Prepare for BNSF interview questions on whether you'll work safely, turn up reliably and cope with railroad schedules. For train crew roles, BNSF says the work includes nights, weekends, holidays and on-call time, outdoors in all weather.
The process details below come from BNSF's careers FAQ and its careers and corporate pages, linked as we go. Where BNSF doesn't say something, we say so.
The BNSF hiring process at a glance
| Step | What happens | What BNSF says about timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application | Apply online for a specific job. Each position or location needs its own application. | Not published |
| 2. Confirmation | You get an email with a link to track your application, and BNSF emails you when your status changes. | Not published |
| 3. Screening | BNSF screens applications and contacts selected candidates by email or phone. | Not published |
| 4. Interview | A virtual or in-person interview, always before any offer. | Not published |
| 5. Hair drug test | A hair sample covering drug use in the past 90 days. Your application can't advance without it. BNSF doesn't publish where this falls in the process. | Not published |
| 6. Offer | BNSF doesn't make offers by email or text alone. | Not published |
What is the BNSF hiring process?
You apply online for a specific job, BNSF screens the applications, and selected candidates are contacted by email or phone. Every hire includes a virtual or in-person interview before an offer, and you must provide a hair sample for drug testing.
Applying
- Apply online at jobs.bnsf.com. BNSF says you must submit an online application.
- One application per job. BNSF says you need a separate application for each position and/or location.
- Read the basic qualifications in the posting. BNSF lists them job by job. You must be at least 18.
- Watch your inbox, including junk mail. BNSF says to check that your email service allows its messages, and that official BNSF email ends in @bnsf.com.
- Expect competition. BNSF says you may be competing with hundreds of other qualified candidates, so not hearing back doesn't mean you weren't qualified.
BNSF's job areas include train crew, mechanical and electrical, track, structures and signal, dispatchers, field operations leadership, bnsf | tech, the corporate office, college recruiting and BNSF Police. Its careers site also lists hiring events.
Becoming an engineer
BNSF says union agreements allow only promoted BNSF conductors to become locomotive engineers. If that's your long-term goal, apply for a Conductor Trainee position.
Cohesyve
Get some practice in before you apply to BNSF
Try an AI job simulation of the everyday work in roles like these and see where you lost marks. 3 free practice assessments, no card.
What is the BNSF interview process?
BNSF says its hiring process includes a virtual or in-person interview before any offer of employment. It doesn't publish the interview's length, the number of rounds or who conducts it, and it doesn't describe what happens at its hiring events.
The questions below are the kind to prepare for. Behavioural questions ("tell me about a time") are best answered with the STAR method: situation, task, action, result.
Does BNSF have an assessment?
BNSF's careers pages we checked don't describe an assessment. Prep sites and candidate forums describe online assessments for roles such as conductor trainee, but we couldn't confirm their content or format on any current BNSF page. Treat question counts and timings you read elsewhere as unconfirmed, and follow the instructions in BNSF's emails.
If an assessment asks how you'd handle workplace situations, our guide to situational judgement tests explains how that format works in general.
What is the BNSF hair drug test?
BNSF requires a hair specimen from your head or body, which tests for drug use in the past 90 days, and your application can't move forward without it. BNSF also tests for some prescription medications. A prescription must be less than 12 months old to count as valid, and marijuana is prohibited regardless of state or local law.
Extra requirements for conductors
Conductors in the US must be certified under Federal Railroad Administration rules. Before certifying a conductor, a railroad must confirm they meet the vision and hearing standards in 49 CFR 242.117, including a test of your ability to recognise railroad signal colours. BNSF's careers pages don't describe its own medical checks or the length of conductor training. Its central Technical Training Center is at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas.
What is train crew work like at BNSF?
BNSF's train crew page says over-the-road crews work from a home location and are on call 24/7, while yard crews work a set schedule at a specific terminal or yard. Both involve nights, weekends, holidays and on-call time, indoors and outdoors in all weather, and travel can mean extensive time away from home. Expect questions about it.
Common BNSF interview questions and how to answer them
BNSF says nothing is more important than safety. It also publishes four values:
- listening to customers and doing what it takes to meet their expectations;
- empowering one another, showing concern for colleagues' well-being and respect for their talents and achievements;
- continuously improving by striving to do the right thing safely and efficiently;
- celebrating its heritage and building on its success.
BNSF hasn't published a question list. Each question below maps to its values or to the working conditions it describes.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Keep it to a minute: what you do now, the experience that fits the job, and why you want to work for a railroad. End on the role.
2. Why do you want to work at BNSF?
Be specific. Mention the role, the location and what draws you to rail work. If you're applying as a Conductor Trainee with an eye on becoming an engineer, say so: BNSF only promotes engineers from its own conductors.
3. Are you prepared to be on call and work nights, weekends and holidays?
BNSF says over-the-road crews are on call 24/7. Explain how your life is set up for that, including family support, transport and rest, and be honest.
4. Tell me about a time you followed a safety rule when it would have been quicker not to.
This tests BNSF's emphasis on safety and its value of doing the right thing safely. Pick a real example and explain why you didn't cut the corner.
5. Tell me about a time you noticed a hazard. What did you do?
Show that you spoke up, stopped work if needed and made sure it was fixed.
6. Describe your attendance record. Tell me about a time you couldn't make it to work.
BNSF's over-the-road crews are on call 24/7, so reliability matters. Be honest, explain how you handled it and what you've done since to stay dependable.
7. Tell me about a time you worked outdoors or in tough conditions.
BNSF says crews work outdoors in all weather. A farm, construction, warehouse or military example works well. Show that you stayed safe and got the job done.
8. Tell me about a time you had to follow detailed instructions exactly.
Safety rules matter on the railroad. Give an example where accuracy mattered and explain how you checked your work.
9. Tell me about a time you looked out for a co-worker.
BNSF's values include showing concern for colleagues' well-being. Describe a moment when you helped someone, stepped in on a safety issue or supported a new team member.
10. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a supervisor.
Show that you listened, raised your view respectfully and followed through once a decision was made.
11. Tell me about a time you found a better or safer way to do something.
This maps to BNSF's value of continuously improving. Explain the problem, your idea and the result.
12. How do you handle being away from home for long stretches?
BNSF says travel can mean extensive time away from home. Give an example of a job or situation where you managed it, and explain how you look after rest and routine.
13. Do you have any questions for us?
Ask about training for the role, how calls and scheduling work at the location, and what a strong first year looks like.
Our list of behavioural interview questions gives you more to practise on.
How to prepare for the BNSF hiring process
- Read the full job posting and its basic qualifications before you apply.
- Apply separately for each position and location you want.
- Whitelist BNSF email and check junk mail, so you don't miss hiring-process emails.
- Be ready for the hair drug test. It covers the past 90 days, and marijuana is prohibited regardless of state law. Keep any prescription records current.
- Prepare five or six STAR stories covering safety, reliability, teamwork, following rules, tough conditions and improvement.
- Think through the lifestyle for train crew roles: on call, nights, weekends, holidays and time away from home. Have an honest answer ready.
- Do a mock interview with someone who will give you honest feedback.
- Ignore anyone asking for money. BNSF says it never asks candidates for upfront payment for background checks, training or equipment.
Practising realistic work tasks
BNSF says nothing is more important than safety, and its train crews work on call in all weather. Cohesyve, which publishes this guide, runs practice job simulations for your role, with a scored report on where you lost marks. It isn't affiliated with BNSF and doesn't use BNSF's assessments or questions.
FAQs
How long does the BNSF hiring process take?
BNSF doesn't publish a timeline. It says it emails candidates when their application status changes and contacts selected candidates by email or phone.
Does BNSF hair test?
Yes. BNSF requires a hair specimen that tests for drug use in the past 90 days, and your application can't advance without it.
Can I use marijuana if it's legal in my state?
Not if you want to work at BNSF. BNSF says marijuana is among the drugs that are prohibited regardless of state or local law.
How old do you have to be to work at BNSF?
At least 18, BNSF says.
Can I apply to be a locomotive engineer at BNSF?
Not directly. BNSF says only promoted BNSF conductors can become locomotive engineers, so start by applying for a Conductor Trainee position.
Does BNSF make job offers by email or text?
Not on their own. BNSF says its hiring process always includes a virtual or in-person interview before any offer, and it doesn't make offers solely by email or text.
I'm qualified, so why didn't BNSF contact me?
BNSF says you may be competing with hundreds of other qualified candidates. It contacts candidates selected for an interview, or who need to provide more information, by email or phone.
Sources
Checked 27 October 2026:
- jobs.bnsf.com: FAQs
- jobs.bnsf.com: Train crew jobs
- jobs.bnsf.com: Careers home
- bnsf.com: Our vision and values
- bnsf.com: About BNSF and FAQs
- bnsf.com: Safety and technical training
- Legal Information Institute: 49 CFR 242.117, vision and hearing acuity