Need some advice regarding Guard and Driver Application

[Lasbrisas]

Ok here we go, so I applied for a Guard position with SW Trains, got my assesment date and passed. the day before my assesment the trainee Train Driver vacancy came out and so I applied for that aswell. Both of these happened in December and I have yet to hear anything regarding my Guard interview and nothing from the Trainee Driver application.
So my question is should I chase them up to find out what's going on, also mentioning that I really want to be a driver. Initially I applied for the Guard position as that was all that was available at the time.

 

[Thomas choo]

Hi lasbrisas. I wouldn't worry to much about it juat yet as it can take time to hear anything back, have you checked the online portal to see what the status is? I applied last year for a trainee driver job and have only recently heard about attending an interview.

 

[Lasbrisas]

Hi lasbrisas. I wouldn't worry to much about it juat yet as it can take time to hear anything back, have you checked the online portal to see what the status is? I applied last year for a trainee driver job and have only recently heard about attending an interview.

yes the Guard job says in Process, they definately said I had passed and would get an interview, when would determine when they need the extra Guards. The driver job status just says "New". I just wonder if I should point out that I have 2 applications going, do you think they are interested in me for the Driver job as I haven't had a Dear John for nearly 3 months. I have worked in an Operational job role for the last 30 years with a lot of experience they are looking for and I reflected this in my application which has really good examples.

 

[Need2]

yes the Guard job says in Process, they definately said I had passed and would get an interview, when would determine when they need the extra Guards. The driver job status just says "New". I just wonder if I should point out that I have 2 applications going, do you think they are interested in me for the Driver job as I haven't had a Dear John for nearly 3 months. I have worked in an Operational job role for the last 30 years with a lot of experience they are looking for and I reflected this in my application which has really good examples.

Not hearing anything is par for the course with railway jobs, can take up to 6 months (in my case) before I heard anything after the initial "we have received your application" email.
I can't see any reason why you should mention the 2 applications, they are for different roles.

I applied and failed 2 weeks ago for a guards role. Took about 2-3 months after assessment to get an interview.
At the interview I mentioned that in 2016 SWT stated in their customer promise to always have a guard on a train, the interviewer said "that was 2016, if we are awarded the new contract in April that promise could change"
I cannot see a role for guards in a few years (or earlier) time : (
What depot did you apply for?

 

[Lasbrisas]

Not hearing anything is par for the course with railway jobs, can take up to 6 months (in my case) before I heard anything after the initial "we have received your application" email.
I can't see any reason why you should mention the 2 applications, they are for different roles.

I applied and failed 2 weeks ago for a guards role. Took about 2-3 months after assessment to get an interview.
At the interview I mentioned that in 2016 SWT stated in their customer promise to always have a guard on a train, the interviewer said "that was 2016, if we are awarded the new contract in April that promise could change"
I cannot see a role for guards in a few years (or earlier) time : (
What depot did you apply for?

I applied for Woking but could do Staines aswell, I did hear that SWT have lost the contract. So was it the interview you failed on as you got to that stage, did they give you any feedback

 

[cheadle_cherry]

I did hear that SWT have lost the contract.

Where did you hear that? I'm currently waiting confirmation of my start date for mainline driver which I'm told will be when they know the franchise decision.

 

[Lasbrisas]

Where did you hear that? I'm currently waiting confirmation of my start date for mainline driver which I'm told will be when they know the franchise decision.

from a friend that works for SWT, he did tell me the name but can't remember it, it was something I hadn't heard of before. Don't worry about your start date, a friend of mine starts on Monday so it seems all is still going as normal.

 

[MartinB1]

from a friend that works for SWT, he did tell me the name but can't remember it, it was something I hadn't heard of before. Don't worry about your start date, a friend of mine starts on Monday so it seems all is still going as normal.

Any idea how he found this out? I'm a SWT driver, very interested to know.

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

 

[Cavan]

Sounds like a rumour only to me - I doubt many outside a few people in the DfT know.

 

[Thomas choo]

yes the Guard job says in Process, they definately said I had passed and would get an interview, when would determine when they need the extra Guards. The driver job status just says "New". I just wonder if I should point out that I have 2 applications going, do you think they are interested in me for the Driver job as I haven't had a Dear John for nearly 3 months. I have worked in an Operational job role for the last 30 years with a lot of experience they are looking for and I reflected this in my application which has really good examples.[/QUOTE

Being in process is a good sign so nothing to worry about there. In regards to the driver role it sounds like they haven't got round to your application yet, it won't hurt just calling them for an update but as many people have said before you don't want to come across to pushy the railway recruitment can be slow due the sheer volume of applicants.

 

[Lasbrisas]

Any idea how he found this out? I'm a SWT driver, very interested to know.

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

No sorry i don't know the source but he does know people in the company, it shouldn't be anything to worry about as they will need to retain staff to run the operation.

 

[Lasbrisas]

yes the Guard job says in Process, they definately said I had passed and would get an interview, when would determine when they need the extra Guards. The driver job status just says "New". I just wonder if I should point out that I have 2 applications going, do you think they are interested in me for the Driver job as I haven't had a Dear John for nearly 3 months. I have worked in an Operational job role for the last 30 years with a lot of experience they are looking for and I reflected this in my application which has really good examples.[/QUOTE

Being in process is a good sign so nothing to worry about there. In regards to the driver role it sounds like they haven't got round to your application yet, it won't hurt just calling them for an update but as many people have said before you don't want to come across to pushy the railway recruitment can be slow due the sheer volume of applicants.

Thanks for the info, yes I was a bit concerned about appearing to be pushy, where I live though I could be available for several bases so was going to mention that aswell, as they may be short in other areas.

 

[dctraindriver]

from a friend that works for SWT, he did tell me the name but can't remember it, it was something I hadn't heard of before. Don't worry about your start date, a friend of mine starts on Monday so it seems all is still going as normal.

The way the railway rumour mill works I think that those of us who actually work there would have heard more than just your mate.

I certainly haven't heard anything and no one at my depot appears to know anything.

It may go elsewhere but let's wait until It's officially announced.

As for guards not being needed on trains, that's going to take quite a few years at least.

Lots of older stock which will struggle to be altered to allow DDO.

OP, call recruitment that way you'll find out either way.

 

[Lasbrisas]

The way the railway rumour mill works I think that those of us who actually work there would have heard more than just your mate.

I certainly haven't heard anything and no one at my depot appears to know anything.

It may go elsewhere but let's wait until It's officially announced.

As for guards not being needed on trains, that's going to take quite a few years at least.

Lots of older stock which will struggle to be altered to allow DDO.

OP, call recruitment that way you'll find out either way.

Ok Thanks will do.