this isnt how it happened for me last time , they called me , bit unusual
fingers crossed for you
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London Midland assessment day
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this isnt how it happened for me last time , they called me , bit unusual
fingers crossed for you
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I don't think I've made myself very clear here, they want me to email them with an appropriate time for them to call me early next week (as thats when my file is available to them).
As an outsider I don't know if this is normal practice or not. As someone who tends to stick in 1 place for a long time I don't have a lot of experience of rejection and not many companies even offer feedback. When I have had feedback before its been supplied by email so you can see why I'm bemused!
As an outsider I don't know if this is normal practice or not. As someone who tends to stick in 1 place for a long time I don't have a lot of experience of rejection and not many companies even offer feedback. When I have had feedback before its been supplied by email so you can see why I'm bemused!
ahh well i can only tell you what happened to me , i got a call but i cant remember if it was arranged or not , it was quite in depth the feedback , at that time there wasnt many jobs up for grabs , but they went through my answers on interview and how they scored it ,
it boiled down to two questions that i slipped up on , one was about london midland themselves , who owns them , where they run etc , i didnt know who owned them ( govia )
the second was a situation , drunk passenger on train being abusive , what would i do , i said id try and defuse the situation if possible and if not have them removed and i added what company guide lines permit , but they wanted me to think more about the other passengers ie maybe move people away further down the train
but i was told even with these answers and the rest of my interview was very good i scored poorly on the first question and it boiled down to points or score
i took it on the chin and it wasnt easy lol and tried again and this time ive made it
oddly enough they didnt ask either question this time round lol but i did notice the format changed somewhat , but i told them at the time id be back and i am lol
what i would ask is can you apply again and the timescales for that , youve passed the assessments , from what i can gather they are recruiting throughout the year , dont give up buddy im glad i didnt
Hi guys, bit off topic here but should be useful to some peeps...
I had a combined assessment/interview for the role of Retail Travel Advisor last month, had an Email back within one week informing me I'd not been successful, with no indication on what section/interview/assessment.
I reapplied and have another assessment/interview soon, so just out of curiosity, how many questions were people getting through on the three tests? (The selling/verbal tests etc, not the bourdon test)
I got through all the verbal questions, about 16 of the selling test questions, and 12 of the cashing up Qs. 8 mintues each.
12 out of 20 felt like a poor performance, but others were saying they only made it to 8-10 questions? Is it designed this way?
Cheers
I had a combined assessment/interview for the role of Retail Travel Advisor last month, had an Email back within one week informing me I'd not been successful, with no indication on what section/interview/assessment.
I reapplied and have another assessment/interview soon, so just out of curiosity, how many questions were people getting through on the three tests? (The selling/verbal tests etc, not the bourdon test)
I got through all the verbal questions, about 16 of the selling test questions, and 12 of the cashing up Qs. 8 mintues each.
12 out of 20 felt like a poor performance, but others were saying they only made it to 8-10 questions? Is it designed this way?
Cheers
ahh well i can only tell you what happened to me , i got a call but i cant remember if it was arranged or not , it was quite in depth the feedback , at that time there wasnt many jobs up for grabs , but they went through my answers on interview and how they scored it ,
it boiled down to two questions that i slipped up on , one was about london midland themselves , who owns them , where they run etc , i didnt know who owned them ( govia )
the second was a situation , drunk passenger on train being abusive , what would i do , i said id try and defuse the situation if possible and if not have them removed and i added what company guide lines permit , but they wanted me to think more about the other passengers ie maybe move people away further down the train
but i was told even with these answers and the rest of my interview was very good i scored poorly on the first question and it boiled down to points or score
i took it on the chin and it wasnt easy lol and tried again and this time ive made it
oddly enough they didnt ask either question this time round lol but i did notice the format changed somewhat , but i told them at the time id be back and i am lol
what i would ask is can you apply again and the timescales for that , youve passed the assessments , from what i can gather they are recruiting throughout the year , dont give up buddy im glad i didnt
Thanks for that very helpful. As an outsider they were very kind to me in the interview and were to keen to emphasize I wouldn't be marked down for not knowing jargon and specific terminology.
I'm not free during office hours for them to ring me sadly until next Thursday but I will let you all know what they say.
RJ
Established Member
I find it's possible to complete the ticket selling and the verbal tests in the given time.
In the past, I've done the cashing up test and managed 18 out of 20, because I chose to skip two timewasting questions where you have to add up several cheques for rather random amounts.
I wouldn't worry about the pass mark - I think it's normally around 20%. You need to be good at mental arithmetic to do the job, otherwise you will end up having lots of surpluses and losses and get the sack!
plastictaffy
Member
Very unusual that, Roverman. They rung me one afternoon on the off-chance when they offered me the job. Luckily I had to get up to pick my kids up from school - I was a perma-night worker til the new year. (Best thing I ever did, moving to days!!)
I'm not being funny, and I obviously don't know your personal circumstances, but I'd make myself available for them to ring when they like, tbh. It's not gonna be a "thanks but no thanks, I wouldn't have thought. How many jobs have you ever applied for that you've had a phonecall to say you didn't get it?? You either hear nothing, or you get a "Dear John" about three weeks after the closing date. I don't see that it can be bad news, personally. Unless you've failed and they want to give you feedback - but then again if you didn't ask for it, they wouldn't phone with you it, I wouldn't have thought.
What they've done is certainly not normal practice!!
Anybody else shed any light on that??
I'm not being funny, and I obviously don't know your personal circumstances, but I'd make myself available for them to ring when they like, tbh. It's not gonna be a "thanks but no thanks, I wouldn't have thought. How many jobs have you ever applied for that you've had a phonecall to say you didn't get it?? You either hear nothing, or you get a "Dear John" about three weeks after the closing date. I don't see that it can be bad news, personally. Unless you've failed and they want to give you feedback - but then again if you didn't ask for it, they wouldn't phone with you it, I wouldn't have thought.
What they've done is certainly not normal practice!!
Anybody else shed any light on that??
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The problem is in my current job I work office hours and can't always set my lunch break and I doubt that they'd ring me when I get home at 6.30 at night!
I've found the whole experience very unusual as I have never waited 5 months from applying to getting rejected. Its all taken a very very long time but as others have said this does sound intriguing so hopefully it'll be positive!
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Oh and to add insult to injury the email address is now bouncing!
I've found the whole experience very unusual as I have never waited 5 months from applying to getting rejected. Its all taken a very very long time but as others have said this does sound intriguing so hopefully it'll be positive!
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Oh and to add insult to injury the email address is now bouncing!
its feels like your in the same boat i was , i got the no last march/april but the feedback was positive and i was encouraged to try again ..
ive got a feeling you can try again as soon as they open the next round of intakes up again , ive been told a few times that they are recruiting through the year , so id be prepared for another go shortly
think about what you want to ask when they call , even write your questions down
me and plastictaffy are both examples of try try again
and this is my 2nd time back on the job , its worth the effort buddy
monty9120
Member
- Joined
- 10 Jan 2012
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- 125
i have finally had an email to attend my interview. does anyone have any tips what they ask. i am a little nervous 
i have finally had an email to attend my interview. does anyone have any tips what they ask. i am a little nervous
Hoping to receive this email soon as well! I've been waiting since November, I rang up yesterday and was told I'd get an email 'within two weeks' and that the last batches of Interviews will be Feb/March... for anyone else still waiting who might be wondering!
They did say I was in pretty much the last group to be invited to interview though.
plastictaffy
Member
Try this e-mail address - recruitadmin@londonmidland.com
Or you could try ringing them. Doing that would prolly sort out what they're up to. This is a telephone number I KNOW works - I've rung it myself. 0121 654 1143
In my eyes, if they wanna speak to you, it's worth finding out what they want. Perhaps you could give them your mobile number - they could get you on that whilst you're at work?? I know you're prolly not supposed to answer it at work, neither am I, but a sudden urge to run to the bog when the phone rings, is, I find, a happy coincidence.
Or you could try ringing them. Doing that would prolly sort out what they're up to. This is a telephone number I KNOW works - I've rung it myself. 0121 654 1143
In my eyes, if they wanna speak to you, it's worth finding out what they want. Perhaps you could give them your mobile number - they could get you on that whilst you're at work?? I know you're prolly not supposed to answer it at work, neither am I, but a sudden urge to run to the bog when the phone rings, is, I find, a happy coincidence.
i have finally had an email to attend my interview. does anyone have any tips what they ask. i am a little nervous
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Try this e-mail address - recruitadmin@londonmidland.com
Or you could try ringing them. Doing that would prolly sort out what they're up to. This is a telephone number I KNOW works - I've rung it myself. 0121 654 1143
In my eyes, if they wanna speak to you, it's worth finding out what they want. Perhaps you could give them your mobile number - they could get you on that whilst you're at work?? I know you're prolly not supposed to answer it at work, neither am I, but a sudden urge to run to the bog when the phone rings, is, I find, a happy coincidence.
I've told them roughly when my lunch break should be, but really they should be patient, after all I'm not on their dollar.
SJN
Member
Well, it's my last week at work then I have two weeks off to rest and prepare for the conductor course. Really looking forward to it. Does anybody know if we do the PTS exam straight away? I'm worried I won't pass that now after coming this far. Hopefully all will be fine. Looking forward to meeting some you in a few weeks anyway.
Hi SJN. PTS really isn't too complicated as long as you use your common sense. Just make sure you listen to everything you're told, ask questions if you're unsure and read any handouts you're issued with. Enjoy your time off, relax and look forward to your exciting new career!
SJN
Member
Hi. Thanks for that. I imagine it's not too hard really. It's just been a long process and I don't want to cock it up now. Hopefully my break between jobs will mean I am well rested and ready to start learning again. Cant wait to start though.
Well done James welcome to the railway!
hi there i see you attented the interview for london midland last year was wondering if you could give me some info please as going this week for train conductor many thanks
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hi mate any tips on interview ???
Hi Gunning7,I passed my interview and was offered a start at Bletchley,which I turned down as it was too far to travel and then last week they offered me Watford,with training starting on April 8th,which I have accepted.
With regards to the interview I found it a very relaxed process.They go through your C.V. and ask about how you have dealt with difficult customers,have some examples ready in your mind.Try and be relaxed and confident,without appearing cocky.Also try and use some examples of where you have been pro-active in your work,when dealing with problems.
Good luck and try and enjoy yourself,as this will come across in the interview.
With regards to the interview I found it a very relaxed process.They go through your C.V. and ask about how you have dealt with difficult customers,have some examples ready in your mind.Try and be relaxed and confident,without appearing cocky.Also try and use some examples of where you have been pro-active in your work,when dealing with problems.
Good luck and try and enjoy yourself,as this will come across in the interview.
Thats Good James nice1! Yeah I went to the same assessments but havent heard anything yet so are all possitions taken?
I have now had my feedback call from LM. To be honest I think due to the volume of quality applications they had to be very picky, they claim over 1000 people applied for the 25 or so positions. They were very pleased overall with the strength of my application, particularly for someone outside the industry and the only things they could mark down on where the depth of detail I gave in 2 of the answers. They have also encouraged me to apply again.
I think we spend the first 3 weeks at Birmingham and then another 2 weeks there at some stage and then the rest will be spent at your station or nearest training centre,for me it will be Bletchley.So yes I will see you on the 8th April.
plastictaffy
Member
Really excited now. Got 2 more weeks to work at my current employer, earlies next week, then lates, to finish on the 22nd, all ready to start on the 25th. Been doing a bit of research on another website (sorry, I don't have the address) of my own to see exactly what's entailed with the training.
It would appear to be three days in Brum for brainwashing.....sorry, induction, followed by 2 days of PTS - I assume that will be either Northampton or Bletchley - Northampton would be nice, I'd be able to get the bus to work!!
From what I can gather, after that, it's out with a mentor to really learn the job, interspersed with days in the classroom learning rules and regs, with the odd exam slung in for good measure.
For those of us (myself included) that are supposed to be based at Bletchley - I don't think that will be for long, as they are re-building Northampton station, starting next month, which has a HUGE staff area. It would make sense for us to be based there once the work is done, especially with the depot being at King's Heath now.
I also heard through a reasonably reliable source (my father, still with his finger on the pulse of all things LM, even after three years retired!!) that those based at BLY and NPT will also be expected to do the Euston - Crewe, and Euston - Lime Street, which will make a nice change from Euston - New Street.
It would appear to be three days in Brum for brainwashing.....sorry, induction, followed by 2 days of PTS - I assume that will be either Northampton or Bletchley - Northampton would be nice, I'd be able to get the bus to work!!
From what I can gather, after that, it's out with a mentor to really learn the job, interspersed with days in the classroom learning rules and regs, with the odd exam slung in for good measure.
For those of us (myself included) that are supposed to be based at Bletchley - I don't think that will be for long, as they are re-building Northampton station, starting next month, which has a HUGE staff area. It would make sense for us to be based there once the work is done, especially with the depot being at King's Heath now.
I also heard through a reasonably reliable source (my father, still with his finger on the pulse of all things LM, even after three years retired!!) that those based at BLY and NPT will also be expected to do the Euston - Crewe, and Euston - Lime Street, which will make a nice change from Euston - New Street.
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i really enjoyed my training last time , allthough it was more involved as i did freight work aswell , i dont think we will have the same route learning as i did last time and i hear we dont even protect the train ie putting dets down at a mile etc etc as we used to , but who knows eh , i remember days out all over the place like up to bristol somewhere to see semaphore signaling , even a day doing fire extinguisher training which was good fun , i think it will be safety , rules and regs and tickets tickets tickets lol
we used to go as far as wolverhampton once apon a time , there was one turn which was empty all the way down to wolverhampton ( sleep ) from bly , then work the train to euston , empty to tring , back up and then pass home
sweet !!
i do wish they still did the freight work as it was a nice change , oh and once i even worked the postal train which was different lol
its a good time to join and some big changes coming perhaps , im really looking forward to it
warriorofrovac
Member
- Joined
- 23 Feb 2006
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Received an email a few days ago inviting me to an interview.
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