FGW Duty Station Manager

[Termy]

Hi all,
So a few months ago I applied for a Duty Station Manager vacancy at Bristol Temple Meads, and I did not expect to ever hear back. However today, I reviewed email notification I have a Telephone Interview next Monday!

I'm generally aware of what the role entails, I was just wondering if anyone had any more in depth information, hints or tips for me? I'm really looking forward to doing this, as I really thought I didn't have that great a chance!

Thanks all.

 

[plastictaffy]

I know that the DSM's at my major terminus are certainly "jacks-of-all-trades". They go from filling in for a Despatcher one minute, to marshalling crowds and being abused by the punters the next. You need to be confident, not scared to make a decision, and very able to think on your feet. From what I've seen, when everything is running well, the job is fairly easy. When the job goes tits-up, you WILL come in for a hiding from the punters (and the staff) and you WILL earn your money. At Euston, we have five. Of those, two are completely unflappable, and have absolutely no issue with coming into the traincrew messroom to get us out working trains at a moment's notice, the other three will ring Control to find out what they can and can't ask us to do. I understand it can be a very rewarding job, but at times it just makes you want to run and hide!!!!

Rather you than me, but the very best of luck to you.

 

[Termy]

Thank you, plastictaffy. Your post gives quite an insight into the job. I had guessed that when it all went wrong the DSM would definitely have a lot of people, both staff and passengers, vying for their blood. Even in my current role, I have that to an extent, just not as bad as those in the rail industry get it!

From what I've heard, I personally think I'd do well in the role. I can think on my feet, make decisions quickly when needed, and I'm quite happy to make decisions people don't like when I can back it up with fact and need, and become the person people don't like.
Running and hiding isn't my style, I battle and win head-on. :P

 

[joeynova27]

Hey I also have an interview for this role but at London Paddington.... One question.... Does anyone have any idea on the salary?

 

[Termy]

Hey I also have an interview for this role but at London Paddington.... One question.... Does anyone have any idea on the salary?

I can only hazard a guess that it would be in the region of £25-30k, if it's an intensive role. I'm really looking forward to hearing more about this job from FGW themselves on Monday. I'm not thinking about the money, I'm thinking about the excitement, the challenge, etc.

Good luck with your application with Paddington! I've seen what that station can be like, I think I would much prefer the third largest operating station on the network rather than the top one. For my first DSM stint anyway. :P

 

[plastictaffy]

I believe that the DSM's within my TOC are graded depending on the station. AFAIK, wages start at around the 30k mark. Bear in mind that the job (at least with my TOC) is also safety critical, as they are all passed out to despatch trains.

BTW - Don't be the person that people don't like on the railways. Everything on the railways WILL come back and bite you on the arse. The first time you upset a Driver/Guard/Someone else will be the last time.
Imagine - the service is belly up, and you stride into the messroom to rustle up a Driver and Guard for a Paddington express. You start throwing your weight around, people will just refuse to help you. "Sorry, it's over my day......" "Sorry, it's not my booked Job/Train/Traction/Route............" There's a couple of managers at my place that I'm just waiting for to ask me a for a favour so that I can take great pleasure in saying "Do you remember the time when.........?? Exactly - bugger off"
It's all about tact, and how you ask people to do stuff. You'll need to be one of the guys - singing from the same hymn sheet.

 

[Termy]

It's all about tact, and how you ask people to do stuff. You'll need to be one of the guys - singing from the same hymn sheet.

You make a seriously good point, and it's very well made. I suppose I've become adjusted to the retail way of thinking, where all my Duty Manager's throw their weight around, and automatically expect to get what they want. Retail is waaay too cut-throat these days, make one mistake and you have sixteen Spanish Inquisitions examining every insignificant detail and overruling your decisions. My current employer, who will remain unnamed, is terrible for trying to force staff out. Then they complain we're understaffed and under allotted rota hours!

I will happily admit I'm fully prepared to change pretty much anything about myself to adjust, it won't take too long to acclimatise to a new role. This role sounds pretty much perfect to me, here's to hoping enduring goes well Monday.

 

[Buzzman]

Hi Termy, I too have an interview for the same role.
I did the role before moving abroad and can say its quite a challenge, very diverse. I can't tell you what they will ask as i'm going to keep that to myself you understand, but I wish you the best of luck.
Tip: Focus on retail management and how you manage difficult staff... Thats a free one for you..

 

[MyFriendMary]

I'd recommend to also find out what Bristol Temple Meads Station Manager is like, what his views are on things such as revenue protection, staff cover etc as you'll be his right or left hand.

Temple Meads is about to undergo some changes with Network Rail now taking over the station and with the gateline's hours soon to be extended, so you'll be entering a new and challenging situation straight from the front. Also, if you are local, check out the station for what ideas you could bring to improve it. And, if you manage to get those guys in the customer information desk to smile once in a while... you'll be a hero :P

Good luck!

 

[Clip]

I'd recommend to also find out what Bristol Temple Meads Station Manager is like, what his views are on things such as revenue protection, staff cover etc as you'll be his right or left hand.

Temple Meads is about to undergo some changes with Network Rail now taking over the station and with the gateline's hours soon to be extended, so you'll be entering a new and challenging situation straight from the front. Also, if you are local, check out the station for what ideas you could bring to improve it. And, if you manage to get those guys in the customer information desk to smile once in a while... you'll be a hero :P

Good luck!

Ha. The one thing thats the hardest to do is get someone to smile when theyre at work. Some people just dont have it in them even on a good day(apparently they say thats me round these parts).

Being a duty manager can be hard work juggling all the balls at once but its very rewarding and then you can come back on here and moan about passengers like the rest of us

 

[MyFriendMary]

Ha. The one thing thats the hardest to do is get someone to smile when theyre at work. Some people just dont have it in them even on a good day(apparently they say thats me round these parts).

I remember asking them a question on my induction tour of BRI and they were like, "I dunno. Go look." I was like, dude... this is your station.

If only that place was an ol' school travel centre. Such an awesome location to have one as well

 

[plastictaffy]

You make a seriously good point, and it's very well made. I suppose I've become adjusted to the retail way of thinking, where all my Duty Manager's throw their weight around, and automatically expect to get what they want. Retail is waaay too cut-throat these days, make one mistake and you have sixteen Spanish Inquisitions examining every insignificant detail and overruling your decisions. My current employer, who will remain unnamed, is terrible for trying to force staff out. Then they complain we're understaffed and under allotted rota hours!

My wife works for a large retailer, and they are, not to put too fine a point on it, a*s*hol*s. This particular large retailer is Tescos - sounds very much like they run their place like your employers run theirs!!!
She finds some of the things that we can get away with on the railways absolutely incredible - "That'd never wash in my place" she says. "It's do it or have an "informal discussion", about it", she says. An informal discussion is another way of the manager saying that he'd like you to be crucified, stoned, then dragged through the streets if you continue to stand up for your rights.
Beside the point, though. When's your interview??

 

[Termy]

My wife works for a large retailer, and they are, not to put too fine a point on it, a*s*hol*s. This particular large retailer is Tescos - sounds very much like they run their place like your employers run theirs!!!
She finds some of the things that we can get away with on the railways absolutely incredible - "That'd never wash in my place" she says. "It's do it or have an "informal discussion", about it", she says. An informal discussion is another way of the manager saying that he'd like you to be crucified, stoned, then dragged through the streets if you continue to stand up for your rights.
Beside the point, though. When's your interview??

Sounds like my store is very similar to others then.
Monday morming, 10am. First HR are my early morning wake up call. I kid obviously, I'll be awake early and ready!

 

[plastictaffy]

Let us know how you got on. I for one would be delighted to hear. A guy I know works in Bristol Temple Meads ticket office, seems to think it's a great place to work.
Keep us posted.

 

[Termy]

Let us know how you got on. I for one would be delighted to hear. A guy I know works in Bristol Temple Meads ticket office, seems to think it's a great place to work.
Keep us posted.

I will! Not too long now! Totally looking forward to it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Morning all! Just got off the phone from the lovely people at the FirstGroup HR team. I think it went rather well! Just have the unbearable wait for them to get back to me in the next few days.

 

[Bristol2014]

Hi all,
So a few months ago I applied for a Duty Station Manager vacancy at Bristol Temple Meads, and I did not expect to ever hear back. However today, I reviewed email notification I have a Telephone Interview next Monday!

I'm generally aware of what the role entails, I was just wondering if anyone had any more in depth information, hints or tips for me? I'm really looking forward to doing this, as I really thought I didn't have that great a chance!

Thanks all.

I had a interview on Monday also! How did you think it went! Did they ask you many questions? I am just asking, I had a supervisor interview before and was asked more questions that the dm so not sure if that was a good thing or not!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Termy ... How did you get on> i have now had a email and got past the telephone interview and have now had to complete another online assesment and have a face to face interview in due course. :d over the moon about this although i do feel that the hard work starts here.