A career as a signaller

[godfreycomplex]

Best specify which one.

ICAO/NATO

I did grant a line blockage with someone with a name that’s originally spelled in a different alphabet once and did ponder if I should have learned the requisite phonetic alphabet to make a clear understanding easier. But that’s by the by

 

[Locky]

A fellow Scot, nice one! I had thought about applying for Perth too, but just a bit far for me. I applied and completed all the online assesments 30/01, got the email saying I had passed on 31/01 and just got the call today offering me an interview My candidate portal is still showing the same message as yours though. So I guess you could get the call tomorrow, or in a few months I honestly wasn't expecting to hear anything this month after reading about how long it has taken for some people, but they do seem to be arranging interviews for a few different places just now so I wouldn't be surprised if you heard from them soon! Wishing you luck too!

Thank you very much for the insight and appreciate the kind words. Again, best of luck to you! Hopefully speak to you when we are both working for NR

 

[godfreycomplex]

Thanks, I am over complicating it I feel, the signallers I have spoke to have said, study the books you are giving, practice what I am taught and have the right attitude, as in a if I want it enough it will happen sort of thing....

I wouldn’t say that’s necessarily exactly the way I’d describe the attitude, nearly everyone at signalling school finds some things more difficult than others and (almost) always it’s not because people don’t want to succeed, and it can be a terminal knock to people’s confidence if they think that they aren’t going to succeed because they don’t want it enough

Signalling as a job is all about balancing confidence. Too little and too much are both dangerous, and that’s one of the things that signalling school (indirectly) teaches people.

But other than that aye

 

[Buiadh]

You mean they don't wanna see my double chins? That's a good shout though, thank you! I propped my laptop up on my toaster for the video clip 'interview', truly the height of professionalism

Ohhh that's a really good idea, thank you so much! At first I was bummed I have to wait so long for my interview, but honestly it's probably good I've got some time to prepare.

I had a similar question to that in the videos too, it definitely threw me a bit! But I must have come up with something good enough since I got through. I think a lot of companies like to see how you work through struggles rather than just hear you make yourself out to be perfect. Which is understandable. Thank you so much!! Equally excited and nervous.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Feb 2025 ==


It is indeed! I was hoping it would be in person but hey ho, beggars can't be choosers. At least I won't just be talking into the void like the video interview.

I applied for the G2 Trainee at Montrose. Thank you so much!! I really hope so too. There isnt a whole lot of choice within the 50 min commute for me so I was honestly astounded when I saw this position come up!

Just to make you aware if you didn't know already, the G2 trainee positions at Montrose are for Montrose and the surrounding boxes (Carmont to Carnoustie), you'd be unlikely to get Montrose itself as, being one of only two G4 boxes between Dundee and Aberdeen, it's somewhat more coveted - the others are G3.

Good luck!

 

[acw7]

You mean they don't wanna see my double chins? That's a good shout though, thank you! I propped my laptop up on my toaster for the video clip 'interview', truly the height of professionalism

Ohhh that's a really good idea, thank you so much! At first I was bummed I have to wait so long for my interview, but honestly it's probably good I've got some time to prepare.

I had a similar question to that in the videos too, it definitely threw me a bit! But I must have come up with something good enough since I got through. I think a lot of companies like to see how you work through struggles rather than just hear you make yourself out to be perfect. Which is understandable. Thank you so much!! Equally excited and nervous.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Feb 2025 ==


It is indeed! I was hoping it would be in person but hey ho, beggars can't be choosers. At least I won't just be talking into the void like the video interview.

I applied for the G2 Trainee at Montrose. Thank you so much!! I really hope so too. There isnt a whole lot of choice within the 50 min commute for me so I was honestly astounded when I saw this position come up!

Did they call you instead of email?

 

[macmed94]

Nice one! Set up your computer on a pile of books or something so you’re not looking down at the screen is always a good one for online interviews.

I would recommend memorising two examples for each non-technical skill in the STAR format. If they then need to press you on something then you’ve instantly got another example up your sleeve instead of panicking and having to make something up on the spur of the moment.

I was thrown a bit when asked a question about a time when I’d screwed up and had to rectify my mistake. So maybe think of some negative situations as well rather than just ones that show you gliding through your job like a swan. Have you ever fallen out or clashed with anyone at work? That sort of thing. Best of luck with the interview.

by two examples for each, do you mean for each non technical skill category or for each of the 26 non technical skill on the chart?

I’ve attached a picture below to show what I mean

 

[Ollie7777]

Does anyone know if your applying for a relief signaller role covering 6/7 boxes do you have to live within 50 mins of all of them or just the location on the advert please?

what does the relief mean? my local box is a 24% relief and grade 6 box. i never really understood what the relief meant

 

[Kraken]

by two examples for each, do you mean for each non technical skill category or for each of the 26 non technical skill on the chart?

I’ve attached a picture below to show what I mean

Oh, just for the main 7, there isn’t a job in the world I want enough to try and think of 52 unique examples for! That’s just what I do for interviews, it’s not any sort of policy or anything.

 

[Lkw]

Thanks everyone for all the great information here, it has been really helpful!

Has anyone been called for an interview for Dundee yet? I’ve applied for the G2 trainee role, and waiting for assessment centre/interview. I feel like this would be a very popular location so I’m not holding my breath but would love the role.

Would anyone know is it 12 hour shifts or what is the norm for Dundee? (I’m happy to do this just wondering ) Wishing everyone the best of luck

 

[Locky]

Thanks everyone for all the great information here, it has been really helpful!

Has anyone been called for an interview for Dundee yet? I’ve applied for the G2 trainee role, and waiting for assessment centre/interview. I feel like this would be a very popular location so I’m not holding my breath but would love the role.

Would anyone know is it 12 hour shifts or what is the norm for Dundee? (I’m happy to do this just wondering ) Wishing everyone the best of luck

Nothing yet here. I applied for the G2 Trainee role for Perth. Video interview was done last week and still not heard anything about assessment centre interview. Others on here say they have waited up to 2 months for a date. Like you, I'm not holding my breath just now. Will wait and see what happens, but I will post here when I get an update

 

[Lkw]

Nothing yet here. I applied for the G2 Trainee role for Perth. Video interview was done last week and still not heard anything about assessment centre interview. Others on here say they have waited up to 2 months for a date. Like you, I'm not holding my breath just now. Will wait and see what happens, but I will post here when I get an update

Great thanks, I’ll do the same

 

[SWTurbo]

broad area I appreciate but does anyone have info on the G7 link at EMCC? Ideally desks, control area, fringes and shift patterns. Asking for a friend who’s applying!

 

[Buiadh]

Thanks everyone for all the great information here, it has been really helpful!

Has anyone been called for an interview for Dundee yet? I’ve applied for the G2 trainee role, and waiting for assessment centre/interview. I feel like this would be a very popular location so I’m not holding my breath but would love the role.

Would anyone know is it 12 hour shifts or what is the norm for Dundee? (I’m happy to do this just wondering ) Wishing everyone the best of luck

Again, same as the Montrose G2 positions, the Dundee G2 are for the Tayside area. You'd be unlikely to get Dundee as they are popular internally.
I'm pretty sure the Tayside boxes are all 12hr shifts.

 

[Lkw]

Again, same as the Montrose G2 positions, the Dundee G2 are for the Tayside area. You'd be unlikely to get Dundee as they are popular internally.
I'm pretty sure the Tayside boxes are all 12hr shifts.

Thanks for the response, that’s good to know

 

[High Dyke]

what does the relief mean? my local box is a 24% relief and grade 6 box. i never really understood what the relief meant

It should mean the location on the advert. That would be your base location. All mileages to the respective boxes will be calculated from there. On 24% FP your range is 30 miles of the base location.

For example, I live 15 miles from my base location. My nearest box is four miles from my house and the furthest is just inside the mileage limit of my base location, but a 1hr 30 minute drive away from home. Also remember, calculations need to take into account 14 hours door to door. Personally this negates a 12 hour shift at my furthest locations.

 

[Dazza75]

Nice congrats!! So crazy it came out of no where, I’m just waiting for my medical but I’ll be starting 14th April then IST is 28th April in York excited but bricking it

Hi Feaky4, I've just joined the forum and came across your message. I'll be on the same course as you, subject to passing my medical which is set for next month! If I can make you feel any better, I'm bricking it too so we're well and truly in the same boat there!!

 

[Ryan15]

Thanks everyone for all the great information here, it has been really helpful!

Has anyone been called for an interview for Dundee yet? I’ve applied for the G2 trainee role, and waiting for assessment centre/interview. I feel like this would be a very popular location so I’m not holding my breath but would love the role.

Would anyone know is it 12 hour shifts or what is the norm for Dundee? (I’m happy to do this just wondering ) Wishing everyone the best of luck

Hiya there, I have also applied for this role and received an email today with an invite to a virtual interview. So hopefully you should hear back soon.

 

[Lkw]

Hiya there, I have also applied for this role and received an email today with an invite to a virtual interview. So hopefully you should hear back soon.

Best of luck with your interview! That’s great, hopefully I’ll hear back soon, thanks for letting me know

 

[Locky]

Hiya there, I have also applied for this role and received an email today with an invite to a virtual interview. So hopefully you should hear back soon.

Best of luck with the interview mate. I've applied for the same position/box. How long did it take for you to get an 'assessment centre' interview?

 

[Cheney B50]

Has anyone got the upto date pay chart, showing Sundays and night premiums etc

 

[Ryan15]

Best of luck with the interview mate. I've applied for the same position/box. How long did it take for you to get an 'assessment centre' interview?

thank you very much. It has been 3 weeks since they first got back to me advising I had passed the first online assessment.

 

[feaky4]

Hi Feaky4, I've just joined the forum and came across your message. I'll be on the same course as you, subject to passing my medical which is set for next month! If I can make you feel any better, I'm bricking it too so we're well and truly in the same boat there!!

Hey congrats on making it to IST! That’s great at least we know another person starting! What date you got your medical? Yes very nerve racking but we will be fine!

 

[chloeu]

Hi all,
I have an interview booked for the 20th for a G9 Edinburgh position! Feeling pretty nervous about it but really excited to prove myself to whoever is interviewing me. I've been doing some research on the position but also on network rail as a company and what they stand for. I've wrote down some potential questions they might ask me and answers for those, but I'm really scared that my nerves are gonna mess me up during the call. Does anyone have any advice to settle them? Anything I should look to avoid during the interview? Thanks!

 

[LW17]

Has anyone got the upto date pay chart, showing Sundays and night premiums etc

 

[jdevlin55]

Hi all,
I have an interview booked for the 20th for a G9 Edinburgh position! Feeling pretty nervous about it but really excited to prove myself to whoever is interviewing me. I've been doing some research on the position but also on network rail as a company and what they stand for. I've wrote down some potential questions they might ask me and answers for those, but I'm really scared that my nerves are gonna mess me up during the call. Does anyone have any advice to settle them? Anything I should look to avoid during the interview? Thanks!

I have my interview on the 20th as well, got lots of notes and done some research as well

 

[Dazza75]

Hey congrats on making it to IST! That’s great at least we know another person starting! What date you got your medical? Yes very nerve racking but we will be fine!

Thanks Feaky, we will be fine and although nervous, I'm really looking forward to it! My medical is on March 6th up in Newcastle and I had a heck of a job securing that spot. The ones more local to me such as York, Doncaster and Preston were not available until mid to late March and with a start date of 14th April, coupled with needing to give a months notice at work, I needed something earlier. When do you have your medical? I hope you're not having to travel too far but I'd go to Land's End if I needed to I reckon!

 

[feaky4]

Thanks Feaky, we will be fine and although nervous, I'm really looking forward to it! My medical is on March 6th up in Newcastle and I had a heck of a job securing that spot. The ones more local to me such as York, Doncaster and Preston were not available until mid to late March and with a start date of 14th April, coupled with needing to give a months notice at work, I needed something earlier. When do you have your medical? I hope you're not having to travel too far but I'd go to Land's End if I needed to I reckon!

Yes very scary but very exciting to, I was shocked at the wait tbh mine is 18th of march in Doncaster but luckily only have to give a weeks notice but yeah I’d do any thing to make sure it goes as planned!

 

[ARRRWR]

Found out today that I've been unsuccessful following my interview. For those who was put on a reserve list were you told straightaway? I'm guessing this means it's over for me?

 

[ZackCulross]

Found out today that I've been unsuccessful following my interview. For those who was put on a reserve list were you told straightaway? I'm guessing this means it's over for me?

yes you will get told that they want to keep you on file in email or app portal.
mines last year was.

"Unfortunately we aren’t able to offer you a position at this level. You successfully met the test standard for the role, but we feel you would be better suited to a lower grade, so that you can build up your experience before moving into higher grade roles. We’d really like to keep you in our pool in case a suitable opportunity arises in the future"

 

[ARRRWR]

yes you will get told that they want to keep you on file in email or app portal.
mines last year was.

"Unfortunately we aren’t able to offer you a position at this level. You successfully met the test standard for the role, but we feel you would be better suited to a lower grade, so that you can build up your experience before moving into higher grade roles. We’d really like to keep you in our pool in case a suitable opportunity arises in the future"

Thanks. I wish they'd given me some feedback