Being in a talent pool waiting time?

[Edwards04]

I applied to be a train driver back in 2017 and for the next year, I did online tests, an assessment day multi-module interview, and then an actual interview. I was informed that I got the job in October 2018 but have since been in a talent pool waiting to start training for over 3 years now with very little contact from the company (only 1 email in 2019 then 3 emails when enquiring for any updates.)

is this a normal amount of time to wait? I was not made aware it could take this long.

 

[Grvrdvicdr]

Which company

 

[Edwards04]

Which company

Thameslink, i also belive I'm in a pool for just one of their depots (Orpington)

 

[Grvrdvicdr]

Thameslink, i also belive I'm in a pool for just one of their depots (Orpington)

Ahh. Be the simple reason there’s no vacancies. That’s the thing with a pool, can be years I’m afraid. It’s a tiny depot they have there. It’s shared with Southeastern but they have more drivers there. I find it Interesting the wait times, took me 5 months from application to getting a start date with SE

 

[ComUtoR]

It’s a tiny depot they have there. It’s shared with Southeastern but they have more drivers there.

It isn't a shared depot. They have their own building.

 

[Grvrdvicdr]

It isn't a shared depot. They have their own building.

Where’s the TL building?

 

[ComUtoR]

Its the big building next to the Orpington Depot. They are probably about 10ft apart.

 

[Azer85448]

I’d personally send regular emails to HR, just to let them know you’re still there, ready and waiting, keen to start your career with them. Your assessment results are valid for 5 years, so you need to chase them or you’ll have to resit them.

 

[Horizon22]

As for the original question, how long is a piece of string? It could be months, it could be years unfortunately as some depots are bigger, have higher turnovers, will increase/decrease establishment, different TOCS have differing methods etc. Keep in contact with HR / your recruitment contact on a regular basis (just don't bug them too much) and check in to see how things are going.

 

[Edwards04]

As for the original question, how long is a piece of string? It could be months, it could be years unfortunately as some depots are bigger, have higher turnovers, will increase/decrease establishment, different TOCS have differing methods etc. Keep in contact with HR / your recruitment contact on a regular basis (just don't bug them too much) and check in to see how things are going.

Thanks for the reply, so far its been 4 years now so getting close to resiting and they have only reached out communication 3 times and I struggle to get replies

 

[jacey]

im in 3 talent pools now mate, the longest being 2 years and shortest a week ago its a long unknown wait, i would defo recommend using your assessment results to apply for other vacancies though i passed all mine in 2019 and this allowed me to go str8 to dmi with the later 2 toc's im now in talent pools with.

Still waiting though (hopefully increased my chances)


i should also say i was messed about by Thameslink they invited me to London for enhanced assessments which i passed then after 6 months advised they don't accept relocation.

 

[43066]

Thanks for the reply, so far its been 4 years now so getting close to resiting and they have only reached out communication 3 times and I struggle to get replies

Your probably better off applying for other TOCs within range (SE?) rather then just waiting. You’ll likely “wash out” of the pool if you aren’t offered a job by a certain date and be back to square one.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

I'd certainly be thinking about applying for other TOCs if possible as your test results are only valid for a maximum of 5 years

 

[Sly Sloth]

Thanks for the reply, so far its been 4 years now so getting close to resiting and they have only reached out communication 3 times and I struggle to get replies

I waited so long I had to resit tests, in facT 3 of them I resat twice! I really did wait that long…….and I’m not alone in resitting tests

 

[Eddie77]

Been in a talent pool for 3yrs with one company and 6 months with another.

The one for 3 years I’ve emailed them on a couple of occasions just to stay in touch and some reassurance post covid with regards to the business needs. To be fair to them they’ve replied every time and been great. Irony being it kind of makes you want the job more the fact the HR dept seems very pro-active and open to communication, which is a far cry from what I currently have in my job.