How to enhance my application

[Jonjo73]

Hi everyone, first time posting on the forum and asking for a bit of help (oh no, not another one!)
I have recently applied for signalling jobs, passed the online assessment but didn't get to interview due to not meeting required criteria.
I have asked for feedback as I cannot see what the required criteria is apart from what is listed in the NR job advert and I seem to have that covered.
My question is a simple one, is there anything I can do to enhance my application, I have 20 years experience as a Openreach engineer and Specialist team leader which was all safety-based.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jon.

 

[jwc04]

Is there a person spec anywhere with the advert? If so, try and marry up what is in the person spec with your own skills/experiences.

 

[Jonjo73]

I have looked at the advert again and there are no specific personal criteria other than safety orientated background of which I already have?
I was thinking, maybe as I don't have any signalling experience there is something I could do?
Jon.

 

[C J Snarzell]

Jonjo

If it's any concellation, I've had quite a few knock backs myself from lots of railway jobs. The main issue is the volume of applications that HRs receive. Trainee train driving and trainee conductor roles generally get applicants in four figures and I generally think any railway role now attracts lots of interest now because it has such a huge audience. Signalling seems to be another role that attracts a huge influx of applicants. It does feel like a lottery most of the time. The key is persistence - just keep applying for any role that might be suitable.

I personally find Network Rail the hardest organisation in the railway industry to get in with. I've had 3 x applications that didn't even get pass first base - whereas with the TOCs (Train Operating Companies) I have at least been invited to interviews & assessment days for the odd role (sadly not getting the post in the end).

I would suggest maybe reviewing your CV - a professional CV writer might polish it up for you and just look at some other roles that you would be good at. There are always engineering roles popping up with TOCs or alternatively you might want to look at a customer service type role which still involves an element of passenger safety.

All the best anyway.

CJ

 

[baz962]

I have looked at the advert again and there are no specific personal criteria other than safety orientated background of which I already have?
I was thinking, maybe as I don't have any signalling experience there is something I could do?
Jon.

Hi Jonjo. Have you looked at the dedicated signaller thread. It's quite well talked about on there , how hard it can be to get into. It's becoming a very popular career choice and apparently more so lately. Many new starter's have applied to vacancies in the ten's , before securing a role . Indeed , I believe someone took around forty goes at it. If you go through the signaller thread and ask the friendly bunch on there , I'm sure you will get a response.

 

[Ducatist4]

Bear in mind that there could be upwards of two hundred other applicants.

 

[Jonjo73]

understood. I honestly didn't think I'd have to battle with as many applicants, thanks.

 

[Steam Man]

understood. I honestly didn't think I'd have to battle with as many applicants, thanks.

What I’m doing to get noticed is getting more qualifications to get noticed Railway companies love loads of qualifications my cv is almost 4 pages long and that is no joke.

 

[Ducatist4]

They will never look at a CV that long. Two pages max with everything they need to know in the first paragraph on the first page. if they get over two hundred applicants they just don’t have time to read a four page CV. There is a CV writing guide on the Network rail web site.

 

[endofthetunnel]

I have recently applied for signalling jobs, passed the online assessment but didn't get to interview due to not meeting required criteria.
.

Do you know how you did in the online tests? They don’t give out results but you can normally tell if you did ok or not, maybe by not finishing one etc.

Learning from the forum: your results meet the benchmark but that’s just a sift, they are then ranked against all other applicants, with the highest 6 ish being recommended to the person hiring, to consider first for interview.
If you didn’t do great then no matter how good your CV it might never get a proper look.