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Finally london midland interview call up help please!
- Thread starter thomo
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Jonfun
Established Member
A good start would be to say what job the interview's for in order for folk to best help you.
Hi I also have interview for this role on Monday. It was a really quick turnaround for me as just did tests yesterday. I'm finishing a 20 year career in RAF so this is all very new for me also. A £20k a year pay cut during training hurts but working on trains is something I've been interested in since childhood.
SJN
Member
Hi. Well done both. I'm a Senior Conductor for LM. Make sure you do some research into the company as they probably will ask what you know about them, routes and stations and stuff. I was asked to give examples of various customer service experiences, how handled emergencies, following rules and procedures. Good luck.
SJN
Member
I love it. Its the best job I've ever had and I'm so glad I applied when I did. I hope all goes well for you in the interview and maybe meet you soon.
Just make sure you think of some different examples of stuff. It can be hard to think of when you feel under pressure at the interview.
Just make sure you think of some different examples of stuff. It can be hard to think of when you feel under pressure at the interview.
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As above. Read up basic info about both LM and their parent company. Get familiar with their aims, achievements, passenger charter. Put it into context with how you can help them reach their aims etc. Have a brief idea of their routes, number of services run each day etc.
You'll probably be asked about how you intend to commute to your home depot at unsocial hours. What contingency plans have you got for getting to work if your primary mode is out of use.
Usual Money handling/previous customer service experience, give an example of.... Etc.
They may ask you hypothetical questions to see if you'd compromise safety/rules/company policy for customer service. The answers aren't always black and white.
I remember 13 years ago being asked; our TOC has a policy of not allowing bikes onboard between 15:00 and 18:00 hrs. This was for comfort rather than safety reasons. Mr Smith a daily commuter turns up with a new bike he has bought for his son's birthday present at 17:30, what would you do?
You might think its a hard one to answer on the spot, well as a Guard you'll have to make decisions like that on a daily basis, usually within a few seconds whilst trying to also begin despatch of your train.
I had no railway experience or train knowledge whatsoever. Answered there questions honestly. Then when I got the job and started training I realised just how ludicrous and unrealistic some of my interview responses were.
The managers are usually very friendly, the interview may feel more like an informal chat than a grilling.
I wish you well, hope you get your start date soon.
You'll probably be asked about how you intend to commute to your home depot at unsocial hours. What contingency plans have you got for getting to work if your primary mode is out of use.
Usual Money handling/previous customer service experience, give an example of.... Etc.
They may ask you hypothetical questions to see if you'd compromise safety/rules/company policy for customer service. The answers aren't always black and white.
I remember 13 years ago being asked; our TOC has a policy of not allowing bikes onboard between 15:00 and 18:00 hrs. This was for comfort rather than safety reasons. Mr Smith a daily commuter turns up with a new bike he has bought for his son's birthday present at 17:30, what would you do?
You might think its a hard one to answer on the spot, well as a Guard you'll have to make decisions like that on a daily basis, usually within a few seconds whilst trying to also begin despatch of your train.
I had no railway experience or train knowledge whatsoever. Answered there questions honestly. Then when I got the job and started training I realised just how ludicrous and unrealistic some of my interview responses were.
The managers are usually very friendly, the interview may feel more like an informal chat than a grilling.
I wish you well, hope you get your start date soon.
SJN
Member
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
JohnChuchu
Member
- Joined
- 22 Oct 2013
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- 107
How was it?
Went really well - structured interview. First went into why I wanted to be a conductor and then the roles of a conductor. After that it was a structured interview asking about different examples in my life I had about varying scenarios ie, tell me a time when you had to work as part of a team? Etc..... Lots of questions and they grill you on each.
He said at the end it was an excellent interview which surprised me as I never usually receive feedback straight away. There were two interviewers and they said I'd find out by the end of the week. So fingers crossed.
Can you remember what the next stage is? Is it medical?
Was it Coventry depot you applied for? (seem to remember a previous post from you a while back)
SJN
Member
Well done. Fingers crossed for you. After interview, the next stage for me was medical, then I got a job offer subject to references and CRB check. It can take while to hear though so don't worry if you don't hear when they said as HR is a tiny department at the moment with a lot to do. I'm based at Coventry.
SJN
Member
Medical was eye chart and hearing test. Then a colour blindness test, then drug and alcohol testing. They did weigh me but I don't think its a major issue. Think that's about it.
It's an OK depot by all accounts.....an interesting mix of traction and routes (and characters!), from the 350's down to Northampton, to the cross city occasionally....not forgetting the dogbox to Nuneaton!
I use to get the dog box every evening, everyone on the train called it the Rattler. Use to breAkdown a lot .
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Thanks Thomo, sounds like yours went well too. Yes it was strange getting feedback like that as it never usually happens straight after an interview, took me a back a bit. My interview was at 102 New Street, Brum.
Ah the LM ones are much more reliable! Much to the annoyance of (some) of the guards....
Can you remember the salary during training and then once finished and fully productive? Also can't remember what percentage you add on for unsocialble hours/ overtime work etc?
Just the wife asked and can't remember what they said. Cheers.
@cheggers
not sure i'm sure its about the same as what im on now while training 20-21,000? then i think 2 years ago the saary was 27000 but with wages rises its prob about 28-29000 after training now?
i also had mine at 102 with the two guys you did though i had to wait 45 minutes for them mine should of been at 11 but didnt happen till 11.45 lol hopefully i got some extra points for waiting for them not the other way round.
not sure i'm sure its about the same as what im on now while training 20-21,000? then i think 2 years ago the saary was 27000 but with wages rises its prob about 28-29000 after training now?
i also had mine at 102 with the two guys you did though i had to wait 45 minutes for them mine should of been at 11 but didnt happen till 11.45 lol hopefully i got some extra points for waiting for them not the other way round.
I was told we will find out by end of this week. But if they have good candidates they might take longer to decide.
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Got some good news this morning...been offered the Senior Conductor job. Working from Leamington Spa. I have been looking at the routes but not many LM from leamington? Can someone shed some light?
Also, I have a holiday booked (long weekend to New York) in June - they said they'd have to see if they'd let me go as during training there is a leave ban. Could be a non starter before it even started.
plastictaffy
Member
Yep!! Don't sign 'em anymore, thank god.
Salary in training is, I think (SJN may be able to confirm) around the 21k mark, with a pay jump up to full rate (Currently 28,645) after 12 months, depending which depot you go to.
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Leamington is only a small (diesel only, I believe) depot that don't sign many routes.
If they have already offered the job, I would imagine they've already looked into your holiday. It would be very unfair of them to offer it, then take it away as you have a booked holiday. What start date have they given you?? If it's only a long weekend, I'm sure it will be sorted - don't forget you get a long weekend every three weeks anyway as part of your link.
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If it is genuinely just a long weekend, then I wouldn't mention it to HR. Once you start your training, just square it up with the relevant trainer/instructor. Chances are you'll only miss the Friday and Monday if still classroom training. They're pretty understanding and approachable.
plastictaffy
Member
GadgetMan - yep, true that. I managed to get off two days training with my instructor for previous arrangements. He just informed the depot that I'd be meeting him later in the day.
plastictaffy
Member
Congratulations - welcome aboard!!! I think you'll get to like it here!!!
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You'll do three days induction, 2 days of PTS, then 2 weeks of rules. The one trainer is lovely. The other one, well.........
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
You'll do three days induction, 2 days of PTS, then 2 weeks of rules. The one trainer is lovely. The other one, well.........
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