4 weeks or so have passed since I applied for conductor and train crew spots. I understand that 2 to 8 weeks are the length of hiring phases. I have passed both pre-employment on-line assessments and the jobs have since closed. My application status reads 'we are reviewing your application'. I should hear ye or na at a minimum, right? Are there any new hires or veterans with these two rr's that can comment? Thanks to all of you
I can't speak for UP but for BNSF it sometimes takes a few weeks (and longer sometimes) for them to cull through the applications. What their criteria are and what they look for is as diverse as to how many areas they hire for and how many people apply.
Apply for Minot or a few other areas in Eastern Montana, and you would probably hear fairly quickly. Apply for other areas and the only thing you may get will be a thanks but no thanks.
Once you do hear from the HR gurus, it will be in the form of an invitation to a Hiring Event. You MUST attend that and it's sort of an orientation and job interview, along with your first drug test. A hair follicle type of test.
Pass that and it goes to medical as well as background checks.
Pass those and you should then get your final paperwork that must be completed within a certain timeframe. Usually 24 to 48 hours.
After that, it's the waiting for your start date to begin the training.
The above description is NOT meant as an exhaustive list or even a complete one. There might be other things they want you to complete. But once it's done and you start training, it makes all the work required to GET the job, worth it.
Good luck.