Infuriating NR recruitment policy!

[Bodiddly]

Anyone else getting extremely miffed with NR recruitment? I recently applied for a post that I had previously held in the past for 12 years. After I left, I moved on to other jobs which gave me extended experience for the role. I then got an email saying I didn't meet the standards required for the post.
Now, I know you will tell me that the 'job was already filled' or the manager had 'someone in mind' but it does absolutely baffle me why they wouldn't want to interview someone who fits the role (in my opinion of course)!.
Is this quite common for others?

 

[HeritageSussex]

It's recruitment all over! Already passed the OPC psycometric testing - train companies reject your application and pay for other candidates to go get tested. Got the experience - they can't see it or don't want it.
The best option is to ask why they didn't want to take your application further. If they never get back to you then so be it. But at least they might give you a better reason for rejecting you.
Best of luck with it all.

 

[Bodiddly]

I'm no stranger to Railway recruitment, I'm also very aware that hiring managers have some sway in who they interview, which is normal. I also realise, trying to get feedback is like trying to milk a fish. My bewilderment is that if an internal candidate got the post then it should have been filled internally. That then points towards external applicants with relevant experience. To be honest, I cannot see many more people with external experience to fit the role than me. Surely this would then shortlist me for an interview?
Good luck to everyone trying to get their dream job. Its blooming difficult!

 

[alxndr]

The vacancy could also have been closed without being filled. I've had the same rejection letter when a vacancy had to be readvertised for various reasons. Turned out I was suitable, had an interview under the new listing, and got the job.

 

[Jason2m]

Sorry if this is off topic.. I applied for a trainee role at Avanti and passed stage 1 at OPC then the remaining 3 tests on stage 2 at OPC but didn't meet the criteria for the CBI.
Very disheartening after getting that far.. maybe the only positive is the 7 tests I have passed last for 3 years and I still have 2 shots st the MMI

 

[D5581]

I once applied for an ATME role with NR, had the interview, didn't get it which although was disappointing, is something to expect when going for new jobs. Long story short, one of my friends at another depot told me, after I said I went for that job, it was only advertised so they could move a graduate from his depot into the position and had no intention of taking on an outsider.

 

[S-Car-Go]

Sorry if this is off topic.. I applied for a trainee role at Avanti and passed stage 1 at OPC then the remaining 3 tests on stage 2 at OPC but didn't meet the criteria for the CBI.
Very disheartening after getting that far.. maybe the only positive is the 7 tests I have passed last for 3 years and I still have 2 shots st the MMI

I know how you feel. I was in the same position many years ago. Was told I got 19/20 for the psychometric interview and failed it. So gutted, I didn't apply again for 8 years, and had to do the whole thing again.

To cut a long story short, I'm now a trainee driver. You're nearly there. And you'll have less to prepare for next time. There's loads of resources on the forum and people to ask. Good luck @Jason2m !

 

[ChrisRS]

Now I have to say despite you having 12 years experience, it's just a case that other candidates scored higher.

This could be anything from the 70 odd questions asked, or that they just scored higher in the assessments.

 

[Bodiddly]

Yes, maybe they did.

Now I have to say despite you having 12 years experience, it's just a case that other candidates scored higher.

This could be anything from the 70 odd questions asked, or that they just scored higher in the assessments.

 

[Ducatist4]

Recruitment processes change over the years. A friend of mine got a driving job thirty years ago - fill in the form, have an interview and got the job. He says there is no way he'd pass the modern recruitment process.

 

[craigybagel]

A word to the wise - however frustrated you may be, slagging off your desired employers on an open forum will probably not be beneficial to your future career.

 

[Bodiddly]

A word to the wise - however frustrated you may be, slagging off your desired employers on an open forum will probably not be beneficial to your future career.

Eh? Who's slagging anyone off?

 

[packermac]

Anyone else getting extremely miffed with NR recruitment? I recently applied for a post that I had previously held in the past for 12 years. After I left, I moved on to other jobs which gave me extended experience for the role. I then got an email saying I didn't meet the standards required for the post.
Now, I know you will tell me that the 'job was already filled' or the manager had 'someone in mind' but it does absolutely baffle me why they wouldn't want to interview someone who fits the role (in my opinion of course)!.
Is this quite common for others?

There is nothing unique in this whatever industry you look at it is not juts a rail issue. As other have said in this case there could be many reasons why someone else was recruited to the role, or in the view of the panel your extra experience was not regarded with the same level of fit as you believe.
Plus of course you may well be carrying "baggage" around with you that makes you an unattractive candidate.

 

[LAX54]

Eh? Who's slagging anyone off?

Maybe he was hinting at the thread title.. ?

Infuriating NR recruitment policy!​

Might be seen as a pop at NR ?

 

[C J Snarzell]

I would say that from applying for numerous railway roles myself, it is a very competitive market for jobs - more so now because of what Covid19 has done to the economy. There are thousands of people out of work who are desperate for new employment.

It is easy to convince yourself that a job is there for the taking but the truth is recruitment & HR's have a massive choice of candidates and there are some exceptional people out there looking for jobs.

I've applied for 5 x Network Rail jobs since early last year and I've been knocked back from all of them. I just accept the situation and just keep plugging away.

As a few forum members have said - being over critical about NR on this thread isn't going to score you any brownie points in the future if you are eager to seek a job with them.

CJ

 

[Bodiddly]

Maybe he was hinting at the thread title.. ?

Infuriating NR recruitment policy!​

Might be seen as a pop at NR ?

Hardly!

 

[Bald Rick]

Depends what role it was, and where, but there is a recruitment freeze on in most areas of NR except for front line jobs.

 

[Trogladyte]

The OP has sour grapes. Sounds like the right thing not to recruit you.

 

[LAX54]

Well, if you say Network Rail is 'Infuriating' before you have even got a job with them, it's likely they may not feel inclined to employ you !