Glassdoor is your free inside look at Norfolk Southern interview questions and advice. All 48 interview reviews are posted anonymously by Norfolk Southern employees and interview candidates.
No Offer – Interviewed in Atlanta, GA (US) Mar 2013 – Reviewed Jun 05, 2013 New
Interview Details
I applied to the internship online. After submitting the application, I had to take an online assessment. From there, I had a phone interview. I was shown a powerpoint over the phone along with other potential members. I was flown to Atlanta for the departmental interview. I was given a $50 gift card for my expenses.
During the interview we were given an exam. However, it was not an assessment. It was an exam over basic operations research concepts including modeling and transportation questions. There were logic questions as well as statistics and SQL questions.
Afterwards, there were one-on-one interviews with various people in the department. Some paid attention to the responses to the questions. Others were preoccupied sending e-mails (Clark last name unknown) and not listening to responses.
Interview Question – There wasn't really any standard HR questions asked. You had to be able to demonstrate a concise understanding of OR concepts. Especially with transportation problems. Answer Question
No Offer – Interviewed in Pittsburgh, PA (US) May 2010 – Reviewed May 02, 2013
Interview Details I applied to Norfolk Southern in May 2010. It took about a month from the date I submitted my application to the time I was selected to go to the interview process. There were about 500 applicants that applied and out of those 500 about 75 were selected. There were about 15 positions open for conductor. We gathered at a hotel conference room and had to listen to someone explain about the railroad for 2-2.5 hours. Their biggest concern is safety. You’ll work a lot hours in the field and will be on call. After that we were issued a skills tests. Some of the questions contained basic math, reading, and mechanical questions. The test was about 2 hours long. Depending on how one scored on the exam, there were about 25 chosen for the interview process. Unfortunately I was not one of them that were chosen. It started at 9 and was finished by 2:30 give or take.
Interview Question – The most difficult about the interview was the exam. Some of the questions were easy while others were difficult especially the math. When I took the exam, I was in my senior year of college and trying to go back a couple of years and remember some of the problem solving. I think this is what caused me not to do very well on the exam. I never found out how I did on the exam. Answer Question
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Mar 24, 2013
Interview Details Took an online assessment, got a phone interview, watched a live online powerpoint presentation, then got flown to ATL with hotel, flight, and $50 gift card all given to me. It was fun, good experience, very professional (long table, nice office). Easy interview lasted 15 mins probably
Interview Question – Would you be alright working in a cubicle all day? View Answers (2)
Negotiation Details – idk
No Offer – Interviewed in Norfolk, VA (US) – Reviewed Mar 21, 2013
Interview Details First, they fly you to one of the cities where your job may be located. The night before the interviews, they held an information/networking session to get to know the people you will be interviewing with. The next day, the interviews take place, there are three separate interviews, a half hour each.
Interview Question – Not really a difficult question, but one I was unprepared for was, what motivated me. View Answer
No Offer – Reviewed Mar 21, 2013
Interview Details
after applied on line, I got an email from HR ,giving me an assesment test.( a GRE verbal test and then personality test, 90 min total)
Then after I submitted the test on line. I recieved a phone call from HR and ask me to reply her email and set up a phone call interview. She metioned about a on site interview in Atlanta, GA next week but she did not include the details. I will ask for more info after tomorrow phone interview.
Interview Question – the GRE verbal question ask about Paleontologist... Answer Question
No Offer – Reviewed Mar 18, 2013
Interview Details Long hiring process; online form, phone interviews, in person interviews, and so on. The phone interview was quite laid back and not difficult. The in person interviews can be quite stressful, and expect them to berate you on any negative aspects of your life (intricacies of resume, criminal history, GPA, technical knowledge, etc)
Interview Question – What do you see as the most negative aspect of Norfolk Southern? View Answer
No Offer – Interviewed in Atlanta, GA (US) Mar 2013 – Reviewed Mar 13, 2013
Interview Details Norfolk offered me an interview in Atlanta, GA office. They paid for my flight and lodging in a nice downtown suite. The hiring session was 5 hours long, w two interviews lasting 30 min a piece. Interview questions were all basic HR questions, nothing technical. We ended the day with a tour of the data center. four business days later I was informed I did not get the job. Although I was qualified and the interview went well, I assumed the female candidates got first dibs (yup, this company gave me that impression).
Interview Question – Where do you see yourself five years from now? View Answer
Declined Offer – Reviewed Feb 14, 2013
Interview Details Invited to apply by a co worker. Applied on line. Invited to take a skills assessment test. Contacted by HR for career day. The HR person forgot to record my RSVP. Career day was revealing. The HR people were immature and arrogant. I was left for 7 hours in a hall waiting for an interview. Not once was a cup of coffee offered or a snack. At 1:00 PM they thought that it might be a good idea to ask if we wanted lunch.
Interview Question – Would it be difficult to work in an antiquated engineering environment? NS uses its assets beyond the expected service life View Answer
Reason for Declining – Better offer elsewhere
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Atlanta, GA (US) – Reviewed Feb 03, 2013
Interview Details One phone interview, one on-site interview including panel interview and written interviews. Sharp people, many projects. The whole process is challenging.
Interview Question – What is your technical weakness and how did you overcome? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – They only offer contractor position. Negotiate with consulting firm about whole package, but no much space.
No Offer – Interviewed in Jan 2013 – Reviewed Jan 30, 2013
Interview Details After receiving my application, they forwarded me a link to an assessment test consisting of old SAT-style questions. They were difficult, and I know I missed several. Nevertheless, I was asked to a phone interview. Everything went extremely well, and although I would've enjoyed the actual work, I came out with the perception that NS was focused highly on employee loyalty, something that, as an intern who is still evaluating where I want to be next year (much less five years down the road), I saw as a major issue.
Interview Question – All of them were relatively standard-- what is your greatest weakness? -- how have you demonstrated your capacity for leadership at your university? Answer Question
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