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Interview questions

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carlejo

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I've got my first interview tomorrow for ATW and it's with a member of the driver management function and HR.

I've been working on these type of questions

Give an example of when you have had to deal with an emergency situation.
Have you spent a long period of time alone? How did you cope with that?
Give an example of when you have undertaken a repetitive task.
How did you prevent yourself from getting bored with that and keeping your concentration?
Give an example when you've assisted a member of the public.
How do you cope with stress?
How do you cope with fatigue?
Have you had to undertake studying for something before?

Is this what they could be asking or have I been studying for a later interview ?
cheers
 
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GNER 373

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From experience I was asked at least three very similar questions to the ones you have above, however ATW may ask different ones but I think if you could answer those above with honesty and conviction then any similar questions you'll be fine with.

AND GOOD LUCK! ;)
 

carlejo

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From experience I was asked at least three very similar questions to the ones you have above, however ATW may ask different ones but I think if you could answer those above with honesty and conviction then any similar questions you'll be fine with.

AND GOOD LUCK! ;)

Thanks very much, I'll keep you posted on how it went after interview
 

carlejo

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I think it went ok, I came out of interview feeling confident and ok with myself as I think I answered most of the questions with good answers. You can never tell though.

I'm currently telling myself that I "did ok" so that way if I do get the "thanks but no thanks" I'm prepared for that, but obviously I'd be absoultely gutted.

Got to stop talking about it now because it's going to my wifes head in, Lol.

They confirmed there was 1500 applicants, 100 got through to interview stage over next 2 weeks.

Good luck
 

elbee

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3 Feb 2013
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Well done carlejo, getting to an interview after they have sifted that many people is an achievment in itself. I sent you a PM yesterday morning hoping to catch you before your interview. Best of luck. Did they give you any timescale of when you would be told anything?
 

carlejo

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They've got 2 weeks of interviews so I assume that they'll then have to sift through who they want for next stage, etc, so probably people will find out about 3-4 weeks from now, just a guess mind.

They said that the course starts in May sometime, HTH

ps.....just wondered, where do you live ?
 

wmg75

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They've got 2 weeks of interviews so I assume that they'll then have to sift through who they want for next stage, etc, so probably people will find out about 3-4 weeks from now, just a guess mind.

They said that the course starts in May sometime, HTH

ps.....just wondered, where do you live ?
Hi Carlejo,

I have my interview next week; could you give us an idea of what the questions were? are the the ones that are listed earlier in this post? I know its a bit of a cheek but any info is a great help at this stage!!! Good luck with your results, hopefully we might be on the same training course.
WMG75
 

bystander

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Hi Carlejo,

I have my interview next week; could you give us an idea of what the questions were? are the the ones that are listed earlier in this post? I know its a bit of a cheek but any info is a great help at this stage!!! Good luck with your results, hopefully we might be on the same training course.
WMG75

Tell you what, why don't you just ask him to sit the interview for you?

Jeeze
 

LCC106

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There's a fine line between preparation and being spoon fed. I have to say I joined the forums with the sole intention of getting hints and tips for the application and interview process and I see nothing wrong with that. Increasingly, however, people seem to want more and more information to the point where fellow members (who went in to the process almost blind and got the job on their own merits) get so frustrated. This, in my opinion, can make the interview and testing process flawed, since people can change their behaviours in line with what they think the structured interview, for example, is looking for. The fact that fellow members disclose so much information doesn't really help matters. This is not a personal attack on anyone, just an observation.
 

bandit

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6 Mar 2013
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10
Totally agree not a problem if asking for tips but if you got short listed they have seen something good in you so don't worry
 

wmg75

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I was mearly asking the same question that Carlejo originally asked at the start of this thread! I didn't expect insider knowledge & I wasn't expecting such a sharp and negative response from some of the other members!

I see nothing wrong with asking for advice and would happily pass info on if it were the other way around!

I was under the impression that the forum was here to help people who were new to this industry or trying to get into the industry and generally most members are very helpful; but on this occasion I guess not! :(
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Thanks for the kind words Bandit, most appreciated! feeling very nervous at present and appreciate the reassurance! Cheer's WMG75
 

LCC106

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You will see that many of us devote a lot of time to trying to help others, often (but not always) without thanks. It does get particularly tiresome, however, when people keep asking the same questions when a lot of the information is already there. Sometimes I wonder whether people have looked at other threads, sometimes it does seem that people want everything handed to them on a plate. There's nothing wrong with using initiative, but I maintain that, if we give too much information, demonstration of habitual performance within the interview itself can be skewed.

Carlejo's OP had obviously been given some thought, since he or she wasn't just asking what to expect but had obviously researched the subject or given it consideration.

Once again, I was not singling you out so apologies if you have taken it that way. Just making a general comment that I'm quite sure others agree with!
 
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Cab2Cab

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12 Jan 2013
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180
Hi LCC106,

You can't leave the forum, I know some pieces of it are repetitive and people asking the same questions but when you look at the numbers of members not a great amount post anything. So any input by anyone should be appreciated by others.
Although it is good to have a little humour now and again!!!!

I like reading post's that people have misinterpreted, it makes me laugh.

(fork handles.....four candles)

Cheers
 
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bystander

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I was mearly asking the same question that Carlejo originally asked at the start of this thread! I didn't expect insider knowledge & I wasn't expecting such a sharp and negative response from some of the other members!

I see nothing wrong with asking for advice and would happily pass info on if it were the other way around!

I was under the impression that the forum was here to help people who were new to this industry or trying to get into the industry and generally most members are very helpful; but on this occasion I guess not! :(
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Thanks for the kind words Bandit, most appreciated! feeling very nervous at present and appreciate the reassurance! Cheer's WMG75

Er, you weren't merely asking the same question, and you were, in my view, quite brazenly asking for insider knowledge on the specific recruitment process for a specific, named TOC. A TOC where I know for a fact that those involved in this current process are aware of this site and the threads related to their recruitment.
 

wmg75

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Hi LCC106,

Thanks for the reply, I do appreciate the time and effort that most of you put into this forum, As I said, I wasn't asking for insider information! I was just looking for a little advice and reassurance as to what to expect.

I have had a career in the police force and now in Further Education, so am fairly relaxed about the interview etc, It's just that I like to be fully prepared (old habits die hard etc!!).

I'm really keen to get this job as it will probably be my last career change until retirement, At first I wasn't sure if the job was for me but now after much research I realise that it would be the perfect role from my point of view and I really want it!!!

Thanks again,:)

WMG75
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hi yorksdriver, I'm sorry if my original post offended you; that wasnt my intention, I was just looking for a little advice!

Regards, WMG75
 

LCC106

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1,488
Hi LCC106...(fork handles.....four candles)

Cheers

Oops! I have since edited my original post but I am seriously giving it consideration I'm afraid... One I will ponder on but your fork handles have made me smile :D
 

bystander

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2 Jan 2012
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WMG75 - fair enough.

LCC106 has, as I said, put it a lot better than I could have.

With such a background, allied to the fact that you can clearly string a sentence together very well (in stark contrast to many barely literate would-be applicants on here), I reckon you'll be fine!
 
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LCC106

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Hi wmg75. I failed at my first attempt 12 years ago and not for lack of preparation, so the pressure I have put myself under this time - and still put myself under whilst signing new routes - has been immense. I know it means a lot to everyone who applies so good luck!
 

wmg75

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Hi Guys,

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I'm glad we have cleared that up! I really do appreciate the time and effort that you all put into this forum as do many others.

I can completely understand that it must be frustrating when new members keep asking the same questions over and over again! I did do various searches of the forum for info & advice; sadly most of the threads have now become very long which makes it very difficult to find any useful info!! Thus I felt that asking direct may have been a better option!! sorry!:oops:

Please keep up the good work as I'm sure you would miss it if you gave up. :)

Ps: I do agree with one of the previous postings in that some threads are quite amusing to read back after there has been a misunderstanding!!!:lol:
 

TDK

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however, when people keep asking the same questions when a lot of the information is already there. Sometimes I wonder whether people have looked at other threads, sometimes it does seem that people want everything handed to them on a plate. There's nothing wrong with using initiative, but I maintain that, if we give too much information, demonstration of habitual performance within the interview itself can be skewed.

I have noticed a trend also, being an observant sort the ones who ask and not research are the ones who come back and say "I am gutted, I got the thanks but no thanks email, why didn't I pass the sift" There is a lot of information put on this forum and to be totally honest I actually cringe at what some folks put up on here, unfortuantely there seems to be a certain group on this forum who either think they know a lot about how the railway works or know just a little and have been in the job 5 minutes and actually lie and say they have been in the drivers grade for years, I do not know why this happens but it does. I think it may be some sort of ego boost that some think they know more than others.

Anyway, anyone reading this who are new and need info, before asking any questions have a good look around on this forum and elsewhere for the info you need, take it as good practice for what the job you are applying for entails.
 

Dave1987

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I have noticed a trend also, being an observant sort the ones who ask and not research are the ones who come back and say "I am gutted, I got the thanks but no thanks email, why didn't I pass the sift" There is a lot of information put on this forum and to be totally honest I actually cringe at what some folks put up on here, unfortuantely there seems to be a certain group on this forum who either think they know a lot about how the railway works or know just a little and have been in the job 5 minutes and actually lie and say they have been in the drivers grade for years, I do not know why this happens but it does. I think it may be some sort of ego boost that some think they know more than others.

Anyway, anyone reading this who are new and need info, before asking any questions have a good look around on this forum and elsewhere for the info you need, take it as good practice for what the job you are applying for entails.

Any posts you are not happy with why don't you flag them up and report to admins to have the removed?
 

wmg75

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14 Oct 2012
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How did your interview go wng 75 ?

Hi Bandit, Thanks for the enquiry; I've been back to Newport today and passed the reaction test with a "very good Pass" score! very pleased, Now waiting for the CBI results next week!! I did feel that the interview went fairly well and wasn't as hard as I expected!! which I think are all good signs, just have to wait and see!

Glad I did my research on here before thou as it was a great help; as was all the info and comments that I got from all the forum members.

Thanks Guys!! Just hope i pass it now! so fingers crossed!!!

WMG75 :D
 

carlejo

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5 Mar 2013
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Location
South Wales
Hi Bandit, Thanks for the enquiry; I've been back to Newport today and passed the reaction test with a "very good Pass" score! very pleased, Now waiting for the CBI results next week!! I did feel that the interview went fairly well and wasn't as hard as I expected!! which I think are all good signs, just have to wait and see!

Glad I did my research on here before thou as it was a great help; as was all the info and comments that I got from all the forum members.

Thanks Guys!! Just hope i pass it now! so fingers crossed!!!

WMG75 :D

I'm a bit confused, what interview have you just sat with tests ?

When I did interview last week, that's all it was..... interviews, they said it was 2 weeks of interviews, from 11th-15th and 18th-22nd March
cheers
Carlejo
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Have I failed first stage interview without any communication from ATW ?

I'm just guessing here that they may have had quite a few panels interviewing in first week to shortlist who they require(100 were being interviewed), and maybe this week is second stage interviews and tests..... this is all guesswork mind.

I'm feeling a little flat now after WMG75's last post:(
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I've just gone through WMG75 previous posts and his tests, etc is for FGW not ATW....

I can breathe a little easier now, I started to feel like White Goodman(Ben Stiller) and the end of the film dodgeball:)
 
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