Northern Rail Interview - advice??

[quito14]

Hi

I have an interview at the end of the month for a train conductor position based at Manchester (Piccadilly I think as that's where my interview is being held)

Does anybody have any tips or advice? I really want this job so want to know everything I can!!

Thanks in advance

Chris

 

[rail-britain]

Preparation is everything

Dress appropriately, tidy hair, limit make up, and jewellery
Arrive about 10 minutes early, say who you are and that you have an interview at XXX time with the person that is on the letter
Still amazes me how many people turn up for an interview in jeans, dyed red hair, and no idea who they have to ask for!

Take all the letters and correspondence with you, you can then refer to it in the interview

Before the interview try to list all your strengths and weaknesses (there is nothing worse than having an interviewee that says they have none, so learn how to mention one but turn it on its head, such as poor at grammar but willing to attend courses outside in own time to remedy this)

When working through your work history start from either your first main job to the most recent, in time order, showing how skills have transferred between them, or from present back about three years

If there are gaps in employment, fully explain why, do NOT tell lies

Do not put the names and addresses of references on the CV
Put they are available on request
Take details with you to the interview, and get permission from them first!
if you are asked for them at interview then that can be a good indicator of how the interview has gone, but equally that the employer is seriously looking to employ someone (some interviews are hoax just to keep people in a job, sad but true)

Keep your interests and hobbies to a basic few main categories, such as transport, photography, use of mobile technology, sport, etc
Some employers frown seriously on anyone with transport hobbies, others embrace that depending on the nature of the interest

 

[alex57601]

Some employers frown seriously on anyone with transport hobbies, others embrace that depending on the nature of the interest

I have heard of one or two cases where people have gone to interviews with TOCs, told them that they are enthusiasts, and then they don't get the job in the end.

Best of luck with the interview!

 

[BOSCH]

do NOT tell lies

Such as telling this forum that you will be demonstrating wi-fi on a certain TOC's trains ! eh,eh,eh..:roll::grin:

 

[Broken Viking]

Hail!

I have heard of one or two cases where people have gone to interviews with TOCs, told them that they are enthusiasts, and then they don't get the job in the end.

Seems a rather odd way of going about things if ye ask me. If I was employing for a TOC, I'd be more inclined towards enthusiasts as they'd already have some initial knowlege that would really help when going through training.

Can anyone explain why some TOCs refuse enthusiasts? Having a rail fan driving trains around can't exactly be a safety risk (If nothing else, rail-fans would probabally make safer train drivers IMO!) and there wouldn't ever be doubts as far as job satisfaction is concerned!

Incidentally...I might've mentioned railways as one of my interests when I applied (Unsuccessfully) for that ticket office position with SWT a while ago. Are SWT one of these anti-enthusiast companies to keep an eye out for? hock:

Farewell...
>> Death <<

 

[Mintona]

Hey, best of luck with the interview. What m8internet has said is really good advice, and I did nearly all of what he said in my interview with Northern, and I got the job. Except the references bit, I just put them on the application form as requested, but my previous employer was aware, and was very supportive.

As an aside, the interview will probably not be held at Manchester Piccadilly, it will most likely be held in a building called "Square One" which is a Network Rail/Northern Rail shared building just outside Ardwick station if I remember correctly. Of course, if you have already had the letter confirming it is at Piccadilly, then ignore this paragraph.

Good luck with it all, Northern are an exellent employer to work for, and there are always opportunities to be moving on within the company.

Oh, and don't worry about what m8internet said about "ghost" vacancies - there are gaps at Piccadilly and Victoria!

 

[rail-britain]

Can anyone explain why some TOCs refuse enthusiasts? Having a rail fan driving trains around can't exactly be a safety risk

Many years ago BR almost refused point blank to employ anyone that even hinted that they had an interest in the railway, although some TOCs have come to understand the advantages
There were a couple of incidents where enthusiasts, whilst on duty, became distracted by the train passing
As such this may have resulted in an accident and I believe there was one such accident, albeit at low speed due to one railside worker not concentrating on the job in hand!
It's quite similar to Police Officers that attend football matches, their priority is the job in hand, not to watch the game (although that is a plus-side)

Oh, and don't worry about what m8internet said about "ghost" vacancies - there are gaps at Piccadilly and Victoria!

A major transport company was infamous, and still is, for holding fake interviews
However, this was where people had submitted speculative applications, not for actual advertised positions

 

[HSTfan!!!]

if they ask you where you see yourself in 5 years time, don't say driver! Say something along the lines of conductor team leader or something. A colleague of mine missed out by saying driver. btw have you done the tests yet? if not get practicing them, you really do have to prepare, and have some ideas about where you have been in scenarios you have solved problems etc.

 

[Daniel Hampson]

I think there is a difference between being an enthusiast and having a knowledge of the rail industry. I currently work for a large rail company and virtually none of my colleagues are what I would call an enthusiast although we all know about the industry. I am of the opinion that enthusiasts may be seen to have such deep-rooted idreals of the rail industry that they are unable and unwilling to change their opinions - i.e., they will not follow the comapny line.

You MUST demonstrate knowledge of the industry in terms of unique challenges and customer demands that go beyond typical service jobs with customer contact. Perhaps quote a figure or two about customer satisfaction (60% feel they do not receive value for money - Passenger Focus); what are the typical sources of their dissatisfaction and how you would deal with them. You certainly dont need to talk about your favourite loco or vantage points!!!!!!

 

[Muttley]

Perhaps quote a figure or two about customer satisfaction (60% feel they do not receive value for money - Passenger Focus); what are the typical sources of their dissatisfaction and how you would deal with them.

^^^ON NO ACCOUNT FOLLOW THIS ADVICE.^^^

All this says is 60% of the customers think that the management (hence interviewer) are inept. Your not going for the job of pathing the trains, making them faster or more reliable. You can say you`ll tidy up newspapers and rubbish left lying around, keep peoples feet off the seats and the like.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I put, in my application, that I had 'an interest in the railway' and the Northern chap (and chap-ess) didn't ask me about it, mind you, the 8 years railway experience I had at the time may have helped me!

 

[furryfeet]

a crucial thing to have beforehand is a proper job spec, which lists the duties, responsibilities and attributes required.

then you can match your skills and experience to those points.

If northern have not provided this, then that is a black mark on their part - everyone loses.

as well as stating at to why you want to be a guard with northern.

also think of a difficult customer-facing experience that you have had and how you successfully solved it.

 

[Mintona]

Cheers for all the advice - even though I did not ask the question, I will be going through the same thing very soon with a bit of luck!

A major transport company was infamous, and still is, for holding fake interviews
However, this was where people had submitted speculative applications, not for actual advertised positions

I don't think that was Northern, though I don't know who it was. But there are vacancies at Picc and Vic, I know for a fact!

 

[First ScotRail]

Just relax and be yourself, dress smart and remember eye contact all the time!

 

[laseandre]

Ditto.

 

[Philip]

What others have said.

Also they'll ask if you have any questions, I always feel it's best to prepare two or three before. I suggest perhaps asking which rolling stock you'll be working on if they don't already tell you.

Best of luck for it!

 

[rail-britain]

Supplementary questions; these should really be indicative that you intend to stay with them in the long term, so questions about how long before you are eligible for the pension scheme, and is it contributary, is there a company newsletter and if so how often is it published, are there any social events, and so on

 

[Daniel Hampson]

^^^ON NO ACCOUNT FOLLOW THIS ADVICE.^^^

All this says is 60% of the customers think that the management (hence interviewer) are inept. Your not going for the job of pathing the trains, making them faster or more reliable. You can say you`ll tidy up newspapers and rubbish left lying around, keep peoples feet off the seats and the like.

yeah good point!!!!!!

 

[me123]

Another hint (again, the number of people who don't do this might amaze you). Be honest about your weaknesses. Everyone has them and therefore saying that you don't is pretty stupid. Also prepare to tell the interviewer(s) how you overcome the weaknesses.

And don't be scared to point out flaws in the way they run things either, that is as long as you're not telling them that they're rubbish. If they ask "what are the disadvantages of our biggest policy" do tell them what they are and, once again, how you would work to minimise these problems. Needless to say, always remain positive and don't tell them that their entire operation sucks! Of course, only do this if they ask!

 

[Metroland]

- Dress smartly, relax, smile, firm handshake and eye contact
- Do your research on the company concerned
- Don't dodge questions or ramble
- Don't come across as a train spotter but appear interested
- Ask about overtime and benefits of employment
- Always be polite