MMI advice

[Bonneville91]

Good evening all,
Been a while since I've posted but looking for a bit of advice. This being my last shot at driving, I am doing all I can to prepare for it. Passed the usual assessments with GTR but had my MMI with a FOC (long story short after DMI with GTR which I passed they realised I had just started a new role with them and can't take a new role within 6 months of starting one). I finally received feedback on what I failed on in he MMI which was 1 question and this being what have you done similar in the past that's similar to the role of a train driver?

Looking back on this I sort of had an idea of where I lost my nerve. This being the point where I felt backed into a corner and saying the dreaded words of likely

Anyways, I'm just after some general advice, tips and anything I can do to nail this. I have he how2become dvd about the DMI but just seeing what you guys have been through.

Thanks all

 

[Bonneville91]

Just realised lots of typos there, the dreaded word lonely was what I said during the MMI. Hope this cleared anything up

 

[Mgv1349]

Use driving a car as your answer and then when pressed on it say you enjoy spending time on your own if you have to if it means getting the job done, that’s what I said and passed.

 

[Stigy]

What did you use as your answer? It’s probably the trickiest MMI question in my opinion. I used a long drive in a car, thought I’d failed at this point though as I had to keep backtracking. Under probing they asked things like “what would you do to pass the time”, I remember at one point instinctively saying I’d talk to the kids and take regular breaks haha....I backtracked and said obviously I had their welfare to think of as well as mine, but if I was alone I’d probably do the journey in one hit as it wasn’t a massively long journey (trying to think about how long train drivers drive for). I think unless you’re an HGV driver or something, this question will catch a fair few out. I passed so I obviously did okay.

 

[Bonneville91]

Very similar to mine to be fair. I used a long drive to commute to work (2 hours drive on a good day) taking in the variable speed limits, hazard etc then work long hours which required me to concentrate on my tasks as this was highly skilled work whilst following strict guidelines then commuting back home to start again tomorrow.

To me I thought this was a good answer but then she kept asking "how did this make you feel?" I messed up by saying isolated at times, which is what drivers go through as they're alone for the large part of their job but again the same question was repeated to me 3 times followed by how do you manager your isolation.

This is where I began to stumble. I beleive anyway.

Anyway I can come back confidently and to the subject would be great.

 

[Bonneville91]

Use driving a car as your answer and then when pressed on it say you enjoy spending time on your own if you have to if it means getting the job done, that’s what I said and passed.

Also congratulations, can only imagine the relief. Was this fairly recently or have you now gone on to complete your course and on your own now?

 

[Railweigh]

I had that question for my final one. I used an example similar to yours but a much longer drive to the continent. I also used the word boring, and wasn’t afraid to use it - an entire day (and night) of driving on motorways isn’t ever going to be anything different.

It’s explaining how you manage the long periods of relative inactivity, look after yourself and maintain concentration that are important. Get those sorted (and the interviewer WILL dig as you’ve found out) and you’ll be ok. Be genuine with your answers too.

I’m a trainee driver now and love it, though it’s a whole lot of work. Good luck!

 

[Westcoast-ting]

I think it’s such a broad question it’s easy to try and answer it many ways !

I had a similar question in the cbi which was name a time you have performed a sedentary role where it was important not to make a mistake.

This i believe is what their asking for, so its looking at your ability to concentrate whilst working alone.

So driving long distances would be a great example, but they will probe for more criteria.

From memory I think the criteria is something like ‘ability to work alone’ makes checks does not make assumptions.

When I did my last mmi I used an example of operating a printing machine.

I checked output every 5 minutes and make a tick list to check to, which I would mark. Then after an hour or so I could check how many checks I made to see if my concentration was dropping.

If it was dropping I would re-hydrate eat take a break etc

I Think saying you feel isolated may be a negative point, Which is why the probably probed you for a answer on how you manage it

That’s my 50p worth hope you can find something useful

 

[MidlandsChap]

To me I thought this was a good answer but then she kept asking "how did this make you feel?" I messed up by saying isolated at times, which is what drivers go through as they're alone for the large part of their job but again the same question was repeated to me 3 times followed by how do you manager your isolation.
.

I have done a good few long drives. If somebody asked me "how it made me feel". I would find that very hard to answer because it doesnt make me "feel" anything, Its a long drive, I know its a long drive and im just getting on with it. Maybe its me, but I dont feel any emotion towards tasks such as driving a couple of hours. Dont get me wrong im fully aware its vital to pay attention at all times and be aware of dangers, signs and so forth but there isnt any feeling assoiated with that.

If in theory I said "nothing" would I fail an MMI? and if so, what are you supposed to say?

Oh, and can you use a long distance drive as an example of when its important not to make a mistake as well as job similar to driver question?

 

[Westcoast-ting]

I have done a good few long drives. If somebody asked me "how it made me feel". I would find that very hard to answer because it doesnt make me "feel" anything, Its a long drive, I know its a long drive and im just getting on with it. Maybe its me, but I dont feel any emotion towards tasks such as driving a couple of hours. Dont get me wrong im fully aware its vital to pay attention at all times and be aware of dangers, signs and so forth but there isnt any feeling assoiated with that.

If in theory I said "nothing" would I fail an MMI? and if so, what are you supposed to say?

Nearly everyone who sits a mmi / cbi says the same !

I think it’s because they get a lot of logical answers to the questions ie I did a , b and c but they never get the emotions.

I got grilled on my first cbi and they asked ‘how did it make you feel’ so many times I felt uncomfortable.

I think all they wanted was me to say I feel calm, happy, in control ie positive emotions and not stressed, unhappy etc.

 

[Bonneville91]

I have done a good few long drives. If somebody asked me "how it made me feel". I would find that very hard to answer because it doesnt make me "feel" anything, Its a long drive, I know its a long drive and im just getting on with it. Maybe its me, but I dont feel any emotion towards tasks such as driving a couple of hours. Dont get me wrong im fully aware its vital to pay attention at all times and be aware of dangers, signs and so forth but there isnt any feeling assoiated with that.

If in theory I said "nothing" would I fail an MMI? and if so, what are you supposed to say?

Oh, and can you use a long distance drive as an example of when its important not to make a mistake as well as job similar to driver question?

That's sort of the line I went down in thinking well I have no emotion towards this task I just get on with it as it has to be done.

Nearly everyone who sits a mmi / cbi says the same !

I think it’s because they get a lot of logical answers to the questions ie I did a , b and c but they never get the emotions.

I got grilled on my first cbi and they asked ‘how did it make you feel’ so many times I felt uncomfortable.

I think all they wanted was me to say I feel calm, happy, in control ie positive emotions and not stressed, unhappy etc.

I kind of see what they mean now and kind of understand more of the STAR technique to this answer. I remember walking away thinking how could I have answered that with the STAR formular. Rather than being taken aback by the questions of how I felt having a structured answer like calm with a mental checklist to keep myself alert like the other poster said above, in theory would have been a better answer.

 

[Westcoast-ting]

The best thing with the star technique is the ability to say why you did this and why you didn’t do that, sometimes it’s so obvious why you did that but unless you say it it means nothing !

 

[Mgv1349]

Also congratulations, can only imagine the relief. Was this fairly recently or have you now gone on to complete your course and on your own now?

Thanks, It was a huge relief! This was back in October and I started my training course at the end of November! I think now you have done it you will know what not to say now, use the same answer and just say it doesn’t effect.

 

[Bonneville91]

The best thing with the star technique is the ability to say why you did this and why you didn’t do that, sometimes it’s so obvious why you did that but unless you say it it means nothing !

That's very true, I think a lot more practise is in order. Any recommendations to fully arm myself?

Thanks, It was a huge relief! This was back in October and I started my training course at the end of November! I think now you have done it you will know what not to say now, use the same answer and just say it doesn’t effect.

That's awesome. So you must be out the classroom soon and route learning or is that still 3 months away?

Knowing my luck, I'll balls up something that should be straightforward that I passed last time round. Hopefully not the case as I know what to expect but final chance always adds that element of intensity.

 

[dazzayid]

I used driving a car as my answer, I drove the Pacific highway and used that. While answering the questions make sure you think like a train driver. I was asked what hazards I was looking for whilst driving and I put myself in a train. Lights, weather, the road in front of me, animals. They ask you how you felt a lot, personally I think they want to see if you buckle under the pressure of keep being asked the same thing.

 

[Bonneville91]

I used driving a car as my answer, I drove the Pacific highway and used that. While answering the questions make sure you think like a train driver. I was asked what hazards I was looking for whilst driving and I put myself in a train. Lights, weather, the road in front of me, animals. They ask you how you felt a lot, personally I think they want to see if you buckle under the pressure of keep being asked the same thing.

I guess this is where everything unravelled for me as I was taken aback by the determination of the assessor to get this answer. At least I know that this wasn't a question just for me. At least I know how to conduct myself for the next time. Thanks for the comment though great to hear about others experinces

 

[Mgv1349]

That's very true, I think a lot more practise is in order. Any recommendations to fully arm myself?

That's awesome. So you must be out the classroom soon and route learning or is that still 3 months away?

Knowing my luck, I'll balls up something that should be straightforward that I passed last time round. Hopefully not the case as I know what to expect but final chance always adds that element of intensity.

Half way through my rules at the moment then it’s traction training! Handling starts end of April.

I’m sure you will be fine just be confident in your own ability and show that to them!!

 

[Bonneville91]

Half way through my rules at the moment then it’s traction training! Handling starts end of April.

I’m sure you will be fine just be confident in your own ability and show that to them!!

That's great to hear. Worth the wait? How are you finding it so far?

 

[Mgv1349]

That's great to hear. Worth the wait? How are you finding it so far?

This was the first time I applied and the whole process was only around 4 months long so wasn’t really a horrible wait, once I started passing things it got better and better lol didn’t really know what to expect though.

It’s brilliant, no pressure just really good structered learning.

 

[severussnape]

Hi im waiting for a date for my interview, got a bank of questions but stumped on "A time when you have made a mistake" and "not given full instruction to complete a task"i really cant think of any examples. Any advice would be great.

 

[Bonneville91]

Hi im waiting for a date for my interview, got a bank of questions but stumped on "A time when you have made a mistake" and "not given full instruction to complete a task"i really cant think of any examples. Any advice would be great.

Firstly, want to say the username is awesome. Also could you drop me a PM, although I didn't pass this yet, having failed the first time round, was just thinking we could bounce ideas off each other when you get the chance. I had this question come up in the past, mainly durjng the DMI and was worded slightly differently and answered this successfully.

Let me know

 

[severussnape]

Firstly, want to say the username is awesome. Also could you drop me a PM, although I didn't pass this yet, having failed the first time round, was just thinking we could bounce ideas off each other when you get the chance. I had this question come up in the past, mainly durjng the DMI and was worded slightly differently and answered this successfully.

Let me know

Yes sounds good. Sorry I'm new on here how do I PM you?