colin newton
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Got an interview on thursday for train driver job at Skipton just wondered if anyone had any info on what questions they ask their calling it a example interview ????????
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interview for driver position
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Beveridges
Established Member
Right the questions for Driver Interviews change regularly with Northern and they have probably changed a lot since I last did one (it was for Blackpool North back in 2011 which I passed but got put on hold then I withdrew)
Questions from what I can remember were as follows:
1) Describe a time you made a sacrifice to achieve a goal (rediculous)
2) Describe a time you had to rectify a fault
3) A Driver may have multiple things happening at once and have to prioritise, give an example of a time you had to prioritise many things happening at the same time
4) A Customer may be asking for info near the time of departure, describe your actions.
There may be a few more customer services questions.
5) What have you ever done to improve your skills (degrees, training courses, etc mention them here)
6) Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision (Hard)
Each question is marked out of 4, theres usually 8-10 questions, and you get a score out of 32-40 at the end (depending on how many questions there are - obviously).
You also have to tell them what you know about Northern, no excuse for not getting 4 points out of this easy question. What do you know about the Drivers role (another easy 4 points), an ice breaker question which is usually "tell me about yourself", even this is marked out of 4.
For the example based questions, to get 4 points you have to do two things. Include a lot of detail in your answer, and make sure your example is a good one that actually answers the question properly.
Questions from what I can remember were as follows:
1) Describe a time you made a sacrifice to achieve a goal (rediculous)
2) Describe a time you had to rectify a fault
3) A Driver may have multiple things happening at once and have to prioritise, give an example of a time you had to prioritise many things happening at the same time
4) A Customer may be asking for info near the time of departure, describe your actions.
There may be a few more customer services questions.
5) What have you ever done to improve your skills (degrees, training courses, etc mention them here)
6) Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision (Hard)
Each question is marked out of 4, theres usually 8-10 questions, and you get a score out of 32-40 at the end (depending on how many questions there are - obviously).
You also have to tell them what you know about Northern, no excuse for not getting 4 points out of this easy question. What do you know about the Drivers role (another easy 4 points), an ice breaker question which is usually "tell me about yourself", even this is marked out of 4.
For the example based questions, to get 4 points you have to do two things. Include a lot of detail in your answer, and make sure your example is a good one that actually answers the question properly.
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I used to mark the answers out of 10!
Please Help!!
I am a bit confused. I have an interview on wednesday for a trainee driver with Northern.
I have done the application, then an online test and now have been offered an interview. Northern have sent me a uniform order form to be filled out to take along to the interview. Is this normal practice?
Also, when is all the psychometric testing supposed to take place? i thought this would surely happen prior to interview or was the 5 minute online test it?
I am a bit confused. I have an interview on wednesday for a trainee driver with Northern.
I have done the application, then an online test and now have been offered an interview. Northern have sent me a uniform order form to be filled out to take along to the interview. Is this normal practice?
Also, when is all the psychometric testing supposed to take place? i thought this would surely happen prior to interview or was the 5 minute online test it?
Silv1983
Member
Yes Northern save money and time by interviewing their prospective candidates first rather than send them half way accross the country and pay £130 for an assessment. The best 50% or so then get assessment spots prior to a job offer.
And yes it is normal procedure to get the uniform order form. Whilst it is a little unfair to get peoples pulses racing its just a formality.
Beveridges
Established Member
Northern do Mananger Interview BEFORE the psycho tests for both Mainline and Depot Driving roles.
I can understand why too, as what's the point in sending loads of people to do the expensive £500 per person psychometric tests just on the basis of an application form? At least Interview them first before spending money on them to go to do the psycho tests. Otherwise anyone could just make up an application (with a load of made up crap on it to get it at the top of the pile) just to get free entry to a psycho test then withdraw at Interview stage to avoid the risk of getting caught out. Then that person could walk away with a free psycho test pass at the TOCs expense!!!!
I can understand why too, as what's the point in sending loads of people to do the expensive £500 per person psychometric tests just on the basis of an application form? At least Interview them first before spending money on them to go to do the psycho tests. Otherwise anyone could just make up an application (with a load of made up crap on it to get it at the top of the pile) just to get free entry to a psycho test then withdraw at Interview stage to avoid the risk of getting caught out. Then that person could walk away with a free psycho test pass at the TOCs expense!!!!
OK, so i had my interview last wednesday and have now been invited to the assessment centre for next week.
IF......i pass the psychometric testing and interview, what is the next stage! it seems to be hurdle after hurdle but worth it in the end if successful. Just want to know how many more hurdles i have to jump?
IF......i pass the psychometric testing and interview, what is the next stage! it seems to be hurdle after hurdle but worth it in the end if successful. Just want to know how many more hurdles i have to jump?
NI 271
Member
Sorry, can't help, but out of interest, where were you interviewed? I had an interview last Wednesday too, but I've heard nothing yet so I've got a feeling I must have missed out...
Silv1983
Member
The next stage would be.... a provisional offer of employment - assuming your pass was a good one. Then you would get a start date... and either before this date or during the first few weeks of training you would have to have a medical, fill out some forms and have references obtained (no involvement your end with this). After that has all been done to their satisfaction you'll get a final letter confirming your position. Hope this helps.
Hello to everyone, I am new to the forum. Been a great source of info so far.
I have applied with Northern at Leeds and passed the interview. I also have completed the assessment at DB Schenker on the 22nd November and passed everything. I paid for this myself.
I was invited to an assessment day but told them I have already done this. Apparently they obtained my results yesterday and said I will have to wait a few weeks.
I had no borderline passes. I got very good and good on a few and some passes. My certificate says a pass grade obtained.
Just wondered what grade of passes they could be looking for?
I thought I had done enough to go for a medical? Apparently not.
The waiting around is the worst part.
Any advice would be welcome?
I have applied with Northern at Leeds and passed the interview. I also have completed the assessment at DB Schenker on the 22nd November and passed everything. I paid for this myself.
I was invited to an assessment day but told them I have already done this. Apparently they obtained my results yesterday and said I will have to wait a few weeks.
I had no borderline passes. I got very good and good on a few and some passes. My certificate says a pass grade obtained.
Just wondered what grade of passes they could be looking for?
I thought I had done enough to go for a medical? Apparently not.
The waiting around is the worst part.
Any advice would be welcome?
Colin,
I also interviewed for the same role. Just wondering if you have had a response concerning whether you have progressed to the assessment stage or not. I haven't and 7 days have nearly passed, i will let you know when I get an email etc.
Cheers
Be patient buddy, if they say a few weeks it will be a few weeks. They need to complete the recruitment process first and will then let you know, also you will need to be living or have proff that you will locate near to the depot you have applied for
Skinner - very interested in how you get on with this.
I was told that I would have to wait 4 months before I could take the full assessments with Northern, even though I have completed some of the tests (dots and TRP with good passess) only two months ago with a different TOC.
It seems Northern can't or don't wish to recognise results obtained elsewhere.
Really interested to learn if the private assessment will be considered ok...
Good luck mate - and please let us know how you get on.
Had my assessment day yesterday........wow what a stressful day!! Passed all the exams and had the structured interview! They say 7 to 10 days before we find out anything.........its the waiting thats the killer!!!
Yesterday was such a roller coaster! The mechanical test was really hard, i actually thought there was no way i had passed it and prepared myself for bad news. Surprisingly.......everyone there felt the same and was just as shocked as i was to have passed.....................now...........relax and wait!
Yesterday was such a roller coaster! The mechanical test was really hard, i actually thought there was no way i had passed it and prepared myself for bad news. Surprisingly.......everyone there felt the same and was just as shocked as i was to have passed.....................now...........relax and wait!
Beveridges
Established Member
Knowing how Northern operate, Next stage would be...
1) Checking you Psychometric test had no borderline passes, if not then...
2) Check how many people passed, compared to the number of vacancies available. If the number who passed exceeds the number of vacancies, then they pick the ones who scored highest in the Interview with the DTM's and reject the rest.... or offer them a job at a different depot if vacancies are available there.
3) Medical
4) References
5) Contract
Well done mate! I have mine coming up soon. Do you remember any of the questions on the mechanical aptitude test? Just want to improve my chances of passing that's all.
Thanks
Paul
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