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DMI INTERVIEW

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ComUtoR

ComUtoR

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That was a quick response time.

Congratulations. Keep us posted on how it goes.
 
T

Trainee2be

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ComUtoR said:
That was a quick response time.


Congratulations. Keep us posted on how it goes.
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I am so grateful for the quick turnaround. It couldn’t have come at a better time for me.

Daydr3am3r said:
Congratulations, exciting times!!
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Thanks, very exciting times ahead. I intend to do my best throughout my training and beyond. Hopefully, I’ll make it pass the medical too.
 
ComUtoR

ComUtoR

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When you pass the medical and get a course date, hit me up.
 
MostlyHarmless

MostlyHarmless

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Trainee2be said:
I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who gave me advice and encouragement. I passed the DMI and have my medical next week :D
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Well done!

Still waiting to hear about a DMI for SE at Victoria. How far away do you live from the depot if you don't mind me asking?
 
J

John87

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Stigy said:
It’s just another phrase for competency based interview. Just a standard job interview most companies use for these sorts of jobs.
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Stigy, what questions did you get asked at your GWR DMI? My GWR DMI is coming up soon so all your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
 
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Stigy

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John87 said:
Stigy, what questions did you get asked at your GWR DMI? My GWR DMI is coming up soon so all your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
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Hi John,

It varies between depot I believe, where did you apply for? As above, there are loads of threads here that’ll help you.

As far as I recall, you’ll almost certainly be asked what you know about GWR and FirstGroup as a whole, so do a bit of research, to include the class of trains they operate/routes covered etc.

As far as the competency questions; Sorry if it sounds like a cop out, but I genuinely don’t remember exactly what I was asked. Expect to be asked about a time when you’ve had to attend a course which lasted longer than 2-weeks, and a time when you’ve had to carry out a task where safety was of paramount importance.

I found mine really relaxed and easy going, and none of the questions where particular stumbling blocks. Just remember to focus on safety as that is of prime importance on the railway, with customer service a strong second place. The specific questions GWR ask are on a par with any other TOC, so do some searching here anyway. Hope this helps!

Good luck with the interview.
 
J

John87

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Stigy said:
Hi John,

It varies between depot I believe, where did you apply for? As above, there are loads of threads here that’ll help you.

As far as I recall, you’ll almost certainly be asked what you know about GWR and FirstGroup as a whole, so do a bit of research, to include the class of trains they operate/routes covered etc.

As far as the competency questions; Sorry if it sounds like a cop out, but I genuinely don’t remember exactly what I was asked. Expect to be asked about a time when you’ve had to attend a course which lasted longer than 2-weeks, and a time when you’ve had to carry out a task where safety was of paramount importance.

I found mine really relaxed and easy going, and none of the questions where particular stumbling blocks. Just remember to focus on safety as that is of prime importance on the railway, with customer service a strong second place. The specific questions GWR ask are on a par with any other TOC, so do some searching here anyway. Hope this helps!

Good luck with the interview.
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Trainee2be said:
I start early next month! I’m really looking forward to it and so grateful that I didn’t have to wait too long!
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Trainee2be said:
I start early next month! I’m really looking forward to it and so grateful that I didn’t have to wait too long!
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When you say the class of trains they operate/ routes covered. What exactly do you mean? Can you give me some examples? Proper stuck on that one for some reason
 
ComUtoR

ComUtoR

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John87 said:
When you say the class of trains they operate/ routes covered. What exactly do you mean? Can you give me some examples? Proper stuck on that one for some reason
Click to expand...

The information is publicly available; which is the important bit. There is no expectation for you to have any technical knowledge or any insider information. Go to your desired TOCs website and have a good read. Then, go to your desired TOCs local station and get on a train. learn about the TOC.

Getting a specific answer to a specific question can be more detrimental as your answers will need to be built upon. There is no point in telling them about Class 465s and 466s if the follow up is "What's the difference between the two ?"

The 'class of a train' is its classification. It is typically written on the front the train (the first 3 numbers) as Trainee2Be will be at Southeastern. SE has 465/466/376/375/377/395/700s or Networker/Electrostar/Desiro Citys/Javelins They are all EMUs You can see that on the surface its all jargon and pretty meaningless on it's own.

"I'm not sure of the train types but I notice that Southeastern Drivers drive those new Thameslink ones too" That shows that you know something about what they operate, and noticed something unusual. This can lead to other questions from yourself "why is that" and "do All Southeastern Drivers drive them ?" or make it more personal "would I get to drive one, I really like the modern design and how smooth they feel"

The routes they operate is about where they go. For Southeastern this is Southeast England/Kent. From the South East coast into London. 5 London terminals. Specific routes. Catford Loop/Chatham Main/North Kent/Mid Kent/Dartford Loop/Greenwich Various mainlines, loops, spurs, branches etc. Again, its kinda meaningless if you know which specific routes they operate as it doesn't help without a bit of local knowledge. There is always a network map for each TOC.

Same as above. You can bring that information into the interview. "I know you operate most of kent and the kent coast" or again personalise it "I take the train into Victoria and it goes through..." "I've taken the summer specials down to Ramsgate" "I like the Javelins, I take the kids to Westfield and we go to the football at.."

There is so much you can do to personalise an interview question or have a good basic knowledge by doing a quick bit of research on their website or doing a little legwork. If you pull out some generic answer or rote learned knowledge it will not help.
 
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Jimmy Jams!

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I have my DMI tomorrow with Southeastern for the Victoria Depot. Just found this thread and doing some last minute prep.
ComUtoR said:
The information is publicly available; which is the important bit. There is no expectation for you to have any technical knowledge or any insider information. Go to your desired TOCs website and have a good read. Then, go to your desired TOCs local station and get on a train. learn about the TOC.

Getting a specific answer to a specific question can be more detrimental as your answers will need to be built upon. There is no point in telling them about Class 465s and 466s if the follow up is "What's the difference between the two ?"

The 'class of a train' is its classification. It is typically written on the front the train (the first 3 numbers) as Trainee2Be will be at Southeastern. SE has 465/466/376/375/377/395/700s or Networker/Electrostar/Desiro Citys/Javelins They are all EMUs You can see that on the surface its all jargon and pretty meaningless on it's own.

"I'm not sure of the train types but I notice that Southeastern Drivers drive those new Thameslink ones too" That shows that you know something about what they operate, and noticed something unusual. This can lead to other questions from yourself "why is that" and "do All Southeastern Drivers drive them ?" or make it more personal "would I get to drive one, I really like the modern design and how smooth they feel"

The routes they operate is about where they go. For Southeastern this is Southeast England/Kent. From the South East coast into London. 5 London terminals. Specific routes. Catford Loop/Chatham Main/North Kent/Mid Kent/Dartford Loop/Greenwich Various mainlines, loops, spurs, branches etc. Again, its kinda meaningless if you know which specific routes they operate as it doesn't help without a bit of local knowledge. There is always a network map for each TOC.

Same as above. You can bring that information into the interview. "I know you operate most of kent and the kent coast" or again personalise it "I take the train into Victoria and it goes through..." "I've taken the summer specials down to Ramsgate" "I like the Javelins, I take the kids to Westfield and we go to the football at.."

There is so much you can do to personalise an interview question or have a good basic knowledge by doing a quick bit of research on their website or doing a little legwork. If you pull out some generic answer or rote learned knowledge it will not help.
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So you are basically saying not to mention the Electro star 375,376,377 the Javelin 395 and the networker 465,466 if I’m not going into detail on them?
 
ComUtoR

ComUtoR

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Jimmy Jams! said:
So you are basically saying not to mention the Electro star 375,376,377 the Javelin 395 and the networker 465,466 if I’m not going into detail on them?
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No. Just that there is a difference between supplying technical information and getting a follow up technical question in return and providing simple and basic answers that show you have an awareness or general understanding. Not forgetting that giving out what may be considered to be technical knowledge also leads to the Interviewer thinking about how and why you know this. Speaking to our DMs, they know when a candidate has learned a rote answer from a forum. They also know when someone is blagging it.

You can see from my examples provided in how you can lead the interview better and provide personal answers and still provide the same information. There is no expectation for anyone to know technical information. The knowledge is good and shows you may have done your research but doesn't add to any answers.

Every TOC interview wants some kind of local knowledge and company information. How you give that to them is what is important. Are you just going to rattle off generic information in list format or are you going to give the Interviewer a little insight to yourself ? If you genuinely know classes of train, types of rolling stock, ROSCO details etc etc. Then feel free to share some knowledge, show your enthusiasm etc but if its just information someone has told you to repeat because they think that's the right answer, then you need to avoid it.

I have noticed a trend recently, from this forum, that people are getting caught out by follow up questions.

The DMI is about YOU. Make it personal.
 
TheGoldfish

TheGoldfish

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I had my DMI last week (GWR) and luckily I happened upon this thread beforehand and I have to say the advice here was spot on.

Just chatting to the interviewer afterwards whilst they photocopied my right to work docs.. They happened to mentioned a pet hate for people quoting 'dead end' facts and figures but when pushed had no real understanding of what they had just said ... Just rattling of the tech specs of particular train types .. doesn't necessarily demonstrate your aptitude for the role ... So a big thank you to those that are sharing their experience and contributing to these threads ....

and to those with DMI's coming up ... You've already done well to get this far and the TOC must have some confidence in your potential otherwise they'd have binned you off much sooner in the process ... Consider the advice given, do your prep well and the best of luck...
 
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Stigy

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TheGoldfish said:
I had my DMI last week (GWR) and luckily I happened upon this thread beforehand and I have to say the advice here was spot on.

Just chatting to the interviewer afterwards whilst they photocopied my right to work docs.. They happened to mentioned a pet hate for people quoting 'dead end' facts and figures but when pushed had no real understanding of what they had just said ... Just rattling of the tech specs of particular train types .. doesn't necessarily demonstrate your aptitude for the role ... So a big thank you to those that are sharing their experience and contributing to these threads ....

and to those with DMI's coming up ... You've already done well to get this far and the TOC must have some confidence in your potential otherwise they'd have binned you off much sooner in the process ... Consider the advice given, do your prep well and the best of luck...
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Good luck with the outcome and thanks for sharing!
 
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Barney07

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26 May 2019
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Well done all those who have passed. I have my DMI in july and was going to ask the same thing with regards to possible questions asked etc but loads of information has been given looking through this forum.

Thank You
 
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