First Great Western Trainee drivers, Anyone heard back?

[bob1]

Has anyone who had a DM interview begining of January heard anything back yet??

 

[Mfsds]

Hiya

Friend of mine got dm int early jan and started course 4th feb. that was for reading depot. I was in Newport with him end of dec but didn't make it into dm int after stage 2 assement

 

[Iceman1979]

Hi Everyone

I have been invited to part 1 assessment next week, so I'm wondering what tests you sit and if the Mechanical Test is included or not. As I heard some TOC Companies have stopped doing the Mechanical Test! Is this true???

Any help will be greatly appreciated....

Many Thanks

The Iceman

 

[DistrictDriver]

Well, after patiently waiting since 4th October last year, I have finally had a call from FGW this afternoon to invite me for the part 2 assessment down in Newport!

Now urgently trying to arrange time off my current job to travel down on the Tuesday for assessment on Wednesday!

I'd just about given up expecting a reply!

 

[Iceman1979]

Hi DistrictDriver

Did you sit the Mechanical Test on the first assessment??

Thanks

 

[Nuttytoffee]

Well I got to my stage 2 Assessments today to be told they had given me the wrong time and I have got to let them know if I can make it to Newport next week to do them there instead. At least I am still in the game........for now!

 

[DistrictDriver]

Hi DistrictDriver

Did you sit the Mechanical Test on the first assessment??

Thanks

Hi Iceman,

No mate, no mechanical tests for Great Western.
I did all the other paper-based tests but was quite surprised I didn't have to do mechanical!

 

[Iceman1979]

Hi Iceman,

No mate, no mechanical tests for Great Western.
I did all the other paper-based tests but was quite surprised I didn't have to do mechanical!

Thanks for the reply mate.

How many tests do you sit for the first part of the assessment??

Thanks again DistrictDriver really appreciate it!!

The Iceman

 

[DistrictDriver]

Thanks for the reply mate.

How many tests do you sit for the first part of the assessment??

The Iceman

I sat all of the other paper tests, ie Trainability for Rules and Procedures (listening to a fictional section of the rule book about the application of "Glop" then answering questions about it.) This then leads on to the second part of the TRP which consists of groups of dials and having to interpret correctly what the dials are telling you. Then the dreaded Group Bourdon (dots) test.

Hope that helps, Iceman!

 

[Iceman1979]

Hi DistrictDriver,

Really appreciate all your help mate....with your generous help I know what's ahead now!!

Many thanks


The Iceman

 

[Nuttytoffee]

I have heard they will be running courses throughout this year and the next course start date is 8th April. Sounds promising if true.

 

[wanabedriver]

Well, after patiently waiting since 4th October last year, I have finally had a call from FGW this afternoon to invite me for the part 2 assessment down in Newport!

Now urgently trying to arrange time off my current job to travel down on the Tuesday for assessment on Wednesday!

I'd just about given up expecting a reply!

Hi Mate, I sat the 1st round of assesments on the same day in Reading, congratulaions on getting through. I'm waiting for an assesment date for the second stage in March.

Has anyone out there got a date in March at all for the second stage, good luck to everyone still in the running

 

[Stone Cold]

DM interview done. Went well. Told early April for next intake.

 

[DistrictDriver]

DM interview done. Went well. Told early April for next intake.

Nice one, Stone Cold!
It is indeed early April for the next course to start.
I've just passed stage 2 and have my managers interview next week!

Will have to get some literature from letting agents around Reading for bedsits to show I'm serious about relocating as I think that will be my stumbling block if anything!
Failed the DM interview at Scotrail a while ago because I had no proof that I'd been looking at property, so definitely prepare this time!

 

[Nuttytoffee]

Passed my Stage 2 today too. Managers interview next week. That was one mad interview though!!!!!! The start date of the next course is April 8th. There are vacancies left at Oxford Reading and Paddington. The reason the process slowed down is they filled the vacancies, but they have been given the go ahead to take on more Trainees due to the Franchise extension. There are still over 700 applications to be shortlisted to the 1st stage so if you are one of these, then don't give up hope.

 

[bob hope]

Congratulations Mr. Nutty!! Good luck for the manager interview.

Do you know if it just the one course in April - or are they planning others later in the year?

 

[Nuttytoffee]

Cheers Bob. They said there may be more later on depending on what happens in the next few months. Sorry to be cryptic. Not sure what they meant but they didnt seem to want to elaborate.

 

[Iceman1979]

Passed my Stage 2 today too. Managers interview next week. That was one mad interview though!!!!!! The start date of the next course is April 8th. There are vacancies left at Oxford Reading and Paddington. The reason the process slowed down is they filled the vacancies, but they have been given the go ahead to take on more Trainees due to the Franchise extension. There are still over 700 applications to be shortlisted to the 1st stage so if you are one of these, then don't give up hope.

Hi Nutty,

Congratulations and good luck with the Managers Interview hope you make it mate....just wanted to know how long the interview u just had lasted? And what sort of ?s did they ask you?

Will appreciate all the help.....thanks

The Iceman

 

[Nuttytoffee]

Thanks Ice,
The questions are pretty much the ones well documented on this forum, just seek them out and prepare to have some good examples. In fact have a couple in reserve as well because you will need them! My interview lasted an hour and a quarter and I felt every minute of it. I really thought I had done badly but got told pretty much there and then that I had passed. Hell of a relief I can tell you!

 

[DistrictDriver]

To echo what Nutty said, I was in just before him and my interview was also over an hour.

If you've ever seen The Apprentice when they go for interviews, it's a similar feeling and just as intense!

Be thoroughly prepared with answers. If you search this forum for structured interview the questions are there, so think of the best, most appropriate examples you can but ensure you can expand on the answers you give.

 

[damo88]

Hi, for people who have lately gone to stage 2 assessment, can you either post here or pm of the questions asked please. I have written 20+ possible questions and in the process of remembering them. But the main questions that they would ask would allow me to focus on them better. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[LCC106]

Hi and welcome to the forum, damo88. Writing and memorising 20 questions seems very excessive. I wouldn't recommend you do that, since you could be way off the mark and this could impede your chance of success greatly!

Much better, instead, to brush up your knowledge of the company (if you mean the Manager interview) and consider examples of when you've worked on your own for long periods, dealt with an emergency situation, given good customer service and similar, which will help you for any interview.

If you have a look on the forums, all the info you need is available to you, but my suggestion above should also help.

Good luck!

 

[damo88]

Thank very much, it's for the structured interview, and I've used the forum, to book and asking around for relevant questions they may ask. So as long as I get the main questions in my head such as , emergency situation, customer service, concentration, working alone. Would I be along the right tracks?

Thank you!

 

[LCC106]

Sounds good to me

 

[NHG66]

Thank very much, it's for the structured interview, and I've used the forum, to book and asking around for relevant questions they may ask. So as long as I get the main questions in my head such as , emergency situation, customer service, concentration, working alone. Would I be along the right tracks?

Thank you!

Damo, the CBI (structured interview) is standardised nationwide so the questions are all the same more or less. 6 standard questions which they will grill you on so make sure you know the 6 (posted here many times) and have your in depth answers in your head. As has also been mentioned many times, do not try to over elaborate as they WILL see through it and catch you out. The interview is designed to be tough and put you under pressure, stay calm and composed. Best of luck

 

[damo88]

Thank you, your help is much appreciated! I think I have strong answers but it's just the day before nerves which are beginning to kick in now.

 

[DistrictDriver]

Well, had my driver manager interview today and seemed to go alright, however you never can tell!
Will find out next week apparently.

Going to be a looooong week!!

Course starts 8th April so the sooner I know so I can find a bedsit and put my notice in at work!

 

[Nuttytoffee]

Nice to see you again District. Mine went well too........

 

[Moomoochachi]

I had my structured interview today and I certainly felt grilled, but I am guessing that this is all part of the process. They said I should hear back by tomorrow hopefully.

Fingers crossed peeps!

Good luck to all!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Haven't heard back yet about after the structured interview on Tuesday 5th March. Has anyone else heard back yet?

 

[LCC106]

Woah! It's only the 7th! I know it's hard but be patient... They could still be interviewing and may need time to process all the paperwork (despite what they said about notifying you the next day).