Interview with Northern Rail for Conductor - a few questions

[so_nervous]

So after 12 months of applying to various rail firms I have FINALLY got an interview to be a conductor!!

I have spent hours reading through these forums and there are some excellent tips and insights into the interview process.

I'm just so nervous because I really, really want this role and I know I'd be perfect at it. I just really struggle with interviews - especially coming up with non generic answers.

''Name an example when'' type questions really throw me and no matter how much I prepare, they're always phrased slightly differently to how you imagine and I get all flustered.

Sometimes it's hard to explain WHY I was good at something, ie I was an assistant manager of a cinema and often had to deal with drunken youths, people being rowdy etc and had to eject them from the premises but it's hard to put into words HOW I do this, it just comes natural to me. Actually describing this process under pressure to paint myself in a good light seems impossible!

Anyone got any tips on how to approach these questions?

Has anyone ever sat an interview with Northern Rail? Do you know roughly how many questions are asked in this manner?

I am also worried about the medical part of the test. Specifically, the blood pressure check. EVERY time a medical person checks my BP it comes up high. However, at home it is normal. Will I fail based on this?

Im sorry this thread is a bit of ramble! I'm just so nervous.

 

[Lincoln_biker]

I am also worried about the medical part of the test. Specifically, the blood pressure check. EVERY time a medical person checks my BP it comes up high. However, at home it is normal. Will I fail based on this?

That's called "white coat hypertension" and is a known phenomena related to elevated blood pressure in clinical settings. Any healthcare professional should know this as a basic and will do their level best to prevent this from happening. For example they should keep the BP machine out of your line of sight as you can influence the results, and they'll take a number of measurements over a set time period.

As for the interview part, in the words of Andrew Sachs "I know nothing..."

LB

 

[so_nervous]

I know it is white coat, as soon as the cuff goes on my arm and starts inflating I tense up, it's ALWAYS high even when I was 17 years old. But always normal at home!

 

[142094]

Writing out answers to the generic 'tell me a time' question is probably the easiest thing to do (as long as you have the examples to back it up, that is), then trying to memorise that. Always good to have a couple of examples for each in case they ask for more.

E.g. for the cinema job, were you ever given any training on how to deal with conflict?

 

[so_nervous]

Writing out answers to the generic 'tell me a time' question is probably the easiest thing to do (as long as you have the examples to back it up, that is), then trying to memorise that. Always good to have a couple of examples for each in case they ask for more.

E.g. for the cinema job, were you ever given any training on how to deal with conflict?

I wasn't given specific training. Those types of things (luckily) just come naturally to me. Although I was I was given formal training, at least then maybe I would know how to sum up what I do and why - but I really do just ''do it''.

It's the same with customer service really, I have always excelled at it but if you ask me why I am good at it, I am stumped. I just do what I do! I'm one of those people that cannot sell themselves very well haha but I KNOW I would be amazing in this role. So frustrating!

 

[Inge]

deleted

 

[Withnailandi]

What depot mate?

 

[Jay mc 99]

I'm still waiting for northern to get back to me over liverpool depot

 

[so_nervous]

It's for Manchester Piccadilly.

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[aszu]

How do you know u'd be perfect one for the job? You have repeated this twice in this thread, i believe and that sounds to me like an overconfidence. Have you ever taken train full of drunks or brawling football fans or EDL? Stuck on the real ale trail?
Believe me there's a lot of things you have no clue about?

Regarding the interview, first you'll be asked warm up questions, like tell them about yourself, what do you know about northern, what is your local train station or some similiar ones.

Then there will be scenario questions.
Did you have to deal with difficult passenger?
Did you have to find and rectify a fault?
Did you come up with any safety initiative?
Did you provide excellent customer service?
Why should we employ you?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Did you have to deal with emergency situation?

The examples don't have to be related to railway. It might be cars, computers or even sth else.
They know you might be stressed (and you probably will and that only proves you really want the job, so don't think it's something bad. Don't be cocky, cheeky or overconfident. Be yourself and let them see it. It's not difficult to pass the first interview.
Good Luck!

 

[GGR]

How do you know u'd be perfect one for the job? You have repeated this twice in this thread, i believe and that sounds to me like an overconfidence. Have you ever taken train full of drunks or brawling football fans or EDL? Stuck on the real ale trail?

Well only a complete numpty would venture out of the office with that lot to deal with (or is that just on EC)!!!

Soooooooo glad i'm a driver now.....thats one side of the job I really dont miss one tiny little bit!

 

[so_nervous]

Had my interview today..it was really hard. The questions didn't really come up in the way I had expected, and to be honest the guy interviewing me was pretty poor! He didn't really speak very clearly and I had to keep asking for clarification which seemed to irk him.

Ah well, all good practice!

 

[Beveridges]

Had my interview today..it was really hard. The questions didn't really come up in the way I had expected, and to be honest the guy interviewing me was pretty poor! He didn't really speak very clearly and I had to keep asking for clarification which seemed to irk him.

I have heard similar with Northern Interviews. In fact I've heard even worse.

A Despatcher who I know said that in his Interview, the Station Manager was struggling to read the questions!

 

[mandub]

For the Northern conductor assessment - does anyone know if they use GBT or SCAAT for the concentration test?

Cheers

 

[Beveridges]

It was definitely SCAAT in 2010

 

[aszu]

I have heard similar with Northern Interviews. In fact I've heard even worse.

A Despatcher who I know said that in his Interview, the Station Manager was struggling to read the questions!

I`m really surprised with that and with all respect, I wouldn`t believe it. I have seen enough people telling stories and blaming everyone except themselves. Let`s be serious, in that case that person would be unable to do everyday duties. Also there`s been always two people on inteviews,it used to be 2 managers i believe, now it`s a line manager and someone from hr.
Also I have seen people asking quite amusing and 'interesting' questions on assessments i`ve taken so i wouldn`t believe every word other people say.

Regarding the mandub`s question, i believe it`s the shapes, not the dots test.

 

[so_nervous]

I'm really surprised with that and with all respect, I wouldn't believe it. I have seen enough people telling stories and blaming everyone except themselves. Let's be serious, in that case that person would be unable to do everyday duties. Also there's been always two people on inteviews,it used to be 2 managers i believe, now it's a line manager and someone from hr.
Also I have seen people asking quite amusing and 'interesting' questions on assessments i've taken so i wouldn't believe every word other people say.

Regarding the mandub's question, i believe it's the shapes, not the dots test.

I actually passed the interview, so I wasn't looking to blame anyone. It was an observation based on what I saw! The person conducting my interview really was not fully competent in doing it!