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Top Insider Advice
First impressions count, and you may not always know they are happening. Particularly in our industry, you will likely rub shoulders with numerous influential people throughout your career. These moments can be opportunities to make a lasting impression, so take advantage of that. People want to work with people that are pleasant, professional and trustworthy, so make sure you showcase those behaviours regularly with your interactions. The rest of your qualities, skills and experiences, you can evidence and build on while you make more meaningful connections, but the first three are the basics that will catch peoples' eye and help make an impression. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, but they usually require a bit of effort. If it is something you want, remember that investing in yourself with time and effort is to serve you in the long run, so why not take the opportunity? Network, speak to that person. Learn that new skill. Develop on that weakness. Don't be disheartened if you fail that one time, ask for constructive feedback, reflect and learn from it and try again.
Career path
Customer Service Training Manager, Great Western Railway
FirstGroup
From 02/2021 to 05/2025Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
Being part a team who are passionate about encouraging people to be the best version of themselves is such a rewarding and satisfying role. I think it is so important, as it boosts confidence, morale, engagement and self worth, all of which contribute to overall business performance. It feels great knowing that you are enabling colleagues to do their jobs well, with the confidence, behaviours and skills needed to perform well. I believe in finding the balance between professional and personal development, as both are directly linked to how people perform and feel in their working lives. Personal development is specifically regarding a colleague/team member's personally identified and requested development. This should be something that the person would like to work on to aid their career or build on skills that will benefit that person in a way that is not necessarily linked to their role. Professional development is specifically regarding an identified gap/opportunity that will aid their current role and responsibilities. Professional development should be the priority when it comes to time and resource, but it is encouraged that personal development is also given space in your colleague’s diary and capacity.
Greatest achievements
Honestly, I am just proud of where I am and the resilience I have shown in getting here, through some rather significant challenges and changes. I am proud of the work we do, and our commitment to improving what we do and how we do it. In 2020 I was nominated for Young Rail Professionals', Young Person of the Year. This nomination meant the world to me. I have also been award three gold awards and I was invited to attend the Step Forwards programme, a programme for women on GWR’s Talent Wheel. To think back to the young girl in her mid-twenties, who walked into a HQ job barely being able to turn on a laptop, I am pretty proud of myself.
Alice O
Top Insider Advice
The only way to learn how to do a job is to ask questions from those around you. No question is a silly question. Also putting yourself out there asking questions, getting your voice heard helps establish your presence within an organisation and can help you progress your career further
Paul S
Top Insider Advice
I would encourage anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Train Driver...Go for it. You will not regret it. From the very early shifts to the late ones; every drive brings its own challenges. This is something that still excites me when I get to drive. I have played an active part in answering recruitment questions in the past as well as delivering training to trainee drivers. So the application process will all be worth it once you sit in the driving seat. We’re determined to make a difference. We’ve worked with the LGBTQ+ community and our Inclusion Council to raise the bar. At Avanti West Coast, we’re committed to creating a team that works for all of us. We know it’s not enough to say it – we must live it too. Every single day. That’s why we’ve introduced Live Proud. In a world where anyone can be anything, we all want the opportunity to be ourselves. That’s why we’re encouraging colleagues, customers and communities to share their spark. And when it comes to Pride, we’re proud to stand out. If you have been thinking about applying, come and share your spark and join our amazing community.
Paul A
Top Insider Advice
I have been on the railway for nearly 7 years now and I can truly say it's never been boring. There is a true family atmosphere and everyone looks after each other. The Railway has changed a great deal in the last few years and is still changing now, it's modernising and evolving all the time. It's an exciting time for our particular company, in that we have just been awarded a 9 year contract, we are a new fresh brand, we have new trains arriving and our inherited fleet of trains are coming to the end of an exciting major refurbishment programme. Everyone is accepted and Equality and Diversity is a major factor of everyday work.
