How to get a job at Union Pacific Railroad.

Do you work at Union Pacific Railroad? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

I applied online at www.up.com. Didn't hear anything for a long period of time. I heard about a hiring fair in North Platte, Nebraska. I decided to drive out from Denver. Spent 7 1/2 hours at the fair taking tests, listening to HR personell explain life on a railroad, and interviewinig. The interviewer offered me a job on the spot. Be thourough when filling out your application, be patient, don't lie about anything. Let them know you have worked shift work, travelled away from home for long periods, and are a reliable and responsible person. Finally, don't give up. The railroads are hiring and persistence pays off.

In response to Realdeal in Austin TX;

I agree the Company very cruel . They expect you to violate their own rules and when the accident happens it's your fault. If you want to move up in the Company you gotta be the biggest kiss ass, turn in your co-workers, and learn how to lie and cheat. Management creates the environment of care about yourself and nobody else. Safety First is a common motto, but its ok for a manager to remove an employees blue flag protection while the employee in underneath the locomotive when the train is running late. UPRR is by no means a family oriented Company. I applied for FMLA because my grandmother was sick and they did not grant it, I am now on a level 4 for the absenteeism (5 levels your fired). Cover your ass attitude and trust no man it what I live by, anyhow I been looking for another job. Anyone interested in working for the railroad prepare to work any-shift, different days off, vacation when they say its ok, work in rain, snow, heat. So far I have seen 2 men die working there from heart attacks. I often feel the stress and Im here to let anyone interested to know, this Company may pay a decent dollar currently 21.63 hr for a Diesel Mechanic, but the environment that management creates is horrible and foul. It would be a cool company if it was not for the horrible environment. Its like why do I stay there???

Host said: Do you work at Union Pacific Railroad? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?

Any advice for someone trying to get in?

I went to the website and everything just snowballed from there..I have family working on the UP for nearly 3 decades. I guess every body is differant, but even after the UP takeover from the CNW in 1995..my family has always made alot of money and have been treated well. Stay clean, stay safe and just show up...things tend to take of themselves. As far as "caring" about their employees?? COME ON ALREADY!!! You wanna be burped?? Be grateful there are still jobs in this country that pay this well without having two degrees! The UP has provided my family with more than most AND sent my little sister to Harvard University. Life is what you make it. I choose to work for a living and work HARD. Rail Roading is in your DNA..some have it and MOST DON'T. HIGHBALL B'ARCH!!

what the hell is a b'arch, until that part you actually sounded as if you might be the smartest one here but after that comment, and an interview with U.P. today, i think i had that wrong.

It is pathetic that a company will by-pass extremely well qualified people to satisfy the Good old Guys. At the Los Angeles Mechanical Facility there are entire families working there . Come on. I knew one person who was a laborer, he was attending electronics shool and applied as an apprentice electrician. To my suprise he was not accepted. The Electricians Union Committee Mans son (who had less senority) got the job. Now go figure. The railroad is all about who you know. Thats why I quit that place. Supervisors are so underqualified its a joke. I once told a supervisor to ge me some dynamic braking fluid and he actually went looking for it. Managers use the badges of retired and dead people so they can make their quotas. They actually got caught by the FRA. Come on people, there are better jobs out there than UPRR.

Oooooooooops!

Give me another try! I really wanted your approval man!

You got my approval..... But remember the railroad loves mindless workers. If there is any inteligence in your brain they start the famous rumor mill. It's sorta infectious among mindless railroaders. Their team player approach, means break company and fra rules. Nobody is watching why not! But when crap hits the fan, supervisors, managers, forman generals all seem to try and blame the bottom employee. Why not he is a mindless worker, ready and willing to take one for the team (lets not forget civil penalties they are outlined in the rules book that they never give you). I once saw an employee with 20 plus years get fired for getting hurt. The Company did not have the proper tool, so the employee decided to be a team player and improvise but performing the work an alternate way. Well he got hurt doing it and the Company fired him so it would not show up as a reportable to the FRA. This is what they do to their employees. I can go on and on, but thats not the purpose of this comment page. If you wanna work for UPRR may God Bless you with a decent position with competent Managers and Supervisors. If you plan on coming over to the Los Angeles Facility good luck cause that place is a joke. The railroad should be glad that the FRA is in thier Pockets. Good Luck

Maybe am just a little disgruntled at the place, but thats why I quit as well as a whole bunch of other people that once worked there...

I thought everybody was happy at UP. What about the Colton location?

Forget the UP. I have never seen such incompetent, vindictive, self serving people in all of my life. Five year employees getting promoted to upper management with no experience because they can talk a good line of BS. If you are going for a management position, the benefits suck....Especially the health insurance. The company could care less about your family life. Work 24/7 365 days a year and they don't care. They will just tell you that the only thing you are guaranteed is a pay check. That's it. They can dictate your vacation, your days off, and tell you that you are an "At will employee" that can be fired with or without reason. Do yourself a favor and find another job!