Chiltern Railways - Apprentice Train Drivers - Multiple Locations (26/01/23)

[SCDR_WMR]

I suppose it depends on the interviewer you get on the day. Is the MMI part of the OPC process where if you fail it twice you’re done for life? Obviously I failed one test before, so if I was to pass that test and then fail the MMI would that mean I’m done?

Yes, all OPC tests are part of the 2 lives. I did one lot at OPC Watford which were intense, the others I did at TfW Cardiff which were more relaxed, seemed more confirming details rather than trying to read between lines and throw you off so to speak

 

[Scrambled Eggs]

The MMI is actually what I fear the most, my mate who was successful said that they’re quite intense and very good at tripping you up with your answers to try and make you fluster, was it that bad?

Yeah. I’ve been in a few interviews and that one was quite ruthless. You can only be tripped up if you’re not honest. Top tip be as genuine as possible.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Feb 2023 ==

Yes, all OPC tests are part of the 2 lives. I did one lot at OPC Watford which were intense, the others I did at TfW Cardiff which were more relaxed, seemed more confirming details rather than trying to read between lines and throw you off so to speak

I had the intense one at Watford too

 

[12LDA28C]

I had the intense one at Watford too

Chiltern OPC tests are done at Watford

 

[Aviator88]

That is what they try and do. As long as your scenarios/answers are genuine and you can go into the required detail it's fine. I've sat 2 MMIs since 2020 and passed both. 1 was intense, 1 was more relaxed

I had the same experience, albeit with the CBI - 2013 was intense, recent one was very relaxed. Failed the former, passed the latter, although interestingly it wasn't stress that led to my downfall the first time - I only failed one question which I know I didn't give a strong enough answer for in hindsight.

I'd be interested to know if the psychologists set the tone reactively, i.e. based on their impression of you, or if it's simply different approaches based on what works best for them...

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I had the same experience, albeit with the CBI - 2013 was intense, recent one was very relaxed. Failed the former, passed the latter, although interestingly it wasn't stress that led to my downfall the first time - I only failed one question which I know I didn't give a strong enough answer for in hindsight.

I'd be interested to know if the psychologists set the tone reactively, i.e. based on their impression of you, or if it's simply different approaches based on what works best for them...

Well we know that they tailor the angle of questioning based on your SJT so it wouldn't surprise me if the tone is linked too. Saying that, the whole process with TfW felt more relaxed so maybe OPC just choose to have that more direct/blunt approach.

 

[nb2001uk]

I had a DMI with Chiltern a some time ago, now I have to say, I've sat a couple of DMIs and passed before however Chilterns DMI was rather difficult; half of the 8 questions just didn't seem to be related to the role of a driver thus you wouldnt find them listed on this forum. Maybe just me though.

 

[Aviator88]

Well we know that they tailor the angle of questioning based on your SJT so it wouldn't surprise me if the tone is linked too. Saying that, the whole process with TfW felt more relaxed so maybe OPC just choose to have that more direct/blunt approach.

Regarding the tailoring, I know you sit an SJT on the day prior to taking an MMI, but I don't think this is always possible with a CBI because the TOC may not specify an SJT being required.

In my instance, I did sit the M7 SJT pre-psychometric test a few months prior and was curious whether that had any bearing on the CBI, although it didn't feel like it.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Regarding the tailoring, I know you sit an SJT on the day prior to taking an MMI, but I don't think this is always possible with a CBI because the TOC may not specify an SJT being required.

In my instance, I did sit the M7 SJT pre-psychometric test a few months prior and was curious whether that had any bearing on the CBI, although it didn't feel like it.

Yeah I'm not sure on CBI as haven't sat one.

I had a DMI with Chiltern a some time ago, now I have to say, I've sat a couple of DMIs and passed before however Chilterns DMI was rather difficult; half of the 8 questions just didn't seem to be related to the role of a driver thus you wouldnt find them listed on this forum. Maybe just me though.

DMIs are usually company and competency based. Some are geared directly towards driving such as safety or rules based but there's often ones that aren't. I've had ones such as work life balance, rule breaking, IT competency. MMI, however, is purely situational questioning

 

[12LDA28C]

I had a DMI with Chiltern a some time ago, now I have to say, I've sat a couple of DMIs and passed before however Chilterns DMI was rather difficult; half of the 8 questions just didn't seem to be related to the role of a driver thus you wouldnt find them listed on this forum. Maybe just me though.

Were the questions relating to knowledge of the company's operations, following rules and procedures, putting safety first, working on your own or as part of a team, how to respond to criticism/learn from mistakes and so on?

 

[d44nny]

Has anyone heard anything yet at all?

 

[12LDA28C]

Has anyone heard anything yet at all?

The current round of recruitment is still open (at least for Aylesbury) so don't expect to hear anything yet.

 

[d44nny]

The current round of recruitment is still open (at least for Aylesbury) so don't expect to hear anything yet.

Thank you. I thought they had all closed.

 

[SuperS16v]

Has anyone heard anything yet at all?

Nothing yet, my confirmation email said 2-4 weeks and it’s the 2 week mark tomorrow.

 

[jomash]

Does anyone happen to know the correct procedure for applying? I had my cover letter and CV uploaded to my profile prior to applying. Then I applied. It asked for my CV so I added it. Then it asks for supporting documents stating CV. But no where for cover letter (unless it is supposed to go into the Supporting documents CV section? TIA.

 

[Brum_AVFC]

Does anyone happen to know the correct procedure for applying? I had my cover letter and CV uploaded to my profile prior to applying. Then I applied. It asked for my CV so I added it. Then it asks for supporting documents stating CV. But no where for cover letter (unless it is supposed to go into the Supporting documents CV section? TIA.

I just uploaded a covering letter to the additional documents, either way it should be seen

 

[SuperS16v]

Emails are coming! Just received one, been asked to fill out a questionnaire. Birmingham applicant

 

[Aviator88]

Emails are coming! Just received one, been asked to fill out a questionnaire. Birmingham applicant

Same! Although I recently passed a CBI so I'm not sure how far I'll get with this one...

 

[Amal]

Same for Marylebone

 

[Aviator88]

Having submitted applications for two depots, I decided to only complete the form pertaining to my preferred choice.

How are others approaching this?

 

[d44nny]

Emails are coming! Just received one, been asked to fill out a questionnaire. Birmingham applicant

Same here. Good luck.

 

[SuperS16v]

Same! Although I recently passed a CBI so I'm not sure how far I'll get with this one...

Surely that’s a good thing? Or is because you don’t want to risk another assessment centre and ruin your pass?

I passed an assessment centre with a different TOC a few weeks ago. Hoping they might let me skip over the assessments if my scores meet their enhanced standards

 

[Aviator88]

Surely that’s a good thing? Or is because you don’t want to risk another assessment centre and ruin your pass?

I thought so until a few weeks ago when I learnt (from here, so there's a very real possibility it's untrue) that sitting a criteria based interview of either breed (regardless of result) precludes one from sitting its evil twin within 6 months.

It doesn't make sense to me but 'dem the rules... Allegedly!

 

[SuperS16v]

I thought so until a few weeks ago when I learnt (from here, so there's a very real possibility it's untrue) that sitting a criteria based interview of either breed (regardless of result) precludes one from sitting its evil twin within 6 months.

It doesn't make sense to me but 'dem the rules... Allegedly!

I heard one supersedes the other. So if you passed a CBI you still have to do a MMI and if you pass it then overwrites your CBI. I didn’t know you can’t sit another in 6 months!

The rules are crazy.

 

[Aviator88]

I heard one supersedes the other. So if you passed a CBI you still have to do a MMI and if you pass it then overwrites your CBI. I didn’t know you can’t sit another in 6 months!

The rules are crazy.

Right? I can understand the supercession rule - they both measure similar metrics so it stands to reason that you're only as good as the last one you sat, but I genuinely can't reason with the logic of the other.

I've posed the question before and have never seen a satisfactory response, at least psychometrically speaking. From a customer relations point of view, it may not 'look good' to the TOCs if the OPC conduct an interview (arguably the most expensive element of the process) for one company and then another for a different operator, but it could be argued that that negatively impacts safety by shrinking the pool of available talent...

Anyway, I digress!

 

[12LDA28C]

Surely that’s a good thing? Or is because you don’t want to risk another assessment centre and ruin your pass?

I passed an assessment centre with a different TOC a few weeks ago. Hoping they might let me skip over the assessments if my scores meet their enhanced standards

If you've passed all the required OPC or equivalent tests, AFAIK you won't need to sit them again. If you took the tests and failed one part, you have to wait six months before retaking them.

 

[Midlands_lad]

Hi all,

I have applied for the trainee Birmingham jobs and have received the questionnaire today. I have applied for train driver roles previously but only ever got as far as OPC tests done online at home. Does failing these online tests count towards your 2 lives or are those lives only lost at the OPC test centre? Many thanks for any help, good luck all!

 

[TFL_Rocks]

Hi,

I received my 1st email from chiltern railways and it said in the email - We would like to learn more about you and have prepared some questions for you to answer. The questionnaire has a time limit of 90 minutes.

Has anyone completed this questionnaire? If so, what will be the next step if you pass the questionnaire?

 

[EchoMike]

Hi all,

I have applied for the trainee Birmingham jobs and have received the questionnaire today. I have applied for train driver roles previously but only ever got as far as OPC tests done online at home. Does failing these online tests count towards your 2 lives or are those lives only lost at the OPC test centre? Many thanks for any help, good luck all!

I believe this questionnaire is specific to Chiltern. AFAIK the only tests that have ongoing impact are the OPC Tests in-person. (Group Bourdon and all them)

 

[atruetennisfan]

I believe this questionnaire is specific to Chiltern. AFAIK the only tests that have ongoing impact are the OPC Tests in-person. (Group Bourdon and all them)

Thank you. Are these SJE type questions?

 

[Scrambled Eggs]

It seems as though all Birmingham applicants have received the “we would like to know more about you” email. The interesting part is they stated you may not hear back from us. This can be frustrating but roll on the 90 minute questionnaire!