Southeastern - Station Roles - Recruitment Discussion

[Ellwill]

Unfortunately I've been in limbo since January. Passed assessment and interview on 06/01/25, I was told that I had been placed into a talent pool and that they would be in touch to arrange the medical once a position opens up (full time station staff GLM). Around nine months later, haven't really heard anything. I asked for an update in June but received a pretty glacial response reiterating what they'd already said. I'm hoping this might change in the run up to christmas but I've got a nasty feeling they're mucking me about and will just let my application expire at the start of 2027.

Hi, I recently attended an Assessment Centre for a Station Staff role at Southeastern. I was successful at this stage and there are no further assessments/interviews to pass. The next thing AFAIK is the medical. From what I know there's not an opening near me right now so I'll probably be added to the talent pool if everything goes alright.
Provided that happens, does anyone have any idea how long it takes for a Station Staff/Customer Service role to open up? I know drivers/conductors are very competitive roles, I was wondering what it's like for this role and how many months it may take. My closest stations would be Canterbury East/West (if that matters) and basically anything near that area.
I've only just graduated so I don't have a full time job at the moment and I'm wondering if it's worth finding a decent job only to quit it for this role or if I should stick with my part time retail job until an opening comes up?
Any suggestions are appreciated!

Stick with your part time retail job but I would recommend making your manager aware of your position in the talent pool. This will make things a lot less awkward when you finally get a date for a medical and need to excuse yourself from working that day. As you're a recent graduate I'm sure they'll be more than understanding of you pursuing a full time opportunity so hopefully they'll be supportive.

I just got into the boat of waiting as well. I passed my assessment/Interview on 25th July, and I don't know how long to wait to get to the next stage.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2025 ==


Have you got a medical appointment yet?

Any updates on your end?

 

[Lulo]

Unfortunately I've been in limbo since January. Passed assessment and interview on 06/01/25, I was told that I had been placed into a talent pool and that they would be in touch to arrange the medical once a position opens up (full time station staff GLM). Around nine months later, haven't really heard anything. I asked for an update in June but received a pretty glacial response reiterating what they'd already said. I'm hoping this might change in the run up to christmas but I've got a nasty feeling they're mucking me about and will just let my application expire at the start of 2027.


Stick with your part time retail job but I would recommend making your manager aware of your position in the talent pool. This will make things a lot less awkward when you finally get a date for a medical and need to excuse yourself from working that day. As you're a recent graduate I'm sure they'll be more than understanding of you pursuing a full time opportunity so hopefully they'll be supportive.


Any updates on your end?

Yea! I got a call from one of the recruitment officers on 03.09.2025, booking me in for a medical test. Had my medical examination today, which went well but my left ear test, with a bit of hearing loss concern at just low frequencies, all is fine with higher frequencies and my right ear is perfectly okay. My eyes test came out positively as well, and others.
Looking forward to further updates.

 

[Ellwill]

Yea! I got a call from one of the recruitment officers on 03.09.2025, booking me in for a medical test. Had my medical examination today, which went well but my left ear test, with a bit of hearing loss concern at just low frequencies, all is fine with higher frequencies and my right ear is perfectly okay. My eyes test came out positively as well, and others.
Looking forward to further updates.

Lovely stuff, great to hear it. Hopefully you'll have a start date no later than the end of next month. I'll update once I've had the phone call, whenever it comes for me.

 

[Dj2131]

Hi everyone.

I have been offered a role with Southeasten as a Line Station Assistant. I was just wondering out of curiosity how many weeks the training normally takes. Also if someone could give me more information on this role that would be appreciated.

 

[Horizon22]

Hi everyone.

I have been offered a role with Southeasten as a Line Station Assistant. I was just wondering out of curiosity how many weeks the training normally takes. Also if someone could give me more information on this role that would be appreciated.

Well done.

This would depend on whether you are doing platform duties or just gateline.

You'd normally have a company induction, and then station operations training (e.g ramps and customer service training). The gateline courses are generally just a week or so, whereas dispatch (rules) courses are normally a few weeks followed up by site specific training.

 

[Harlequinuk]

Hi everyone.

I have been offered a role with Southeasten as a Line Station Assistant. I was just wondering out of curiosity how many weeks the training normally takes. Also if someone could give me more information on this role that would be appreciated.

Have you had your medical? If so how long did you have to wait for the appointment?

 

[Dj2131]

Hi! Yes I have done my medical. I've done it twice now. The first time took 2 months to be invited to my medical and 2 weeks to get my results. But my second was at my earliest convenience due to receiving a job offer. Unfortunately the recruitment process is slow but they do reach out.

 

[Harlequinuk]

Hi! Yes I have done my medical. I've done it twice now. The first time took 2 months to be invited to my medical and 2 weeks to get my results. But my second was at my earliest convenience due to receiving a job offer. Unfortunately the recruitment process is slow but they do reach out.

Thank you, waiting for my medical as i passed the assessment day. How long has it taken you so far?

 

[M_B14]

Yea! I got a call from one of the recruitment officers on 03.09.2025, booking me in for a medical test. Had my medical examination today, which went well but my left ear test, with a bit of hearing loss concern at just low frequencies, all is fine with higher frequencies and my right ear is perfectly okay. My eyes test came out positively as well, and others.

 

[Ellwill]

Southeastern "Job Share" Gateline - Tunbridge Wells

This vacancy appeared on the SE careers portal on Monday. I've never personally heard of any positions being advertised as such. Is it effectively a convoluted way of saying "part time" or is there something I'm missing here?

 

[Dj2131]

Hi everyone.

I have been offered a role with Southeasten as a Line Station Assistant. I was just wondering out of curiosity how many weeks the training normally takes. Also if someone could give me more information on this role that would be appreciated.

The whole process has taken me just over a year since I first applied for the position, and I'm still not starting my training till 24th November.

Unfortunately it is a very slow as previously mentioned. Once everything come through from your medical, you'll most likely be placed into a talent pool, where it then comes down to your place in the pool and positions in your area to be open.

 

[Ellwill]

Applications opened today for Dartford and the surronding area, only one week on the clock:

Customer Service Opportunities- Dartford Area | 08 December, 2025 | Jobs and careers with Southeastern

Jobs and careers with Southeastern - Looking for a career that can take you places? Join our Southeastern station team at one of our stations in our Dartford group!Imagine the pride you’ll feel knowing your care and customer service is creating a special place within your community. Our...

jobs.southeasternrailway.co.uk

Talent pool applications also open for Faversham and Sittingbourne for the time being.

 

[Sussex]

I passed my assessment centre on 20th June. exactly a month later July 22nd I was booked in for a medical. I did email them 2 weeks prior asking them how long the wait. For the medical, i had to go to London Bridge area into a clinic to test for drugs (urine), alcohol (breathlyser), eye and hearing. 5 days later, recieved an email that I had passed it and I would be put on a waitlist until a opportunity arises. I applied for the London stations area but I did tell them I prefered for a station around south london

Hi,
Just wondering where you ended up?

 

[OllieWave]

Good morning everyone. I just wanted to ask two questions, I have passed a medical for customer service staff and passenger host positions at Southeastern railway around a week ago and have been informed I will now have my application on hold until they find a posting for me.

Does anyone have an ETA, or is it how long is a piece of string?

Also, while I have many applications in for other rail companies that are progressing, is it worth letting them know I have reached sufficient medical, physical and standards with a seperate rail company?

Many thanks

 

[Class2ldn]

All the companies will require a medical regardless of what you've done with any others.
If they've said they will get in touch when a space is available then thats what they will do, how long that could be I doubt anyone will know.

 

[Zugaga]

My SE station role experience has been applying & doing Arctic Shores, getting an email five days later saying "I am pleased to confirm you (sic) that your application has successfully passed the screening process...we will contact you as soon as we are able to continue with your application."

That was four months ago, not a dicky bird since.

 

[Ellwill]

My SE station role experience has been applying & doing Arctic Shores, getting an email five days later saying "I am pleased to confirm you (sic) that your application has successfully passed the screening process...we will contact you as soon as we are able to continue with your application."

That was four months ago, not a dicky bird since.

I'll be honest, recruitment for station roles seems to be a complete shambles at the moment. Per FOI request there's currently around 275 total between the London and Kent pools that are waiting for jobs. I've personally been in the Kent one for nearly fourteen months now, having passed assessment/interview early in January last year.

It seems they're barely taking anyone on at the moment because all the vast majority of the short term vacancies (sickness/maternity leave cover) are being filled by agency staff from Berry or Ontrak. Frankly I'd recommend applying elsewhere on or off the railway because it'll probably be a long while before you get anything from SE.

(edited 16/03/25, thank you to M_B14 for clarification)

 

[Zugaga]

I'll be honest, recruitment for station roles seems to be a complete shambles at the moment. Per FOI request there's currently around 275 total between the London and Kent pools that are waiting for jobs. I've personally been in the Kent one for nearly fourteen months now, having passed assessment/interview early in January last year.

It seems they're barely taking anyone on at the moment because all short term vacancies (sickness/maternity leave cover) are being filled by agency staff from Berry or Ontrak. Frankly I'd recommend applying elsewhere on or off the railway because it'll probably be a long while before you get anything from SE.

Suspected I was not alone...thanks v much for confirming though!

 

[M_B14]

Hi,
Just wondering where you ended up?

Apologies for the late reply, I have been working at my station since January,

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2026 ==

Good morning everyone. I just wanted to ask two questions, I have passed a medical for customer service staff and passenger host positions at Southeastern railway around a week ago and have been informed I will now have my application on hold until they find a posting for me.

Does anyone have an ETA, or is it how long is a piece of string?

Also, while I have many applications in for other rail companies that are progressing, is it worth letting them know I have reached sufficient medical, physical and standards with a seperate rail company?

Many thanks

can depend on where you told them where you want to work during your assessment centre. I said a particular station and 4 months later, i got a offer to join. i noticed london terminals have a better intake as alot of current staff either get dismissed or leave within a short time.

 

[Zugaga]

https://jobs.southeasternrailway.co...ce-Opportunities-Lewisham-and-Hayes-Area/3374

For those who live within 40 minutes of stations between LEW and HYS inclusive.

 

[tsb_01]

Could someone give me a timeline of a possible start date I done my medical roughly around December January and then was sent an email which said my application is on hold unitil a suitable position arises this for the customer service assistant role in London

 

[Ellwill]

Could someone give me a timeline of a possible start date I done my medical roughly around December January and then was sent an email which said my application is on hold unitil a suitable position arises this for the customer service assistant role in London

It's a case of 'how long is a piece of string' unfortunately. Anything from several weeks to many months.

 

[tsb_01]

It's a case of 'how long is a piece of string' unfortunately. Anything from several weeks to many months.

How long has the whole process taken for you

 

[Ellwill]

How long has the whole process taken for you

For my current application, now one year and nine months.

• August 2024 - Applied
• December 2024 - Received assessment centre invitation
• January 2025 - Attended and passed assessment centre and interview day, added to talent pool
• June 2025 - After emailing recruitment, told that they're waiting for a vacancy in my area
• September 2025 - After emailing again, told again that they're waiting for vacancies to open
• January 2026 - Emailed recruitment again, was told there's 'a few' other candidates in front of me in the queue
• March 2026 - Contacted local station manager directly to ask about vacancies, was told that they're looking at internal transfers first before taking on staff from the talent pool

I might jack it in at this point because it feels like they're just fobbing me off. Maybe I'll try reaching out to recruitment again in the next few weeks...

 

[tsb_01]

For my current application, now one year and nine months.

• August 2024 - Applied
• December 2024 - Received assessment centre invitation
• January 2025 - Attended and passed assessment centre and interview day, added to talent pool
• June 2025 - After emailing recruitment, told that they're waiting for a vacancy in my area
• September 2025 - After emailing again, told again that they're waiting for vacancies to open
• January 2026 - Emailed recruitment again, was told there's 'a few' other candidates in front of me in the queue
• March 2026 - Contacted local station manager directly to ask about vacancies, was told that they're looking at internal transfers first before taking on staff from the talent pool

I might jack it in at this point because it feels like they're just fobbing me off. Maybe I'll try reaching out to recruitment again in the next few weeks...

So are you waiting for the London group stations or outside of London and what I found confusing is that they said I am currently on hold until a suitable position arises but they are still realising vacancies for the same role I am waiting for , my application was for 2 different stations by the way.

 

[Ellwill]

So are you waiting for the London group stations or outside of London and what I found confusing is that they said I am currently on hold until a suitable position arises but they are still realising vacancies for the same role I am waiting for , my application was for 2 different stations by the way.

Outside London. From what I've ascertained from an FOI request in February, there's more than 150 others in my pool and nearly 100 in yours.

As far as our applications are concerned, I believe they'll consider you for any station that's within 45 mins commute of your home address by foot, or 45 mins by car if you have a licence.

 

[Ellwill]

Unfortunately it's come to my attention on social media this evening that I've been leapfrogged in the pool by someone in my area that passed interview a month after I did. Can anyone advise as to whether I should follow this up with HR?

I'm already quite disillusioned about the prospects of getting a call back but this could well be the final nail in the coffin...

 

[tsb_01]

As of now I’ve asked them under the FOI how many people are in the talent pool for my job title and location and there was 14 and I am pretty sure I am closer to 1 than I am to 14 so at this point it shouldn’t be too much longer for me

 

[Ellwill]

As of now I’ve asked them under the FOI how many people are in the talent pool for my job title and location and there was 14 and I am pretty sure I am closer to 1 than I am to 14 so at this point it shouldn’t be too much longer for me

Depends on staff churn/turnover in your specific area and whether they arbitrarily put someone else in front of you, I suppose. I'd put in another FOI myself but I'd be concerned about it working against me considering I only reached out for updates a couple of weeks back, and lo and behold I seemingly get stiffed for a ticket office opportunity a few days later...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jul 2026 ==

Phone call this morning from recruitment asking whether I'd be able to fill a vacancy, but unfortunately the specific opening needed a driver's licence for the commute. Hopefully I'll get another call back soon-ish with something more local...

 

[Shahk]

Depends on staff churn/turnover in your specific area and whether they arbitrarily put someone else in front of you, I suppose. I'd put in another FOI myself but I'd be concerned about it working against me considering I only reached out for updates a couple of weeks back, and lo and behold I seemingly get stiffed for a ticket office opportunity a few days later...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jul 2026 ==

Phone call this morning from recruitment asking whether I'd be able to fill a vacancy, but unfortunately the specific opening needed a driver's licence for the commute. Hopefully I'll get another call back soon-ish with something more local...

Hello everyone can anyone guide me about how talent pool works. As i am in a talent pool since April and waiting for the vacancy to come at the station i applied for. Is there any way I can check the numbers in talent pool?