Passsed a Trainee Train Driver Assessment
Discussion
legzr1 said:
I wasn't aware there were differing degrees of 'safety critical' but I bow down to your superior aviation background...
Does the aviation industry operate on a higher level of situational wariness and risk triggered commentary too?
Well it doesn't dismiss communication as "not really a skill" for starters.Does the aviation industry operate on a higher level of situational wariness and risk triggered commentary too?
Sophie194 said:
Hey everyone!
Newbie here!!
I've applied for a train driver position with Northern, and so far it's looking good, but I don't want to get ahead of myself yet!
I've passed the first part of my assessments, and the managers interview, and in a few days I'm due to complete the computerised tests and the structured interview - which I am absolutely dreading!
I want this more than anything, and I've been researching possible questions and how to answer them and preparing for the computerised tests.
But what I find strange, is I've already been booked onto my training course and my medical, which is a bit unusual considering usual circumstances of applicants. Ah well!
I'm here digging around for advice really.
Drivers, what was the process and experience like for you, and how did you find the computerised tests and structured interview?
Wha sort of questions were you asked? And what was the general atmosphere and attitude like?
(I've heard on the grapevine it's pretty intense and they tend bully you with your own words - so try not to say too much and dig yourself a hole)
All advice would be gratefully appreciated!
Have booked my train ticket and hotel room for the night stay before the tests! (Not risking any delay)!
Good luck to anyone else applying for a drivers role!
Maybe a bit late to the party (I've not popped in here for a little while!) and others have already given some really good advice - it's also been a couple of years since I did (and passed!) the tests and structured interview, so it's a bit of a distant memory now! Keeping calm (as you know, there's quite a bit of pressure!), being honest (not just for fear of future consequences - anything that you make up will soon unravel when they push for more and more details), having as many scenarios as you can prepared in your head, and basing your answers around the seven or eight non-technical skills (the RSSB website is a really good source) - that's really the main things that I thought about. Newbie here!!
I've applied for a train driver position with Northern, and so far it's looking good, but I don't want to get ahead of myself yet!
I've passed the first part of my assessments, and the managers interview, and in a few days I'm due to complete the computerised tests and the structured interview - which I am absolutely dreading!
I want this more than anything, and I've been researching possible questions and how to answer them and preparing for the computerised tests.
But what I find strange, is I've already been booked onto my training course and my medical, which is a bit unusual considering usual circumstances of applicants. Ah well!
I'm here digging around for advice really.
Drivers, what was the process and experience like for you, and how did you find the computerised tests and structured interview?
Wha sort of questions were you asked? And what was the general atmosphere and attitude like?
(I've heard on the grapevine it's pretty intense and they tend bully you with your own words - so try not to say too much and dig yourself a hole)
All advice would be gratefully appreciated!
Have booked my train ticket and hotel room for the night stay before the tests! (Not risking any delay)!
Good luck to anyone else applying for a drivers role!
I was asked to give an example of a time when I'd broken a rule, but I'm sure that that was during my manager's interview rather than the structured interview - it took me by surprise, but I thought about it and gave them an example from a previous job where I'd had to deviate from standards but made sure that I'd considered the consequences, thought about whether I needed to consult with designers etc., and they were quite happy with that even though it wasn't a rule as such. The only other question that really threw me was definitely during my structured interview - asking me to name a job which I'd consider similar to train driving. I can't remember what I said now, but I just rambled around the non-technical skills again, trying to think of something which has a lot in common in terms of responsibility, training, knowledge and the rest. The rest of the questions were pretty routine - an emergency situation, maintaining concentration when it's quiet (I was a signalman previously, which gave me the perfect answer!), working under pressure, dealing with conflict (put the kettle on), all that sort of thing.
Personally, I found the computerised tests to be the most horrible part of the process, and I think I pretty much had my coat on ready to go home after those! Just don't panic if you think you're messing it up - stay calm, carry on with it and hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised. The perception test in particular, I wasn't at all confident with what I thought I'd seen on each photo, but then I suppose that's the point of the exercise.
It took almost two years from the first round of tests to starting training (I've finished rules and traction now, halfway - hopefully - through the time with my mentor now), with plenty of time in 'talent pools' in between. It sounds like they're keen to get you onto a course quickly though, which is good, hence giving you dates for the rest of the process already.
Good luck!!
legzr1 said:
tight5 said:
At a time when drivers are being made redundant and leaving the railway, maybe ALL TOCs should have Sundays in the working week and create more jobs for drivers that are looking for some !
What?Have drivers sitting pretty take the risk of losing potential overtime for the sake of colleagues without work elsewhere?
Good luck with that
Sophie194 said:
Oh crap!!! ??
Now someone tells me about the horror of the computerised tests! I didn't imagine they would be so bad as my reaction times are pretty good to be fair, and I know the tests aren't designed to be finished and everyone will start to unravel as the speed increases, but! I have been apprehencious with the images, as to be fair, I do need a little longer than a second to see what's in an image, so that's my main concern! What order did you complete the second half? Tests first then interview or visa versa??
The perception test was the one that scared me the most, because there really isn't enough time to take the image in properly! That's the point though, it's what you perceive to be there rather than thinking about and remembering what you've definitely seen. I was convinced that is messed it up anyway, but all was well. The other two aren't so bad - staring at a little square for half an hour is hard work, but easy enough if you can keep focussed on it, and driving the little dot around the screen is quite good fun once you get used to the controls (if you let go of both controls, the dot returns to the centre, so the joystick position directly dictates the x and y position of the dot rather than controlling its movement, if that makes sense). There's nothing like the old tests where the speed and pressure builds up until you break though, it's all constant throughout.Now someone tells me about the horror of the computerised tests! I didn't imagine they would be so bad as my reaction times are pretty good to be fair, and I know the tests aren't designed to be finished and everyone will start to unravel as the speed increases, but! I have been apprehencious with the images, as to be fair, I do need a little longer than a second to see what's in an image, so that's my main concern! What order did you complete the second half? Tests first then interview or visa versa??
I did tests first, then interview, which suited me better I think!
Stedman said:
The whole Sunday working situation is bonnkers at the moment. Doubt it will get voted in because of the pensions cap now. I really feel for the freight boys at the moment
Our lot are on about putting any pay increase for giving up Sundays onto the pension properly rather than subjecting it to the cap. I feel for the freight chaps, but equally I think it's reasonable that everyone expects a decent price for their Sundays. Hopefully both parties will be able to negotiate something that works for everyone.Sophie194 said:
itcaptainslow said:
Think about it in context of doing a hill start in a car.
Well.. Logic would suggest relation to that, however, I'm not familiar with the controls of a train, so I wouldn't really want to risk answering - making myself out to look a right fool! I'm glad I got the managers interview out the way first though, and thankfully they were really friendly and nice!Sophie194 said:
Ahh! I see! So it's not going to be the typical "hi, lo, pedals and colour buttons" test?
I thought that was still being used! My friend who was taken on in TPE in the last 2 years was tested on that.
The joystick sounds fun, the square test sounds a bit.. Tedious. What actually happens? I've heard the test consists of you pushing a button each time it flashes in a darker shade.
To be honest, how I'm feeling, I think I'd rather just get the interview out the way first so it's over and done with! That's the part I'm dreading the most!
I don't know whether some TOCs do that test (hi, lo, pedals and colours) too, but I know I certainly didn't! Have you had any information from them with a summary of what tests you'll be doing?I thought that was still being used! My friend who was taken on in TPE in the last 2 years was tested on that.
The joystick sounds fun, the square test sounds a bit.. Tedious. What actually happens? I've heard the test consists of you pushing a button each time it flashes in a darker shade.
To be honest, how I'm feeling, I think I'd rather just get the interview out the way first so it's over and done with! That's the part I'm dreading the most!
The joystick test is quite fun, I found, once you get past the pressure of it being so important. My biggest problem was that I wanted to push the joystick up to make the dot go up, then let go when it had finished going up (at which point the dot shot off to the middle!). Try to get the hang of that, keep calm, get back inside the lines as quickly as you can if you do drift out, and try to be reasonably quick, and I'm sure you'll be fine!
The flashing square is very tedious indeed, and just as you describe. It's a light grey square flashing steadily on a white background. Every so often, it appears light grey and briefly changes to dark grey before disappearing again - that's when you have to press the button, each time it does that. Obviously you have to blink at some point, and I tried to do it whilst the square wasn't visible so that I wouldn't miss anything.
I really didn't find the interview too bad at all, if I'm honest. Obviously your first experience wasn't so good though. I don't know whether they push harder and harder if they pick up on any weaknesses in your answers - I noticed one or two bits where I felt a bit unsure, and they really put the pressure on then. Confidence and preparation (in terms of scenarios and how you can link them to non-technical skills and safety generally) would seem to be key! I think I felt more relaxed and able to focus on the interview with all the other stuff out of the way though.
On starting a train on a hill - exactly as others have said, and exactly as you'd do it in a car...don't release the brake fully until you've applied some power, and you should be away without a problem!
Crossflow Kid said:
Well it doesn't dismiss communication as "not really a skill" for starters.
Texting with emojis is communication - without some form of expansion on the answer its 'not really a skill' is it?No matter, you've moved on and don't sound too bitter so everything's rosy
legzr1 said:
Texting with emojis is communication - without some form of expansion on the answer its 'not really a skill' is it?
No matter, you've moved on and don't sound too bitter so everything's rosy
You're the tNo matter, you've moved on and don't sound too bitter so everything's rosy
t from the interview, aren't you?Just to get it straight, I didn't give a one word answer, I did expand, but the Fat Controller's Obtuse Cousin cut me short with his dismissal of the idea. Didn't waste my breath after that.
Sophie194 said:
Haha! I love that saying - "tea & biscuits"!
Well, if I were to be asked, I'd have said something along those lines anyway, but until you'd described it a little, if have been very unwilling to answer the question incase I came across as a bit of a div! Thanks for the heads up, and if it pops up, I'll know I'll be more confident with the answer!
Taking the train down to Doncaster this evening and tomorrow is when the fun begins! Very mixed feelings!
As before, good luck! Booking a hotel's definitely a sensible move and it'll hopefully get you off to a good start tomorrow. I don't remember any technical questions during either interview, but remember that they won't be expecting anything too technical as an answer...it's all about non-technical skills and making everything safe.Well, if I were to be asked, I'd have said something along those lines anyway, but until you'd described it a little, if have been very unwilling to answer the question incase I came across as a bit of a div! Thanks for the heads up, and if it pops up, I'll know I'll be more confident with the answer!
Taking the train down to Doncaster this evening and tomorrow is when the fun begins! Very mixed feelings!
Tea and biscuits is one thing - tea without biscuits is when you really need to worry though!
Late Turn said:
As before, good luck! Booking a hotel's definitely a sensible move and it'll hopefully get you off to a good start tomorrow. I don't remember any technical questions during either interview, but remember that they won't be expecting anything too technical as an answer...it's all about non-technical skills and making everything safe.
Tea and biscuits is one thing - tea without biscuits is when you really need to worry though!
Agreed.Tea and biscuits is one thing - tea without biscuits is when you really need to worry though!
It's been a fair old while now but I remember them asking about how you went about dealing with something that broke. It's all about the process starting with identifying what the problem is, making it safe to work on ( isolating power, etc) and the step by step process to rectify the fault and finish by restoring power or whatever and checking it's all working again.
Always have safety in the back of your mind with regards to these type of questions
And those meetings where no biscuits are served are no fun at all.
Good luck!
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