20 Norfolk Southern Interview Questions and Answers

Norfolk Southern Corporation is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. They are known for their dedication to safety, customer service, and efficiency. If you are interviewing with Norfolk Southern, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your qualifications, and your goals. Here are some sample questions to help you prepare for your interview.

Norfolk Southern Interview Process

The interview process at Norfolk Southern can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Railroad Conductor, you may be asked to do a pre-recorded video interview followed by an in-person interview. For other positions, like Customer Care Associate, you may only have to do a phone interview. Overall, the interview process is relatively quick and easy, although some applicants have found the interviews to be unprofessional.

1. What do you know about Norfolk Southern?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of their company and how you might fit in. You can use this opportunity to show that you have done some research on Norfolk Southern, including its history, values and goals.

Example: “I know that Norfolk Southern was founded in 1894 as the Southern Railroad Company. It has grown into one of the nation’s largest transportation companies with over 20,000 miles of track across 22 states. I also know that it is committed to safety, efficiency and environmental responsibility. These are all things that I value highly, so I think I would be a good fit here.”

2. Why do you want to work for Norfolk Southern?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what attracted you to the position and how you can contribute to the organization’s success. Before your interview, research Norfolk Southern to find out what they do and why it is important. In your answer, explain why you are passionate about the company’s mission and goals.

Example: “I am interested in working for Norfolk Southern because I believe transportation is vital to our economy. When I was researching companies, I read that Norfolk Southern transports over a million tons of cargo every day. That is an impressive amount of work, and I would love to be part of such a successful team. I think my skills as a driver could help Norfolk Southern transport even more goods.”

3. Describe a time when you had to make a quick decision on the spot without guidance from your supervisor.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you make decisions on your own and how you handle them. It can also show the interviewer that you are capable of making important decisions without guidance from a supervisor.

Example: “When I was working as a customer service representative, my manager had to leave for an emergency meeting. He asked me if I could cover his calls while he was gone. I agreed, and when the first call came in, I answered it and helped the caller with their issue. The next two calls were similar, so I handled those quickly as well. After about 20 minutes, my manager returned and thanked me for covering his calls.”

4. Tell me about an instance where you took initiative in your job role.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you approach your work and what kind of results you’re able to achieve. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example that highlights your skills and abilities as well as the positive impact you had on your organization or team.

Example: “In my last position, I noticed that our customer service department was receiving more calls than usual from customers who were having trouble with their online shopping experience. After speaking with some of my colleagues in the department, we determined that there was a problem with the website’s search function. I took initiative by contacting the IT department to see if they could fix the issue. They were able to resolve the problem within 24 hours.”

5. Do you have a valid driver’s license and are you able to drive heavy equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have the necessary skills and qualifications for the position. If you do not have a driver’s license, explain why in your answer.

Example: “I am happy to report that I do have a valid driver’s license. However, I have never driven heavy equipment before. I understand that Norfolk Southern offers training programs for new drivers, so I would be more than willing to enroll in one of these courses.”

6. How would you handle being asked to do more than what is expected of you?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle pressure and expectations. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a time when you were asked to do more than what was expected of you and how you handled it.

Example: “When I first started working as an engineer for Norfolk Southern, I was tasked with designing a new train station that would accommodate thousands of passengers per day. At first, this seemed like a daunting task, but I took it one step at a time. First, I researched other train stations in my area and looked at their designs. Then, I sketched out some ideas on paper before creating a digital model. After several weeks of hard work, I completed the project.”

7. We’re looking for employees who value safety as much as we do. Can you tell us why it’s important to be safe at work?

Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of safety in your work environment. They want to know that you’ll be able to follow all company policies and procedures related to safety, which is a major part of Norfolk Southern’s culture. In your answer, explain why you value workplace safety and how it can benefit everyone involved.

Example: “Safety is one of my top priorities at work because I care about the well-being of myself and others around me. When we’re safe, we can perform our jobs more efficiently and effectively. It also helps us avoid accidents or injuries that could cost the company money. I’ve always been someone who follows rules and regulations, so I’m excited to learn more about Norfolk Southern’s safety policies.”

8. If you were transporting cargo, how would you ensure that nothing spilled?

This question is a behavioral one that allows you to show your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you would handle the situation and what steps you would take to ensure nothing spilled during transportation.

Example: “When transporting cargo, I would make sure that all containers are sealed properly so no spills occur. If there was a spill, I would immediately stop the vehicle and assess the damage. Then, I would call for backup if needed and clean up the spill as quickly as possible. After cleaning up the spill, I would document the incident in my report.”

9. Some of our jobs require working outside in extreme weather conditions. Are you comfortable with this?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to adapt and perform in challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you had to work outside in extreme weather conditions and how you overcame the challenge.

Example: “I have experience working outside in all kinds of weather conditions. I’ve worked through rainstorms, snowstorms and even hurricanes. In my last position, I was responsible for inspecting railroad tracks during these inclement weather conditions. I always made sure that I wore appropriate safety equipment and used caution while performing my duties.”

10. How many years of experience do you have operating locomotives?

This question is a great way to assess your experience level and determine if you’re qualified for the position. If you don’t have any experience operating locomotives, it’s important to explain what other types of equipment you’ve operated in the past.

Example: “I have five years of experience operating freight trains on Norfolk Southern tracks. I started out as an engineer trainee, where I learned how to operate all aspects of the train. After two years, I was promoted to engineer, which required me to manage a crew of engineers. In my current role, I’m responsible for managing a team of 10 engineers.”

11. Describe a project you worked on that lasted longer than planned. What was the result?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle challenges and setbacks. It can also show them your problem-solving skills, ability to adapt and commitment to the job.

Example: “In my last position as a project manager, I was overseeing a large construction project that involved building new tracks for trains to run on. The project took longer than expected because of some unexpected issues we encountered during construction. However, I worked with my team to find solutions to these problems so we could continue working on the project. In the end, we finished the project ahead of schedule.”

12. Provide an example of a time when you demonstrated leadership skills.

Leadership skills are an important part of any job, and Norfolk Southern is no exception. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about a time when you were in charge of a project or group.

Example: “When I was working as a manager at my previous company, there was a new employee who had just started. He seemed nervous and unsure of himself, so I asked him if he would like to go out for coffee with me after work one day. We talked about his background and how he got into the industry. After that, we met up once a week for coffee and continued our conversation. Eventually, he became more comfortable and confident in his role.”

13. In your previous position, did you ever need to communicate complicated information to your team members?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you communicate with others and your ability to explain complex information in a way that is easy for others to understand. Use examples from previous positions where you had to give presentations or other times when you needed to clearly convey important information to your team members.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing the company’s social media accounts. This required me to create content for our various platforms and respond to comments and questions from followers. I found that it was helpful to use visuals like photos and GIFs to make my posts more interesting and engaging. It also helped me clarify complicated concepts by using simple language.”

14. Norfolk Southern values teamwork. Give an example of a time when you worked well with others.

Teamwork is an important skill for any job, and Norfolk Southern wants to know that you can work well with others. When answering this question, think of a time when you worked on a team project or helped your coworkers in some way.

Example: “In my last position as a warehouse manager, I had the opportunity to lead a small team of employees who were responsible for inventory management. We all worked together to develop new systems and procedures that streamlined our workflow and improved efficiency. This teamwork led to better communication between departments and increased productivity.”

15. When working with train cars, each car has specific weight limits. Have you ever encountered a situation where you needed to calculate these numbers?

This question can help the interviewer determine your math skills and ability to work with numbers. Use examples from previous experience where you needed to calculate weight limits for train cars or other vehicles.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for calculating the weight of each car on a daily basis. This helped me become more familiar with how much weight each car could hold and when we were approaching maximum weights. If I ever encountered a situation where the weight exceeded the limit, I would contact the driver immediately so they could take action.”

16. What type of railroad conductor training or education have you completed?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your background and qualifications. If you have completed railroad conductor training or education, share the name of the program and any relevant information regarding your experience with it. If you haven’t completed a formal program, explain what steps you took to prepare for a career as a railroad conductor.

Example: “I attended a two-year associate’s degree program at a local community college where I learned about railroad safety and regulations. The program also included hands-on training in which we worked on real trains under supervision from experienced instructors.”

17. In what ways could you help improve efficiency within our company?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the company and how you could help it achieve its goals. When answering, make sure to highlight any skills or experience that would be beneficial to Norfolk Southern’s operations.

Example: “I have a background in logistics and transportation, so I know how important efficiency is for companies like yours. In my last position, I helped reduce costs by implementing new software that tracked our inventory more efficiently. This allowed us to order supplies only when we needed them, which saved money on shipping and storage fees.”

18. At times, we may ask you to shift locations depending on workload. Are you okay with relocating if needed?

If you’re interviewing for a position that requires travel, it’s important to let the interviewer know that you’re willing to relocate. If you’re not sure if you would be okay with moving, consider asking about the company’s relocation policy.

Example: “I’m open to relocating as needed. I understand that Norfolk Southern is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies and am excited to learn more about your relocation policy.”

19. As a rail conductor, you’ll be responsible for keeping track of multiple trains at once. How do you feel about having multiple responsibilities at one time?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you’re capable of handling multiple tasks at once. Use your answer to highlight your multitasking skills and ability to prioritize important tasks.

Example: “I feel confident in my abilities as a conductor because I’ve worked with multiple trains before. In my last position, I was responsible for keeping track of three different trains at once. While this can be challenging at times, I have developed strong time management skills that allow me to keep up with multiple responsibilities.”

20. Sometimes, things can go wrong while working with trains. What are some strategies you use to de-escalate stressful situations?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to de-escalate a stressful situation and how you did so successfully.

Example: “When working with trains, there are many moving parts that could potentially go wrong. In my previous role as a conductor, I once encountered a train derailment while switching tracks. This was a very stressful situation because the derailment caused several other trains to stop in their tracks. However, I used my communication skills to help calm down the other conductors and engineers on the other trains. We then worked together to get all of the trains back on track.”