Merseyrail - Guard
(Based in Birkenhead, Wirral or Kirkdale, Liverpool)
Closing date: 29/03/2013
Details online here
Wednesday 27 March 2013
Finding Out...
I've just found out that I've been successful !!!
BUT, rather unfortunately, there aren't any vacancies available at the depot I was supposed to go to! Apparently a last minute transfer request was received from a conductor already employed with the TOC, which meant the vacancy had been taken!
I'm reassured that I'm next on the waiting list for the depot, and they will keep in touch with me on a regular basis. I'm also informed that they expect the next Trainee Conductor training course to commence later this year in the Autumn.
Nevertheless I am really pleased and it is definitely something to look forward to! Hopefully the next few months will fly by!
So, for now, my online "application status" says: SUCCESSFUL - ON HOLD.
Looks as though I've come as far as I can. Whilst I'm waiting for a position to become available, I'll post a selection of conductor vacancies on the blog.
I'll update you with my situation when I hear anything new!
Good Luck everybody!
BUT, rather unfortunately, there aren't any vacancies available at the depot I was supposed to go to! Apparently a last minute transfer request was received from a conductor already employed with the TOC, which meant the vacancy had been taken!
I'm reassured that I'm next on the waiting list for the depot, and they will keep in touch with me on a regular basis. I'm also informed that they expect the next Trainee Conductor training course to commence later this year in the Autumn.
Nevertheless I am really pleased and it is definitely something to look forward to! Hopefully the next few months will fly by!
So, for now, my online "application status" says: SUCCESSFUL - ON HOLD.
Looks as though I've come as far as I can. Whilst I'm waiting for a position to become available, I'll post a selection of conductor vacancies on the blog.
I'll update you with my situation when I hear anything new!
Good Luck everybody!
Friday 22 March 2013
The Interview
So I passed the assessments in the morning, meaning I could progress into the afternoon session - the interview...
Competency Related Questions
What do you know about our company?
What have you done to research the role of a conductor?
Where have you gathered this information from?
What do you think the role of a conductor is?
How would you deliver exceptional customer service?
What do you think about working to strict rules and regulations?
Can you give us a specific example of when you have had to work to strict rules and regulations?
Part of a conductor's role will involve selling and checking tickets. What type of rules and regulations do you think exist concerning the handling of cash?
Why do you think we have regulations about handling payments?
Scenario Related Questions
You are the conductor and whilst walking through the train, you come across an irate customer who states that her handbag is missing. What would you do?
Provide an example of when you have had to persuade an uncooperative person to come around to your way of thinking, resulting in a successful or positive outcome for everybody involved.
HR Flexibility & Suitability Questions
Do you hold a driving license / able to get to work without relying on public transport?
Although you have applied for Depot XYZ, what other depots would you be prepared to work at?
What is your current notice period?
Do you have any holidays planned? If so, would you be prepared to cancel/amend them to accommodate any training?
Do you have any medical problems/history which may affect your ability to work on the railway?
Would you be happy to stay in a hotel, at our expense, for during part or all of your training, which could be many miles away from your home?
My Questions
If successful, when and where do you expect training to start?
What does the training consist of?
What opportunities exist to develop my career and skills with your TOC? For example, can staff work toward a qualification like an NVQ?
If unsuccessful, will feedback be available, and who can it be obtained from?
TIP:
Remember the acronym STAR when answering questions based on your experiences!
Situation - Describe the circumstances, what's happened, who's involved. Be specific.
Task - Describe what needed to be done and why.
Actions - Describe what you did, what actions did YOU take?
Result - What happened? Was the outcome successful? What did you learn?
Don't be tempted to lie. You will probably trip yourself up.
It is perfectly acceptable to take your time and think of a genuine example.
Competency Related Questions
What do you know about our company?
What have you done to research the role of a conductor?
Where have you gathered this information from?
What do you think the role of a conductor is?
How would you deliver exceptional customer service?
What do you think about working to strict rules and regulations?
Can you give us a specific example of when you have had to work to strict rules and regulations?
Part of a conductor's role will involve selling and checking tickets. What type of rules and regulations do you think exist concerning the handling of cash?
Why do you think we have regulations about handling payments?
Scenario Related Questions
You are the conductor and whilst walking through the train, you come across an irate customer who states that her handbag is missing. What would you do?
Provide an example of when you have had to persuade an uncooperative person to come around to your way of thinking, resulting in a successful or positive outcome for everybody involved.
HR Flexibility & Suitability Questions
Do you hold a driving license / able to get to work without relying on public transport?
Although you have applied for Depot XYZ, what other depots would you be prepared to work at?
What is your current notice period?
Do you have any holidays planned? If so, would you be prepared to cancel/amend them to accommodate any training?
Do you have any medical problems/history which may affect your ability to work on the railway?
Would you be happy to stay in a hotel, at our expense, for during part or all of your training, which could be many miles away from your home?
My Questions
If successful, when and where do you expect training to start?
What does the training consist of?
What opportunities exist to develop my career and skills with your TOC? For example, can staff work toward a qualification like an NVQ?
If unsuccessful, will feedback be available, and who can it be obtained from?
TIP:
Remember the acronym STAR when answering questions based on your experiences!
Situation - Describe the circumstances, what's happened, who's involved. Be specific.
Task - Describe what needed to be done and why.
Actions - Describe what you did, what actions did YOU take?
Result - What happened? Was the outcome successful? What did you learn?
Don't be tempted to lie. You will probably trip yourself up.
It is perfectly acceptable to take your time and think of a genuine example.
Thursday 21 March 2013
Monday 11 March 2013
The Safe Concentration and Attention Test - SCAAT
Before I attend the Assessment Centre, which, incidentally, is being set up at a rather nice hotel, I have to practice the exercises, or, at least find out what's going to be presented to me.
Helpfully, each Train Operating Company will provide a series of practice assessments, 99% of the time these have been created by a company called OPC Assessment.
I am of the belief that practicing these exercises makes little difference to how you will actually perform on the day. Your ability to:
a) Concentrate;
b) Get to grips with mathematics and;
c) Understand and answer questions about a passage of text
...will probably NOT dramatically improve in the time scale you are facing. For example, if you're hopeless at maths, can you really change that within 1-2 weeks? In my opinion, for a potential trainee conductor, it is probably a good idea that you have these basic skills BEFORE applying. You can only sit (and subsequently fail) these series of tests TWICE, without exception.
On a more positive note, they DO, however, allow you to become familiar with the format and nature of the exercises, and will make you feel a lot more at ease on the day.
You will usually have to sit a series of 3 assessments.
The Concentration Test, (20-30 minutes).
In my case, this will be tested using SCAAT. Some TOCs prefer to use the "dot" test, also known as the "Group Bourdon" assessment. Both are of a similar difficulty, and are not too dissimilar from each other.
SCAAT requires you to identify a specific shape, symbol or letter in a large grid. There are several pages of these grids, and the difficulty increases with each. Eventually, you end up having to search for more than one symbol. The below examples are similar to what will be presented to you, but the real exam will not use letters. It will be a series of similar shapes.
Helpfully, each Train Operating Company will provide a series of practice assessments, 99% of the time these have been created by a company called OPC Assessment.
a) Concentrate;
b) Get to grips with mathematics and;
c) Understand and answer questions about a passage of text
...will probably NOT dramatically improve in the time scale you are facing. For example, if you're hopeless at maths, can you really change that within 1-2 weeks? In my opinion, for a potential trainee conductor, it is probably a good idea that you have these basic skills BEFORE applying. You can only sit (and subsequently fail) these series of tests TWICE, without exception.
On a more positive note, they DO, however, allow you to become familiar with the format and nature of the exercises, and will make you feel a lot more at ease on the day.
You will usually have to sit a series of 3 assessments.
The Concentration Test, (20-30 minutes).
In my case, this will be tested using SCAAT. Some TOCs prefer to use the "dot" test, also known as the "Group Bourdon" assessment. Both are of a similar difficulty, and are not too dissimilar from each other.
SCAAT requires you to identify a specific shape, symbol or letter in a large grid. There are several pages of these grids, and the difficulty increases with each. Eventually, you end up having to search for more than one symbol. The below examples are similar to what will be presented to you, but the real exam will not use letters. It will be a series of similar shapes.
You should NOT usually reach the end of the page in the short time provided If you do, something has went wrong. Whilst the "pass" boundaries are not known, you will normally pass if you complete at least 40-50% of each page with accuracy somewhere between 75% and 100%.
WORK AS QUICKLY AND ACCURATELY AS YOU CAN.
WORK RIGHT TO LEFT.
FOCUS ONLY ON THE LINE YOU ARE UP TO, FORGET ABOUT THE PREVIOUS ONES
Thursday 7 March 2013
Shortlisted!
So my application was completed online back in mid January 2013. The "application tracker" has been showing "Submitted" for a while. I have been checking almost daily for an update. Finally, at the beginning of March an e-mail arrives. With excitement I open up Outlook and read:
 |
| Click to view! |
Fantastic!
Friday 18 January 2013
Stages 1, 2 & 3 - The Application Process
Stage 1 - Find a vacancy
I've found a vacancy I'm really keen to apply for. As with most things in life these days, it's online.
It's important to appreciate that hundreds, if not thousands of people will be interested. There's serious competition.
The good salary, decent working conditions, final salary pension scheme and the rail staff travel concessions available make the role of a trainee conductor extremely attractive.
You should try and sign up to "job alerts" where the TOCs will e-mail you whenever a vacancy is advertised. Spend a few hours a week trawling through the web and keep an eye out.
Early applications are also essential. It is common to hear that once a certain number have been received, the remainder may be totally disregarded.
Stage 2 - Personal Details
Initially, the application process itself was fairly, (very), straightforward, requesting personal details, employment history training, academic record, professional record, (use this section to specify any training relevant to the role), and finally two people who could provide references.
If you can't complete this part, then you might want to think about your suitability! That said, don't become complacent. Make sure you complete the section accurately and honestly. Check, and think about everything twice!
It's gets much harder from here!
Stage 3 - Question Time
The next part of the online application asked me to specify the:
"Reasons for applying for this position"
... with a strict maximum response of 500 words.
This section will make or break your application. For the company I applied for, I've since found out that if the person reviewing your application wasn't hooked after reading the first two lines, you would be rejected. You'll need to provide an immediately confident, enthusiastic introduction to yourself and your reasons for applying. Towards the end, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of the Trainee Conductor position, and how and why you are suited to the role.
Think about:
TIP: Write your answer using Microsoft Word etc., check your spelling, read it through a couple of times, check the word count and finally, copy and paste it all into the application form.
I've found a vacancy I'm really keen to apply for. As with most things in life these days, it's online.
It's important to appreciate that hundreds, if not thousands of people will be interested. There's serious competition.
The good salary, decent working conditions, final salary pension scheme and the rail staff travel concessions available make the role of a trainee conductor extremely attractive.
You should try and sign up to "job alerts" where the TOCs will e-mail you whenever a vacancy is advertised. Spend a few hours a week trawling through the web and keep an eye out.
Early applications are also essential. It is common to hear that once a certain number have been received, the remainder may be totally disregarded.
Stage 2 - Personal Details
Initially, the application process itself was fairly, (very), straightforward, requesting personal details, employment history training, academic record, professional record, (use this section to specify any training relevant to the role), and finally two people who could provide references.
If you can't complete this part, then you might want to think about your suitability! That said, don't become complacent. Make sure you complete the section accurately and honestly. Check, and think about everything twice!
It's gets much harder from here!
Stage 3 - Question Time
The next part of the online application asked me to specify the:
"Reasons for applying for this position"
... with a strict maximum response of 500 words.
This section will make or break your application. For the company I applied for, I've since found out that if the person reviewing your application wasn't hooked after reading the first two lines, you would be rejected. You'll need to provide an immediately confident, enthusiastic introduction to yourself and your reasons for applying. Towards the end, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of the Trainee Conductor position, and how and why you are suited to the role.
Think about:
- The company. Why do you want to work for them? What do you know about them?
- The role. What do you know about the role? What can you bring to the role? What research have you done?
- You. What experience do you have? What do you hope to achieve? Why do you want to be a Trainee Conductor?
TIP: Write your answer using Microsoft Word etc., check your spelling, read it through a couple of times, check the word count and finally, copy and paste it all into the application form.
Tuesday 1 January 2013
Hello!
This blog details the (long) journey to becoming a conductor in Great Britain, with a passenger Train Operating Company, also known as a TOC.
I will update it every time my journey to becoming a conductor progresses, but, the first thing to remember is railway HR departments are not particularly efficient, so progress will be slow!
I hope you find some of it useful! Please feel free to comment and ask any questions along the way!
The Trainee Conductor
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