First Great Western Trainee drivers, Anyone heard back?

[Lanc688]

Aw mate, don't tell me that! lol, 2 days of keyboard bashing, interviews and shark infested custard at cranditz? Heh, those were scary times.

As for my aptitude dates, yeah - not very clear is it? Again just says from the 5th. Lucky my boss is pretty on side and apart from a couple of dates already in my diary I should be able to get a day's leave with less than 24 hours notice...

tone,

On a re-think...no they weren't harder...of course it depended on what role you were after at Cranditz !

That assessment was surreal and dragged out over a great time...of course the Aircrew thing was more 'Leadership' orientated and therefore very different.

Dude...seriously look on the 'Railchat' forum, loads of info if you do a search (am I allowed to mention the competition ?)

Fly safe...assuming you still do ? and good luck !

Lanc

 

[NHG66]

New info. Speaking to a mate who is a driver for FGW out of Oxford, the training course for these positions is looking at starting beginning of November.

So, I have the tests at Reading tomorrow which leaves the Structured interview, the final interview and the medical and enough time to give 4 weeks notice subject of course to being successful. Not a lot of time at all and certainly not the slow process I was anticipating based on what previous threads have suggested.

Also, I was only notified on Friday about tomorrows test, not much time to arrange days off, hope this does not affect anyone else too much.

 

[tlionhart]

...I may have not passed the short listing. Applied on the 26th July and still haven't heard back. It still says short listing. Never mind, I'll keep trying.

 

[NHG66]

...I may have not passed the short listing. Applied on the 26th July and still haven't heard back. It still says short listing. Never mind, I'll keep trying.

Whats your background mate ? If you are unsuccessful this time, try try try again if you really want the job. Perhaps tweak your application next time to align it to what the toc's are looking for, think 'safety' and working to set rules and procedures. Wish you all the best mate.

 

[Bcfc1710]

How often do trainee train driver jobs come up?

 

[tlionhart]

I'm cabin crew. I mention safety and following rules a lot in my application (as thats what my job entails)

As you say, they probably don't go through them in any particular order, they probably just pick a few randoms per each day applicants applied to make the application process fair. Who knows? I will keep trying though. I also phones HR up and she did say I would get an outcome, so I guess there's still a chance.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

I'm cabin crew. I mention safety and following rules a lot in my application (as thats what my job entails)

As you say, they probably don't go through them in any particular order, they probably just pick a few randoms per each day applicants applied to make the application process fair. Who knows? I will keep trying though. I also phones HR up and she did say I would get an outcome, so I guess there's still a chance.

I'm remaining optimistic, but I do have a FCC driver application from February which is still "Awaiting Shortlisting"...

 

[NHG66]

I'm remaining optimistic, but I do have a FCC driver application from February which is still "Awaiting Shortlisting"...

Do people get rejection letters or does everyone go into "awaiting shortlisting" forever ? It would be very unfair for people to be kept waiting for that call that will never come. I am not wanting to dampen your spirits but if it were me, I would be on to them for an update. Jobs don't come to those who sit back, being pro-active is the key. Ask yourself, why would a postion applied for in February still be open and candidates "awaiting shortlisting". I hope I am wrong for your sake mate but I wouldn't be holding out hope.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Do people get rejection letters or does everyone go into "awaiting shortlisting" forever ? It would be very unfair for people to be kept waiting for that call that will never come. I am not wanting to dampen your spirits but if it were me, I would be on to them for an update. Jobs don't come to those who sit back, being pro-active is the key. Ask yourself, why would a postion applied for in February still be open and candidates "awaiting shortlisting". I hope I am wrong for your sake mate but I wouldn't be holding out hope.

I'm not optimistic about that one, I meant the one the thread is based on, sorry.

 

[ash44]

I had an assessment on Tuesday 4th September. Waiting to hear back results wise. Not sure how long it's actually going to be. But from what the assessors on the day said, it was going to be marked then as soon as its marked the results fed back to candidates rather than waiting for all assessments to be completed first.

But however spoke to recruitment general number and they said the opposite. I'm inclined to believe the people who I met on the day rather than a generic careers office.

Makes a more nervous wait as I dont know if its this week or the next till i hear back!

 

[AlexRostron]

Just to throw my 2 pence into the conversation! I took my assessment in Jan this year with FGW (i passes all segments and structured interview and was told that on day) and was told I would hear from them within 2 weeks. It took me almost 2 months of phone calls and emails to get a response from them and I was informed that not as many positions were made available as they originally thought so sorry but they would keep my details and let me know of any future jobs.

Never thought I'd hear from them again but got invited straight to interview for this round of jobs and had interview last week so now waiting to hear again!

It's a long and frustrating process as they are slow to respond to you but from my experience I would say don't give up if you pass assessment but don't get interview chance because assessment is valid for 3 years with ALL TOC's and they may well get back to you for future jobs.

 

[dglondon]

Do people get rejection letters or does everyone go into "awaiting shortlisting" forever ? It would be very unfair for people to be kept waiting for that call that will never come. I am not wanting to dampen your spirits but if it were me, I would be on to them for an update. Jobs don't come to those who sit back, being pro-active is the key. Ask yourself, why would a postion applied for in February still be open and candidates "awaiting shortlisting". I hope I am wrong for your sake mate but I wouldn't be holding out hope.

Hi, I am in a similar position in that I applied for a trainee train driver position back in July for FGW but the status is still showing as awaiting shortlisting. I also applied for the same role for Southern Rail back in July, and relatively quickly got a reply back to say I had passed shortlisting and that they would be in touch soon to advise on the next step. However, I have since heard nothing back from either TOC's.

From posts on this forum I am aware that several people have already got as far as the managers interview for both these positions, so I am fully expecting a rejection email at some point. The worst thing is the not knowing. I have contacted both companies and just been told the usual and that that they will get back to me at some point.

Because of this I am kind of losing the motivation to continue with my preparation as it seems a bit pointless at the moment - but then the worst thing would be to suddenly get a phone call inviting me to an assessment in a few day's and not being prepared. Some people on here have said that they are kept waiting for many months and then suddenly receive a call for an assessment or interview with just a few day's notice. It's not really possible for me to devote maximum time to preparation for months and months on end with no end in sight, as I have a full time job, a family and other commitments. I really do want the role but would like to have a decent amount of notice so that I can prepare well for it and give it a good go.

I was just wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation (or has been). How long do they normally keep people hanging on before letting them have a decision. Has anyone passed shortlisting before but then just been left at that even though you know that the TOC are busy inviting others to assessments and interviews, and in some cases the training has also commenced?

 

[ash44]

Hi, I am in a similar position in that I applied for a trainee train driver position back in July for FGW but the status is still showing as awaiting shortlisting. I also applied for the same role for Southern Rail back in July, and relatively quickly got a reply back to say I had passed shortlisting and that they would be in touch soon to advise on the next step. However, I have since heard nothing back from either TOC's.

From posts on this forum I am aware that several people have already got as far as the managers interview for both these positions, so I am fully expecting a rejection email at some point. The worst thing is the not knowing. I have contacted both companies and just been told the usual and that that they will get back to me at some point.

Because of this I am kind of losing the motivation to continue with my preparation as it seems a bit pointless at the moment - but then the worst thing would be to suddenly get a phone call inviting me to an assessment in a few day's and not being prepared. Some people on here have said that they are kept waiting for many months and then suddenly receive a call for an assessment or interview with just a few day's notice. It's not really possible for me to devote maximum time to preparation for months and months on end with no end in sight, as I have a full time job, a family and other commitments. I really do want the role but would like to have a decent amount of notice so that I can prepare well for it and give it a good go.

I was just wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation (or has been). How long do they normally keep people hanging on before letting them have a decision. Has anyone passed shortlisting before but then just been left at that even though you know that the TOC are busy inviting others to assessments and interviews, and in some cases the training has also commenced?

Its not black and white really I'm afraid. TOC's dont contact you because theyre not interested in either you or recruiting more people.

If they do contact you, its because they're looking for staff again, so important to be top of the game to make sure you dont get put to the back of the pile.

And I spent around 3 hours preparing for my assessment. Thats all it needs, few practices on each of the types of questions until you understand them. If you haven't got it, you just haven't got it and regardless of practice you'll never be finishing in the top % you need to get the job.

Relax, you will be given days notice at the very least for assessment. Chase them up, ask to speak to the HR manager.

 

[Fragiledog]

Just did the first part of the assessment today, only did the dot test (on paper o.o) and the two part trainability test. Seems there's no Mechanical Apptitude test, and we'll be doing the reaction and interview at a part 2, if we get though :X.

Was pretty simple for part 1, I still think my biggest problem will be with the interview .

 

[NHG66]

Just did the first part of the assessment today, only did the dot test (on paper o.o) and the two part trainability test. Seems there's no Mechanical Apptitude test, and we'll be doing the reaction and interview at a part 2, if we get though :X.

Was pretty simple for part 1, I still think my biggest problem will be with the interview .

Where did you do the tests ? Were there any other groups today ?

 

[Fragiledog]

I did it in Reading, I think there might have been one before us, dunno if there was one after. Wasn't too interested tbh :P

 

[NHG66]

Did they tell you when to expect the results ?

Last Wednesday we were told that we would know in 2-3 days and stage 2 would be from 13-19th or thereabouts. I am guessing that perhaps the timings have slipped somewhat.

 

[Fragiledog]

They said the same to us as well, that stage 2 is from the 13th and we'd get results as soon as possible

 

[NHG66]

Got home last night and two answerphone messages to call FGW resourcing to arrange stage 2. Looks like I passed the paper tests then

 

[ash44]

I was also a little suprised at doing dots test on paper. Makes sense though because the PC's with software are at reading and newport.

The information pack didnt clarify but lead me to believe we were doing all of the tests and interview in the afternoon. This is being done this way simply because of the number of applicants to give everyone a fair chance and save money.

Last time FGW recruited drivers that I know of they paid for travel tickets to newport via train (travel pass) and lunch during the 1 day event.

I've 'heard' there are around 60-70 each day in applicants and I would hazard a guess to say 5-6days, so estimated 300-420 at least.

 

[NHG66]

Stage 2, reactions tests and Structured interview booked for this Friday

 

[macncheese]

Has anyone from the assessment on Monday afternoon (10/09) heard anything yet?

 

[Fragiledog]

I had monday lunchtime (11.45) and haven't heard anything yet

 

[macncheese]

Yeah that's the one I was in to. I was expecting to hear something by today I guess they'll let us know as soon as they can. Ill send them an email tomorrow as the not knowing is killing me!

 

[barrykas]

Had mine on the afternoon of the 5th in Reading (applied for Paddington), no news as yet here either.

 

[ash44]

I got my results but got a borderline result in the group bourdon test. So didn't progress to the next stage. Very frustrated and disappointed mind..

I got very good pass in TRP and Dials test. Trying to find out at the moment how close I was and if it was not completing enough of the paper or mistakes that marked me down on dots test.

I was unfortunately expecting a PC test, then crammed against a wall and unable to actually have the paper unfolded correctly, then the table I was on was being rocked throughout the dots test so much I was ready to strangle the person next to me. Heres hoping they didn't get through. lol

Can't say anything once the test has started and can't really moan as its a test of concentration anyway, just unfair as it was only me with the added distraction!

Good luck to everyone else waiting for results, I was checking my emails 5 times a day at least, so I know how bad it is waiting!

 

[tone]

Aw sorry to hear that. Never mind, keep pushing for it - its still a pass so i don't think this counts towards your 2 strikes (or does FGW see that differently, anyone?). Keep practising, keep trying, you'll get it.

Do you remember how much of the sheet you completed? Apparently its possible to pass having only completed half of each sheet. If you did much more than this then you maybe need to slow down to improve accuracy and consistency.

How were you doing on your practice attempts at this?

 

[notadriver]

My pencil broke during the group bourdon dots test and I lost time requesting another. Oh well ...

 

[NHG66]

Aw sorry to hear that. Never mind, keep pushing for it - its still a pass so i don't think this counts towards your 2 strikes (or does FGW see that differently, anyone?). Keep practising, keep trying, you'll get it.

Do you remember how much of the sheet you completed? Apparently its possible to pass having only completed half of each sheet. If you did much more than this then you maybe need to slow down to improve accuracy and consistency.

How were you doing on your practice attempts at this?

Did my Reaction tests and Structured interview today. the tester stated clearly that a borderline pass will not count against you with another TOC.

Sorry for the bad news mate.

 

[Fragiledog]

I got my results but got a borderline result in the group bourdon test. So didn't progress to the next stage. Very frustrated and disappointed mind..

I got very good pass in TRP and Dials test. Trying to find out at the moment how close I was and if it was not completing enough of the paper or mistakes that marked me down on dots test.

I was unfortunately expecting a PC test, then crammed against a wall and unable to actually have the paper unfolded correctly, then the table I was on was being rocked throughout the dots test so much I was ready to strangle the person next to me. Heres hoping they didn't get through. lol

Can't say anything once the test has started and can't really moan as its a test of concentration anyway, just unfair as it was only me with the added distraction!

Good luck to everyone else waiting for results, I was checking my emails 5 times a day at least, so I know how bad it is waiting!

How did you find out what passes you got? I just got a welcome to the next stage, no break down .

My pencil broke during the group bourdon dots test and I lost time requesting another. Oh well ...

Didn't you have two? We got told to use the pen since we had to press down hard.

Did my Reaction tests and Structured interview today. the tester stated clearly that a borderline pass will not count against you with another TOC.

How scary was it? Dreading the interview tbh