No reply?

[Almond83]

I applied for a train driver job in Perth, after 2/3 months of waiting for a reply and checking the status of my application, i looked again today to see the position had been filled. my question is this, is it normal to have some sort of reply to how my application went or if i dont make the next satge is no reply at all normal? any advice would help put my mind at ease, thanks

 

[YorkshireBear]

I applied for a train driver job in Perth, after 2/3 months of waiting for a reply and checking the status of my application, i looked again today to see the position had been filled. my question is this, is it normal to have some sort of reply to how my application went or if i dont make the next satge is no reply at all normal? any advice would help put my mind at ease, thanks

From experience with other jobs receiving any form of reply is rare if you are not accepted!

 

[Almond83]

Ok thanks mate

 

[Beveridges]

Getting no reply is the norm.

I've not had much experience of this - but going off what I have heard - no reply is the norm.

 

[welshjpc]

That doesn't make it right though, pretty unprofessional if you ask me. I would expect a courtesy "Thank you for your interest however you have not met the required criteria this time" or something like that.

 

[notadriver]

Potentially thousands of applicants apply for train driver jobs. In many job advertisements I've seen it states if you haven't heard assume you're unsuccessful.

 

[Greenback]

It's not really practical to let every applicant know they have been unsuccessful. This is why, as notadriver says, most job adverts carry a disclaimer.

This is not just in the rail industry, it's across the board. When I was unemployed I estimate that about 90% of my applications received no response. Less than 1% said no thank you, the rest ended up with an interview or assessment centre.

 

[Beveridges]

DRS are the only company who let you know if you've failed if I remember right.

They even phoned me up the day after a failed interview once.

They seem like a superb company.

 

[notadriver]

Bev I could see you driving that DRS loco in a few years time - I really can.

 

[Beveridges]

I would if Depot Driving wasn't so damn good

 

[185]

Potentially thousands of applicants apply for train driver jobs. In many job advertisements I've seen it states if you haven't heard assume you're unsuccessful.

Some of the lazier companies don't even send out a rejection email, something in this century can be done at the press of a button. Name and shame time.

Merseyrail don't bother.

East Midlands Trains don't bother.

East Coast occasionally do.

Virgin occasionally do.

FirstGroup rarely do.

To my knowledge, all the others give you an answer, even if it's a refusal.

 

[theageofthetra]

When applying for a 40k + a year job I would fully expect a yes or no response. Its not 2008/ 9 any more and unless TOC's realise that the job market is rapidly picking up they could be very short of qualified and suitable candidates over the next few years.

 

[Beveridges]

As online app forms become more common, you should see an increase in the TOCs who let you know if you have failed.

 

[ModernRailways]

FirstGroup rarely do.

Every Time I have applied with First Group I've always had a response. I may just have been lucky mind!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Network Rail went a step further this week and sent me an email saying we are sorry it is taking so long to review your application... Suppose that is a good sign.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

I have to big up CrossCountry, who provided me with detailed feedback when I got down to the final three for one position around 18 months ago. I took the advice forward, nailed my next interview and got my current job.

As mentioned above, most don't bother replying.

 

[Jonfun]

I second that about CrossCountry, for all their perceived failings by some on here, their HR department are fantastic - professional, but friendly and contactable. They gave me detailed feedback from my first assessment with them, which allowed me to look at where I was going wrong and develop, which directly contributed to succeeding in both the assessment and interview at my subsequent recruitment event.

I've always had a response even if unsuccessful everywhere I've applied, though I might just be lucky in that regard. Granted, some (cough, EMT, cough) replied so long after the initial application (many months) that I'd completely forgotten that I'd ever applied for it.

 

[185]

I have every respect for Marie, the HR director of XC. Four years ago, FTPE were stupid enough to send her down the road, and XC were lucky to gain an excellent, trustworthy boss.

 

[Septus]

I got a letter from Chiltern, saying thank you for applying but not this time.