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A career as a signaller

Jaysub

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Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
151
How do they ask the safety questions?do they read the whole non technical skill with explanation?
 
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GingerRH

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Joined
21 Apr 2015
Messages
185
How do they ask the safety questions?do they read the whole non technical skill with explanation?

No. Because then you’d tell that what they want to hear rather than what you’d really do.

The questions will be something like ‘tell me a time when you’ve had to work under a pressure’ or ‘tell me about a time when you’ve had to make a decision without prior planning’. Things like that.
 

Littlestu

Member
Joined
27 Aug 2018
Messages
22
Seems all quiet on the jobs in my area. Im guessing the come in waves when the lower grades vacate to take higher grades?
 

Mothball

Member
Joined
26 Nov 2018
Messages
179
I put an application in for Signaller at Rochdale West last week. Having just been browsing through the the careers page it's now changed to a 6 Month secondment, is this likely to be an error? It definitely didn't say that when I applied
 

Petersmith36

Member
Joined
28 Jan 2019
Messages
46
First rejection email today never made interview stage. Guess still got a year of trying before tests results expire
 

DanH

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
11
Thanks bud,this thread has helped me loads...

I have heard they would of got down to 4-6 applicants...

The job is haslemere relief but would rather haslemere resident but am happy to just get in if i can

Yeah I’m the same, would take any job to just get a toe in the door!

So from the 4-6 applicants that have been narrowed down, they are all put forward to “under consideration for assessment 2” which means they are with the hiring manager.. therefore when his/her availability allows it, the candidates will be then invited for interview?

So if you get through to “under consideration for assessment 2” - you’re pretty much through to interview stage?
 

Thistley

Member
Joined
15 Dec 2018
Messages
51
I put an application in for Signaller at Rochdale West last week. Having just been browsing through the the careers page it's now changed to a 6 Month secondment, is this likely to be an error? It definitely didn't say that when I applied
It's the same for me, I've applied before this was changed to a 6 month FTC. Unfortunate - but my advice is get your foot in the door first!

Also, does anyone know if it's possible to retake the assessments, ie verbal reasoning + maths? I feel I've done poorly the previous time and I want to have another go for signalling - my track operative position has now changed to under consideration for assessment 2.
 

galaxynew

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2017
Messages
128
Puzzled as to how a 6 month secondment works as a signaller, surely signalling school plus subsequent training at the signal box would take a minimum of 6 months?
 

Curtis

Member
Joined
30 Jan 2019
Messages
27
Location
West Yorkshire
I put an application in for Signaller at Rochdale West last week. Having just been browsing through the the careers page it's now changed to a 6 Month secondment, is this likely to be an error? It definitely didn't say that when I applied

Puzzled as to how a 6 month secondment works as a signaller, surely signalling school plus subsequent training at the signal box would take a minimum of 6 months?

I was thinking the same. Sounds very counter productive and a waste of resources. Perhaps it's to cover for existing staff with a view to moving you elsewhere afterwards?
 

Jaysub

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
151
No. Because then you’d tell that what they want to hear rather than what you’d really do.

The questions will be something like ‘tell me a time when you’ve had to work under a pressure’ or ‘tell me about a time when you’ve had to make a decision without prior planning’. Things like that.

Thanx ginger...

Thats good enough,i can explain if they ask that way,proper bricking it tomorrow now though
 

Jaysub

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
151
Yeah I’m the same, would take any job to just get a toe in the door!

So from the 4-6 applicants that have been narrowed down, they are all put forward to “under consideration for assessment 2” which means they are with the hiring manager.. therefore when his/her availability allows it, the candidates will be then invited for interview?

So if you get through to “under consideration for assessment 2” - you’re pretty much through to interview stage?
Yea iv already got the interview toMorrow morning m8...

Just wondered how many i got too in the end cos must of done well to make it with the internals lol
 
Last edited:

Thistley

Member
Joined
15 Dec 2018
Messages
51
My application at Cambridge has recently changed to "application under consideration", but not for assessment 2. Does this mean I should expect a rejection letter shortly?

Application Under Review 13-Feb-2019 11:23:09
Application Accepted 14-Feb-2019 07:01:49
Application Under Consideration 14-Feb-2019 12:36:53
Test Completed 14-Feb-2019 14:00:21
Test Completed 14-Feb-2019 14:32:31
Application Under Consideration 26-Feb-2019 14:13:06
 

Thistley

Member
Joined
15 Dec 2018
Messages
51
Also heads up for those living in/around London, x2 grade 8 signallers position now open at Liverpool Street
 

Jaysub

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
151
1st interview done,met some very nice people in the box too...fingers crossed
 

JMH77

Member
Joined
7 Aug 2014
Messages
103
My application at Cambridge has recently changed to "application under consideration", but not for assessment 2. Does this mean I should expect a rejection letter shortly?

Application Under Review 13-Feb-2019 11:23:09
Application Accepted 14-Feb-2019 07:01:49
Application Under Consideration 14-Feb-2019 12:36:53
Test Completed 14-Feb-2019 14:00:21
Test Completed 14-Feb-2019 14:32:31
Application Under Consideration 26-Feb-2019 14:13:06

Is that the grade 7 one? Mine was showing "Test completed" when I last looked a couple of days ago but has disappeared completely from my list of jobs applied for which I'm guessing isn't a good sign.
 

galaxynew

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2017
Messages
128
Is that the grade 7 one? Mine was showing "Test completed" when I last looked a couple of days ago but has disappeared completely from my list of jobs applied for which I'm guessing isn't a good sign.
I would keep checking that, even if unsuccessful jobs you have applied for will show in your account and you should get an email if unsuccessful
 

Jay_123

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2018
Messages
85
As an internal employee, does anyone know if you still have to attend the assessment day? Im hearing they have stopped doing it now for both internal and external and it’s just the 3 online tests? Can anyone shed any info please?
 

Thistley

Member
Joined
15 Dec 2018
Messages
51
Is that the grade 7 one? Mine was showing "Test completed" when I last looked a couple of days ago but has disappeared completely from my list of jobs applied for which I'm guessing isn't a good sign.

Indeed it is - try scrolling all the way to the bottom? The upgrade at the weekend seems to have messed the website up slightly, now you have to scroll to the bottom of the page, and then scroll down the list a bit further.
 

Daniel Wain

Member
Joined
28 Feb 2019
Messages
6
Hello,

I've passed the application stage and says invited to test but had nothing through... anyone know what's going on?

Thanks,

Dan
 

galaxynew

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2017
Messages
128
Hello,

I've passed the application stage and says invited to test but had nothing through... anyone know what's going on?

Thanks,

Dan
Have you had an email inviting you to do the online tests, if so there should be instructions and a link within the email?

Which position is it for, not sure of crossing keeper applicants do the test (might be wrong though)
 

JMH77

Member
Joined
7 Aug 2014
Messages
103
Indeed it is - try scrolling all the way to the bottom? The upgrade at the weekend seems to have messed the website up slightly, now you have to scroll to the bottom of the page, and then scroll down the list a bit further.
I clicked on the full list tab a few times and eventually it went to another screen with more detail and mine is on there showing "application under consideration" the same as yours. Fingers crossed eh.
 

Thistley

Member
Joined
15 Dec 2018
Messages
51
I clicked on the full list tab a few times and eventually it went to another screen with more detail and mine is on there showing "application under consideration" the same as yours. Fingers crossed eh.
Yep. Fingers crossed for you! I was told I'm put on hold, so I guess the chances aren't particularly high - all the best though!
 

Daniel Wain

Member
Joined
28 Feb 2019
Messages
6
Have you had an email inviting you to do the online tests, if so there should be instructions and a link within the email?

Which position is it for, not sure of crossing keeper applicants do the test (might be wrong though)

It's for signalling at three bridges, just got the email through with links to do the tests. Just did a few mock exams and you only get 25 minutes for the numerical one!? Intense lol
 

JMH77

Member
Joined
7 Aug 2014
Messages
103
Two are timed, one isn't. Make sure you are well rested and have no interruptions and don't try to rush through all three tests in one go. Work quickly but accurately and don't panic about getting to the end of the numerical one, I finished a few questions short from memory.
 

Thistley

Member
Joined
15 Dec 2018
Messages
51
It's for signalling at three bridges, just got the email through with links to do the tests. Just did a few mock exams and you only get 25 minutes for the numerical one!? Intense lol
All the best! SHL Direct's own website has an extra test.

The key is work accurately - it's okay if you leave a couple of questions unanswered!
 

Tom Quinne

On Moderation
Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
As an internal employee, does anyone know if you still have to attend the assessment day? Im hearing they have stopped doing it now for both internal and external and it’s just the 3 online tests? Can anyone shed any info please?

Depends if your already a Signaller or not, I’d assume if not you’d do the assessments as well...Signallers go straight interview consideration from app.
 

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