At what point do you give up…?

[80slover]

Applied for a trainee driver and have gone through pyschometrics with no problem at all, I seem to be stuck at manager interview stage. Failed 3 interviews so far. Do you know anyone who had more attempts and became successful?

 

[Burt807]

Applied for a trainee driver and have gone through pyschometrics with no problem at all, I seem to be stuck at manager interview stage. Failed 3 interviews so far. Do you know anyone who had more attempts and became successful?

I'm sure there's people on this forum who have had more attempts. Have you asked for feedback? Do you use the STAR structure?

 

[baz962]

Applied for a trainee driver and have gone through pyschometrics with no problem at all, I seem to be stuck at manager interview stage. Failed 3 interviews so far. Do you know anyone who had more attempts and became successful?

Personally I wouldn't give up until the psychometrics run out .

 

[secretsquirels]

NEVER give up. I had 5 DTM interviews before I got offered a trainee position. I had psychometric already in the bag too. Got to keep going!

 

[Horizon22]

Driver recruitment is incredibly competitive. It requires perseverance but obviously that is a personal decision you have to take on what you want to do. It can be tough getting knocked back but the fact you're getting to the interview stage is obviously very promising. Did you ask for DMI feedback? I don't know if you're already in the railway industry and looking to progress or starting with only driver applications, but if its the latter, people often recommend going for less competitive / more junior positions and working your way up internally. Also see this thread about how long it has taken other people.

 

[quattromatt]

Applied for a trainee driver and have gone through pyschometrics with no problem at all, I seem to be stuck at manager interview stage. Failed 3 interviews so far. Do you know anyone who had more attempts and became successful?

I got my trainee driver job on my fourth interview, I’m terrible at interviews but you’ve got to keep persevering, best of luck to you.

 

[Driver0202]

Applied for a trainee driver and have gone through pyschometrics with no problem at all, I seem to be stuck at manager interview stage. Failed 3 interviews so far. Do you know anyone who had more attempts and became successful?

I know a guy from the north that applied and had 17interviews and passed the test 3 times then got a drivers job .

 

[Owen2323]

I know a guy from the north that applied and had 17interviews and passed the test 3 times then got a drivers job .

That sounded a bit 'Game of thrones'

 

[80slover]

Thank you everyone. Really appreciate your replies. Just what I needed to hear. I’m already on the railway in safety critical position. Rejection knocks your confidence down a bit, but I will stand back on my feet and try again.

 

[1_on]

Thank you everyone. Really appreciate your replies. Just what I needed to hear. I’m already on the railway in safety critical position. Rejection knocks your confidence down a bit, but I will stand back on my feet and try again.

Just keep pushing the right job will find you soon. Best of luck

 

[Economist]

I got a "thanks but no thanks" at the DMI stage from four seperate TOCs, one of those was for a shunter driver role, the rest mainline. A few years on and I'm a Driver Instructor at the fifth TOC who interviewed me, so don't worry about it, most get there in the end.

 

[Stigy]

Never give up. You’re very close, and just need to maybe hone your interview technique? You may not be doing anything wrong, it’s just that there were so many applicants, you were unlucky.

 

[80slover]

I got a "thanks but no thanks" at the DMI stage from four seperate TOCs, one of those was for a shunter driver role, the rest mainline. A few years on and I'm a Driver Instructor at the fifth TOC who interviewed me, so don't worry about it, most get there in the end.

What about if its the same TOC I already work for? Think I just need to look elsewhere …

 

[Newby]

I know a guy from the north that applied and had 17interviews and passed the test 3 times then got a drivers job .

You know nothing John Snow

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Aug 2021 ==

Never give up! If you have not failed the tests twice there is always still a chance. That’s all you need, the chance. If you want it bad enough it will come!

 

[LCC106]

80slover DEFINITELY ask for feedback then see if there are any internal courses you can do to help with interview technique.

 

[Stigy]

What about if its the same TOC I already work for? Think I just need to look elsewhere …

I applied to SWT/R a few times when I worked for them and didn’t make the papersift most of them. Admittedly it was prior to when they changed to the FirstGroup recruitment process.

 

[ggbrf]

Please NEVER give up !!!

 

[ArchangelA]

It's bloody well frustrating when you're so very keen and enthusiastic and put alot of time and effort into your applications-only to receive the "thanks but no thanks" email or call. I know it's happened to me several times.
I agree with all the others though, never give up and never give in.
Might be worth taking a step back, looking at your cover letters and CV's and polishing them up a bit, conduct more research into the STAR technique and the experiences of others who are successful and maybe practising more until you become a bit more confident in delivering it to complete strangers.
Then comes the inevitable long wait and trust in the Universe that one day you will strike lucky. BELIEVE.

 

[Ludus]

At least you're getting to the interview stage, you just need to work on your interview skills and you're in with a very real chance. I've never even had a reply back from any of my 6 applications so far, never-mind passing the psychometrics!

 

[Lioness]

At least you're getting to the interview stage, you just need to work on your interview skills and you're in with a very real chance. I've never even had a reply back from any of my 6 applications so far, never-mind passing the psychometrics!

Is this the norm or common?

I currently have an application under consideration with a TOC for a trainee position. I received afew ‘we are sifting’ and ‘please be patient’ emails but I’ve heard nothing for over two months since and thinking too much time has passed for a positive outcome

 

[ArchangelA]

Is this the norm or common?

I currently have an application under consideration with a TOC for a trainee position. I received afew ‘we are sifting’ and ‘please be patient’ emails but I’ve heard nothing for over two months since and thinking too much time has passed for a positive outcome

It's very common with the TOCs I have found after applying for trainee train driver jobs. Network Rail jobs I've applied for are a lot better at giving you updates though and don't keep you hanging like the TOCs tend to (in my experience)

 

[Ludus]

Is this the norm or common?

I currently have an application under consideration with a TOC for a trainee position. I received afew ‘we are sifting’ and ‘please be patient’ emails but I’ve heard nothing for over two months since and thinking too much time has passed for a positive outcome

Pretty much the norm as above, if you do manage to get a reply you'll usually be looking at a few months wait.