London Underground - Operations Control Operator

[Samuel Rock]

Wait lists or "Talent Pools" are a very common part of railway recruitment. So you've reached a pass mark, but other people have scored better than you who have been appointed for the number of vacancies. So instead of TfL having to go through the whole recruitment process again, they maybe select one or a few people to be placed into this talent pool so they call you up if/when a vacancy arises.

How long you will be it in is basically "how long is a piece of string" and seeing as they've just hired a bunch of people into the OCO role, it might be longer than other gaps. Hopefully it is well maintained and they will reach out to you once a position is available.

Did they say how long it applies for?

I’m external to the railway so wasn’t aware of this kind of process. I get the idea behind it now, but I would have expected a bit more transparency. Usually when you apply for a job, they make it clear whether the recruitment is for current vacancies or just to build a select list for future ones. Unfortunately, that wasn’t mentioned at all in this case.


What’s confusing is that when I emailed them recently, they said my onboarding checks were completed and they were just waiting for a course date to become available — they weren’t aware of any yet but would let me know once confirmed. However, when I went back and re-read my conditional offer email, it actually says I won’t be starting immediately and will be placed on a select list for a future vacancy. Doesn't say anything about how long it will apply for..

So the messaging has been quite mixed, which is frustrating after going through the whole process.

 

[Mojo]

There are (were) vacancies, I suspect you have been placed on a waitlist as you met the benchmark however other people scored higher than you so were offered the positions that are currently vacant. As Horizon said this is normal practice, the people who score the highest get the first opportunity.

 

[Horizon22]

I’m external to the railway so wasn’t aware of this kind of process. I get the idea behind it now, but I would have expected a bit more transparency. Usually when you apply for a job, they make it clear whether the recruitment is for current vacancies or just to build a select list for future ones. Unfortunately, that wasn’t mentioned at all in this case.

It was for current vacancies, only they have now been filled so you are effectively now in reserve. It's a (mild) positive as you haven't been outright rejected.

 

[Samuel Rock]

It was for current vacancies, only they have now been filled so you are effectively now in reserve. It's a (mild) positive as you haven't been outright rejected.

That makes sense, thanks for clarifying. I suppose it’s a bit of a relief to know I wasn’t rejected, but still a bit disappointing after thinking I’d be starting soon. Hopefully something opens up in the near future, as I’m really keen on the role. What doesn’t help is that they haven’t given any kind of timeframe for how long I’ll be on the list, so it’s all a bit up in the air at the moment.

 

[Horizon22]

What doesn’t help is that they haven’t given any kind of timeframe for how long I’ll be on the list, so it’s all a bit up in the air at the moment.

Yes that is one of the issues for talent pools - good for the employer but does leave the potential employee in limbo.

 

[Mawkie]

What doesn’t help is that they haven’t given any kind of timeframe for how long I’ll be on the list, so it’s all a bit up in the air at the moment.

Although a completely different role, some of the CSAs (who were told of the talent pool situation) have been waiting for training for over 1 year after passing the assessments and being confirmed as passed.

 

[JCole]

Just wondering if anyone else who went through the assessment process for this vacancy was told they’d be placed on a select list for a future vacancy rather than being offered the role right away?


I’m a bit confused because during my interview this wasn’t mentioned at all, and the job advertisement clearly didn’t state anything about a select list. I’ve now been told that I’ll be placed on one, and honestly, I feel a bit let down. I went through the whole process thinking it was for a vacancy and would be able to start once I was allocated a course, not to be put on a waiting list. Seems to be a bit of a shambles..


Would be good to hear if anyone else has had the same experience or can shed some light on how this works.

Hello mate,

On the initial Ad it did state recruiting for current vacancies and a waiting list I specifically remember seeing that mate.
Like others have said positive thing is essentially you have the job just have to wait a little bit longer until spots re open. Keep your head up and hopefully it won’t be too long bud.

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They always usually state if recruiting for a waiting list too

 

[Samuel Rock]

Hello mate,

On the initial Ad it did state recruiting for current vacancies and a waiting list I specifically remember seeing that mate.
Like others have said positive thing is essentially you have the job just have to wait a little bit longer until spots re open. Keep your head up and hopefully it won’t be too long bud.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Oct 2025 ==

Second line

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Oct 2025 ==

They always usually state if recruiting for a waiting list too

Hello mate, totally missed that bit! Thanks for sharing. I received an email from recruitment yesterday saying they’re still waiting for course dates from the business and will book me in for my medical as soon as they get one. Sounds positive but I won’t keep my hopes up!

 

[JCole]

Hello mate, totally missed that bit! Thanks for sharing. I received an email from recruitment yesterday saying they’re still waiting for course dates from the business and will book me in for my medical as soon as they get one. Sounds positive but I won’t keep my hopes up!

There are intakes planned for Jan & March - hopefully you’ll end up on one of them dates. Keep us updated

 

[Tblock10]

There are intakes planned for Jan & March - hopefully you’ll end up on one of them dates. Keep us updated

Hows the role? Do you think they will be recruiting again at some point in the near future!?

 

[JCole]

Hows the role? Do you think they will be recruiting again at some point in the near future!?

The role is alright mate tbh. Lots to learn, always learning but support was great.
I think yh they might recruit again but depends how many they got on the waitlist. So could be 1 year or more who knows.