FCC Trainee Train Driver First Stage

[TDK]

As a trainee ? I might apply then !

A TOC will want 5 years out of a driver to break even so 55 is probably borderline however with the state retirement age being 66 up to 61 is worth a shot as long as your health is sound.

 

[Polar]

Can anyone who has done the criteria based interview for fcc recently tell me what questions they got?

Cheers

 

[W230]

Can anyone who has done the criteria based interview for fcc recently tell me what questions they got?

1. Describe a time where you've had to follow rules & procedures
2. Describe a time where you've been involved in an emergency situation
3. Describe a time you've been on a training course for over 2 weeks or your greatest achievement
4. Describe a time where you've had to work for long periods of time alone
5. Describe a time you've had to solve a difficult problem

It's amazing what a search of the forum can throw up.

 

[Darksoul27]

Ok so i had my stage 1 tests for FFC at the centre in London and am happy to say i passed so looking forward to stage 2 in a couple of weeks time.

On the day i would say they had 50 people turn up and after the 3 tests it went down to 16 and 13 of those including myself passed all 5 tests.

I found that because i used this forum to get info and test apps this really helped me and out of 5 tests i found the memory test the hardest as i wasnt sure on a few questions but i guess i got enough right to pass.

I found the dot test easier to do on paper than the computer version i had been using to prepare for the day and overall if you prepare well then you got half a chance to pass imo.

 

[Firestarter]

1. Describe a time where you've had to follow rules & procedures
2. Describe a time where you've been involved in an emergency situation
3. Describe a time you've been on a training course for over 2 weeks or your greatest achievement
4. Describe a time where you've had to work for long periods of time alone
5. Describe a time you've had to solve a difficult problem

It's amazing what a search of the forum can throw up.

Can the search function find decent answers as well?

 

[Polar]

Well done!
I still waiting for my results from stage 2 driving me nuts!
Im pretty sure if they put that memory test in front of me now I could still remember the answers. Read Derren Browns mind control book somw good memory tricks!

 

[Darksoul27]

Was wondering does the reaction test on stage 2 really go as fast as the one you can download and practise on from this website. As i am finding it really hard to keep up with at the end and the pace doesnt slow down at all before the test finishes.

 

[Polar]

Was wondering does the reaction test on stage 2 really go as fast as the one you can download and practise on from this website. As i am finding it really hard to keep up with at the end and the pace doesnt slow down at all before the test finishes.

No the actual test doesnt go as anywhere near as fast as that online one. All 8 of us there that day passed it and most of us were convinced we had failed it.

 

[NI 271]

Was wondering does the reaction test on stage 2 really go as fast as the one you can download and practise on from this website. As i am finding it really hard to keep up with at the end and the pace doesnt slow down at all before the test finishes.

It doesn't. And don't try to go as fast as that does in part two either as you don't need to go anywhere that quickly to pass.

 

[Darksoul27]

Thanks for the replies guys and glad to know that it doesnt go that fast as i would be worried lol.

 

[Polar]

Got phone call off fcc today. I passed stage 2 now got the managers interview to worry about!

 

[rookie]

Got phone call off fcc today. I passed stage 2 now got the managers interview to worry about!

Congratulations Polar. I've just been informed I passed as well. I hadn't given it much thought as it was very hard to gauge how the 2nd stage went. Anyway, bring on more worry! Hopefully the line manager interview will be more personal and not as structured.

 

[Darksoul27]

^ well done guys, if you got any tips for the Stage 2 interview then would be most greatful as i got mine next week.

 

[rookie]

^ well done guys, if you got any tips for the Stage 2 interview then would be most greatful as i got mine next week.

I would say the usual advice. know your examples well and be prepared to go into minute detail. have some other examples for each question. be honest and be yourself. i found the hour went quick and make sure you say everything you want to say. you should get an opportunity at the end to add anything you felt you missed out. i wasn't overly confident afterwards as it was an unusual interview but very pleased i'm still in the process. all the best.

 

[Polar]

Thanks Krudger and congratulations to you to. What date did they give you for the interview? Mine is on the 26th.
I can only echo what is said above for the structured interview, know every detail of your examples.
Expect questions such as
How did it make you feel?
Why did you act that way ?
And make sure you can name the standards that you have worked to?
I think that as long as you can actualy give good examples of each questions you should be fine as plenty of people cant.

 

[Darksoul27]

Was wondering with the Stage 2 interview is having 2 good examples enough as i have got 2 (what i think are good) examples and dont wanna do the interview and they start asking for more and i havent prepared anymore answers.

 

[TDK]

^ well done guys, if you got any tips for the Stage 2 interview then would be most greatful as i got mine next week.

Memorise what you put in your application form!

 

[Darksoul27]

^ did it so long ago (over a year) cant remember exactly what i put but i know i didnt lie so shouldnt be a problem if they ask me about it. I know i should have copied it but not done many applications ( this was first one in years) so didnt think at the time. Plus i thought you get asked about 5 questions and then told to answer on paper first, before you have to talk about your answers face to face?

 

[LCC106]

^ did it so long ago (over a year) cant remember exactly what i put but i know i did lie so shouldnt be a problem if they ask me about it. I know i should have copied it but not done many applications ( this was first one in years) so didnt think at the time. Plus i thought you get asked about 5 questions and then told to answer on paper first, before you hae to talk about your answers face to face?

DID lie or didn't?

 

[Darksoul27]

lol thanks corrected meant i didnt lie

 

[Karmakanik]

If you log back into the First group recruitment page, you should be able to access/edit your cover letter there.

 

[Darksoul27]

^ ok thanks i will take a look
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Ok i went through to Application stage and can see what i wrote on for :


Personal Details
Education and Training
Career History
Additional information

It does say at bottom to click to go to page 2 but cant do this and i cant remeber whats on Page 2 so any idea would be most greatful.

 

[LCC106]

Could that be the "Give us an example of" types of questions? e.g. a time when you've given excellent service, dealt with an emergency etc.?

 

[Darksoul27]

Ok had my stage 2 tests today. Found the 1st Reactions test ok but think i set my pace on second one to fast but still managed a pass. They said i got a top score on first test but only passed second but overall i got through.

Then the dreaded interview, wow they go deep into the 5 questions you gave answers for. Gotta say having a rough idea from this forum about what to expect really help and i only had to give more than 1 example for 2 of the questions but not sure if that good or bad, anyway just gotta wait for results now fingers crossed.

 

[LCC106]

Great to hear it!

 

[Darksoul27]

Still not heard about my stage 2 interview results. Is it normal to wait more than a week ?

 

[Polar]

Still not heard about my stage 2 interview results. Is it normal to wait more than a week ?

It took nearly two weeks for my results and I passed so I wouldnt worry.

 

[Darksoul27]

Got email today saying thank you for app but position has now been filled. I take it this means I failed the structured interview and its not they have just stopped checking the rest of the candidates and my results haven't been processed. If I have failed is it possible to check what parts of the structured interview I failed?

 

[playmore64]

Unlucky buddy but don't deter yourself from trying again.

Of course you can get feedback, but it doesn't necessary mean that you have failed your SI, was there any mention of this in the email?

I suggest you email FirstGroup and then a representative from FCC will phone you, this happened to me with FGW, the HR lady spoke to me over the phone and explained in great detail which parts of the assessment I didn't score highly.

I failed by a few marks on the literacy test yet passed the rest for the Conductor role.

So just make sure where you stand and ask for them to phone you rather than email me back.

 

[A-driver]

Got email today saying thank you for app but position has now been filled. I take it this means I failed the structured interview and its not they have just stopped checking the rest of the candidates and my results haven't been processed. If I have failed is it possible to check what parts of the structured interview I failed?

If they didn't say you had failed then you may have passed. Worth checking with them as it sounds like they are just no longer recruiting like I suspected on another thread. I know they no longer need as many drivers as they currently do.