Passed tests with Southern today, got DM interview tomorrow

[theageofthetra]

Thanks to all the help and advice on here I got through today and now have the DM, CBI and medical to get past next.

One aspect that is starting to concern me is that of the three others who made it through to the interview stage all of them except me have worked in safety critical jobs (Police, and another TOC as train crew)

I come from a banking and finance background so other than financial safety and risk I can only find some examples from my personal life (normally around scrapes I have got into whilst travelling or renovating my flat!)

Does anyone else think I am being overtly concerned and any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks again for all who helped me get through the last week.

Cheers.

 

[TDF]

Just try your best, it's all you can do

 

[theageofthetra]

Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it. Cheers
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Well that was very hard to judge how it went. I must have interviewed 200+ people over the years but its quite a shock to be back on the other side of the desk. I thought both the DM's were great and would really like to work with them.

Fingers crossed, I should hear next week.

 

[Iwillbeadriver]

Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it. Cheers
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well that was very hard to judge how it went. I must have interviewed 200+ people over the years but its quite a shock to be back on the other side of the desk. I thought both the DM's were great and would really like to work with them.

Fingers crossed, I should hear next week.

I've got everything crossed for you!! I have an assessment at Knolly's next Friday so if you can give me any insider info I would really appreciate it!

 

[TDK]

Thanks to all the help and advice on here I got through today and now have the DM, CBI and medical to get past next.

One aspect that is starting to concern me is that of the three others who made it through to the interview stage all of them except me have worked in safety critical jobs (Police, and another TOC as train crew)

I come from a banking and finance background so other than financial safety and risk I can only find some examples from my personal life (normally around scrapes I have got into whilst travelling or renovating my flat!)

Does anyone else think I am being overtly concerned and any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks again for all who helped me get through the last week.

Cheers.

I think you worrying about other candidates and their qualities will only make you more anxious, concentrate on yourself I think will be best for you.

 

[Vicpaul]

Positive mental attitude. Worry about what you can give to the company not them

 

[theageofthetra]

Well i certainly hope I came across as positive. I really hope my 20+ years in client facing roles was important to them!

 

[Urban Gateline]

Have you heard anything back yet mate?

 

[theageofthetra]

Hi I have not heard yet. I rang HR today and was told they would call me back. I was also told that they have quite a few members of staff off at the moment. HR also confirmed that the start date for the Sept course has been pushed back to 23/9 if I was successful. This might explain why there is less of a rush.

 

[Rhaun]

I am the Policeman that you mention. I am sure that you will be fine. It is one thing being in a safety critical role, but being able to put this across effectively in interview is something else, and I really am not good in interviews! I had my DM int last Monday. Still waiting to hear the results. A very loooong and nervous wait!

Best of luck to you though!

 

[theageofthetra]

Cheers! Feel less bad about not hearing now. I think they are in less of a rush now the start date has been pushed back. Does that help you with the notice period at the Met?

 

[Rhaun]

Not in the Met, am in Kent Police. Notice period is gonna be tricky as Policy states 1 month, which will now have past for the 23/09 course. I believe that they said that there is a course starting in November also?
I would have preferred the 23/09 course, but this is of course by no means as a presumption that I will get that far. This is my first time applying for the role so I wouldn't be surprised if they knock me back just to see if I reapply in the future to test how keen I am. If I have past the DM int then there is still the SI and the medical. All feels like a very long way away.

We shall see.

 

[Vicpaul]

The DM interview is the hardest part, get past that its plain sailing

 

[theageofthetra]

Vicpaul-This is why I am concerned about some doing the CBI interview first. If they pass that then fail the DM they have at least passed the assessment and can go elsewhere with a pass ( not sure how the changes in Oct affect that?) If those of us that sat the DM interview fail that, and of course I hope we don't! Where does that leave us? Presumably we won't get to sit the CBI and we have therefore not completed and passed the assessment. I am loathed to call HR again as they are clearly very busy at the moment.

 

[Vicpaul]

I wouldn't worry to much there are a lot of drivers required and when I say a lot I mean a lot

 

[Rhaun]

I am loathed to call HR again as they are clearly very busy at the moment.

lol, I shouldn't worry about the amount that you have contacted them fella. I called them every day after my interview for updates. Left one answer phone message and spoke to a lady twice. The message never got answered and the lady said they would call me back, which they didn't. I also sent an email which I have had no response to. They'll be getting an injunction on me soon to stop badgering them!
I am not sure how many days of assessments/interviews they have left. They made it sound all urgent when we had our assessment days and I was just wanting to know incase I need to try and squeeze more time off for other trips to London.

Am I being keen, or a royal pain in the backside. Time will tell I guess

 

[clarebear99]

Which depots are have you all applied for? I had my assessment and DM interview last month, there where 2 jobs going at Barnham depot.... Heard back from the DM and sadly I came 3rd. 2 internal candidates got it (I was external)

I have now applied for a conductors job that they have just advertised so fingers crossed for that!!

 

[theageofthetra]

The job was advertised as being at Selhurst but I have been advised that they are at Norwood (which is part of Selhurst) and Victoria.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well chased HR again today and got the same 'we will call you back' line. Has anyone else heard back from their DM interview?

 

[Vicpaul]

Don't worry pal, they are still conducting interviews.

If they gave you a probable start date explain you need to hand in your notice with sufficient time it may hurry them along

 

[theageofthetra]

Well just spoke to HR today and have been advised that I didn't get past the DM interview. Needless to say I am gutted as I thought I gave the best possible responses for someone who had not worked in a safety critical role before. I was advised that they had been inundated with applicants including some who had driven before. I have e-mailed them and asked for feedback, including what the scoring was. Once I have this feedback I will be in a better position to know what went wrong. I was also advised that as I had passed the bulk of the assessment if I applied again I would only have to sit the CBI part, plus any new elements due to the nationwide changes. I was also advised that there was no requirement to wait for six months.

Thanks to all on here who gave me advice and helped me, I am just not sure where to go from here.

 

[Urban Gateline]

Well just spoke to HR today and have been advised that I didn't get past the DM interview. Needless to say I am gutted as I thought I gave the best possible responses for someone who had not worked in a safety critical role before. I was advised that they had been inundated with applicants including some who had driven before. I have e-mailed them and asked for feedback, including what the scoring was. Once I have this feedback I will be in a better position to know what went wrong. I was also advised that as I had passed the bulk of the assessment if I applied again I would only have to sit the CBI part, plus any new elements due to the nationwide changes. I was also advised that there was no requirement to wait for six months.

Thanks to all on here who gave me advice and helped me, I am just not sure where to go from here.

So sorry to hear that mate I'm quite surprised they haven't contacted people with the results of the interviews rather than you having to call them to chase them up! (seeing as the interviews were over 3 weeks ago now!)

 

[evoice]

Very much surprised here as well.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Well just spoke to HR today and have been advised that I didn't get past the DM interview. Needless to say I am gutted as I thought I gave the best possible responses for someone who had not worked in a safety critical role before. I was advised that they had been inundated with applicants including some who had driven before. I have e-mailed them and asked for feedback, including what the scoring was. Once I have this feedback I will be in a better position to know what went wrong. I was also advised that as I had passed the bulk of the assessment if I applied again I would only have to sit the CBI part, plus any new elements due to the nationwide changes. I was also advised that there was no requirement to wait for six months.

Thanks to all on here who gave me advice and helped me, I am just not sure where to go from here.

Was it structured interview you mean?
Ignore above I've read Southern do it other way round.

Sorry to hear about that keep trying

 

[theageofthetra]

Thanks for your kind comments. At least I have the pass in the assessment to take elsewhere. I will wait for the feedback and then decide where to go. I do at least have some work abroad in the travel industry to look forward too in the next month.

 

[Urban Gateline]

Thanks for your kind comments. At least I have the pass in the assessment to take elsewhere. I will wait for the feedback and then decide where to go. I do at least have some work abroad in the travel industry to look forward too in the next month.

Sounds good! Out of interest did your status change on the Southern site in the jobs bit?

 

[theageofthetra]

Not checked yet but I was told it would.

 

[Urban Gateline]

I just called them but he wouldn't check the status of my specific application, he said all driver applications are on hold pending a meeting to discuss course dates! He didn't even ask me for my details so its a shame, would have liked to know like ageofthetra found out :/

 

[Iwillbeadriver]

I just called them but he wouldn't check the status of my specific application, he said all driver applications are on hold pending a meeting to discuss course dates! He didn't even ask me for my details so its a shame, would have liked to know like ageofthetra found out :/

We're you given any indication as to when this meeting would be taking place?

 

[Urban Gateline]

We're you given any indication as to when this meeting would be taking place?

at the end of this week apparently so it must be today or tomorrow! I'm not holding my breath though!

 

[Vicpaul]

I know two people who have got through to the CBI, so don't see what the meeting is about