I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Amtrak (Miami, FL) in Oct 2016
Interview
I must say this was the most nerve wrecking interview I've ever had! I got to the location and spoke with someone in the front and told him I was there to interview. He knew my name and told me they were just talking about me... immediately the butterflies came. He walked me to the back and into a room where there were four other people waiting for me so they could conduct the interview. My heart sank to my stomach lol. I was so nervous I couldn't get my hands to stop shaking. And I'm coming from the position of a retail store manager where I'm usually conducting interviews lol. Once inside and settled, they were very welcoming and relaxed. They made the interview feel more like a conversation rather than a test so to speak. They asked about 10 questions along the lines of "give me a time in which", or "tell me about a time where you"?? Pretty standard interview questions. Once the interview was over a asked a few questions on my end to get a feel for the company and after that it was over. I felt I had done really well and just answered every question honestly and to the best of my ability. If I didn't know the answer after they asked it, I just asked them to repeat it. My advice is to be confident and honest. If you're really interested in any company, be sure to read a little about it and form a few questions that you could ask afterwards. That way they know your serious about working for them. You are there to BENEFIT the company... just left your answers express that desire.
Tell us about a time in which you had to break away from your everyday routine to handle a situation and how did you handle it and finish what you were working on?
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Amtrak (Los Angeles, CA) in Dec 2018
Interview
After applying a got a email about a week later to take a online assessment test (which took 2 hours and was basic math and personality questions) about 3 days later got a email saying they want to move forward in my employment and received 2 phone calls, one for a Strength Test in a different location (this location was 21 miles away from the main station) and one for the initial interview in the station
The interview is with 2/3 people varying on scheduling, and they ask a assortment of questions while going over your resume (I don’t advise going into the job without a lot of customer service experience and some hotel or restaurant experience). Key questions all in S.T.A.R format (Scenario ,task, action, result)
After the interview they either tell you then and now if they want you or email you varying in season (mine was the ladder) if they tell you there, you get tested for a Hair follicle drug test (about 120 strands) but if they email you they plan a day for that and get scheduled a medical physical on a separate location (mine was around 27 miles from the station)
You get yet another email confirming your background info (SSN, Criminal record, and address etc) you’ll need to confirm it all in order for the background check to begin
So far I have yet to do the medical Physical, the strength test isn’t hard but it’s gonna make you soar regardless of strength. They put u in a class of other OBS trainees for about 3 weeks after all that has cleared, but you don’t start working until about a month maybe 6 weeks after your confirmed employment
If I didn’t get the job I’d be very biased to put this as a negative experience, cuz it’s a crazy amount of work before, during, and after valid employment but if you love traveling and the pay it’s worth it I suppose but I don’t know that yet since I haven’t started