ATW Position of Train Planning & Diagramming Specialist

[stevienash]

Hi all I've just been invited for an interview for the above position with Arriva.

Was wondering if anyone on here is already in a similar job with an other toc and could give me some pointers for the interview?

In the email it says

The assessment will consist of a work-based exercise and an interview.

Anyone know what the work based exercise will consist of? previous interviews ive been invited for they always send out practice material

 

[Greenback]

In my experience with ATW, although not for this particular role, they never send out any practice material.

As part of the process, you will be asked to complete a task that will relate to the work involved in the actual job. I would expect the work based exercise to be carried out first, followed by a break while the exercise is marked. The top performers will then undergo an interview.

At any rate, that is what happened at my latest unsuccessful application for a senior ATW role.

Prior to that, it happened in reverse, and everyone who was invited had to undergo the exercise and the interview! Both times though the exercise was highly relevant to the position applied for.

 

[anthony263]

Well I applied for the same vacancy and have not heard anything back so far although it still says shortlisting on ATW's careers page.

Greenback I have never had a sucessful application with ATW yet I seem to have far better luck with London Midland and FGW even for the same jobs so there is little difference on the application form

 

[Greenback]

Neither have I, Anthony, despite having been called to several interviews for various roles. Keep trying, though.

The last one I messed up myself. I know what I did wrong!

 

[anthony263]

Had an email earlier for this role thank me for applying but I was unsucessfull.

Certainly it does make me ask myself why do I even bother applying for any jobs with ATW since I never seem to get past shortlisting with them

 

[tiptoptaff]

Neither have I had a successful application with ATW, I have applied for their last 4 openings for trainee conductors, amaongst other things. No avail. I find their online system a bit daunting, knowing that I have to write what seems like an essay about myself at the end. And every time I apply I have to re-write it compeltely, as I keep thinking the one ebfore wasn't good enoguh, so I have to start from scratch. Never know if I'm writing too much, too little, too detailed, not enough detail...

I can't imagine their HR have the time to read through 1000s of page long personal statements for every vacancy. Am I the only one who fails to see the point of it?
(unless it has changed since I last applied)

Good luck anyway! Tip for you - if you get the role, 0821 Pontyclun to Ebbw Vale needs extra carraiges

 

[Greenback]

It doesn't actually take that long to read a personal statement. Though many applications will not even require that, as it can be seen from other sections that the applicant isn't sufficiently qualified or experienced to warrant further consideration.

 

[tiptoptaff]

On that basis I may as well not bother next time. It would appear office work doesn't seem to be a brilliant precursor to a Guard's role.

 

[Greenback]

On that basis I may as well not bother next time. It would appear office work doesn't seem to be a brilliant precursor to a Guard's role.

It's not the type of work that has been done, but how that role equates with the one you have applied for.

For a guard, the employer is normally looking for someone with experience of customer service, cash handling, using technology, working unsupervised, being able to keep calm and courteous, dealing with difficult situations and being able to solve problems.

You might be able to demonstrate some of these qualities even in an office environment. For example, in one previous office role I used to work by myself for a couple of hours, in another I had to deal with memebrs of the public who came into the office to make enquiries and to make small purchases.

In my experience, far too many applicants waffle on about being netball captain in school, being reliable and hard working, honest and conscientous.
Now all of these could be important, but the recruiter will be reading this sort of thing over and over again.

The wise applicant will relate this to the job in question. For a guard it sound sbetter to say 'A guard is a position of responsibility andI am used to taking charge through being captain of xxxxx' and 'I am well aware of the necessity of booking duty on time in order that my train will nto be delayed,' and so on.

This will make the application stand out more in a sea of applications, the vast majority of which will be saying much the same things.

 

[stevienash]

Thanks for all the feed back, I asked them for practise material but on this occassion there isnt any they did send me a copy of the job discription which I will be studying hard over the next week.

This is the 1st external job which has been advertised and i've managed to get an interview for the other 2 were internal jobs as i work for Arriva working as a rail replacement co ordinator.

I really hope this is my time after what Arriva put me throu in the last couple of months with the trainiee conductor job which really knocked the stuffing out of me.

It does take time i've been trying and applying for Arriva jobs for well over a year and a half.

A tip which may help people looking to apply for arriva roles is mention key words from job advert and say how much you like the company ie for the conductor role i said i follow atw on facebook and twitter and enjoy seeing the good coments passengers say about conductors and i said i want people to tweet about the good service they would receive from me.

 

[Greenback]

Good luck! Yes, it's a good diea to be aware of key words from the job advert, and demonstrating an awareness of social media is also an excellent thing to do.

 

[choo~choo]

Imo I'd be mentioning customer service in the first paragraph, after safety that is the number one thing I'd say

 

[stevienash]

Quick question my brain is dead to day

What does STP stand for?

 

[ryan125hst]

Quick question my brain is dead to day

What does STP stand for?

Short Term Planned (normally used for rail tours for example.)