EMR Senior Conductor & Train Manager - Recruitment Discussion

[westtoeast]

Hey, I remember you for sure. Had you come over from Bristol area? That’s such a shame, I wonder why no contact at all for you.

 

[sir_gummerz]

Hey, I remember you for sure. Had you come over from Bristol area? That’s such a shame, I wonder why no contact at all for you.

Yep thats me. I have absolutely no idea as to why. I emailed them a few times but no response. I also tried calling but got fobed off and told someone would be in touch shortly (never happened)

If they had a flat out ban on people relocating (I know some operators do) then I never should have got invited to the assessment day, as I made it very clear I was looking to relocate.

Ultimately its not the end of the world, as I already have a job, but I can see how it would be truly devastating for someone still looking to get into the industry, to be lead on and then not even get told if they passed or not.


Considering I traveled 8 hours round trip, and took 2 days annual leave, its left me with a incredibly unfavourable veiw of the company.

I hope they get back to you soon with a date, just keep with it and eventually you will get something.

 

[NoMorePacers]

Hello, I attended the same assessment day (and if you are who I think you are then I recall us interacting quite a bit during the event @sir_gummerz), though I got knocked back at the first hurdle. Was a bit disappointed (though at least I only needed to travel for one hour instead of four) but I've since found alternate work so it didn't really affect me too heavily, wasn't exactly pinning my entire life's success on getting the job.

I'm sorry to the pair of you that you received the treatment you did, the lack of response is very poor. For what it's worth I never got any further communication myself either, not even one of those automated rejection emails (and at the event before this one I attended, I did get an email response after which was actually quite lengthy) - though granted I already knew my own outcome so it didn't matter as much.

In a way, respectfully, reading the above has made me feel slightly better about the whole ordeal, not that it was constantly dragging on my mind; but perhaps being sent away was a bit of a blessing in disguise, given the treatment detailed above that I would probably also have received had I actually succeeded.

Anyways, best of luck to you both in the future and I hope @westtoeast that you get the response that you're hoping for (or even any response at all, since it seems to be a privilege with these lot) soon.

 

[westtoeast]

Hey, how are you getting on? I have a date for training to start which is quite exciting. What is the routine like at Derby for training? How have you found things so far?

Hiya, I'm not sure where to post this so hopefully it ends up in the right place. I've been pulled from the talent pool for a conductor apprenticeship with EMR out of Notts, and am trying to wrap my head around what the schedule/shifts/turns/roster will actually look like. I read shift work is great, yes earlies and lates, time off in a row etc but being an hour away from the depot it just adds that much more time out of my day.

Can someone help pls understand:
- how do you book your time off? Ie if I have tickets to a concert, I can't work that night, and wouldn't want to work a 4 am start the following morning...
- do you have to work 'mandatory overtime'? Is that just when the train is delayed etc or do you have to work on your scheduled rest days?
- how many days in a row at most do you have to work, and how often does that happen? I've read 7-8 days and also 13.
- can you request multiple (7 day weeks) off, ie to take a two week holiday?
- how early before your scheduled time/shift do you need to be at the depot?

Any other input is appreciated, I am a planner and this is a big gap in my info that I feel is important before I accept the role, and not sure how clear the contract will be. Thank you in advance

 

[Adam7]

Hello

 

[spinningout]

Hey all,

So I attended the EMR in-person testing stage in Lincoln last year (April) and was successful and placed in a talent pool. The only thing I’ve heard since then was in August, and that said that the last course of the year in October was full.

Would it harm my chances/position if I emailed the HR person to gently inquire as to the process or where I might be? Lincoln and Boston are the two depots nearest to me but as I understand you can only be in the talent pool for one only.

Any advice gratefully received.

Hi mate.

So I went to an assessment day February last year for EMR in Norwich. Pretty sure there were other people for the Boston & Lincoln area. Got offered the role the very next day.

Fast forward a year later, and I’m still in the talent pool.

I’ve asked for regular updates, and most of the time it gets ignored.
Got the same generic one around September stating their position for October is full and will have to wait until next year.

Ironically they email me end of January asking me if I’m still interested, as future positions maybe imminently coming.

Of course I replied positively, and now radio silence again two months later.

At this point, I feel they’ll just reach out as and when there is a position available. It sucks, and luckily I have a job whilst I wait.

Still, when I reflect on the overall experience it’s bloody awful.

Hope this helps.

 

[LCC106]

Hi mate.

So I went to an assessment day February last year for EMR in Norwich. Pretty sure there were other people for the Boston & Lincoln area. Got offered the role the very next day.

Fast forward a year later, and I’m still in the talent pool.

I’ve asked for regular updates, and most of the time it gets ignored.
Got the same generic one around September stating their position for October is full and will have to wait until next year.

Ironically they email me end of January asking me if I’m still interested, as future positions maybe imminently coming.

Of course I replied positively, and now radio silence again two months later.

At this point, I feel they’ll just reach out as and when there is a position available. It sucks, and luckily I have a job whilst I wait.

Still, when I reflect on the overall experience it’s bloody awful.

Hope this helps.

Unfortunately this is quite the norm with railway recruitment. You can be placed in a talent pool and it’s basically a case of how long is a piece of string playing the waiting game. Nothing to stop you emailing them every 6 weeks or so to remain on their radar! Also as and when the phone call comes it can interfere with notice periods.