Becoming a driver

[Tz55uk]

Hi all I was hoping for alittle help I'm 44 and a bus driver . Iv been trying for sometime trying to get a trainee train driver job but having no luck at minute I'm willing to relocate anywhere in the UK to achieve my ambitions.iv tried also for freighliner for the shunted job at crew but no luck . I'm based in Midlands can anyone give me any pointers or leads etc yours Andy

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Hi all I was hoping for alittle help I'm 44 and a bus driver . Iv been trying for sometime trying to get a trainee train driver job but having no luck at minute I'm willing to relocate anywhere in the UK to achieve my ambitions.iv tried also for freighliner for the shunted job at crew but no luck . I'm based in Midlands can anyone give me any pointers or leads etc yours Andy

Hi Andy.

Where are you struggling? Getting through the initial sift, (online) Assessments or interviews?

 

[Tz55uk]

Yes sending in then hearing nothing can't seem to get past the first bit

 

[bionic]

Check out the job description and give examples of how you meet the specs and the corporate aims and visions in your current job. Plenty of bus drivers successfully get trainee train driver jobs and you must have loads of valuable competency examples from bus driving. Your age isn't a factor. If anything the railways prefer people in their thirties and forties as they are more likely to have a level head on their shoulders. There's books on Amazon and some websites that can help you format your application but as long as you relate your current experience to match the description of the candidate they are looking for you shouldn't have a problem.

Of course there is also the fact that so many people apply for driver jobs that even the best applications will sometimes slip through the net. West Midlands is a good place to be based for opportunities so keep checking the websites and keep applying and I'm sure you'll get in soon.

 

[Tz55uk]

OK thank-you I'll keep plugging away and apply for everything I see

 

[SAlty]

There's a position advertised with Scotrail at the moment for Trainees in Inverness - there may be less applicants due to the location...

 

[Tz55uk]

Yes seen that but it says 45 minutes travel and can't by pass that even if I try say I'd relocate

 

[Tz55uk]

Just got by it and wrote abut saying I would relocate etc

 

[sargentsiri]

best of luck

 

[sw1ller]

I would say the number one thing to get right in the initial sift is your spelling and grammar. Mine was woeful when I first started applying and I didn’t see it as too much an issue.

It took a good 2-3 years to start progressing to further stages. My applications hadn’t really changed much, a bit of spit and polish here and there. However, my spelling and grammar was spot on. I honestly think this helped a great deal.

I was a lorry driver before I started and I think our applications would be very similar, so you are in a great position. You just need to polish that app and make it stand out from the rest. Cover safety, concentration, customer focus, time keeping in your answers, there’s more obviously and a quick search on this forum will help you. No need to buy books online, everything you need is on this forum. I know it is as it’s how I eventually got the job.

Good luck.

Edit, I will say now, I don’t take anywhere near as much care with my spelling and grammar now - just in case I get picked up for anything, as I usually do!!

 

[Tz55uk]

OK thank-you so much to you all.everything taken on board so now will see what happens

 

[Tz55uk]

Right three Scot rails to apply for and already done freight liner I'm hoping and fingers crossed.any pointers on the scot