First Great Western Customer Host

[Lambolavis]

In a couple of days I have a phone interview for Customer Host with First Great Western. Ater spectacularly failing the the last phone interview I did for conductor I thought it might be best I get an idea of what to expect for this one, if anyone can offer any advice I would be very grateful.

 

[marshyc]

I can't really give any advice about what to expect other than to say try to think back to what you were asked in your last telephone interview. Chances are that it'll be very much the same thing.

Just try and keep focused and take your time thinking before you answer.

 

[387star]

Is it different for externals? I passed this internally and it seemed quite straight forward simply your motivation and knowledge of the job role and a customer service question thrown in

 

[Lambolavis]

Not really sure if it's different internally to external applications guess we will find out tomorrow.
The last phone interview I got was for conductor and basically I did the wrong research and completely fluffed it, wasn't quite expecting the sort of mini assessment type thing I had last time.

 

[Reh1988]

I passed this externally and thought it was pretty basic. Maybe the conductor one asks different questions?

Anyway they where general customer service questions, I was asked to give an examples of team work, exceptional customer service and how I dealt with a difficult customer. So as long as you have some experience with people it should be a piece of cake.

Good luck

 

[Lambolavis]

Thanks for all the help people much appreciated.
Interview started off well but had to be cut short due to my boss telling me off about some badly parked cars and wanting me to move them. Apparently I can reschedule the call but I'm quite certain these circumstances will not be too favourable for me.

 

[Greenback]

Whenever I've been invited to take a telephone interview, I've been asked to select a time slot when I would not be disturbed.

If this applies to your interview then I agree it will probably not help you.

 

[Lambolavis]

None of the times really suited as it was during work time and not having any holiday left meant I just had to pick the best of what there was to choose from. I chose my lunch break as I thought it would be a time I am left alone, Nevermind though these things happen and I'll maybe try again next year when I can guarantee a day off.

 

[Greenback]

If it was your lunch break you are quite entitled to spend that time away from your work station and without any interference from your boss. You should tell them in advance if you don't want to be disturbed, you don't have to say why.

 

[Lambolavis]

I've been given another opportunity on Friday it seems, so I'll take one of my cars to work and go hide in that to take the call, means I won't be bothered then in theory.

 

[Reh1988]

That's good then. Are you going for the one in Exeter St Davids?

 

[Greenback]

Good luck for the next time!

 

[Lambolavis]

Yes it's the St David's one.
Thanks everyone.

 

[Reh1988]

I'm going for that one too hopefully you did better on the numerical test than I did!

Good luck!

 

[Lambolavis]

Done said interview without hinderance this time, think it went okay just got to wait and see now.
The online calculation test I did quite well on, maths is quite a strong point for me and I actually in some weird way quite enjoy it.

 

[Reh1988]

Maths has always been my weaker point, so I just did what I could. Glad to hear it went better. It took 2 weeks from the telephone interview to hear I'd got the interview, so you might not have long to wait

 

[Lambolavis]

Good news nobody! It seems I have passed my phone interview and now on to the next stage, quite impressed by how quickly they've got back to me though. Certainly seems my initial error was forgiven/forgotten about.

 

[455driver]

Good news nobody! It seems I have passed my phone interview and now on to the next stage, quite impressed by how quickly they've got back to me though. Certainly seems my initial error was forgiven/forgotten about.

Thats good news, well done.

 

[Reh1988]

Good news nobody! It seems I have passed my phone interview and now on to the next stage, quite impressed by how quickly they've got back to me though. Certainly seems my initial error was forgiven/forgotten about.

Wow that was quick! Well done , whens your interview scheduled for? Hope you have the same people interviewing you as I did they put you at ease

 

[Lambolavis]

Thanks everyone, I have not been informed of what the next stage is yet, apparently I've to keep an eye out for another email in which they'll inform me what to do next.

 

[baldycrewman]

Hi Lambolavis,

Ive recently got to telephone interview for conductor (in Reading) and wondered if you might be any tips on what was involved in the telephone interview??

Cheers,
BC

 

[Lambolavis]

Baldycrewman sorry for the late reply.

Essentially it is the same as the questions I got for customer host, except this time I was better prepared. They ask you to give 2 examples of exceptional customer service in all walks of life so work, school(not sure where you'd get that unless you're selling contraband) or anything in your day to day life.
They also ask for 2 examples where you've persuaded a person to your way of thinking in a difficult circumstance again picking from any life experience.
Looking back on it, it really wasn't that difficult to be fair.

 

[Lambolavis]

Update for you all looks like I'm off for to an interview centre this week for an interview I'm guessing, let's hope something comes of it.
Any ideas what to expect?

 

[bumble]

Hi Lambolavis,
Where do you have to go for your interview for the customer host?? I have to attend an "assessment centre" in Newton Abbot for my assessment and possible interview this week. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for the assessment?

 

[Lambolavis]

Hi Lambolavis,
Where do you have to go for your interview for the customer host?? I have to attend an "assessment centre" in Newton Abbot for my assessment and possible interview this week. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for the assessment?

Newton Abbot so same place, not sure what to expect yet so we will see, I'm guessing by it being called an assessment centre we can expect some tests of some kind.