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Web: www.amtrak.com | HQ: Washington, DC

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Updated Mar 31, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.

Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 10 ratings

3.2

“Average” Interview

Interview Experience [?] Based on 10 ratings

Positive	50%
Neutral	40%
Negative	10%

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1–10 of 10 Amtrak Interviews

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4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Oct 2010 in Seattle, WA (took 5 weeks)

Applied online, the system is incredibly complicated. The system is in need of a major overhaul.

Was contacted by local recruiter, and asked to come in for a test. The test consisted of three modules, each 5 minutes long. Modules included 1. English (Reading/Comprehension) 2. Math abilities and one other.

If you passed the test (completed on a scantron sheet), you are called in to interview with local operations managers.

Once selected you wait for months to get assigned to a training class date, then complete 3 weeks of training for just $60/day! Once three week initial training is concluded you train on the job with others in your craft - most of the time you are paired up with the most incompetent employees and learn nothing.

Interview Questions

None were difficult.

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

There is no negotiation for union represented positions.

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview, an IQ/Intelligence Test, a Personality Test, a Drug Test and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Sep 2011 (took a day)

Interesting interview in that the questions were suited for someone who was familiar with Amtrak procedures which requires an in depth understanding of Amtrak's operating procedures and practices. If one has an understanding of rail roads it wasn't a problem.

Interview Questions

How would you install a culvert?

View Answers (1)

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Aug 2011 in Riverside, CA (took a day)

it took a long time to hear from them i just barely got hired and wont start til october. first i took a personality and literature test (easy). a month later i was called to come in for an interview (12 questions). I was interviewed by three people and i got a call in about a week.

Interview Questions

tell us of a time where you were faced with a difficult situation with a customer and did you handle it?

View Answers (1)

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview, a Skills Test, a Personality Test, a Drug Test and a Background Check.

More Amtrak Reservation Sales Agent Interviews

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed May 2011 (took a day)

Applied for position online, received a call and email the following week from a HR receptionist (buffer person) to come in and do a face 2 face with a panel. The interview was standard behavioral questions as it related to the position. At the conclusion of the interview I was told I would hear back within 3 weeks....Guess what?? Nothing...followed up with the HR buffer person and my email was forwared to the HR point of contact (because they don't give out email addresses) for the position and still nothing.Amtrak has poor and tacky communication with their candidates in my opinion.

Interview Questions

Have you ever been placed in a dangerous working enviroment?

Answer Question

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Aug 2010 (took a day)

Followed by a brief phone interview, the HR rep asked me to come to 30th Street. She told me she would meet me at the lower level of the building since there is keyed entry. After showing up, I called her to gain access and she didn't show. Ended up being right on time and rushed into the interview.

Interview was a list of 10 question that appear to be standardto all applicants. There was a 2 person panel. One key of advise with Amtrak Interviews, know the job description inside and out as they will not rehash with you before the interview.

Interview Questions

Have you ever had to deal with a difficut person at a meeting? How was that situation handled?

Answer Question

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed May 2009 in Washington, DC (took 2 months)

I was a contractor, so I applied to the position via an internal referral. The interview process is standard; I was interviewed by three managers. The questions were typical, perhaps a couple I didn't expect but was not an issue.

Overall the process of being interviewed and hired can be an extensive one; it was for me. It can take about three to four weeks. Mine took almost two months. It is worth it though - being an employee of the railroad corporation has good benefits including an additional railroad retirement fund.

Interview Questions

What typical software and/or tools do you use and why? {This was a question towards the end of the interview - it is not hard, but your answer will be evaluated)

View Answers (1)

Negotiation Details

You do have some room for negotiation, but it depends on the hiriing manager and/or director.

Other Details

I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Sep 2008 in Washington, DC (took a day)

The interview consisted of interviews with human resources then a number of peer or other senior managers in the department. Following those interviews I had an opportunity to interview with the hiring manager. All of the interviews were professional and each of the individuals appeared knowledgeable and experienced in their area of expertise.

Interview Questions

How would you handle the competing priorities placed on management?

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

Minimal. HR presented an offer and there were opportunities to counter. Some flexibility in salary but minimal flexibility in benefits.

Other Details

The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed May 2010 (took a day)

interviewed with the senior operations and IT team. Information about the organization, operation, recent transactions, and the people came handy. Need to have straight forward answers to most trivial questions and be thoughtful yet responsive to not-so-trivial questions. Need to show enthusiasm and interest in the organization and position and convey that. Also need to convey you ability to have immediate impact in the organization.

Interview Questions

What do you know about our company, this department, and the position that you are interviewing for

View Answers (1)

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jun 2008 in Long Island City, NY (took 2 days)

Applied online, got a response a few weeks later to come in and take a written test, the test was a little difficult but if you study before u can pass. then told to call a number in a few days to find out if i passed . i called and got a recording that i passed and was told to call another number to set up appointment for interview, then was given a date and went in for a panel interview with a representative of the HR department and a supervisor of the mechanical department. final determination of hiring status was made a few days later and confrmed with a phone call from someone from HR department. the whole process took about a month and a half.

Interview Questions

average questions about your backgrond

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Other Details

The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview, a Skills Test, a Drug Test and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Dec 2009 (took 3 weeks)

First, you have to attend an "orientaqtion" which is a 3 hour testing process (personality, reading comprehension skills tests). The "personality" test is not timed, 280 questions. The reading comprehension test is timed(40 minutes), and is 28 questions. If you pass the "orientation," you get a callback for an interview. The actual interview is a 3 person panel interview which lasts anywhere from 30 to an hour. My interview lasted 1 hr. I saw other interviewees leaving after only 25-30 minutes for their interviews. The whole process for this position is going to take a couple of months... "The "Orientation"(testing) was the first week of December, 2009, went in for an inperson interview 2 weeks after the "Orientation"(testing) and the callbacks offering a position aren't until the first week of Jan. 2010. The position doesn't actually start until the second week of Feb. 2010.