Help Appreciated

[Matelot888]

Hi all. First time poster, long time lurker here. Just after a bit of advice from anybody who may be able to help.
I am currently a serving member of HM armed forces. However I will submitting my 12 months notice in the early months of 2015. It is my full intention to become a train driver, be it passenger or freight. I Am fully aware to the popularity of these vacancies and as such will be doing my upmost to become as good a candidate as possible.
This Is where my question comes in. What sort of courses or extra qualifications could I be doing while I am still serving, which companies would find relevant or indeed even just make me stand out from other candidates?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[hughavinalaf]

Coming from a service background is exactly the experience the Railways are looking for imo.So,you are halfway there......the rest is down to your personality,attitude and desire .
Swat up comprehensively(you should be well versed in the 7 P's ....) on the TOC you apply to is the other advice I would suggest.

Good luck.

 

[red2005]

Anything to do with customer service (tricky in your field I know) do your research on who you are applying with and if you are applying locally to you and you get chance nip down to the depot in you're own time and see how it all works!

Never a bad thing to show how keen you are!

 

[junior_7178]

Anything to do with customer service (tricky in your field I know) do your research on who you are applying with and if you are applying locally to you and you get chance nip down to the depot in you're own time and see how it all works!

Never a bad thing to show how keen you are!

I've seen this mentioned a few times now. How does one go about arranging this? Turn up at the door and ask to come in, or make prior contact by telephone email? If it's the latter, what personality within the depot would one enquire with?

I have applications live for Old Oak Common and Crewe Gresty Bridge at the moment. If either get to a stage of me going for a formal face to face interview then I would like to go on a depot recce if this is a good idea.

 

[Jydo]

Matelot888 - you could do some sort of charity work in your spare time, maybe work a few hours at a shop, would get you good experience with dealing face to face with the public, plus voluntary work of any kind would stand out from the rest on your CV. I've got an NVQ & Im also on the CHSP (comprehensive health & safety process) at my work, things like these would get your application past the initial sift I think.......

 

[White shadow]

I was going to suggest voluntary work, maybe even at local privatised railway so although it's not mainline certified at least you could be getting a knowledge of vehicles and the mechanics behind certain locos?

Is there anything the armed forces can offer in the way of training with regards mechanics of locomotives, I know every loco is different but surely something on the CV along those lines would show you have at least some working knowledge?

 

[E&W Lucas]

I would suggest that you don't need any of the above.

There's plenty of ex - forces already doing the job, who've not gained extra qualifications, or volunteered in shops. Treat this site with caution!

You should have the basic skills/ aptitudes required, especially if you've gained a few stripes, or above. Driving is a self discipline/ decision making task. If you've basic management experience, you'll be fine.

Research where the jobs come up geographically. If you're yet another ex - RAF type, trying to secure a trainee post in rural Lincolnshire, you will find it hard going. If you can apply from a "home address" , close to one of the major London commuter depots, so much the better.

Good luck!

 

[Jydo]

So what is he going to say if he gets to the telephone interview stage and is asked, tell me a time when you have demonstrated good customer service? Plenty ex forces guys also fail in their application aswell. The above poster is talking as if your getting straight into a train cab all because of your current job. I have known of an air traffic controller to fail the phone interview plus a forces helicopter pilot to fail the assessment centre with a Freight company.

Being ex forced is an advatage but its not essential and definetely would not guarantee you a job. If you dont have experience in a few relevant subjects then get some.

 

[Matelot888]

Brilliant, thanks all for taking the time to reply, and I will be most certainly taking everything on board.

Just for a little more background information; I currently work as an aircraft engineer, so have gained the appropriate NVQ through that. Before I joined the services (5 years ago), I worked in a high street bank, so will be hoping that should stand me in good stead, in regards to customer service skills. Through work I've also travelled doing many airshows across the country, which is all about interacting with the public.
When I leave I shall be relocating back to the West-Midlands where I intend to do some HGV work, while persuing my ultimate goal.

Again, thanks for all the replies. It is certainly helpful to here different people's opinions on the best way to approach this. It would seem to me that my time could perhaps best be spent, researching TOC's and Freight companies, within the West Midlands? Whilst building my knowledge on loco mechanics and vehicle info.

Cheers.

 

[Dave1987]

Brilliant, thanks all for taking the time to reply, and I will be most certainly taking everything on board.

Just for a little more background information; I currently work as an aircraft engineer, so have gained the appropriate NVQ through that. Before I joined the services (5 years ago), I worked in a high street bank, so will be hoping that should stand me in good stead, in regards to customer service skills. Through work I've also travelled doing many airshows across the country, which is all about interacting with the public.
When I leave I shall be relocating back to the West-Midlands where I intend to do some HGV work, while persuing my ultimate goal.

Again, thanks for all the replies. It is certainly helpful to here different people's opinions on the best way to approach this. It would seem to me that my time could perhaps best be spent, researching TOC's and Freight companies, within the West Midlands? Whilst building my knowledge on loco mechanics and vehicle info.

Cheers.

I did exactly what you want to do. Was ground crew in the RAF and now a Train Driver. I was never asked about any customer service skills. The skills you learn in the RAF about following procedures etc was exactly what they were looking for and obviously the discipline side of things were also what they were looking for. Very good luck to you!

 

[TDK]

Anything to do with customer service (tricky in your field I know) do your research on who you are applying with and if you are applying locally to you and you get chance nip down to the depot in you're own time and see how it all works!

Never a bad thing to show how keen you are!

Experience in Customer Service is not essential to become a driver. It may help but only slightly, the adhering to rules, regulations, discipline and working alone or in a small team will totally outweigh the lack of customer service skills.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Matelot888 - you could do some sort of charity work in your spare time, maybe work a few hours at a shop, would get you good experience with dealing face to face with the public, plus voluntary work of any kind would stand out from the rest on your CV. I've got an NVQ & Im also on the CHSP (comprehensive health & safety process) at my work, things like these would get your application past the initial sift I think.......

Once again this will not be necessary, shift work experience is a lot more important. Freight drivers for instance need no customer service face to face experience.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I was going to suggest voluntary work, maybe even at local privatised railway so although it's not mainline certified at least you could be getting a knowledge of vehicles and the mechanics behind certain locos?

Is there anything the armed forces can offer in the way of training with regards mechanics of locomotives, I know every loco is different but surely something on the CV along those lines would show you have at least some working knowledge?

You don't need to know the mechanics behind any locos to secure a job, any experience with mechanical engineering will do so if you have ever maintained any vehicle even your own car than this will be a good marker.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Brilliant, thanks all for taking the time to reply, and I will be most certainly taking everything on board.

Just for a little more background information; I currently work as an aircraft engineer, so have gained the appropriate NVQ through that. Before I joined the services (5 years ago), I worked in a high street bank, so will be hoping that should stand me in good stead, in regards to customer service skills. Through work I've also travelled doing many airshows across the country, which is all about interacting with the public.
When I leave I shall be relocating back to the West-Midlands where I intend to do some HGV work, while persuing my ultimate goal.

Again, thanks for all the replies. It is certainly helpful to here different people's opinions on the best way to approach this. It would seem to me that my time could perhaps best be spent, researching TOC's and Freight companies, within the West Midlands? Whilst building my knowledge on loco mechanics and vehicle info.

Cheers.

You have all the qualities required and if I saw your experience on an application form you would be through to the next stage without question, just work on the structure of the application form, use key words (PM me when you have enough posts and I will assist) I think you should apply as soon as you can pending your notice period, one other thing if you take on a job to fill the gap ensure you have to give no more than 4 weeks noticeand remember it is essential that you live or intend to live within 1 hour of your chosen depot.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I did exactly what you want to do. Was ground crew in the RAF and now a Train Driver. I was never asked about any customer service skills. The skills you learn in the RAF about following procedures etc was exactly what they were looking for and obviously the discipline side of things were also what they were looking for. Very good luck to you!

Indeed Dave, many on here giving unnecessary poor advice as usual

 

[Matelot888]

You have all the qualities required and if I saw your experience on an application form you would be through to the next stage without question, just work on the structure of the application form, use key words ([PM me when you have enough posts and I will assist)I think you should apply as soon as you can pending your notice period, one other thing if you take on a job to fill the gap ensure you have to give no more than 4 weeks noticeand remember it is essential that you live or intend to live within 1 hour of your chosen depot.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Brilliant, I shall make sure I do that, thanks.