Criteria based interview - Working to set standards and making checks

[dglondon]

Hi,

Firstly, I'd just like to say that this is a great forum and has been invaluable to me so far in my pursuit of becoming a Train Driver. However, I recently attended and failed the criteria based interview at the OPC.

After requesting feedback, I was told that I passed 5 of the 6 criteria but failed on the question regarding following procedures. They wouldn't go into more detail, but the questions that they asked that related to this area were "When have you had to work to a set standard" and "describe a time when you have had to perform checks".

The standards that I currently work to in my role are internal company standards. The interviewer kept pressing me for the name of this these standards, so I'm pretty sure that this is what I failed on. I did give her the name of the standard, but it was evidently not the sort of standard they were looking for.

I was just wondering what types of answers other people who have passed this interview gave for these questions (ie. working to a standard, making checks and following procedures). As it seemed to me that the interviewer was waiting to hear me say certain 'keywords' in my answer, I'm thinking that there are certain 'types' of answers that they are looking for and obviously my answer wasn't good enough.

I'm also just as interested in hearing from people who answered these questions but failed on this part of the interview. By seeing what types of answers passed and what types failed, it should become clearer to see what "types" of experience/answers they are looking for.

I am not allowed to apply again for 6 months, and if/when I do, I would like to me able to answer this question better. As it will be my last chance I don't want to mess it up, so want to be as sure as I can that any examples I use in my answers are of the type they are looking for, and if I don't have the right experience to be able to answer it then I can look to see how I can gain the experience.

I've already passed all of the other tests so have shown that I have the ability to be able to do the role, but am just trying to see what experience I need to attain/improve in order to succeed to the next stage.

Any help or advice anyone can give will be much appreciated !.

 

[SPADTrap]

The interview I attended yesterday they asked me to tell them about a time I had performed checks and I just spoke about the checks we do on the aircraft before we go flying and that seemed to be perfectly acceptable, they were more interested in that and seemed to digress from the actual interview so who knows what that means!

 

[evoluzione]

I used to work for Royal Mail many years ago, one of my duties involved the sorting, logging, dispatching of the old Registered Post (used to be the white envelopes with blue cross on)

As I was in Birmingham most of these packets came from the jewellery quarter and had ££££££'s of value to them so the guidelines and procedures where very strict, I used this example of following set procedures, I was quizzed on pressure which I got from both sides, Gaffers wanting more done and postman waiting to sign for their deliverys.

I was asked how I felt about the rules, procedures and would I change them, I said I like them because if I followed them as I should and something went missing the paper trail would prove I'd done my job and it was not my fault.

I passed with OPC last month.

 

[dglondon]

I used to work for Royal Mail many years ago, one of my duties involved the sorting, logging, dispatching of the old Registered Post (used to be the white envelopes with blue cross on)

As I was in Birmingham most of these packets came from the jewellery quarter and had ££££££'s of value to them so the guidelines and procedures where very strict, I used this example of following set procedures, I was quizzed on pressure which I got from both sides, Gaffers wanting more done and postman waiting to sign for their deliverys.

I was asked how I felt about the rules, procedures and would I change them, I said I like them because if I followed them as I should and something went missing the paper trail would prove I'd done my job and it was not my fault.

I passed with OPC last month.

Thanks for that. Did they also ask you to talk about when you have had to work to a set standard, and what that standard was ? (in my interview I was repeatedly asked what the standard was ie. they were looking for a specific name for the standard). I was just wondering if the standard you mentioned in your interview was a generic internal standard (ie. performing your role to a set standard by following the documented procedures laid down by your company - in which case the name of the standard would be the name of the procedure), or if you were able to mention a 'named' standard.

The answer I gave was that in a previous role I had carried out software testing on some of our newly developed software product and that the standard I worked to was the Test specification I created which was based on the Technical and Functional specifications created by the development team which detailed how the software was supposed to function. This answer was not acceptable as it turns out as I failed this part of the interview.


The only standard that I have worked to that I think I could use in a future interview is when studying for and passing my degree. The standard would be the name of the degree itself, and I knew that I had reached the standard by passing the examinations and was awarded the degree. I didn't think to say this in the actual interview, but not sure if it would have been acceptable anyway.

I'm sure I have lots of other examples of working to a set standard that would be acceptable to them, but I'm just not sure what sort of things would be acceptable to them and what things wouldn't be.

 

[Beveridges]

The answer I gave was that in a previous role I had carried out software testing on some of our newly developed software product and that the standard I worked to was the Test specification I created which was based on the Technical and Functional specifications created by the development team which detailed how the software was supposed to function. This answer was not acceptable as it turns out as I failed this part of the interview.

They probably don't know anything about Computers so probably didnt realise that your answer actually did actually answer the question

 

[Quickthorn]

I wonder if they wanted to hear that you worked to a British Standard or an ISO standard? For example, I'll bet a lot of candidates have worked for companies that have ISO9000 accreditation, so all employees should be working to that standard. A bit of research on ISO9000 and where you fit in might give ideas for an answer.

 

[evoluzione]

Thanks for that. Did they also ask you to talk about when you have had to work to a set standard, and what that standard was ? (in my interview I was repeatedly asked what the standard was ie. they were looking for a specific name for the standard). I was just wondering if the standard you mentioned in your interview was a generic internal standard (ie. performing your role to a set standard by following the documented procedures laid down by your company - in which case the name of the standard would be the name of the procedure), or if you were able to mention a 'named'

For the example above it didn't have a name it was just a documented procedure I had to follow, as I said it was a fair time ago, way before they started using hand scanners, so I spent time explaining the manual procedure and the checks made by me and on me by my supervisors to ensure compliance.

I was asked about standards but used a different example, the last company I worked for occasionally made graphics for the BBC and Sky.

The graphics had to be supplied in specific broadcast standard for them to be used quickly, these we're always really really rush jobs needed for news broadcasts the same day, drop everything else and get the clips done now sort of thing, this covered working under pressure while maintaining set standards and quality.

Hope that helps.

 

[badu]

For the example above it didn't have a name it was just a documented procedure I had to follow, as I said it was a fair time ago, way before they started using hand scanners, so I spent time explaining the manual procedure and the checks made by me and on me by my supervisors to ensure compliance.

I was asked about standards but used a different example, the last company I worked for occasionally made graphics for the BBC and Sky.

The graphics had to be supplied in specific broadcast standard for them to be used quickly, these we're always really really rush jobs needed for news broadcasts the same day, drop everything else and get the clips done now sort of thing, this covered working under pressure while maintaining set standards and quality.

Hope that helps.

Guys,
During the Structured interview, when giving your examples do you think its best to go into as much detail as you can OR keep it brief and then let the interviewer ask you to expand on your answers?

 

[TDK]

Thanks for that. Did they also ask you to talk about when you have had to work to a set standard, and what that standard was ? (in my interview I was repeatedly asked what the standard was ie. they were looking for a specific name for the standard). I was just wondering if the standard you mentioned in your interview was a generic internal standard (ie. performing your role to a set standard by following the documented procedures laid down by your company - in which case the name of the standard would be the name of the procedure), or if you were able to mention a 'named' standard.

The answer I gave was that in a previous role I had carried out software testing on some of our newly developed software product and that the standard I worked to was the Test specification I created which was based on the Technical and Functional specifications created by the development team which detailed how the software was supposed to function. This answer was not acceptable as it turns out as I failed this part of the interview.


The only standard that I have worked to that I think I could use in a future interview is when studying for and passing my degree. The standard would be the name of the degree itself, and I knew that I had reached the standard by passing the examinations and was awarded the degree. I didn't think to say this in the actual interview, but not sure if it would have been acceptable anyway.

I'm sure I have lots of other examples of working to a set standard that would be acceptable to them, but I'm just not sure what sort of things would be acceptable to them and what things wouldn't be.

Always think simple - do you drive a car - do you drive your car to the Highway Code standard? I would have accepted that at interview, Standards are set to be adhered to no matter what the subject. For example the railway has hundreds of standards, drugs and alcohol policy, uniform standards etc.etc. It is a shame that you didn't pass the interview on this subject but you maybe in the eyes of the interviewer didn't understand the question fully (however I can see you did) So for anyone else out there remeber working to a standard isn't that diffucult to explain. If a candidate was stuck on the standards question I would normally reword it and ask "when have you had to work with set rules and procedures and how did you find working to them"?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Guys,
During the Structured interview, when giving your examples do you think its best to go into as much detail as you can OR keep it brief and then let the interviewer ask you to expand on your answers?

Just answer the question asked and if they want more they will ask you

 

[dglondon]

Always think simple - do you drive a car - do you drive your car to the Highway Code standard? I would have accepted that at interview, Standards are set to be adhered to no matter what the subject. For example the railway has hundreds of standards, drugs and alcohol policy, uniform standards etc.etc. It is a shame that you didn't pass the interview on this subject but you maybe in the eyes of the interviewer didn't understand the question fully (however I can see you did) So for anyone else out there remeber working to a standard isn't that diffucult to explain. If a candidate was stuck on the standards question I would normally reword it and ask "when have you had to work with set rules and procedures and how did you find working to them"?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Thanks for that. Reading through your post and thinking back to my interview I believe now that although I did understand the question at the time I don't think my answer answered the question correctly. In my answer I was basically saying that the task I performed was to test that the software functionality was at a particular standard. I didn't explain how "I" was performing that task to a particular standard (which is what was being asked). Maybe if I had explained how the specific tasks I was performing was as laid down in our IS0 9001 testing procedures documentation, then I may have passed.

I can see how your example of driving a car according to the highway code would be acceptable. The standard is the highway code, and it is "I" (the driver) who is performing to that standard. (I guess I would have to swot up on the highway code as if I said I drive to the highway code standard then I am sure to be asked some specifics about what that standard is).

What I was wondering though is if answers of that type would be too simple ? (although you do say think simple). That's one reason why I was interested to hear some actual answers that other candidates had given that had passed or failed this question. It would be interesting to see if the simpler examples were just as acceptable by the interviewer.

When I was asked about when I had made checks, I don't think my first answer was acceptable as I was later asked if there were any other times I had made checks. I couldn't think of what I felt would be another 'good' answer so I did just give a simple answer. I said that before going on a long car journey, I checked various things on my car. I said that I checked the tyre pressures and condition, the oil level, the washer level, if there was enough fuel, and also checked that the child seat was securely and correctly fastened. I was then asked detailed questions about how I checked everything, and what the tyre tread standard should be, what the tyre pressures should be, etc, to which I gave accurate answers to. However, I did start to worry that this example was too simple when I was asked things like 'how would you check the fuel level' and I replied 'turn the ignition on and look at the fuel gauge to check that the fuel tank was more than half full' !. However, I wasn't asked for any other times when I had made checks, so I'm not sure if that meant the interviewer was happy with my answer or just that they had decided to fail me on that criteria and move on.

Just one final question. In your response above, you say:

"If a candidate was stuck on the standards question I would normally reword it and ask "when have you had to work with set rules and procedures and how did you find working to them"?"

and in my interview, I was asked the following:

When have you followed or worked with rules and procedures ?
When have you had to make checks?
When have you worked to a set standard ?

My understanding is that these questions all relate to just one of the criteria that was being being tested for (ie. Ability to follow rules & procedures).
However, I was wondering if the reason why all three of these questions might be asked is because unaccepatable answers had been given for the first 2 questions and the interviewer is just re-wording the question to give me a chance to provide an answer that shows I have met the criteria they are looking for.

The reason I ask is because the answer I gave regarding making checks was the one to do with checking things on the car. However, later I was asked about when I had worked to a set standard. Does this mean that my answer about making checks on the car was not acceptable and so that is why I was later asked about when I had worked to a set standard - or is it possible that my 'making checks on car' answer was acceptable but that I was just being asked about working to standards as an 'additional question'.

Thanks in advance for any advice you or anyone else may be able to provide !

 

[TDK]

Always think simple - do you drive a car - do you drive your car to the Highway Code standard? I would have accepted that at interview, Standards are set to be adhered to no matter what the subject. For example the railway has hundreds of standards, drugs and alcohol policy, uniform standards etc.etc. It is a shame that you didn't pass the interview on this subject but you maybe in the eyes of the interviewer didn't understand the question fully (however I can see you did) So for anyone else out there remeber working to a standard isn't that diffucult to explain. If a candidate was stuck on the standards question I would normally reword it and ask "when have you had to work with set rules and procedures and how did you find working to them"?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Thanks for that. Reading through your post and thinking back to my interview I believe now that although I did understand the question at the time I don't think my answer answered the question correctly. In my answer I was basically saying that the task I performed was to test that the software functionality was at a particular standard. I didn't explain how "I" was performing that task to a particular standard (which is what was being asked). Maybe if I had explained how the specific tasks I was performing was as laid down in our IS0 9001 testing procedures documentation, then I may have passed.

I can see how your example of driving a car according to the highway code would be acceptable. The standard is the highway code, and it is "I" (the driver) who is performing to that standard. (I guess I would have to swot up on the highway code as if I said I drive to the highway code standard then I am sure to be asked some specifics about what that standard is).

What I was wondering though is if answers of that type would be too simple ? (although you do say think simple). That's one reason why I was interested to hear some actual answers that other candidates had given that had passed or failed this question. It would be interesting to see if the simpler examples were just as acceptable by the interviewer.

When I was asked about when I had made checks, I don't think my first answer was acceptable as I was later asked if there were any other times I had made checks. I couldn't think of what I felt would be another 'good' answer so I did just give a simple answer. I said that before going on a long car journey, I checked various things on my car. I said that I checked the tyre pressures and condition, the oil level, the washer level, if there was enough fuel, and also checked that the child seat was securely and correctly fastened. I was then asked detailed questions about how I checked everything, and what the tyre tread standard should be, what the tyre pressures should be, etc, to which I gave accurate answers to. However, I did start to worry that this example was too simple when I was asked things like 'how would you check the fuel level' and I replied 'turn the ignition on and look at the fuel gauge to check that the fuel tank was more than half full' !. However, I wasn't asked for any other times when I had made checks, so I'm not sure if that meant the interviewer was happy with my answer or just that they had decided to fail me on that criteria and move on.

Just one final question. In your response above, you say:

"If a candidate was stuck on the standards question I would normally reword it and ask "when have you had to work with set rules and procedures and how did you find working to them"?"

and in my interview, I was asked the following:

When have you followed or worked with rules and procedures ?
When have you had to make checks?
When have you worked to a set standard ?

My understanding is that these questions all relate to just one of the criteria that was being being tested for (ie. Ability to follow rules & procedures).
However, I was wondering if the reason why all three of these questions might be asked is because unaccepatable answers had been given for the first 2 questions and the interviewer is just re-wording the question to give me a chance to provide an answer that shows I have met the criteria they are looking for.

The reason I ask is because the answer I gave regarding making checks was the one to do with checking things on the car. However, later I was asked about when I had worked to a set standard. Does this mean that my answer about making checks on the car was not acceptable and so that is why I was later asked about when I had worked to a set standard - or is it possible that my 'making checks on car' answer was acceptable but that I was just being asked about working to standards as an 'additional question'.

Thanks in advance for any advice you or anyone else may be able to provide !

I have asked these questions to many potential trainee drivers in the past and usually when asked about rules. regs and procedures the standards question is not needed as it was usually ansered in the first question however I would ask the latter question if I needed it. Here is a list of subjects that was given to me off the top of my head when asking these questions at interview:

1. Following health & safety at work act (standard & procedures)
2. Driving a car (Standard)
3. Petrol garage (standard & Procedures)
4. Ramp at an airport (standard & procedures)
5. RAF and the forces (standards and procedures)
6. Nursing (standards and procedures)
7. Working at a supermarket (standards and procedures)

there are loads and most people are keyed up on what is required, don't take this the wrong way but the railway is based on a huge Railway Group Standard document and this has many standards and they all near enough relate to safety, this is what they are actually after to be fair - the question should really read "When have you ben in an environment either at work or not when you have ahd to adhere to strict rules and regulations regarding the safety of you and others", when you think back to your answer does it fill this criteria? For example if yopu are operating a computer for an automated factory maybe on the car business then yes, this would be a good example because if you didn't adhere to the rules and regs (standards) required someone could be hurt or injured. I hope you understand my thinking here?

 

[dglondon]

I have asked these questions to many potential trainee drivers in the past and usually when asked about rules. regs and procedures the standards question is not needed as it was usually ansered in the first question however I would ask the latter question if I needed it. Here is a list of subjects that was given to me off the top of my head when asking these questions at interview:

1. Following health & safety at work act (standard & procedures)
2. Driving a car (Standard)
3. Petrol garage (standard & Procedures)
4. Ramp at an airport (standard & procedures)
5. RAF and the forces (standards and procedures)
6. Nursing (standards and procedures)
7. Working at a supermarket (standards and procedures)

there are loads and most people are keyed up on what is required, don't take this the wrong way but the railway is based on a huge Railway Group Standard document and this has many standards and they all near enough relate to safety, this is what they are actually after to be fair - the question should really read "When have you ben in an environment either at work or not when you have ahd to adhere to strict rules and regulations regarding the safety of you and others", when you think back to your answer does it fill this criteria? For example if yopu are operating a computer for an automated factory maybe on the car business then yes, this would be a good example because if you didn't adhere to the rules and regs (standards) required someone could be hurt or injured. I hope you understand my thinking here?

Thanks for the advice. I certainly haven't taken it the wrong way as it's all good advice, and is what I am after (especially from someone 'in the know' such as yourself so to speak).

I would say that from my understanding, for the criteria based interview, the answers given do NOT need to be safety related in order to pass the interview (I accept this may not be the case for the DM interview). I have seen various comments on this forum from people who have attended and passed this interview using non-safety related answers, which seems to back this up.

@Evoluzione: Reading the answers that you said you gave for the procedures & standards question (in your post above), I'm assuming that they weren't related to safety, yet you passed the interview. Can you confirm that this was the case?.

I was wondering if anybody else reading this post has also been successful at the criteria based interview with answers that didn't relate to safety ?

I'm just trying to find out what the actual requirements for the criteria are. The requirements looked for by the OPC are very objective and defined, so if it is ONLY possible to pass the interview if your experience/answers relate to safety then I will of course ensure that the answers I use next time are related to safety. It's just that my understanding from reading other peoples experiences on this forum is that this is not the case.