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Norfolk Southern Employment Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply for a position with NS?
How can I apply for a position with NS?
I cannot log in to the system to apply.
I see more than one position that I am interested in, do I need to apply multiple times?
How long until I am contacted after I've submitted an application.
I submitted my application but did not receive a confirmation email.
What is the current status of my application?
How do I update my application?
Can you send me an application?
Job Opportunities
Can I search for all job opportunities without specifying any search criteria?
I don't see a job posted in my location.
What if I don't see a job I'm interested in?
I applied and am qualified for the position. Why wasn't I selected?
What are the requirements for employment at NS?
Do you complete background investigations on applicants?
What is involved in the Hair Collection for Drug Screening?
Online Assessment
I have received an email inviting me to complete an online assessment to begin the hiring process. Do I need to complete this assessment in order to be considered for a position with Norfolk Southern?
How do I complete the online assessment?
What specific details can you share about the online assessment?
Can I receive assistance from other people or sources while completing the online assessment?
During the assessment, will I be able to log out and resume my assessment at a later time if I cannot complete in one session?
Am I able to skip questions and return to them at a later time?
Will I be able to review the results of my assessment?
What is the next step after the assessment?
What should I do if I encounter a technical error while attempting to complete the online assessment?
When I try to log on to the system, I receive a message stating that the link has expired. What does that mean?
If I apply to another Norfolk Southern job posting, will I need to retake the assessment?
How can I apply for a position with NS?
To apply for a position at Norfolk Southern, you must create a profile and submit an on-line application through the NS Website at www.nscorp.com/careers.
Please Note: All applications entered before January 5, 2012, must be resubmitted in order to be considered for employment.
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How do I create and/or edit a profile?
To create a profile, register as a first-time applicant on the Job Seekers page at www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Job_Seekers/. The system will prompt you to create a new profile by entering your desired user name, password, and email address. The email address entered will be our main method of contact. If you do not have an email address, there are free email accounts available through Google, Hotmail, and Yahoo. As a returning applicant, you will be prompted to sign in with your user name and password.
For additional assistance in submitting an application, please see the Application Job Aids link on the Job Seekers page: www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Job_Seekers/job_aids.html. This provides helpful hints and detailed steps to assist in completing the application.
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I cannot log in to the system to apply.
Please verify that you are on the Job Seekers Page. If you are not on the Job Seekers Page, please select the link: www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Job_Seekers/. If you are still unable to apply and are a new user, please create a profile.
Applicants often try to login at the NS Home Page which is the incorrect login area. You must go to the Job Seekers Page and use the login area there.
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I see more than one position that I am interested in, do I need to apply multiple times?
One application is sufficient. However, you may submit your application to any job you are interested in. There is also an “Add Favorite” option to add any job postings to your list of favorites.
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How long until I am contacted after I've submitted an application.
We cannot provide a specific timeframe in which you will be contacted, and it may be several weeks before candidates are invited to a recruiting session. You will receive a confirmation email when you have applied. We will send all correspondence via email. All applicants will receive an email, letting them know the status of their application.
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I submitted my application but did not receive a confirmation email.
Please ensure the email address you have provided in your profile is correct. Also, check your email settings and spam folder to make sure the email was not flagged as spam. If you are unsure if you have previously submitted an application for a job posting, please note that the system will not allow you to apply for the same position twice so please try submitting again.
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What is the current status of my application?
Upon completion of the online application process, applicants receive a confirmation email. At this point, the application is submitted to the job(s) of your choice. It can take several months for NS to contact an applicant. In the Application Status option under the Employment Opportunities tab you can see what positions you have currently applied for after logging in to the Job Seekers Page. You can check the status, withdraw or delete your applications. You may also resubmit a withdrawn application.
Applications are screened for the most competitive candidates to proceed to the next step in the process. All correspondence will be sent via email. All candidates will receive an email when their status changes.
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How do I update my application?
You may log in to change your application information at any time. Our recruiters will see the most updated version of your application regardless of whether or not you have already submitted your application for a position. Log in to your profile on the Job Seekers Page and update the information you wish to change.
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Can you send me an application?
Unfortunately, Norfolk Southern cannot send you an application. At NS, we do not accept paper applications or resumes (e.g. faxes, emails, etc.). To apply, please visit the Job Seekers Page and submit an application.
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Job Opportunities
Can I search for all job opportunities without specifying any search criteria?
No. You must specify at least one criteria.
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I don't see a job posted in my location.
NS posts positions as they become available. If you do not see the location you are interested in, we currently do not have any available jobs in that location. Our website is updated on a daily basis, so check back regularly for new postings.
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What if I don't see a job I'm interested in?
If you do not see a position of interest, you can save your search criteria as a Job Agent.
This allows you to complete your application and to specify criteria to receive notifications automatically through our system for positions that are posted that meet your specifications. If one becomes available, you would then need to re-access our system as a return user from the Job Seekers Page to submit your application for any positions of interest.
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I applied and am qualified for the position. Why wasn't I selected?
You may be competing with hundreds of other competitive candidates. Applications are screened for the most competitive candidates and those select few are invited to proceed to the next step in the process.
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What are the requirements for employment at NS?
You must be 18 years of age to work for Norfolk Southern. Other basic qualifications are included in the job posting. To learn more, review the jobs listed on the Job Seekers Page.
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Do you complete background investigations on applicants?
Background checks are only initiated AFTER you have been extended a conditional job offer. We will also conduct a physical and drug screens (urinalysis and hair collection) once a job offer has been extended.
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What is involved in the Hair Collection for Drug Screening?
NS uses a hair test for illegal drugs in its employment application process. Please note that it will be necessary for you to provide a hair specimen for this test, which will test for illegal or illicit drug use in the past 90 days. Hair specimens can be collected from either the head or body and can be taken from several locations to get the required amount necessary for testing. Studies indicate that the head hair grows an average of 1/2 inch per month. Your application for employment will not be progressed until you are able to provide an adequate hair specimen for testing.
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Online Assessment
I have received an email inviting me to complete an online assessment to begin the hiring process. Do I need to complete this assessment in order to be considered for a position with Norfolk Southern?
Yes. Effective February 1, 2011, we began using a new online assessment as a part of the hiring process at NS. Only certain applicants will be invited to complete the assessment. If you receive the email invitation, you will need to successfully complete this step in order to continue in the hiring process.
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How do I complete the online assessment?
After an initial review, select candidates will receive an email invitation to continue in the hiring process. These candidates will be asked to complete the Norfolk Southern Management Assessment. The email invitation will include a direct link to the testing site. Click on the link to begin the online assessment.
If you are a first time user, you will be prompted to complete the registration process before you begin. You will need to create a username and password to enter the testing. Please keep your username and password in a secure location, because you will need both to login to the test if you are unable to complete the assessment in one session.
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What specific details can you share about the online assessment?
The assessment link will be sent to selected applicants. If you are interested in continuing in the hiring process, it is necessary for you to complete the assessment. The assessment typically takes one hour to complete and is composed of several portions, including some sections which are timed.
The link to the assessment is time sensitive requiring you to complete it within a given timeframe. The email invitation will include the specific number of days you will have to complete the assessment. If it is not completed in the given time, the link will expire.
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Can I receive assistance from other people or sources while completing the online assessment?
In order to best assess your skills as they relate to a position at Norfolk Southern, it is necessary to complete this assessment individually. If you are invited to a Norfolk Southern Career Day, an additional follow up assessment will be given during the session. The validation assessment will be brief, generally lasting only 10 minutes.
Additionally, the use of calculators, dictionaries, thesauruses, and similar tools are not permitted during the assessment.
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During the assessment, will I be able to log out and resume my assessment at a later time if I cannot complete in one session?
If necessary, you are able to complete the assessment during more than one setting. You will need to have your user name and password available to log back into the test to complete within the given timeframe.
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Am I able to skip questions and return to them at a later time?
During the assessment, you will need to complete each question before moving on to the next question.
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Will I be able to review the results of my assessment?
When you have finished answering all of the questions, your online session will end. Upon completion, results will be sent directly to the Employment Group at Norfolk Southern. Applicants will not be able to view their results.
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What is the next step after the assessment?
Following the assessment, the Employment Group at Norfolk Southern will review your results and you will be notified of your progress via email within one to three weeks.
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What should I do if I encounter a technical error while attempting to complete the online assessment?
You will need to contact PreVisor's Technical Support Line at 1.800.966.0943.
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When I try to log on to the system, I receive a message stating that the link has expired. What does that mean?
Access to the assessment is limited to a specific amount of time. If you do not complete the assessment within the given time frame, the link will expire. You will need to reapply for further consideration.
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If I apply to another Norfolk Southern job posting, will I need to retake the assessment?
If you successfully completed the assessment for a previous position, you will not need to retake the assessment. [back to top]
