Trainee train drivers wanted...
Discussion
RB5Bird said:
OMG!
Got an email yesterday from DB Schenker, I've been invited up to a driver assessment day in Doncaster!
I'd not heard anything from them, so had not expected to go any further with it.
Brilliant! This is a fantastic opportunity, DO NOT WASTE IT.Got an email yesterday from DB Schenker, I've been invited up to a driver assessment day in Doncaster!
I'd not heard anything from them, so had not expected to go any further with it.
Do your research and you'll go far
Anyone else been invited to the testing day? And where did you apply for?
Even though for me it would be a career change, I have 9 years railway experience, I decided to do something different for a little while. I was working as a senior train manager, so I have an idea of what the tests are like. I also know that the railway is a way of life and not a job that you can easily switch off from when you get home.
Im also glad I know the railway rule book inside out and know many of the problems that can come up with trains, track side equipment etc.
Just have to pass on Tuesday and get to the interview in the afternoon. Already know I can pass the medical. And as I have previously worked for a company owned by DB, I kind of know how the managers meeting will go to, so it is purely the testing part i am not looking forward to.
Good luck everyone who is invited.
Even though for me it would be a career change, I have 9 years railway experience, I decided to do something different for a little while. I was working as a senior train manager, so I have an idea of what the tests are like. I also know that the railway is a way of life and not a job that you can easily switch off from when you get home.
Im also glad I know the railway rule book inside out and know many of the problems that can come up with trains, track side equipment etc.
Just have to pass on Tuesday and get to the interview in the afternoon. Already know I can pass the medical. And as I have previously worked for a company owned by DB, I kind of know how the managers meeting will go to, so it is purely the testing part i am not looking forward to.
Good luck everyone who is invited.
Going on Wednesday. Just had a quick look through the sample stuff, not too worried about the engineering stuff like moments, but just need to brush up on some simple maths - mostly fractions!
Didn't expect to hear from them to be honest, thought it had been too long as not had an email or anything. Will still keep looking at other stuff in case this doesn't come off, but here's hoping it does.
Didn't expect to hear from them to be honest, thought it had been too long as not had an email or anything. Will still keep looking at other stuff in case this doesn't come off, but here's hoping it does.
The structured interview will test how you deal with certain situations. They will expect you to know a fair amount about the company too. One question you are likely to be asked is how do you think you may react and feel if you were involved in a fatality. The first time I was asked this question for my first railway employer, I answered I don't know, I have never dealt with anything like that however, I would hope that I would.... and so on. For my second company interview when I had to transfer to a different area of the UK, I could answer this question as by that point I had been involved with several, one from a drivers perspective too.
Just be honest and open with them, they will catch you out if you add things in that didnt happen, if you are not sure on your answer, or not 100% sure what they are asking, feel free to ask them to repeat the question.
They are looking to see how you remain calm in an emergency, times you have worked alone and as part of a team, times when you have had to use your own initiative to solve a problem. things like this. If you pass the tests, and are staying beyond lunch, you will be asked to fill in a form with these details, then have lunch. On your return much of your structured interview will be based around this.
I will report back on Tuesday evening how it all went and give you a better, newer, fresher idea of what they expect.
Just be honest and open with them, they will catch you out if you add things in that didnt happen, if you are not sure on your answer, or not 100% sure what they are asking, feel free to ask them to repeat the question.
They are looking to see how you remain calm in an emergency, times you have worked alone and as part of a team, times when you have had to use your own initiative to solve a problem. things like this. If you pass the tests, and are staying beyond lunch, you will be asked to fill in a form with these details, then have lunch. On your return much of your structured interview will be based around this.
I will report back on Tuesday evening how it all went and give you a better, newer, fresher idea of what they expect.
croyde said:
I haven't heard a thing 
Are you only emailed if successful and no better luck next time messages?
Sorry mate, don't know. I hadn't heard anything until the invite for the assessment day, where as other people seem to have been able to tell that their application is "still pending" - don't know how they knew that. Are you only emailed if successful and no better luck next time messages?Only a weeks notice as well, not sure if that is deliberate. Depending how long the testing is going on for, you may still be just waiting on an email. Good luck.
RB5Bird said:
croyde said:
I haven't heard a thing Are you only emailed if successful and no better luck next time messages?
Sorry mate, don't know. I hadn't heard anything until the invite for the assessment day, where as other people seem to have been able to tell that their application is "still pending" - don't know how they knew that. Are you only emailed if successful and no better luck next time messages?Only a weeks notice as well, not sure if that is deliberate. Depending how long the testing is going on for, you may still be just waiting on an email. Good luck.
Remember they are interviewing into the beginning of May so I wouldn't worry too much just yet. Keep an eye on your junk mail as that seems to be where it ends up.
Im not allowing myself to get nervous, I am seeing it as an opportunity to have a night away and to potentially drive a train rather than as it would make the world of difference or I really want/need this job.
Know as much as you can about the company, they like this and if you haven't mentioned what you know about the company they will ask you what you know.
Im getting ready to leave as Doncaster is the opposite end of the country for me. Roll on getting off the train at half 7 tonight I say. I will be going over the different types of group Bourdon tests, as when my step dad sat the tests not long ago, it wasnt as per the info pack they send, it was a true Group Bourdon test.
Speak to you all tomorrow night!
Im not allowing myself to get nervous, I am seeing it as an opportunity to have a night away and to potentially drive a train rather than as it would make the world of difference or I really want/need this job.
Know as much as you can about the company, they like this and if you haven't mentioned what you know about the company they will ask you what you know.
Im getting ready to leave as Doncaster is the opposite end of the country for me. Roll on getting off the train at half 7 tonight I say. I will be going over the different types of group Bourdon tests, as when my step dad sat the tests not long ago, it wasnt as per the info pack they send, it was a true Group Bourdon test.
Speak to you all tomorrow night!
Just to confirm. The interview IS part of the testing. I can confirm that as I am here now. You can pass all the tests and still fail the day on the interview.
Test one was the group bourdon, not the style that you were told to practice on, but the one where you cross out all dots of four, then came the train ability part 1 about a glop train as per normal part 2 was the dials. After this they will give you a break and then say who can go home at this stage.
Then you do the the mechanical test and numerical test. The mechanical is tougher than the tests they send you. Then its time for lunch.
After lunch they tell you if you passed or failed that part if you have passed you do the reaction test. You will feel bad about this as it is tough.
Then another break.
Then you get told if you passed that, if so you have to answer 5 questions that they can grill you on in the interview. Pass the interview and you have passed the drivers assessment day.
Im waiting to go in for my interview as I type. Half of the 6 people failed the group bourdon test, there are three of us being interviewed. Ill let you all know later how I did. If anyone has questions post them and I will answer them as best I can and honestly. Good luck will report back in about 2 hours!!!
Test one was the group bourdon, not the style that you were told to practice on, but the one where you cross out all dots of four, then came the train ability part 1 about a glop train as per normal part 2 was the dials. After this they will give you a break and then say who can go home at this stage.
Then you do the the mechanical test and numerical test. The mechanical is tougher than the tests they send you. Then its time for lunch.
After lunch they tell you if you passed or failed that part if you have passed you do the reaction test. You will feel bad about this as it is tough.
Then another break.
Then you get told if you passed that, if so you have to answer 5 questions that they can grill you on in the interview. Pass the interview and you have passed the drivers assessment day.
Im waiting to go in for my interview as I type. Half of the 6 people failed the group bourdon test, there are three of us being interviewed. Ill let you all know later how I did. If anyone has questions post them and I will answer them as best I can and honestly. Good luck will report back in about 2 hours!!!
I've just been asked to an aptitude test in Manchester next week. The email says its ONLY the aptitude test on this day and other things come on subsequent days.
I'm just wondering what things it will involve as the email says all details will be given on the day, any heads up would be great.
Thanks
Liam
I'm just wondering what things it will involve as the email says all details will be given on the day, any heads up would be great.
Thanks
Liam
No idea about manchester. Sorry im only just replying, I slept all the way home. The interview asks about a time have spent alone for long periods on a recurring basis, and they want truely alone. They will ask for an example of when you have had to follow rules and regulations/procedures. They will ask about an achievement you have made. Being in a difficult situation and an emergency situation.
I passed them all yesterday so I am happy about that, but gutted for my husband as he didnt get through.
I passed them all yesterday so I am happy about that, but gutted for my husband as he didnt get through.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff