Crossrail application failed, but have I met the national standard?

[Charltonjoe]

Morning all. First off, this is my first post here and sadly I discovered this forum after I'd failed in my application. My names Joe, I'm from Gravesend and this was the first job I'd applied for in the rail industry. So I failed the MMI interview on the final question, so despite passing all tests I'm going no further in the process.
However, the paperwork I was given on my way out has mixed messages regarding the standard I've met. For example, the first page indicates failing the MMI means I did not make the national standard, but a brief paragraph on the second page says I have made the national standard, just not the Crossrail standard, and it encourages me to apply for other rail operators. Can anyone shed any light on this? Is the MMI national or crossrail standard?

 

[Sotac464]

Hi Joe commiserations on not passing with Mtr Crossrail. I am currently going through the process myself and have my first assessment day in 3 weeks time so any tips would be most grateful.

From what I can gather and I'm sure others will be able to shed more light on this. Mtr Crossrail are looking to employ people with an enhanced pass mark meaning if you have passed you could still apply for other tocs who do not require the enhanced pass.

Best of luck for future (coming from a palace fan too).

 

[Charltonjoe]

Hey man, yeah I'll leave football talk there, haven't got much I can say against your lot after you beat Chelsea and we lost to Peterborough! As far as tips go, the one golden rule for the interview is, you've never broken a procedure and you never will. Other than that it's fairly open to interpretation, I failed on the last question only, which was 'what have you done that's similar to being a train driver'. Apparently lone working with constant vigilance didn't cut it.
Back to the standard, like I say the paperwork has mixed messages, I'm hoping I have met national standard, as I've just had my first taste of the rail industry and I want more haha.

 

[Knowledgeboy]

Hey man, yeah I'll leave football talk there, haven't got much I can say against your lot after you beat Chelsea and we lost to Peterborough! As far as tips go, the one golden rule for the interview is, you've never broken a procedure and you never will. Other than that it's fairly open to interpretation, I failed on the last question only, which was 'what have you done that's similar to being a train driver'. Apparently lone working with constant vigilance didn't cut it.
Back to the standard, like I say the paperwork has mixed messages, I'm hoping I have met national standard, as I've just had my first taste of the rail industry and I want more haha.

Hi Joe.

Unlucky on not passing the MMI. I have mine in a few weeks with Chiltern and must say I'm nervous. was wondering with regards to this question are they looking for a specific example of a time when you performed a task that's similar to that of a train driver or more an overview of say a job you may of had with similar skill set and responsibilities. Thanks.

 

[Charltonjoe]

Hi Joe.

Unlucky on not passing the MMI. I have mine in a few weeks with Chiltern and must say I'm nervous. was wondering with regards to this question are they looking for a specific example of a time when you performed a task that's similar to that of a train driver or more an overview of say a job you may of had with similar skill set and responsibilities. Thanks.

Well I went with the overview of my current job and took the angle of lone working, which didn't do the job for me, but I can't really answer your question with any certainty mate because I cocked it up. Was fuming. The last question of the very last stage of the process before the final interview. Good luck to you pal. Some others may know what their looking for, but not me I'm afraid.

 

[theking]

You have failed the MMI which means you haven't passed the full trainee train driver assessment process the enhanced pass mark is relating to the GBT the mmi is either pass or fail there is no enhanced standard.

You can apply to other TOC's but you must wait 6 months and will have to sit the mmi again.

Also beware you have used one life so will only be able to take the mmi one more time.

 

[Charltonjoe]

You have failed the MMI which means you haven't passed the full trainee train driver assessment process the enhanced pass mark is relating to the GBT the mmi is either pass or fail there is no enhanced standard.

You can apply to other TOC's but you must wait 6 months and will have to sit the mmi again.

Also beware you have used one life so will only be able to take the mmi one more time.

Thanks for the info mate. In that case, am I right in thinking if I try again in 6 months, I don't have to sit the tests again, just the MMI? If so, I'll do a ton of research and try again in 6 months!

 

[theking]

Thanks for the info mate. In that case, am I right in thinking if I try again in 6 months, I don't have to sit the tests again, just the MMI? If so, I'll do a ton of research and try again in 6 months!

Yeah that's correct fella when you apply again you'll only need to do the mmi as long as your passes are still valid.

They're valid for 5 years but some TOC's accept them for less some are 2 or 3 years.


I know it's gutting at the moment but look at the positives you only failed on one part so you know where you've gone wrong and will be able to pass it with flying colours next time you go.

 

[Charltonjoe]

Yeah that's correct fella when you apply again you'll only need to do the mmi as long as your passes are still valid.

They're valid for 5 years but some TOC's accept them for less some are 2 or 3 years.


I know it's gutting at the moment but look at the positives you only failed on one part so you know where you've gone wrong and will be able to pass it with flying colours next time you go.

Thanks for the encouraging words mate. My thoughts exactly. With only 1 assessment to pass I can focus all my attention and effort on that. Appreciate the info.

 

[ComUtoR]

Some others may know what their looking for, but not me I'm afraid.

Consider this.

It's not the just about the answer you give; but how you give it.

 

[Charltonjoe]

Consider this.

It's not the just about the answer you give; but how you give it.

Food for thought, I assume you mean giving the answer with confidence and putting forward a strong case?

 

[ComUtoR]

Many consistently quote the 'STAR'' technique.

Situation
Task
Action
Result

It helps answer the questions in a very specific and concise way. Its a good technique to use and generally results in successful interviews. It is still, in my opinion, very generic. Everybody starts using it and then you find it hard to differentiate between candidates.

With the MMI and more so at the DMI stage they are looking for confidence and a good ability to communicate. You get candidates that have generic prepared answers and then when confronted by a change in question or a prepared answer rejected, the candidate often flip flops. Personally I think the rejected answers are done deliberately to throw the candidate into a difficult situation. That is where you can test communication skills naturally. Same with when they ask for greater depth. I allows the interviewer and candidate to properly communicate without prior preparation.

The answer could be anything generic but how you reply and even how you can adapt your answer to fit a criteria based answer is where true communication skill lies.

The MMI is very much a communication skills test, rather than giving a correct tick box answer.

FYI As a Driver, I don't work alone.

 

[Charltonjoe]

Many consistently quote the 'STAR'' technique.

Situation
Task
Action
Result

It helps answer the questions in a very specific and concise way. Its a good technique to use and generally results in successful interviews. It is still, in my opinion, very generic. Everybody starts using it and then you find it hard to differentiate between candidates.

With the MMI and more so at the DMI stage they are looking for confidence and a good ability to communicate. You get candidates that have generic prepared answers and then when confronted by a change in question or a prepared answer rejected, the candidate often flip flops. Personally I think the rejected answers are done deliberately to throw the candidate into a difficult situation. That is where you can test communication skills naturally. Same with when they ask for greater depth. I allows the interviewer and candidate to properly communicate without prior preparation.

The answer could be anything generic but how you reply and even how you can adapt your answer to fit a criteria based answer is where true communication skill lies.

The MMI is very much a communication skills test, rather than giving a correct tick box answer.

FYI As a Driver, I don't work alone.

Thanks for taking the time to type all that mate. It's very much appreciated, I'll take a good look at the star technique and study up. Thanks again. Hopefully in 6 months or so I'll nail it.

 

[ComUtoR]

Think BEYOND the STAR technique. It will only help you so far. Its good for prepared answers but not so good if you can't adapt on the fly or are nervous, poorly dressed, fidget and other various interview issues.

Don't stutter, speak clearly and with good language skill (none of that innit mate, lol and other colloquial speech etc)

Eye contact, body language etc etc. Positivity and attitudes towards the questions, turning a negative experience into a learned lesson etc. The STAR technique can only help so far.

 

[Charltonjoe]

Think BEYOND the STAR technique. It will only help you so far. Its good for prepared answers but not so good if you can't adapt on the fly or are nervous, poorly dressed, fidget and other various interview issues.

Don't stutter, speak clearly and with good language skill (none of that innit mate, lol and other colloquial speech etc)

Eye contact, body language etc etc. Positivity and attitudes towards the questions, turning a negative experience into a learned lesson etc. The STAR technique can only help so far.

Ok mate. I think I was pretty clear and concise, it must have been the lone working angle, I was thrown a few curve balls on all sections of the interview and as I passed 5 of the 6, i must have dealt with them fine. I keep thinking the lone worker angle just didn't cut the mustard, and with what your saying about not working alone, that makes sense now. Perhaps a better example for the question about similar things to a train driver was all I needed. Onwards and upwards!

 

[WCMLaddict]

I'll give you another tip.
Why do you think this question is last?

 

[Charltonjoe]

Ok mate. I think I was pretty clear and concise, it must have been the lone working angle, I was thrown a few curve balls on all sections of the interview and as I passed 5 of the 6, i must have dealt with them fine. I keep thinking the lone worker angle just didn't cut the mustard, and with what your saying about not working alone, that makes sense now. Perhaps a better example for the question about similar things to a train driver was all I needed. Onwards and upwards!

I'll give you another tip.
Why do you think this question is last?

Hmm, ok you've got me there. I can only presume it's because it's the most relevant to the job.

 

[WCMLaddict]

Other questions ask you about all other competencies like dealing with emergencies, sticking to rules etc. This one is where you kind of try to find an example or give answer that encompasses all of them.

Even if your example doesn't do that per se, you have to touch on them all.

 

[Charltonjoe]

Other questions ask you about all other competencies like dealing with emergencies, sticking to rules etc. This one is where you kind of try to find an example or give answer that encompasses all of them.

Even if your example doesn't do that per se, you have to touch on them all.

Ok cheers. This is all really helpful info. I know I said it before but I really do appreciate you guys taking the time to help.

 

[mmbeak78]

Ok cheers. This is all really helpful info. I know I said it before but I really do appreciate you guys taking the time to help.

Personally, I have found that rapport goes a LONG way in the interviews.
As mentioned previously - smiling, eye contact and (where possible) interesting, detailed, genuine examples will serve you in VERY good stead.
AFAIK, the interviewer for the MMI will (usually) push you in the right direction with clarifying your answers to fulfill the criteria that they are after.
When answering that last question, I initially went for a customer service-related answer, but was allowed to 'fill in the blanks' with some details from my bus driving role.
Your most important thing to remember now is that you have done REALLY well to get to the stage that you're at - just two more interviews (one of which you've now had experience of) and you're in

 

[Charltonjoe]

Personally, I have found that rapport goes a LONG way in the interviews.
As mentioned previously - smiling, eye contact and (where possible) interesting, detailed, genuine examples will serve you in VERY good stead.
AFAIK, the interviewer for the MMI will (usually) push you in the right direction with clarifying your answers to fulfill the criteria that they are after.
When answering that last question, I initially went for a customer service-related answer, but was allowed to 'fill in the blanks' with some details from my bus driving role.
Your most important thing to remember now is that you have done REALLY well to get to the stage that you're at - just two more interviews (one of which you've now had experience of) and you're in

 

[The1]

Morning all. First off, this is my first post here and sadly I discovered this forum after I'd failed in my application. My names Joe, I'm from Gravesend and this was the first job I'd applied for in the rail industry. So I failed the MMI interview on the final question, so despite passing all tests I'm going no further in the process.
However, the paperwork I was given on my way out has mixed messages regarding the standard I've met. For example, the first page indicates failing the MMI means I did not make the national standard, but a brief paragraph on the second page says I have made the national standard, just not the Crossrail standard, and it encourages me to apply for other rail operators. Can anyone shed any light on this? Is the MMI national or crossrail standard?

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) for the implementation of the new train driver psychometric assessment process

https://www.rssb.co.uk/Library/stand...ssment-FAQ.pdf