Help scotrail

[glasgowguy1984]

Hey everybody, I have applied for first scotrail in glasgow and Dumfries. I have applied to glasgow 3 times and passed the first sift then put on hold with the same application. I have failed the 1st sift in Dumfries with the same application. I do have to ask is first scotrail an in house shop or do outsiders stand a chance?

 

[BestWestern]

I would imagine it'll be via Firstgroup central HR team, I understand it's them who do the first sift. It might just be that they don't want you on two shortlists? What role have you applied for? Whatever it is, there tends be a mix of outsiders and any internal applicants.

 

[glasgowguy1984]

I applied for the trainee drivers role, I work a 'normal' job with the responsibilities that entails, I realise that there will be thousands of other candidates and many will prob b ex military/emergency services. If I'm totally realistic I'd employ people from that background over myself. So in order to even the odds I thought I'd try and apply for somewhere less popular than a major city in this case I applied to Dumfries and never got by the 1st sift. This application is word for word the exact same application as I applied for glasgow where I passed the first sift and am currently sitting on hold for 6months at which point I'll have to reapply. Sorry for ranting I just don't see how the exact same application can pass a sift in a major hub, yet can't at a minor stabling point.

 

[scotraildriver]

Because it is where you live. You must live within a certain distance of the depot and you couldn't be close enough to Dumfries AND Glasgow. You will automatically fail the sift based on distance so thats the reason. And yes, plenty of external recruitment in Scotrail me included!

And you're background is not that important. In my class I previously worked in retail management, we had a fireman, postie, bus driver, driving instructor, school janitor, RAF technician and a helicopter pilot!
The ONE thing that will get you through is your attitude to safety. Talk safety safety safety and you will do well. Its by far the biggest thing they are looking for.

 

[glasgowguy1984]

I stated on app that I had family in Dumfries. Next time would I be better setting up a completely new profile with their address and another email address so as not to get cut in the first sift? Do you think if I sat the trainee driver test privately at Doncaster it would help me get that last bit of luck? My application has had safety milked as much as I can see but will take your advice and will get a hr manager (outside the railway previous boss) if she can have a look at it and might b able to milk out some more. Cheers

 

[scotraildriver]

Doing the tests yourself always helps but there is the danger they expire before you start. But it shows good commitment.
I don't think another application is a good idea. After all how will you work in Dumfries? Staying with family is well and good but what about long term. Are you willing to move there? If so when? What if you cannot find a suitable house? What if your days off get changed? What if your car breaks down?
Not saying that you couldn't overcome these things but an application from someone who already lives there, can travel easily will be favoured just from a reliability viewpoint. And there are so many applicants they can afford to be choosy anyway. And remember the training salary is 22k so you won't be loaded although obviously i don't know you're financial position.