind of what they want to do, and that’s great. If this is you then you can start looking into what you need to do to get there. If you don’t know though, then you need to start considering the possibilities. Do you want to do something with one of your hobbies perhaps? Or, maybe a certain field has always interested you?
Where Do You Want To Do It?
We also recommend that you sit down and think about where you want to be. Depending on your career path, certain locations may be better suited to you. It’s important that you know what they are. For example, if you want a white-collar job, we suggest that you look into the top cities for white-collar jobs to give you a higher chance of success when applying for positions.
The last thing that we want to mention is that you need to determine whether or not you will need some more education or training to break into the new career that you’re hoping for. If you will, then you need to start researching the different options, the best way to get this education, and generally making moves towards getting started. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can get to where you want to be.
So, if you are thinking about changing jobs, those are some of the things that you need to think about. It’s not just a case of deciding that you don’t want to do what you’re doing anymore and then jumping straight into something else. No, it’s a lot more complex than that. It’s important that you know what to expect from what is to come. We wish you the very best of luck and hope that you manage to find a job you love going forward.
Your CV is a vital aspect of your job-hunting journey. It’s the one thing pretty much every prospective employer will request, and it’s your way of standing out to help you beat the competition. Despite this document’s importance, 40% of graduates don’t know how to format a CV correctly and are likely making many mistakes that are costing them future employment or holding their careers back.
With over 200 job applicants per vacancy, it’s important to remember that no one actually reads your CV; they scan it, and if the information the hiring manager is looking for doesn’t immediately jump out at them, your CV will end up in the discarded pile. These mistakes will ensure that they happen each and every time.
Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
With many tools online, such as Grammarly, to help you improve your spelling and grammar, making spelling and grammar mistakes is unacceptable on your CV. Always double-check your CV for any spelling mistakes and run it through a spell checker. Glaring mistakes will get you overlooked faster than anything else. It is a red flag for employers that maybe you don’t check your work as thoroughly as you should.
Overselling Yourself
You want to stand out and show employers you have what they need and are exactly what they’re looking for. Exaggerating what you know and what you can do will only land you in trouble if you’re hired for that skill set or if interviewers request a demo of the skills you say you have. If you aren’t proficient in Excel, don’t say you are. Instead, be honest about what you can do. Emphasize these points instead of embellishing other areas or straight out lying.
Poor Formatting
As mentioned, your CV won’t be read in its entirety. It’s likely only going to be scanned, which means everything needs to be perfect, including the formatting. Poor or incorrect formatting will stand out to those reading your CV instantly and is an immediate turn-off. Your CV needs to be easily scannable with the correct information in the right place for people to find at a glance, and if you’re not paying attention to this aspect, then your CV won’t hit the mark. If you don’t know how to format your CV, use services like CV Experts to help you get it right.
A Boring Personal Profile
If your personal profile isn’t really exciting or is full of cliches you think people want to hear, then you’re not getting that interview. Harsh but true. Your personal profile needs to tell people about you as a person, how you achieved your experience and qualifications, and what they can expect from you. Putting that you’re a “hardworking and driven individual who can work well as part of a team” is boring and cliche. People want to know what targets you hit, how you played a part in team success, and what you have to offer.
Your CV needs to be short, concise, and to the point. It needs to be bite-sized information that is easy to digest at a glance. Ideally, it needs to be one page long. Hiring managers or employers do not have time or even the desire to sift through hundreds of pages-long applications. However, experience might dictate the length needed to achieve this. If you’re applying for highly skilled roles and have years of experience, your CV will be longer but no more than three pages. Those with less experience should keep a shorter CV. Here, you want to go for quality over quantity.
These are pretty easy and all too common CV mistakes people make time and time again. In a nutshell, don’t do these if you want to actually get an interview!
Do you have a job interview? Job interviews can be very stressful for several reasons, including the pressure to impress, fear of rejection, and uncertainty about the outcome.
Keeping calm during a job interview is important for several reasons. When you’re nervous, it’s easy to become flustered and struggle to convey your qualifications and experiences. Sweaty palms, cold sweat down your back, and an unshakable stutter are some of the most common signs of high nervosity. The bad news is that those are frequently noticeable, even if you are having your interview in a Zoom meeting. So you want to stay as calm as possible.
Besides, this can also help you handle unexpected challenges or difficult questions with grace. Instead of panicking or freezing up, you are better equipped to tackle each question thoughtfully and respond with confidence. This will leave a much better impression on recruiters!
So what can you do to keep your cool during the interview?
Approaching the Day with Calm
Visualization is a powerful technique for calming the mind before an important event. Athletes frequently use it before competitions. Take a few moments to imagine yourself in the interview room, confidently answering questions and impressing the interviewer. Visualizing success can help you build confidence.
Of course, if you are prone to being nervous, you may want to look for soothing supplements, such as ashwagandha and magnesium. It may also be worth exploring CBD products. Cannabidiol is a compound known for its calming effects. It interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates mood, stress, and other functions. So, this could be a great way to supplement your pre-interview routine altogether.
Practice the Most Likely Questions
To practice ahead for job interviews, you can use resources like ChatGPT to access commonly asked interview questions. ChatGPT uses artificial intelligence to generate responses based on a vast dataset of training data. This makes it a reliable source for preparing because there is a lot of material readily available about job interviews. In other words, practicing with ChatGPT could be the equivalent of practicing with professional recruiters who have a long experience interviewing. You get access to the most relevant questions.
The good news is that interview questions have not changed a lot, so it is easy to prepare for questions that you will likely be asked.
Naturally, you want to focus on articulating your experiences, skills, and achievements in a clear and concise manner. But you can use ChatGPT to help create concise responses too.
If you can, try to understand the purpose of each question asked during the interview. Not all interviewers are skilled at asking questions, and some may ask generic questions instead of exploring your experience. By putting yourself in the shoes of the interviewer, you can decipher what they’re trying to learn about you and tailor your responses accordingly.
This conversational podcast on job interviews highlights the different mindsets between interviewers and candidates and can be helpful for job seekers. The discussions here provide insights into the interview process from both perspectives, helping you better understand what interviewers are looking for, how it can make candidates feel, and how to effectively communicate your qualifications.
So, it’s time for you to prepare for your job interview. Rehearsing potential questions and understanding the purpose behind some questions can be a game-changer. With preparation and a calm mindset, failing job interviews can become a thing of the past!
If you are thinking about starting up a business with your partner, this is one of those situations that you really need to approach sensitively and carefully. After all, you don’t want to end up in a place where it is affecting your relationship, and a lot of people have made this error in the past, so it could happen to you. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the common pitfalls around running a business with your partner that you might want to be aware of, and what you might do about them.
Getting On Board With The Idea
First of all, you need to make sure that you are both on board with the idea that you are going for in the business. If you are not, then it could spell disaster before you have even begun. For instance, are you both happy with the product you will be selling? Always be upfront. Before you begin to accept payments for hemp products, for example, make sure that your partner is happy with that too. This is something that you need to keep checking in about at all times, just to make sure.
Of course, you should never hide anything from one another at all, and that is certainly especially important when it comes to the finances involved in the business. If you are ever tempted to hide something financial from your partner, it’s likely that this is going to end up in a poor way, so that is something that you should bear in mind from the start. Make sure that you are as open as possible, and that you both keep records together, so that there is no room for anything hidden.
Working Together Well
Some couples work together better than others, and it is something that you will soon discover for yourself whether or not you two are going to work well together. It’s something that is going to be hugely important for the future success of the business, so you should make sure that you’re making an active step to work together as positively and proactively as you possibly can. As long as you do that, you’ll find that running the business with your partner is a much easier and simpler thing, and much more enjoyable as well, which is just as important.
Planning Together
Whenever you are making future plans, it’s vital that you are planning together as well as you can too. If you find yourself planning without them, or vice versa, then it can very quickly mean that you are not going to be able to work together, or that the business is going to fall apart. It’s vital that you are planning everything as a team. Make sure to commit to that ideal at the start – that way, you are much more likely to make it stick, and you’ll find that it makes all the difference in the world.
When you’re working from home, it can be difficult to separate home space from working space. You need a space where you can get into working mode without worrying about distractions. Your working space will either help or hinder you, so it’s important to get it right.
If you’re setting up your home office, there are certain things you’ll need to take into consideration. Here are some simple tips to get you started.
Light
If you’re sitting at your desk for hours every day, it will be important for you to make the most of natural light. If you’re an introvert who likes working from home, getting a good dose of vitamin D with natural light will be important. Sitting close to a window would be preferable so you have the light you need and access to fresh air. However, if this isn’t possible, use artificial light to create the light you need to work.
If you find yourself squinting at your screen because you haven’t got enough light or you’re turning the brightness up on your devices, you may want to think about a different location.
Internet Access
Using the internet at home to browse social media or connect to Netflix is one thing but relying on the internet for online meetings with clients is another. You’ll need a connection that’s fast and reliable so you can be sure you always look professional. If you’re sharing data online, it’s also essential that you have a secure connection.
You’ll need to check your SSID before setting up your workspace at home. What is SSID? If your SSID is unsecured, it leaves you wide open to hackers. If you need help with this, you can ask your internet provider.
Separate Spaces
If you live alone, you’ll need to separate your work space from your relaxing space. This will help you to get into the right mentality to work. If you live with family, it’s even more important to have a dedicated work space.
If you set up your home office in a communal area, you need to be mindful of who will have access to your work space. For instance, it’s not going to be a good idea to set up your home office in the same space as your kids play area.
If you want working from home to work, you have to have everything you need. It’s okay to invest in yourself if it means creating a space that will be conducive to a productive mindset. For example, you may want to invest in a comfortable office chair and a spacious desk.
Many people start off working from their sofas or their beds but making the investment in proper office equipment is certainly worth it. If you’re spending a significant amount of time working from home, you deserve to be comfortable.
If you have family at home with you, it can also help to invest in a lockable filing cabinet where you can keep important documents away from little fingers.
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