Virgin CSA onboard - Chester.

[Softsofa]

Hello
I was wondering if anyone had heard anything back regarding this position. I have logged in today and my status has changed to candidate processing. I was hoping someone could let me know what this means. I'm assuming it just means the application is getting looked at.
Thanks in advance.

 

[sw1ller]

Hello
I was wondering if anyone had heard anything back regarding this position. I have logged in today and my status has changed to candidate processing. I was hoping someone could let me know what this means. I'm assuming it just means the application is getting looked at.
Thanks in advance.

Yes, this is correct, hundreds of people apply and it just takes time to process all the applications. This being said, I have just heard back today that I am through to the selection event on the 26th, which is the day I was due back from holiday but I'll be catching an earlier flight now.

Good luck to you.

 

[Softsofa]

Yes, this is correct, hundreds of people apply and it just takes time to process all the applications. This being said, I have just heard back today that I am through to the selection event on the 26th, which is the day I was due back from holiday but I'll be catching an earlier flight now.

Good luck to you.

Thanks for the reply. I will just have to wait and see. Congratulations on getting through!

 

[sw1ller]

Thanks for the reply. I will just have to wait and see. Congratulations on getting through!

Thank you very much, I must confess that this will be my third attempt. I went for CSA in Manchester in 2010 and actually got the job but it was pulled at the last minute. In 2012 I got to the last interview for station platform staff at crewe and now this one which as you can see from my location is the on I really want. Lets hope there is more than the one job going this time.
Again, all the best to you.

 

[Jen275]

I have also applied for this position, when I submitted my application they emailed back saying that due to a high number of applications it may take some time to screen my application. Really want to hear, would be made up to get an interview. My status also reads 'candidate processing'. Fingers crossed we hear something soon!!

 

[sw1ller]

I have also applied for this position, when I submitted my application they emailed back saying that due to a high number of applications it may take some time to screen my application. Really want to hear, would be made up to get an interview. My status also reads 'candidate processing'. Fingers crossed we hear something soon!!

Good luck to you too Jen

 

[Softsofa]

Thank you very much, I must confess that this will be my third attempt. I went for CSA in Manchester in 2010 and actually got the job but it was pulled at the last minute. In 2012 I got to the last interview for station platform staff at crewe and now this one which as you can see from my location is the on I really want. Lets hope there is more than the one job going this time.
Again, all the best to you.

You must have something they like! I don't think ill get an interview but ill keep trying.

Jen good luck. Let us know if you hear anything, I will also.

 

[sw1ller]

You must have something they like! I don't think ill get an interview but ill keep trying.

Jen good luck. Let us know if you hear anything, I will also.

Well here's hoping eh. Either that or there's something they don't like after a bit of thought...... Gotta keep that glass half full eh.

I keep saying it but good luck with this.

 

[TDK]

Thank you very much, I must confess that this will be my third attempt. I went for CSA in Manchester in 2010 and actually got the job but it was pulled at the last minute. In 2012 I got to the last interview for station platform staff at crewe and now this one which as you can see from my location is the on I really want. Lets hope there is more than the one job going this time.
Again, all the best to you.

I thought you had applied for a drivers role?

 

[sw1ller]

I thought you had applied for a drivers role?

I have but FTPE are keeping me on hold. I've seen lots of people getting assessments and what not so I have to think of other ways of getting into the rail industry. I've applied a fair few times to Virgin and it is a job i'd be very happy in so why not. Plus its in Chester so I could stay at my address and cycle into work everyday which is a bonus.

All in all TDK, I just want to get into the railways and I don't care how. As long as i'm enjoying my job then that's all that matters to me.

 

[Jen275]

How did the assessment day go? Was there many people there? I never ever heard anything back regarding my application. Gonna keep an eye out for any future vacancies though. Gotta keep trying

 

[sw1ller]

Hi jen, thanks for asking. There were about 12 or 13 people there altogether but after the first 2 tests that went down to 5. Then we had the group discussion which I have to say went very well for all 5 people. The level of quality of the other 4 candidates there was a bit overwhelming if im honest. One spoke and taught mandarin, one knew everyone there everyone was lovely..... Im not holding my breath.

My interview went poorly to ok I think. Properly let myself down. I had all the answers going in but my mouth dried up and I was finding it had to concentrate and ended up giving mediocre answers after thinking the good answers I had prepared weren't good enough. Don't know what I was thinking really. Anyway, time to forget about it now until next week when I get the e-mail.

Just keep trying, on the application, make sure to use all the spaces provided with the best examples you can think of. They get hundreds of applicants for each role and a computer (I assume) does most f the weeding out so you need as many points on that system as you can. Good luck in the future.

 

[Jen275]

Ah well think positive, you never know. You've obviously done well enough to get to the interview stage so they must like you and I'm sure they will take into account the fact your nervous, it's to be expected. I got an email this morning just saying that due to the overwhelming response to the vacancy they cannot process my application further. Will be sure to keep a look out though and spend more time on the application next time. I only noticed the vacancy 2 days before the closing date so it was a bit of a rush to complete it and get it sent before they took it down. Next time i'll get it sent as soon as the vacancy is posted. I've worked as cabin crew for 5 years so hopefully my experience there will be an advantage. Good luck anyway, hope you get some good news!

 

[sw1ller]

Ah well think positive, you never know. You've obviously done well enough to get to the interview stage so they must like you and I'm sure they will take into account the fact your nervous, it's to be expected. I got an email this morning just saying that due to the overwhelming response to the vacancy they cannot process my application further. Will be sure to keep a look out though and spend more time on the application next time. I only noticed the vacancy 2 days before the closing date so it was a bit of a rush to complete it and get it sent before they took it down. Next time i'll get it sent as soon as the vacancy is posted. I've worked as cabin crew for 5 years so hopefully my experience there will be an advantage. Good luck anyway, hope you get some good news!

Sounds like you have a lot of experience then, what I did was copy my answers to Word and expanded on them from there. You should still be able to see your application if you log into Virgin now, get it saved in a new folder and come up with the best answers you can now. The application wont change, I used the exact same one for this job as I did for the Crewe one last year. In the examples try to have as much variety as possible, don't just use examples from being cabin crew if possible. The main reason I say this is because from what I've heard, they have many applications from ex cabin crew. So to stand out from these I would suggest distancing yourself from it a bit. Obviously don't ignore it as its a very good background to come from. That's just my thinking anyway. Trying to think outside the box.

Anyway, hope this helps in a small way. I'm sure you will be great at the job, its just that initial sift and its bloody hard to get through it and stand out. Good luck Jen.

 

[Jen275]

Thanks very much for the advice, I will save my application and try and think of better and more varied answers next time as I did struggle with thinking of examples. Thanks again, it helps to get some tips off others.

 

[pinguini]

Hi jen, thanks for asking. There were about 12 or 13 people there altogether but after the first 2 tests that went down to 5. Then we had the group discussion which I have to say went very well for all 5 people. The level of quality of the other 4 candidates there was a bit overwhelming if im honest. One spoke and taught mandarin, one knew everyone there everyone was lovely..... Im not holding my breath.

My interview went poorly to ok I think. Properly let myself down. I had all the answers going in but my mouth dried up and I was finding it had to concentrate and ended up giving mediocre answers after thinking the good answers I had prepared weren't good enough. Don't know what I was thinking really. Anyway, time to forget about it now until next week when I get the e-mail.

Just keep trying, on the application, make sure to use all the spaces provided with the best examples you can think of. They get hundreds of applicants for each role and a computer (I assume) does most f the weeding out so you need as many points on that system as you can. Good luck in the future.

I think the majority of people going through the assessments will be nervous, so they must take into account with that. I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the process.

Any advice for someone going to a Virgin assessment in the near future, for preperation?

 

[sw1ller]

I think the majority of people going through the assessments will be nervous, so they must take into account with that. I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the process.

Any advice for someone going to a Virgin assessment in the near future, for preperation?

Do a lot of reading, properly boring stuff like manuals for the toaster and kettle ect. then testing your self on the mundane of it like, I don't know, what hazards to avoid. I think that might help when it comes to the English part of it. The math part is simple really. practice on a Nintendo DS. count out change, look at timetables.

Group discussion, well ive commented on that, not much to say really. and the interview I cant help anyone with unless I get a yes next week.

Just relax, smile and have fun, no point going in with your back up. Its a nice relaxing day and the environment is very nice too.