Conductor Role Leeds

[Busybee]

After applying in October for trainee conductor in Leeds and doing the online tests - just as I thought they had forgotten about me I got an email last week telling me I had passed and they would let me know in another 6-8 weeks if I will be called to interview

Fingers crossed but i am a little worried about what to expect and also if I would fail the medical as I am a little on the portly side - something I am on with BTW (4 stone lost already). On the plus size its another 6-8 weeks to loose some more lbs

My background is sales and customer service (30 yrs of it in corporate roles) so I thought this looked like a fantastic opportunity (and a better career option long term).

Could anyone on here give me a heads up what to expect interview/ and the job itself? Quite excited but nervous I will make the cut :roll:

 

[Lancs Lass]

I had my interview in November, and fortunately was successful and start 13 Feb!

When they sent me an email inviting me for interview they set a task to be carried out before the big day. I don't know if it is always the same task, but mine was to visit a Northern station, perhaps get on a Northern train and look at the service that is offered - then think of what's good, what's bad, what can be improved etc. Then in the interview we had a group task to use what we had learnt from the day out to come up as a group with an idea that can be used to improve the Northern service.

I found the day out really interesting! I visited the depot I had applied for (Blackburn) and got talking to as many Northern staff as I could - and everyone I spoke to was really really helpful. In fact, I am still in touch with the conductor who was on my train!

There were 8 of us in the interview; 4 had the 2:1 interviews in the morning with the group assessment afterwards. And the other 4 had the group assessment first, with the 2:1 interview afterwards.

The interview itself was about 8 set questions asking to give examples of various things I had done; customer service, sticking to deadlines etc. I think the answers need to be from a specific time, not generic. Once they'd asked the 8 questions that was it.

Good luck!!!

 

[Busybee]

Many thanks for sharing the experience - any thoughts on the medical aspect? There is nothing wrong with me ie Im not diabetic or anything just wondering as Im a big chap

 

[Lancs Lass]

The medical was pretty straight forward; height and weight were taken and BMI worked out, my BMI was higher than it should be, but she said it was nothing to affect the medical. I have recently read elsewhere on this forum about people having similar worries to you and it didn't affect their medical - maybe do a forum search to find the posts.

I did a breathalyser, then it was an eyesight test, colour blindness test, blood pressure check. Then the hearing test which I found the hardest! Then a brief medical history, pee in a pot to check for diabetes which was done there and then - the rest was sent off for drug testing and the results were back 48 hours later.

 

[Busybee]

Many thanks - I had a look around the forums - I noted someone with a BMI of 38 was fine - mines 42 but Im pretty active etc (Krav Maga /Thai Boxing etc). I did Total Warrior 2 years ago!

Main worry is (and I know Im thinking way way way ahead) that if I get an offer then I give up / hand in my notice at my current reasonably paid job and then fail the medical. :cry:

I just hope I can put a further dent in it - 6-8 weeks to see if I will get selected for interview - that could be a 12-16 lb loss - fingers crossed

 

[LowLevel]

As long as you have no significant health problems and don't have a drink/drug problem you'll be unlikely to fail your medical on BMI. They're more bothered about eyesight and hearing. I know several huge and by the sound of it less fit than you conductors.

 

[Lancs Lass]

Main worry is (and I know Im thinking way way way ahead) that if I get an offer then I give up / hand in my notice at my current reasonably paid job and then fail the medical. :cry:

Don't hand your notice in until you've had your medical then. I was asked if I could start on the 23 Jan (pending medical), but it meant handing my notice in before the medical and I wasn't too keen on doing that. Not that I was particularly worried about failing anything, but you just never know.

I told them I would rather get my medical done and receive a firm offer, so they put me on the 13 Feb course which meant I could get the medical results, receive the contract - then hand my notice in at work.

So don't worry about that.

Concentrate on your interview for now. Good Luck!