What would you wear to a driver assessment?

[Jake7224]

Thanks for the replies all, this is my first application to a train operator so not sure what the culture is or what to expect.

I’m coming from aviation, and having done assessments for aviation roles before the dress code was almost always casual. People were rocking up in jeans! All depends on the sector I suppose.

Judging from the replies a smart shirt, trousers and maybe tie will suffice. I think I’m safe to leave my cummerbund at home!

Thanks again all for helping a train newbie out! It’s really appreciated

 

[wacca78]

Thanks for the replies all, this is my first application to a train operator so not sure what the culture is or what to expect.

I’m coming from aviation, and having done assessments for aviation roles before the dress code was almost always casual. People were rocking up in jeans! All depends on the sector I suppose.

Judging from the replies a smart shirt, trousers and maybe tie will suffice. I think I’m safe to leave my cummerbund at home!

Thanks again all for helping a train newbie out! It’s really appreciated

You’ll be absolutely fine dressed like that. Good luck! Has I said but think it’s in the other post ensure you get there in plenty of time. You’re very expendable at this stage so even if it’s a delay through no fault of your own such as a broken down train. Motorway closed or car won’t start, if you get there after they started you won’t be able to complete the day. My advice would be if you’re over 30 mins away book a cheap hotel nearby and be nice and early. 30 mins before the start time if not earlier.

 

[RedYellowGreen]

Save yourself the cost of a hotel (unless you have kids and a spouse that have you on edge every night), go buy a smart pair of trousers, tie and shirt. Go to bed an hour earlier than you normally would. Set your alarm an hour earlier than you think you might need to. Get there in good time and smash it!

 

[NorthernTech]

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.....

Yep, and they both have profile names that would look like their real names too… not a smart move, and totally avoiding the whole point of living within distance for fatigue (safety) purposes.

 

[ArchangelA]

I'd tend to agree with the majority..smart suit and tie, clean shows, have a shave (and you ladies!...only joking), brush your teeth, have a good sleep the day before, and do your best to impress. Just because the TOC may not be present doesn't mean that OPC (or whoever) having been asked to score your attitude and appearance. After all there is a lot at stake

 

[12guard4]

This question gets asked all the time and really it does make you wonder if some people actually want the job.

Go smart, get dressed in a shirt and trousers. Just because it is OPC doesn't mean someone from the company won't be there.

If being smart is not comfortable to you, what are you going to do if the company you work for 1 day enforces a shirt and trousers uniform policy and you have to drive in it?

 

[HeritageSussex]

People turn up in all sorts. Some are there to do one part of the test only, as a resit, and wear everyday clothes like jeans and T-shirt. Wearing a suit is not really necessary unless there will be an interview as part of the days proceedings.
On most testing days I've been to there are no staff from the TOC or FOC only the OPC staff, who don't really mind what you're wearing.

I second the advice to wear smart trousers and a decent shirt - a tie is entirely optional.

 

[choochoochoo]

If being smart is not comfortable to you, what are you going to do if the company you work for 1 day enforces a shirt and trousers uniform policy and you have to drive in it?

I heard GTR are trialling combat-pants style trousers !! So it's all about being comfortable doing your job.

 

[12guard4]

I heard GTR are trialling combat-pants style trousers !! So it's all about being comfortable doing your job.

Totally missed the point/ just not read.

 

[LowLevel]

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 .

I remember a few years ago during a big tranche of freight redundancies as coal died a death ASLEF arranged for our then TOC to offer redundant drivers interviews for vacant positions. We got some bloody good people out of that but apparently many more turned up looking like they'd been dragged through a hedge and treated the interview as a formality, and were most put out to be rejected off hand.

The way the railway tries to push the driver being at least reasonably customer friendly and presentable now I'd always suggest any applications went more for smart than not.

 

[choochoochoo]

Totally missed the point/ just not read.

not really.

just saying you got to be comfortable doing the job.

and to say how will you cope once you're forced to wear uniform isn't an issue

i'll stick by trousers and shirt (short-sleeve is fine).

 

[12guard4]

not really.

just saying you got to be comfortable doing the job.

and to say how will you cope once you're forced to wear uniform isn't an issue

i'll stick by trousers and shirt (short-sleeve is fine).

Potentially it could be an issue. That's a fact. You never know what uniforms of the future will be.

 

[choochoochoo]

Potentially it could be an issue. That's a fact. You never know what uniforms of the future will be.

I don't think the union would allow an uncomfortable uniform to be introduced if it affected your ability to drive. I'd imagine the RAIB would be all over it if it caused an incident.

 

[T-Karmel]

If being smart is not comfortable to you, what are you going to do if the company you work for 1 day enforces a shirt and trousers uniform policy and you have to drive in it?

Although most companies go for a comfortable outfit for drivers role, yet as recently as up to 3 years ago, Heathrow Express uniform for drivers didn't differ much from anyone else's uniform and it was a white shirt, tie or scarf for ladies and suit trousers. Obviously with safety shoes for drivers.

Here just a quick example and that's actually in an uniform one before the last uniform HEX ever issued for drivers. Two drivers and their manager in the middle: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpIqW7LCcAAjNre.jpg

And in the end of the day, whatever the uniform for drivers is, managers wants to see that you're presentable and will wear your uniform clean, tidy, pressed and with pride. You show that through the way you present yourself to them at the interview and before that if they get a chance to see you, for example during assessments (although, as we settled, that's unlikely that they see you there).

I've heard from managers interviewing for drivers role, they still get to see people coming to those interviews in jeans. Not to mention number of railway staff of all grades struggling to present uniform standards on them in all TOCs.

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

And one more thing regarding Psychometrics. It is not impossible to wear a full suit with a tie and still be comfortable. You don't need a tailored suit or spend 100s of £, you just need to shop around and find shirts and a suit that actually is comfortable for yourself. You can find them cheap or second hand and sort yourself out not only for the assessments but also for all possible interviews and various functions.

 

[12guard4]

I don't think the union would allow an uncomfortable uniform to be introduced if it affected your ability to drive. I'd imagine the RAIB would be all over it if it caused an incident.

I don't think the argument I had to wear shirt and trousers will be something the RAIB will be interested in.

 

[RedYellowGreen]

Although most companies go for a comfortable outfit for drivers role, yet as recently as up to 3 years ago, Heathrow Express uniform for drivers didn't differ much from anyone else's uniform and it was a white shirt, tie or scarf for ladies and suit trousers. Obviously with safety shoes for drivers.

Here just a quick example and that's actually in an uniform one before the last uniform HEX ever issued for drivers. Two drivers and their manager in the middle: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpIqW7LCcAAjNre.jpg

And in the end of the day, whatever the uniform for drivers is, managers wants to see that you're presentable and will wear your uniform clean, tidy, pressed and with pride. You show that through the way you present yourself to them at the interview and before that if they get a chance to see you, for example during assessments (although, as we settled, that's unlikely that they see you there).

I've heard from managers interviewing for drivers role, they still get to see people coming to those interviews in jeans. Not to mention number of railway staff of all grades struggling to present uniform standards on them in all TOCs.

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

And one more thing regarding Psychometrics. It is not impossible to wear a full suit with a tie and still be comfortable. You don't need a tailored suit or spend 100s of £, you just need to shop around and find shirts and a suit that actually is comfortable for yourself. You can find them cheap or second hand and sort yourself out not only for the assessments but also for all possible interviews and various functions.

Look how smart those guys look.

I cannot believe what some companies have their drivers wearing.

 

[choochoochoo]

I don't think the argument I had to wear shirt and trousers will be something the RAIB will be interested in.

it would be if the driver said i was distracted because I was constantly adjusting my clothing because it is uncomfortable.

 

[Val3ntine]

I think it’s clear by now we aren’t going to get a definite clear right or wrong answer here, probably because there isn’t one.

There have been some helpful advice on here to follow if you so wish. Further to that, anyone going for driver assesments at some point in the future, please do follow the advice on your invitation letters. As usual, if you are unclear on anything, clarify details with HR/recruitment.