What would you wear to a driver assessment?

[Jake7224]

Mod Note: Posts originally in this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/trainee-train-drivers-manchester-york-21-09-21.222553/

I’ve been lucky enough to be selected for the assessment day. They’ve given me a few dates at the start of November.

Does anyone know the dress code for the assessment day? I’m hoping comfy jeans and a smart-ish shirt would be fine? They don’t expect you in a suit and tie?

cheers

 

[feaky4]

I’ve been lucky enough to be selected for the assessment day. They’ve given me a few dates at the start of November.

Does anyone know the dress code for the assessment day? I’m hoping comfy jeans and a smart-ish shirt would be fine? They don’t expect you in a suit and tie?

cheers

Is that for York? I’ve not been asked to select any dates yet

 

[YingYing]

Does any one know where the psychometric test centre is? Or possibility of which one? Just out of curiosity to excited to wait

The OPC are based in Watford, though there's no guarantee you'll sit them there. Some companies do them at a venue near to where you've applied.

I’ve been lucky enough to be selected for the assessment day. They’ve given me a few dates at the start of November.

Does anyone know the dress code for the assessment day? I’m hoping comfy jeans and a smart-ish shirt would be fine? They don’t expect you in a suit and tie?

cheers

I don't know what TPE's dress code is but but I went in a suit to mine with other companies. Don't want to be the only one there not smartly dressed!

 

[Jake7224]

Is that for York? I’ve not been asked to select any dates yet

Yeah that’s for York, the place is in a hotel in Leeds right by the train station.

The OPC are based in Watford, though there's no guarantee you'll sit them there. Some companies do them at a venue near to where you've applied.


I don't know what TPE's dress code is but but I went in a suit to mine with other companies. Don't want to be the only one there not smartly dressed!

Thanks! I’ll have to go shopping.

 

[Atishyou]

I’ve been lucky enough to be selected for the assessment day. They’ve given me a few dates at the start of November.

Does anyone know the dress code for the assessment day? I’m hoping comfy jeans and a smart-ish shirt would be fine? They don’t expect you in a suit and tie?

cheers

This will be the very first impression of you that TPE get. If you want that impression to be jeans and a smart-ish shirt, that's fine, but first impressions count.

 

[wobman]

This will be the very first impression of you that TPE get. If you want that impression to be jeans and a smart-ish shirt, that's fine, but first impressions count.

You are assessed from the first minute you walk in to the assessment, I would always recommend to dress smart. As they say first impressions count.

 

[BankieClagger]

Always suit and tie surely... pretend to have a care over how you wish to be portrayed, I know some places are all trendy nowadays and claim it's not required... but I'm not bought into that being their actual thought. No dates this end.

 

[wacca78]

This will be the very first impression of you that TPE get. If you want that impression to be jeans and a smart-ish shirt, that's fine, but first impressions count.

No one from TPE will be there. It’s the people from the OPC. Whilst certainly you should wear a shirt and trousers and look smart you do also need to feel comfortable. I believe the email you get will say this. I and others wore shirt and trousers but no tie or suit. It was warm so anyone with ties was told take them off. Didn’t do me any harm as I passed it!

 

[Aivilo]

Thought TPE we're still in house. Alas you will be scored at every stage so don't bin it off by wearing casuals

 

[Atishyou]

No one from TPE will be there. It’s the people from the OPC. Whilst certainly you should wear a shirt and trousers and look smart you do also need to feel comfortable. I believe the email you get will say this. I and others wore shirt and trousers but no tie or suit. It was warm so anyone with ties was told take them off. Didn’t do me any harm as I passed it!

Strange, as I know numerous people who have been to TPE recruitment days and there's either been Lydia (high up in recruitment) or someone else there. Sometimes the recruitment days have been combined with assessments and interviews.

I can't see that someone is going to be boiling in a suit in October.

You say you wore a shirt and trousers. That's smart. Jeans are not smart imo and when I did interviews a few years back, it wouldn't have made a great first impression on me if someone turned up in jeans.

It's not me though, each to their own.

 

[chaser]

I don't think you'll be penalised in chinos and a shirt. It's smart, and its practical if you're completing tasks while tackling any nerves.

 

[wacca78]

Strange, as I know numerous people who have been to TPE recruitment days and there's either been Lydia (high up in recruitment) or someone else there. Sometimes the recruitment days have been combined with assessments and interviews.

I can't see that someone is going to be boiling in a suit in October.

You say you wore a shirt and trousers. That's smart. Jeans are not smart imo and when I did interviews a few years back, it wouldn't have made a great first impression on me if someone turned up in jeans.

It's not me though, each to their own.

Ahh mine was internal only so maybe different for externals. At mine it was just a couple from the OPC and it was all day with the MMI at the end if you had got through successfully.

Like I say I was just going by mine. I wouldn’t wear jeans personally but couple wore chinos but externally yes you’re probably best playing it safe. Just remember you have to be comfortable at the end of the day and not to be distracted by being uncomfortable as you have to be totally focused!

 

[RS123]

Please don’t listen to anyone about what to wear during your assessments.
There is no one from TPE there.
Dress smart. Shirt/Chinos etc.
A tie is really not required at all.
I should know, I passed them all and I am now a TPE trainee…

 

[Atishyou]

Please don’t listen to anyone about what to wear during your assessments.
There is no one from TPE there.
Dress smart. Shirt/Chinos etc.
A tie is really not required at all.
I should know, I passed them all and I am now a TPE trainee…

Please choose what you want to wear, albeit first impressions are important and you never know who will be there.
There was no one from TPE at my assessment.
I'm not telling you what to wear.
It's up to you if you wear a tie.
I'm generalising and of course, it is possibly different at other assessments.

Fixed that for you.

There was no-one at YOUR assessment. That doesn't apply across the board, clearly.

You may want to check your contradiction, you're saying not to listen to people about what to wear and then telling them what to wear.

Are you implying that others have been and worn different clothes and have failed because of their clothes?

If people are failing tests because of their clothes, they're not suitable driver material as they're too easily distracted.

I hope if you're in a driving grade as a trainee, that you don't apply your 'know it all' attitude to that

 

[Stigy]

Please choose what you want to wear, albeit first impressions are important and you never know who will be there.
There was no one from TPE at my assessment.
I'm not telling you what to wear.
It's up to you if you wear a tie.
I'm generalising and of course, it is possibly different at other assessments.

Fixed that for you.

There was no-one at YOUR assessment. That doesn't apply across the board, clearly.

You may want to check your contradiction, you're saying not to listen to people about what to wear and then telling them what to wear.

Are you implying that others have been and worn different clothes and have failed because of their clothes?

If people are failing tests because of their clothes, they're not suitable driver material as they're too easily distracted.

I hope if you're in a driving grade as a trainee, that you don't apply your 'know it all' attitude to that

Have to agree with this.

First impressions are always important, and although there may not be anyone from the TOC there, it’s not to say there will definitely not be. I mean, they probably won’t consciously care at all what people wear, but subconsciously, it could very well be a different matter.

I recommend going to any of the psychometric assessments smart, yet comfortable. Bear in mind also that the MMI, though an assessment, is still an interview. I’d probably still be going to that as I would any other interview (business attire), although it’s naturally difficult if it’s held the same day as other assessments and you’ve already committed to going smart/casual.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Oct 2021 ==

Please don’t listen to anyone about what to wear during your assessments.
There is no one from TPE there.
Dress smart. Shirt/Chinos etc.
A tie is really not required at all.
I should know, I passed them all and I am now a TPE trainee…

To be quite honest, I’d hope people would actually “listen” to established members over someone whose first post arrogantly tells them not to listen to anyone else but themselves.

 

[wacca78]

Have to agree with this.

First impressions are always important, and although there may not be anyone from the TOC there, it’s not to say there will definitely not be. I mean, they probably won’t consciously care at all what people wear, but subconsciously, it could very well be a different matter.

I recommend going to any of the psychometric assessments smart, yet comfortable. Bear in mind also that the MMI, though an assessment, is still an interview. I’d probably still be going to that as I would any other interview (business attire), although it’s naturally difficult if it’s held the same day as other assessments and you’ve already committed to going smart/casual.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Oct 2021 ==


To be quite honest, I’d hope people would actually “listen” to established members over someone whose first post arrogantly tells them not to listen to anyone else but themselves.

I’ve been more of a lurker than a poster but because I’ve got experience in this process so felt I should offer some advice. The general consensus is to dress smart but you don’t need to go out and spend on a new suit like the guy was saying he was going to have to do. A shirt, trousers, nice jacket and if you want wear a tie go for it and wait to be invited to take them off. The main thing is to be comfortable and as relaxed as possible.

The recent external conductor assessments have just involved the OPC. It’s all outsourced to them now. I’ll be very surprised if anyone from TPE is there but as mine was internal it could be different. To whittle numbers down you may not do all the tests in one day like we did.

The one thing I did notice is that you could have the most expensive suit going but if you turn up late they won’t be impressed at all and may send you home. Make sure you get there in plenty of time. Stay at a nearby hotel if need be. They want an on time start and will want to go through ID and National Insurance checks before hand so be there nice and early.

 

[Fokx]

To be quite honest, I’d hope people would actually “listen” to established members over someone whose first post arrogantly tells them not to listen to anyone else but themselves.

Because as we all know “established members” have greater knowledge than people who have recently undergone the same assessment and are trying to offer their advice?

For the OP:
Wear either smartwear or smart-casual. You should wear what you think is appropriate and wear what you are most comfortable with. You are not going to be penalised for wearing jeans in their entirety but use your common sense, baggy light blue grass stained jeans with rips in the knee are going to give a completely different impression to smarter black skinny/slim jeans that look trouser like for example.

 

[Stigy]

Because as we all know “established members” have greater knowledge than people who have recently undergone the same assessment and are trying to offer their advice?

For the OP:
Wear either smartwear or smart-casual. You should wear what you think is appropriate and wear what you are most comfortable with. You are not going to be penalised for wearing jeans in their entirety but use your common sense, baggy light blue grass stained jeans with rips in the knee are going to give a completely different impression to smarter black skinny/slim jeans that look trouser like for example.

Well not necessarily I appreciate, but I’d not take advice of someone whose sole post in the forum is telling people not to listen to anyone else but them, because they’re a trainee with that TOC. For starters, they may well be a 13 year old keyboard warrior as opposed to a trainee driver.

 

[feaky4]

Hope I get my dates tomorrow knowing my luck it’ll be the week I’m on holiday, can’t imagine being same week as the previous person on here as it’ll be abit unfair disadvantage and dates can go if people all want the same one. I’ll be going in shirt and tie but I don’t think it’ll matter that much as long as you don’t take the mick.

 

[Atishyou]

Because as we all know “established members” have greater knowledge than people who have recently undergone the same assessment and are trying to offer their advice?

So some of the "established members" haven't been there and got the t-shirt, possibly multiple times, or even been on opposite sides of the recruitment process?

"Established members", especially those who do the job and have been through the recruitment process (especially if they've changed Operator), as well as having had experience recruiting staff, are much better informed than someone who has just started as a trainee and appears to think they know it all.

 

[Atishyou]

I’ve been more of a lurker than a poster but because I’ve got experience in this process so felt I should offer some advice. The general consensus is to dress smart but you don’t need to go out and spend on a new suit like the guy was saying he was going to have to do. A shirt, trousers, nice jacket and if you want wear a tie go for it and wait to be invited to take them off. The main thing is to be comfortable and as relaxed as possible.

The recent external conductor assessments have just involved the OPC. It’s all outsourced to them now. I’ll be very surprised if anyone from TPE is there but as mine was internal it could be different. To whittle numbers down you may not do all the tests in one day like we did.

The one thing I did notice is that you could have the most expensive suit going but if you turn up late they won’t be impressed at all and may send you home. Make sure you get there in plenty of time. Stay at a nearby hotel if need be. They want an on time start and will want to go through ID and National Insurance checks before hand so be there nice and early.

Agreed, shirt, trousers and nice jacket. Personally, I'd wear a suit, but I'd also say trousers and a shirt or shirt/tie combo and even a smart jumper would be acceptable.

You don't need to spend a fortune, you don't even need new clothes, Matalan, Asda etc all do reasonable suits IF you don't have anything suitable.

Jeans - imo, no and I've got 'smart' jeans. Still wouldn't wear them for a potential job opportunity.

 

[baz962]

At one of my assessment days , there was even an appearance from my eventual MD , although not tpe. What you wear doesn't affect the test results and I didn't wear a suit , but I did wear a shirt and trousers. It might not matter to the toc if you wear jeans or not , but why chance it. Just dress smart and casual and not worry . If more people pass the assessments than they have vacancies and they need to narrow it down , then you just made it easy for them and even if there are no tpe staff there , the opc and the tocs work very closely together.

 

[T-Karmel]

I've sat tests 4 times, in 4 different places for 2 TOCs.

Stage 1 paper tests - at the hotel, no one from the TOC, only The OPC.
Stage 2 computerised tests - at TOCs HQ, only done by The OPC reps yet everyone from TOC could see us throughout the day.

Stage 1 enhanced paper tests - at another TOC HQ.
Stage 2 enhanced computerised tests - at The OPC.

At the last one there were someone in shorts and a fleece. I suppose it doesn't matter when it comes to tests, no one will score you lower for the way you dress, as it's all how you perform.

However there's 2 reasons I wouldn't chance it. Although MMI need to be scored fairly, I wouldn't chance that interviewer would look down at me just because I didn't dress smart enough and they would score me even just 1 point less on something. And you never know who will see you during tests done at TOCs HQ and it well may be your interviewer at your DMI later and they'll remember how you dressed on that day.

I went to all tests and interviews in full suit and I'm happy I did.

 

[choochoochoo]

I asked this question to someone at OPC on an 'open day' they had a few years back.

Suit is not necessary for assessments. - Trousers/shirt (or equivalent female dresswear) is acceptable.

I'd always say smart to the extent that what you're wearing allows you to relax enough that your concentration/focus isn't affected by being uncomfortable. - Part of being a driver is to manage (causes of) distractions and being able to ensure you're performing at the best of your abilities.

If your MMI is on the same day as the rest of the tests, take a tie. You can put it on for that part. And for DMI, full smart dress for sure.

 

[Atishyou]

I've sat tests 4 times, in 4 different places for 2 TOCs.

Stage 1 paper tests - at the hotel, no one from the TOC, only The OPC.
Stage 2 computerised tests - at TOCs HQ, only done by The OPC reps yet everyone from TOC could see us throughout the day.

Stage 1 enhanced paper tests - at another TOC HQ.
Stage 2 enhanced computerised tests - at The OPC.

At the last one there were someone in shorts and a fleece. I suppose it doesn't matter when it comes to tests, no one will score you lower for the way you dress, as it's all how you perform.

However there's 2 reasons I wouldn't chance it. Although MMI need to be scored fairly, I wouldn't chance that interviewer would look down at me just because I didn't dress smart enough and they would score me even just 1 point less on something. And you never know who will see you during tests done at TOCs HQ and it well may be your interviewer at your DMI later and they'll remember how you dressed on that day.

I went to all tests and interviews in full suit and I'm happy I did.

This.

I've sat different types of tests as follows:

Trainee driver tests - just assessment staff for company, followed by other tests - observed by a plethora of management.

Qualified driver assessments - no management, but in same building as a lot of company staff.
Assessment day - observed by a multitude of management.
A different qualified driver assessment day - loads of high level management as they were doing interviews whilst some other tests were taking place.

 

[CFRAIL]

You don't get a second chance at a first impression. As someone who has interviewed hundreds of people (non railway), I was always more impressed by those who dressed smartly/formally. That said I did mellow a little towards the end, given that how someone is dressed is no bearing on how well they'll perform in the role.

 

[Bucephalus]

I was smartly dressed when lost my two lives at the opc assessments. Maybe if I'd learned the full Windsor knot some more plumbers would have been circled in the teaocc

 

[43066]

You don't get a second chance at a first impression. As someone who has interviewed hundreds of people (non railway), I was always more impressed by those who dressed smartly/formally. That said I did mellow a little towards the end, given that how someone is dressed is no bearing on how well they'll perform in the role.

Indeed. I’m not sure why this question comes up so often on here to be honest. If you’re going for a £60k+ role with hundreds of applicants per vacancy, why wouldn’t wearing a suit be the obvious choice?

I remember at my DMI the managers complimented me on looking smart and mentioned a guy who’d rocked up in shorts and flip flops. Unbelievable!

You have the the rest of your railway career to look like a tramp if you want to. Just don’t do it at your interview .

 

[D Rivers]

I was smartly dressed when lost my two lives at the opc assessments. Maybe if I'd learned the full Windsor knot some more plumbers would have been circled in the teaocc

They’re all plumbers!!! And they’re all restaurants!!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Oct 2021 ==

I wore chinos and a shirt with shoes to my assessment at the opc in Watford. No TOC staff present. Just to add my bit on the subject.

 

[skyhigh]

To be quite honest, I’d hope people would actually “listen” to established members over someone whose first post arrogantly tells them not to listen to anyone else but themselves.

The first post from that user (since deleted) offered another poster the opportunity to use their address on a TPE driver application form as the poster was too far away from the depot.....