In almost everyone's life there comes a point where you have to undertake your first job interview. Being interviewed can still be daunting for people who've gone through the process on numerous occasions, but your first time can be particularly nerve wracking as you are essentially stepping into the unknown. 

There's plenty of things you can do to prepare for an interview, but it's also worthwhile to be aware of some common pitfalls that could easily ruin your chances of landing that first job. Even if you're an interview veteran, it's important to make sure you haven't got any bad habits you might be unaware of.

The basics
It will be very hard to have a successful job interview if you don't get the basics right. A lot of this is pure common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people still trip up by making silly mistakes. 

Arriving late for an interview is always a problem and should be avoided at all costs. If you are going to be delayed due to circumstances beyond your control, phoning ahead and letting the company know is the best way to avoid this damaging your chances.

Another basic is to get your appearance right. A messy or inappropriate outfit creates an instant bad impression that can be hard to overcome. Greeting the interviewer is also important; smile, look happy to be there and offer a firm but not too forceful handshake to get things off to a good start.

Pay attention
Preparation is key for interview success and it's likely you'll have planned plenty of things you want to say. However, it's also important to pay attention to the interviewer and the direction they are taking the interview in. If you ignore their prompts and carry on with your own agenda the interview won't go too well. Try to get through everything you'd planned, but only if it's relevant to what the interviewer is saying.

Be ready to back-up your application
When applying for jobs, it can be tempting to embellish your CV or cover letter by taking a few liberties with the truth. However, you should be aware that anything you mention in your application could be brought up in your interview and you'll need to be able to convincingly discuss any claims you've made. There are few worse interview experiences than the interviewer exposing lies on your CV.

Bad body language 
An interview is about more than just saying the right things. You also have to send the right messages with your body. After all, it has been claimed that body language can account for as much as 55 per cent of all communication and in a situation like a job interview it can have a big impact.

There are a number of bad body language habits you should avoid. Make sure you don't slouch and definitely don't fidget. Biting your nails and excessively touching your hair or face are also turn offs as far as an interview is concerned. You should try your best to maintain eye contact and smile as much as you can.

Badmouthing an old boss
Badmouthing an old boss or company is one of the worse things you can ever do in an interview. While, this might not apply if it is your first time, it's still a big faux pas that's worth being aware of. Even if you hated your former/current employer and are desperate to leave, there's no need to let the interviewer know. If they hear you slagging off an old boss, they'll wonder if you'd be saying the same things about them later down the line.

If you want to talk about why you're looking to change employer, make it into a positive by focusing on the plus points of the role you're interviewing for rather than the negatives of the one you're hoping to leave behind.

Don't let nerves get the better of you
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being nervous about a job interview. It's perfectly natural, especially if it's the first time you've experienced the process. However, it's important not to let your nerves get the better of you. Interviewers know most people get nervous and there's no need to mention it. 

Stay positive, and remember the very worst that can happen is you don't get the job and can use the experienced gained in your next interview.

If you're considering working in UK rail industry it's important to understand how it works. The sector has changed a lot in the 200-odd years of its history and a many people are a little bit unsure of exactly how the nation's train services are managed. 

Who's in charge?
While it has been nationalised for part of its history, the rail industry is currently privatised and has been so since the late 1990s. This means private companies, such as Virgin, London Midland and Northern Rail, are responsible for the day-to-day running of train services. There are currently 28 train operators in the UK, many of whom cover specific parts of the country. 

However, these are not the only organisations that play a part in running UK rail. While the industry is no longer nationalised it's importance means the government is still heavily involved. The Department for Transport is responsible for the overall direction of the rail network and works alongside partners to deliver major projects such as the current High Speed Rail 2 development. It is also in charge of granting the contracts that allow train companies to operate a particular route for a specific period of time. Transport Scotland fulfils the same role north of the border.

Contracts are given to train companies on a franchise basis, which means that once one is coming towards its end, other operators are able to bid to take over that particular route. The prospect of losing the franchise is intended to encourage the incumbent train company to go to lengths to provide a good level of service and value for money, otherwise it runs the risk of having the franchise granted to a rival.

Other stakeholders
Another major player in the industry is Network Rail. This organisation is responsible for the management of the nations' physical track and signal infrastructure. It is in charge of carrying out any repairs when needed and ensuring everything is in good working order. Determining speed restrictions also falls under Network Rail's remit and the organisation even manages some train stations. 

Other stakeholders that are involved in the running of rail include The Office of Rail Regulation, which monitors the performance of the industry and is responsible for ensuring health and safety best practices are upheld. Organisations with a smaller level of involvement include The Rail Accident Investigation Branch and The British Transport Police.

The fact so many stakeholders are involved with rail is great from a jobs perspective, as it means there is a wide range of employment opportunities available.

Where does the money come from?
The complex nature of the rail industry means the money it runs on comes from a variety of sources. According to figures from the Office for Rail Regulation, passenger income accounted for 59 per cent (£7.7 billion) of the total raised by the UK's train companies and Network Rail in 2012-13. A further 31 per cent (£4 billion) came in the form of government grants, while the remaining ten per cent (£1.3 billion) was generated through commercial operations such as stations, shops and car parks.

When it comes to deciding how much train travel costs, rail fares fall into two camps - regulated and unregulated. The former is decided by the government and is generally linked to inflation. Meanwhile, unregulated fares are chosen by train companies, although the government still has a considerable level of influence.

We take a look at some of the most recent developments in the world of parking below. 

Wiltshire set for parking review

Wiltshire Council has revealed it will be conducting the largest review into parking ever undertaken in the region. Having started on Monday (October 27th), the project will look into what the local authority can do to improve the way parking is managed in the county. 

Wiltshire-based individuals with careers in parking will no doubt follow this review with keen interest, as it has the potential to have a significant impact on their day-to-day work. Among the topics to be assessed include Sunday and evening charges, and looking at the wider impact of parking on economic and environmental issues.

John Thomson, Wiltshire Council deputy leader and cabinet member responsible for sustainable transport, stated: “Our car parking review is comprehensive and is about much more than just cars, it is about enhancing the local economy, environment and providing value for money in our car parking services. 

"We are keen to engage and work with local communities in order to provide them with the most appropriate facilities. I hope as many people as possible will get involved and tell us what they think.”

Parking Sensors for Westminster

This week has seen Westminster City Council introduce parking sensors to 3,000 parking bays across the central London borough. Drivers will be able to make use of the technology by downloading the free ParkRight smartphone app, which will provide a map that shows the locations of available parking bays. It is hoped the new project will help to ease congestion and make driving and parking in Westminster easier. 

Heather Acton, Westminster City Council cabinet member for parking and sustainability, commented: "Making it easier to find a parking space, and reducing congestion in the process, the sensors are a key investment in Westminster’s commitment to provide fair, easy and safe parking."

If the use of these sensors proves a success, a further 7,000 will be rolled out across Westminster, meaning the borough will become the first region to utilise the technology across its whole road network.

Edinburgh plans illegal parking action

Edinburgh City Council has revealed it is to look into how illegal parking can be reduced. A report is set to be published early next year following a call for action from Green Group transport spokesman Nigel Bagshaw.

Speaking about the issue, he said he shared the frustrations of people living in the Scottish capital, who are unhappy with the rogue minority of drivers who are ignoring the rules and making it difficult to walk on the city's pavements. Other problems caused by illegal parking include damage to kerbs and pavements, jeopardising safety by forcing people to walk on the road and impeding the flow of public transport.

Campaign group Edinburgh’s Worst Drivers were pleased with the news. "We very much welcome a localised approach to dealing with illegal parking," a spokesperson for the organisation stated.

Stoke to miss parking charge target

According to the Stoke Sentinel, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has fallen short of the target it set for parking charges. The local authority hoped to raise an extra £108,000 through a shake-up of its approach to parking enforcement, but has managed to bring in only an additional £8,000.

Among the new measures that have been introduced are doubling the cost of overnight parking in some areas and bringing in two-hour minimum parking tickets. The council, which currently raises £1.1 million per year from parking, said it is looking into why the target was missed so badly.

One of the many parking jobs we offer here at Unity Recruitment is parking enforcement supervisor. Read on to find out more about this role and whether it might be right for you.

What does it involve?
The primary role of a parking enforcement supervisor is to take care of the day-to-day management of parking enforcement. People in this position are responsible for organising and overseeing the deployment of civil enforcement and school crossing patrol officers, making sure predefined standards are upheld at all times.

- Common duties include : 
- Supporting officers on the street 
- Ensuring key performance indicators are achieved
- Issuing penalty charge notices to vehicles 
- Assisting parking managers in managing wider parking requirements 
- Dealing with code-red or yellow incidents such as attacks on officers
- Helping to train officers 
- Dealing with enquires from the public
- Representing parking services at meetings
- Liaising with stakeholders such as police, schools and businesses
- Ensuring health and safety best practices are fulfilled

The parking enforcement supervisor position is a varied role and a number of other duties may need to be undertaken from time to time. For example, in the absence of senior management due to annual leave or illness, it will fall to enforcement supervisors to take care of overall operational management responsibilities. People in the role may also be called on to assist in the recruitment of temporary or contract staff.
 
What skills and experience are needed?
As this is a position that encompasses a wide variety of duties, successful parking enforcement supervisors must be able to draw on a number of different skills and experiences. 

- Some of the main assets needed to get by in this role include :
- Managerial skills and the ability to motivate and get the best out of people
- Organisational ability
- Excellent communication skills
- Conflict resolution skills for dealing with the public and code-red incidents
- Good IT skills 
- Knowledge of parking regulations is always beneficial
- Awareness of health and safety and data protection rules

What are working conditions like?
Parking enforcement supervisors are typically employed by local authorities, but may also work for private sector organisations that are contracted in to manage parking enforcement. Working hours tend to be fairly regular, although the occasional weekend or evening shift may be required. 

In terms of salary, the pay for this role is quite variable, but can be as high as £24,000 per year, or an hourly rate of up to £14.00. Much of a parking enforcement supervisor's day-to-day work is spent outside and a reasonable level of physical fitness is required. There is also a good chance a clean driving licence will be required, as it may be necessary to drive a council vehicle and take responsibility for its upkeep.

A parking enforcement supervisor's performance can be assessed in a number of different ways. The impact their efforts have had on the overall success of parking enforcement achieving its goals will be assessed, as will the quality of parking services as perceived by stakeholders such as councillors, senior management and the public.

Next steps
Think you've got what it takes to become a parking enforcement supervisor? Take a look at our latest vacancies and send off your application. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. 

The railway has been a vital part of day-to-day life in the UK for the best part of 200 years. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who hasn't travelled on a train at least once and millions of us do it every single day. 

We're all very familiar with the rail industry, but that doesn't mean there aren't some interesting facts you may not be aware of. With that in mind, here's a rundown of five things you might not know about rail.

Living history
Having first opened in 1825, the UK's rail network is the oldest in the world and has played an important role in the development of the nation. Indeed, much of the rail infrastructure that is still in use today can be traced back to Victorian times, showcasing just how durable and long-lasting the industry is. Of course, this reliance on historical infrastructure can have its drawbacks too and the government is investing billions into the rail network to ensure it is capable of meeting the needs of the 21st century.

Crowded capital
If you've ever wondered where the UK's busiest railway station is located, you need look no further than London. Of the ten most-used stations in the country, eight are based in the capital. According to figures from the Office of Rail Regulation, London Waterloo was the busiest station in the country in 2012/13, with close to 96 million journeys either starting or ending at the transport hub over the 12-month period.

The only non-London based stations to make the top ten were Birmingham New Street, which was involved in 32 million journeys, and Glasgow Central, which had just over 27 million.

Climbing costs
Statistics from the Department for Transport (DfT) show national rail fares have increased by 89 per cent between 1997 and 2012, which equates to growth of 22 per cent in real terms. In the same period, motoring costs have dropped by six per cent, while bus and tram fares have increased 28 per cent.

Despite this, more than eight in ten (82 per cent) of passengers said they were satisfied with their journey in spring 2013. Overall, some 1.5 billion trips were made on the UK's trains in 2012/13. This is double the figure recorded in 1994/95 and has increased by 25 per cent in the past five years, demonstrating the growing popularity of rail.

Safe travel
Rail represents a very safe form of travel. According to figures from the DfT, only six people died on-board trains in 2012/13 and none of these deaths were caused by rail accidents. By comparison, the government's Annual Road Casualty report shows 1,713 people have already been killed in car accidents this year. 

Jobs 
As such an important part of the UK's day-to-day life, the rail industry offers a wide range of employment opportunities. According to the StageCoach Group, some 190,000 people work in the sector and they fill a wide variety of roles, ranging from customer service-based jobs to complex engineering positions.

For anyone looking to work in rail, these are exciting times as ongoing projects such as High Speed Rail 2 (HS2) and CrossRail are set to create a host of new employment opportunities. Indeed, the first stage of HS2, which will connect London and Birmingham, is expected to create 40,000 jobs alone.

Looking to get started in a rail career? Or are you after your next role in the industry? Whatever your position, take a look at our vacancies and see if we have a rail job for you.

When preparing for a job interview, much of your time will be devoted to thinking about the questions you are likely to be asked. This is wise, as the bulk of the interview will be spent answering questions from your potential employer and it's always good to have some potential responses ready. 

However, it's important that you also think about the questions you are going to ask. This is a vital part of the interview process. On one hand, you get to find out a bit more about the position on offer and whether it's right for you. Furthermore, it shows the employer you have a genuine interest in the role and are keen to learn more.

So, what sort of questions should you be asking in an interview? A few possibilities are listed below. 

What is the company culture like?
When companies are hiring a new employee, their skills and experience are only part of what they look for. It's also important that the candidate fits in with the organisation's culture and way of doing things. As a result, it's always worth asking interviewers about this. Doing so will show you're interested in fitting into their company and also gives you a better idea as to whether it's the kind of place where you would like to work.

What are the most challenging aspects of the role?
This is always a good question to ask, as it offers an extra opportunity to demonstrate why you're the right person for the job. You can explain how you would handle the challenges thrown up by the position and what makes your skills and experiences relevant. 

How is performance assessed?
Another good question. This allows you to learn more about how the position works, while also making a positive impression on the interviewer. By taking an interest in how work is assessed, you showcase a focus on good performance and a commitment to delivering real results.

Are there opportunities for progression?
As interview questions go, this is one of the most important. It's vital to know the answer, as if you're looking to develop your career, you don't want to end up stuck in a job where there is no opportunity to move up the ladder. Furthermore, you'll show the interviewer you're a motivated individual with a desire for personal improvement.

What plans does the company have for the future?
This question represents a good opportunity to learn about the direction your potential employers are taking. Asking this shows your interest in the business and suggests you have an eye on the long term and will not be looking for a new position at the first opportunity. It also turns the tables on the interviewer, who may well have asked you the classic interview question 'where do you see yourself in five years' time?'

Who previously held this role?
Asking this question is an excellent way to find out a little bit more about your potential employer. You'll get an indication as to whether the previous holder of the position was promoted, sacked or chose to leave the company. If it's the former, you'll know that the company offers genuine opportunities for progression. 

Do you have any doubts about my suitability?
There is a little bit of a cheeky question, but it gives you one last opportunity to address any concerns the interviewer may have about your suitability for the role, something which could well be the difference between landing the job or not.

When should you ask questions?
Most interviews will finish with the interviewer asking if you have any questions and this is the ideal time to discuss some of the enquiries you prepared beforehand, provided they haven't already come up in conversation. 

You should also be willing to ask questions during the course of the interview if the opportunity presents itself. This demonstrates your interest in the role and what the interviewer is saying, and can also serve to make the process more like a conversation rather than an interrogation in which you are being continually bombarded with questions that need answering.

Remember, the key to a successful interview is to seem confident and genuinely interested in the job on offer. Ask questions in a positive and enthusiastic manner and you'll have a better chance of making the right impression.

The government has invested £62 million in the London Midland network.

A fleet of new electric trains has been added to the route, which connects the capital, midlands and north-west, with the move getting started ahead of schedule.

The Department for Transport originally expected the fleet to come into service in December, only for some of the trains to start running on Sunday (October 6th). 

Busy morning services to and from London Euston will benefit from the extra capacity in particular, with trains between the station and Northampton, Bletchley and Tring already receiving hundreds of additional seats.

The remainder of the fleet will be introduced in December, in time for London Midland's new winter timetable.

Managing director of the company Patrick Verwer said the new fleet will make a "real difference" for people commuting into London. He also revealed it will allow the company to add more services to the Cross City line between Birmingham and Redditch, which is the busiest commuter route in the West Midlands.

The new fleet of trains are built by Siemens and feature plug sockets in standard class, on-board litter bins and two-plus-two seating.

Rail minister Clair Perry commented: "As part of our long-term economic plan, we are investing record amounts in transforming the rail network, providing more seats, more trains and better journeys for millions of passengers. 

"Over the next five years, more than £38 billion will be invested in building a world-class railway across the country."

Ms Perry recently visited east London in order to see how work is progressing on the Canning Town to Victoria Dock tunnel, which is part of the Crossrail project. The scheme is the biggest infrastructure development in Europe and when completed will connect much of London and the surrounding area.

Running from Reading in the west to Shenfield in the east, the project will boost the capital's rail capacity by ten per cent.

Looking for your next job in rail? We can help.

What's been going in the world of parking recently? We take a look below.

Bristol seeks residents' views on parking zones

Thousands of questionnaires have been delivered to the residents of Bristol in an attempt to capture their views on the city's new resident parking zones.

Mark Moran, a local businessman, came up with the initiative as he has questioned the way the scheme is being implemented. He told the BBC that it is "divisive" and "complicated", adding that he feels it has been thrust upon people.

The scheme has been met with much public indignation, with a disgruntled person driving a tank through one of the parking zones back in April in protest over the "lack of consultation".

To date, four zones have been created across Bristol, with the council expecting a total of 12 to be in operation by the spring of 2015.

Mayor George Ferguson, who has backed the scheme, has said he would welcome the feedback from the residents. He said that he has received positive reactions from residents living in the recently established zones.  

Cumbria scraps on-street parking charges

Plans to introduce on-street parking charges have been scrapped by Cumbria County Council, after facing public outrage, according to the News & Star.

The controversial proposals would have seen people being made to pay to park in places such as Workington, Whitehaven, Cockermouth, Carlisle and Penrith. Those from the business community argue that the charges would have hit them hard, as potential customers may have been discouraged from shopping.

Furthermore, proposals to charge residents £20 for parking permits have also been dropped. Originally, Cumbria County Council argued that the fees would have helped save almost £1 million a year to counteract the effect of government spending cuts.

However, after a consultation period, the council reportedly had legal concerns about introducing the charges.

Jim Savege, the council’s corporate director for environment and community services, told the News & Star: "It is clear that there are strong concerns about enforcement in both on-street parking and residents' permits. We agree. That's why we're bringing this back in-house."

'Parking nightmare' continues in West Bromwich

Community leaders in West Bromwich are struggling to find a solution for a parking issue residents are facing.

People living in a particular street have been struggling to find spaces near their homes as commuters and shoppers park there to avoid paying charges in the town centre.

To remedy this issue, Sandwell Council offered to provide residents with a permit to stop others using their space. However, following a consultation with residents, less than half were in favour, leading councillors to abandon the idea.

Patricia Davies, ward councillor, admitted that the council is struggling to find a solution that works. She added: "The residents' parking scheme we all felt was going to be the cure. But the questionnaires had a mixed response. We are desperate to sort this, so it was disappointing."

No further action will now be taken unless this issue is raised again.

Over 3,000 fines handed out in one Scunthorpe car park

An overwhelming number of motorists have been handed fines in one Scunthorpe car park as they are failing to observe the rule that allows them two hours of free parking.

In May, the local authority introduced the revision to boost shopping footfall in the town, but the change has caused cases of illegal parking to increase every month since.

New figures have revealed that between June and September, 3,092 motorists were handed on the spot fines of up to £70.

Trevor Laming, the council's assistant director for technical and environmental services, told the Scunthorpe Telegraph that the increase relates to off-street parking in car parks. He added:"This would suggest that despite our best efforts to publicise the changes and the requirement to still obtain a car parking permit, some drivers have not got the message."

However, it appears that the new rules are sinking in, as the number of fines issued in October dropped to 1,081 compared to the 1,148 handed out in September.

Looking for a job in parking? Head over to our vacancies page and see what's on offer.

What have been the major developments in the rail industry in the last few weeks? We take a look at some of the most interesting stories below.

Hurricane Gonzalo causes havoc

Earlier this week (October 21st), the residual winds of hurricane Gonzalo blew across Britain causing havoc on the roads, rails and runways. The tornado originated in Bermuda, where it was responsible for widespread damage and power blackouts.

Although the UK wasn’t hit with the full force of the hurricane, we were subjected to gusts of up to 65mph - winds strong enough to knock people off their feet.  

Poor conditions caused massive delays to commuter services on the railways, especially in the south of England. In south-east London, signalling issues led to delays, particularly for routes passing through Sydenham, which affected passengers using journeys undertaken by London Overground Southern  and Thameslink.

Broken-down trains were also an issue for many across Britain, with an immobile freight train causing havoc between Crewe and Shrewsbury and an unmoving train near Radlett in Hertfordshire being behind delays of 40 minutes for services travelling to London and Luton.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Strong winds, torrential rain and large quantities of fallen leaves are making conditions difficult on the railway today. Just like motorists on the roads adapt their driving style to the conditions, train drivers are having to take extra care accelerating and braking to avoid overshooting platforms or signals.”

Network Rail revealed Exeter flood prevention plans

On October 21st, Network Rail unveiled plans to protect Devon and Cornwall’s main rail line from flooding - an issue that has resulted in four weeks of disruption in the last two years alone, leading to delays and closures.

The prevention plans chosen by the organisation involve digging out three weirs and dredging the River Exe to improve the flow of water.

A new culvert will also be built to divert floodwater should disaster strike and new embankments will be constructed to reduce the likelihood of the river bursting its banks.

Tim Jones, from the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, welcomed the plans, but described them as “long overdue”. He added that without these measures, disruption will continue to happen until the investment - worth £15 million - is completed.

Joanna Grew, from Network Rail, said: "We are now working with the council and other stakeholders to gather their views on our proposal and will keep the local community updated on our progress."

National Rail holographic assistants deemed ‘spooky’

Holographic National Rail assistants, installed at several stations across the country including London and Leeds, are causing a bit of a stir among passengers, with some deeming them to be “creepy” and “spooky”.

According to the Guardian, the assistant gestures for you to come close and then advises you to not take luggage up the escalators and instead use the lifts if possible. Although ‘Louise’ is supposed to be helpful, she’s having the opposite effect with some people.

One Twitter user told the newspaper: “@guardian I can't believe this is actually a 'thing'!! Thought it was just me. Yes, they're terrifying! They talk when you least expect it!”

Interested in pursuing a career in rail? Take a look at our vacancies to see if anything catches your eye.

We are all familiar with the saying 'it's not what you know, it's who you know'. This might have become something of a cliche, but there is still a strong element of truth behind the words. Knowing the right people can be an advantageous for your career in any sector, and rail is certainly no exception. 

However, most of us are not lucky enough to have an amazing list of industry contacts saved on our phone. This means you need to put some work in if you're going to make some connections that could potentially advance your career. So, with this mind, we've compiled a short guide that contains some useful advice on how you can successfully network in rail and potentially boost your chances of progressing in the sector. 

Industry events 
One of the best ways to meet new contacts is to attend industry events whenever possible. These occasions attract individuals from throughout the rail industry and represent an ideal opportunity to get to know new people in a professional, but not overly-formal environment. As well as providing a chance to mingle, attending events will develop your understanding of the sector, which will always come in useful when looking to progress up the career ladder. 

Some of the main events that take place in the rail industry include the Rail Awards - this year's event is taking place on Thursday (September 18th) - which celebrates best practice in the sector. November 5th will see 2014's National Rail Conference take place in Birmingham, while the same month will see The Future Rail Skills Conference and the Future of Rail 2014 hosted in London. Other events to look out for include the Rail Business Awards, Rail Safety Summit and Railtex.

Online 
The internet has changed networking forever and opened up a whole load of new possibilities. If you use the web effectively there is a good chance you might make some potentially useful contacts. LinkedIn is the key website for networking online and if you don't already have a profile you should create one as soon as possible. 

This social network essentially serves as a Facebook for industry professionals and is a great way to get your name out there and easily interact with other people in the rail sector. Joining relevant groups and becoming involved with any ongoing discussions will introduce you to new people and you should update your profile as often as possible to keep it relevant and interesting. 

While LinkedIn is certainly the most important platform when it comes to online marketing, other social media sites like Facebook and Twitter can be useful too if you get involved with industry discussions and provide your opinion on relevant topics. Being active in the right places on these sites might not seem like much, but it can be a useful way to break the ice and get into contact with other people in the rail sector.

Be patient
One of the key things to remember when networking is that you cannot expect results overnight. This process is all about building up contacts who might come in useful one day in the future. You cannot expect to attend an industry event, speak to a few people and receive a job offer the next day. Things just don't work like that. It's also important not to be too obvious that you are networking for the sake of career progression - you're far more likely to build relationships by taking a subtle approach that showcases your general interest in the industry.

Looking for a new rail job? Why not take a look at our vacancies and see if something catches your eye.