Asking people for help

[TDK]

Hi people, recently I have had many requests from potential candidates for help with their application, testing and interviews. The whole recruitment process is to assess your ability to be able to carry out the training and the role so by me complying with these requests would give a false result.

Some of the requests I have had are blatant to the degree of people asking me what they should put in their application, how to do the tests, the questions and answers to interview questions and other things. I will not and I hope others with experience will not help to the degree where these questions are answered.

I think this is a great forum for anyone looking for a job on the railway but think it should not be used to almost take the tests and the interviews for people.

Use your own initiative and please don't beg for such help that will give a false result in the application procedure.

 

[Fred Dinenage]

There's also the fact that people are directly competing for jobs and still want help or advice from those they might be competing against. All it takes is a few searches on here and either screenshot or favourite the relevant pages on your browser / iPad.

 

[tlionhart]

I'm surprised the mods don't delete such threads. If the mods started deleting the new threads, then it will hopefully force candidates to use initiative then get spoon fed answers. There's plenty of info on here now...
Also some candidates are in for a shock, the training process I would say is harder...

 

[Dave1987]

Considering the lengths people are prepared to go to now to get through probably not surprising to see a lot of internals getting the trainee positions.

 

[Themob]

I commence driver training soon, I've zero previous experience in the industry.
From the first to last stage of application I can only advise to keep it simple. I gave direct answers to direct questions. I revised the TOC history and the role profile, I would relate my attributes and outlooks to that profile.

I've seen posts on here where people ask how many minutes they should spend answering interview questions etc and what 'golden sentences ' they should add to the application forms.
A TOC provide ample revision material and are not trying to catch anyone out. My advice would be to keep it simple and have confidence in your own skill set .

This forum is double edged sword , it's easy to filter the objective , useful and relevant information . Do not get bogged down on the subjective information as your confidence will nose dive .

 

[craigybagel]

I'm surprised the mods don't delete such threads. If the mods started deleting the new threads, then it will hopefully force candidates to use initiative then get spoon fed answers. There's plenty of info on here now...
Also some candidates are in for a shock, the training process I would say is harder...

I can't speak for other staff here, but most of the requests I've had for help have been via PM which mods wouldn't know about.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Related to the above, it is becoming normal for any employer to have a social media policy. Although us operational types will often be in blissful ignorance of such things, your TOC will probably have one. Mine does, and the gist of it is that you aren't to identify yourself as an employee, and you aren't to discuss your employer online. That's fairly typical, so it's probably worth thinking twice, before you describe any recruitment process you've gone through, or what interview questions to expect, etc.

 

[TDK]

I can't speak for other staff here, but most of the requests I've had for help have been via PM which mods wouldn't know about.

I have had many PM messages, some are constructive requests on different things, some are for help when drivers are in training, some are for basic ideas on interviews but most are from desperados that want to get one step ahead by any means possible, I have even been offered money for advice. However I will try to help people understand certain aspects of the role.

E&W Lucas sums it up well, too many people do not realise that they can actually put their career in jeopardy but slating their company, giving information on the internal running and also revealing the questions and answers to interviews. This isn't only on a forum but all social media.

 

[Fred Dinenage]

There's also the fact that people are directly competing for jobs and still want help or advice from those they might be competing against. All it takes is a few searches on here and either screenshot or favourite the relevant pages on your browser / iPad.

Nick82! I know very little, i've shared my experiences but i didn't take photos of my answers and passed by the skin of my teeth.....try doing your own research ffs :roll:

 

[DunfordBridge]

I am not quite sure if it is anything new asking railway insiders to relate their experiences as such activities have always probably occurred discretely over a few drinks in the local boozer. Probably that the activity is more widespread now due to the power and anonymity of the internet. Putting aside ethics, TDK probably receives more questions than what it is humanly possible to answer.