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Northern Conductor Interview

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AASB99

Member
Joined
20 Dec 2021
Messages
8
Location
Middlesbrough
Hello, hope everyone is doing well.

Sorry if I’ve made a forum when I am not supposed to (I’m completely new to forums). I was after a general discussion about Northern’s interview for Conductors. I’ve been offered an interview in January and I was wondering if anyone could share any helpful tips or give me a brief idea of how the day goes, things we will do etc and mainly any tips on how to impress, It would be massively appreciated due to being fairly nervous!

Thanks everyone.
 
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RSTurbo50

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23 Aug 2015
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72
Emergency situations, times when you have been under pressure, line working examples, tell me why you want to work for the company etc etc
 

roritoberry

Member
Joined
30 Oct 2012
Messages
9
Hi @AASB99 - I had a conductor interview last month month. Lasted about an hour and after the introductions etc the questions were all tell me about a time where you have … scenarios such as where you have worked under pressure, where you have had to deliver bad news, where you have had to communicate effectively, where you have delivered great customer service etc… My experience was really good as felt at ease and got to know more about the job and ask any questions at the end. Good luck!
 

jubilee_line

Member
Joined
26 Apr 2021
Messages
38
Location
Leeds
Hi @AASB99, I hope your interview went well! I'm just resurrecting this thread as I've just had the email telling me I passed the assessments for York, and I can't find a more recent thread about this stage. I haven't been invited to interview yet as shortlisting is still taking place, but I'm quite pleased and I'm wondering if anyone else here is up for the same role? :)

For those who have been interviewed already, I was wondering if they still do the group exercise? I found mentions of it on here from a few years ago, but it sounds like that might not exist anymore.
 

AASB99

Member
Joined
20 Dec 2021
Messages
8
Location
Middlesbrough
Hi @AASB99, I hope your interview went well! I'm just resurrecting this thread as I've just had the email telling me I passed the assessments for York, and I can't find a more recent thread about this stage. I haven't been invited to interview yet as shortlisting is still taking place, but I'm quite pleased and I'm wondering if anyone else here is up for the same role? :)

For those who have been interviewed already, I was wondering if they still do the group exercise? I found mentions of it on here from a few years ago, but it sounds like that might not exist anymore.
Hi Jubilee,

Sorry, I haven’t been as active on this due to being super busy (I’ll get back to everyone who offered advice and helped).

Anyways, my interview was last Tuesday at 09:00. A day before my interview on Monday night I received an email to visit a train station and take into account things Northern do good, and bad and how they could improve on this. Thankfully I already did this anyways so it wasn’t an issue but with the email being late, I’d advise (if possible) to visit a local station and note some things down and keep them fresh in your head before going in.

Moving on, my interview started at 09:00 and it was fairly relaxed to be honest, it was all competency based questions such as:

1. Give me a time where you have had to deal with a difficult person or situation.
2. Give me an example of a time where you’ve given excellent customer service.

They also ask a few questions about your understanding of the role, what you know about Northern etc. My interview took approximately 1 hour.

After my interview we went into the group assessment, it was me and 5 other applicants sat around a table being assessed by 8 people. We were given a task to work as a group and come up with a presentation on what Northern do good, and what they could do to improve. So for example, one person on my group mentioned offering trolley services. The group assessment was nothing to worry about, just be yourself but don’t be to overbearing, be concise with your points and you’ll do great. I was very nervous about the day in general but once you’re there I was made to feel really welcome!

3 days in from my interview I was offered the job subject to a medical, starting early March if all goes well! Can not wait to get started!

I wish you all the best, I’m sure you’ll do great!
 

jubilee_line

Member
Joined
26 Apr 2021
Messages
38
Location
Leeds
Hi Jubilee,

Sorry, I haven’t been as active on this due to being super busy (I’ll get back to everyone who offered advice and helped).

Anyways, my interview was last Tuesday at 09:00. A day before my interview on Monday night I received an email to visit a train station and take into account things Northern do good, and bad and how they could improve on this. Thankfully I already did this anyways so it wasn’t an issue but with the email being late, I’d advise (if possible) to visit a local station and note some things down and keep them fresh in your head before going in.

Moving on, my interview started at 09:00 and it was fairly relaxed to be honest, it was all competency based questions such as:

1. Give me a time where you have had to deal with a difficult person or situation.
2. Give me an example of a time where you’ve given excellent customer service.

They also ask a few questions about your understanding of the role, what you know about Northern etc. My interview took approximately 1 hour.

After my interview we went into the group assessment, it was me and 5 other applicants sat around a table being assessed by 8 people. We were given a task to work as a group and come up with a presentation on what Northern do good, and what they could do to improve. So for example, one person on my group mentioned offering trolley services. The group assessment was nothing to worry about, just be yourself but don’t be to overbearing, be concise with your points and you’ll do great. I was very nervous about the day in general but once you’re there I was made to feel really welcome!

3 days in from my interview I was offered the job subject to a medical, starting early March if all goes well! Can not wait to get started!

I wish you all the best, I’m sure you’ll do great!
Wow, congratulations on your new job, I bet you're over the moon :)

Thank you so much for such a detailed reply, that's incredibly helpful! It's good to know that they still do the group exercise, and I'm glad you felt welcomed there. Now I just need to wait and see if I get asked to interview, hopefully they'll let us know soon!
 

Jaxscc

Member
Joined
15 Feb 2021
Messages
52
Location
Manchester
Very interesting to read that the group exercise and interview were in person .... I applied for Northern Conductor on 25th December, passed shl the following week, interviewed via Microsoft Teams on the 19th January and the following day I was offered the position with a provisional start date subject to medical. .... over the moon and can't wait to start... Good luck to those of you waiting!
 

AASB99

Member
Joined
20 Dec 2021
Messages
8
Location
Middlesbrough
Very interesting to read that the group exercise and interview were in person .... I applied for Northern Conductor on 25th December, passed shl the following week, interviewed via Microsoft Teams on the 19th January and the following day I was offered the position with a provisional start date subject to medical. .... over the moon and can't wait to start... Good luck to those of you waiting!
Great news! Sounds like we’re both in a similar position - I can’t wait to start either, did they mention a start date? Mine is in March, also where will you be based out of?
 

Jaxscc

Member
Joined
15 Feb 2021
Messages
52
Location
Manchester
Great news! Sounds like we’re both in a similar position - I can’t wait to start either, did they mention a start date? Mine is in March, also where will you be based out of?
Provisional start date of 7th March, based in Manchester..... how about you?
 

jubilee_line

Member
Joined
26 Apr 2021
Messages
38
Location
Leeds
Very interesting to read that the group exercise and interview were in person .... I applied for Northern Conductor on 25th December, passed shl the following week, interviewed via Microsoft Teams on the 19th January and the following day I was offered the position with a provisional start date subject to medical. .... over the moon and can't wait to start... Good luck to those of you waiting!
Congratulations, wow, less than a month from start to finish!

That's so much faster than me, I applied on the 30th of December and was just told two days ago that I had passed the online assessments. May I ask what depot you applied for and how long you had to wait between getting the assessment result email and the invitation to interview?
 

Jaxscc

Member
Joined
15 Feb 2021
Messages
52
Location
Manchester
Congratulations, wow, less than a month from start to finish!

That's so much faster than me, I applied on the 30th of December and was just told two days ago that I had passed the online assessments. May I ask what depot you applied for and how long you had to wait between getting the assessment result email and the invitation to interview?

Passed assessment email 4th Jan
Invite to interview email 11th Jan
Applied for Manchester and they are taking on for both Victoria and Piccadilly.....Where have you applied for?
14th of March - training is in Leeds for me and I’ll be working out of Newcastle station.

Can not wait to get started!
Well done and good luck ... nice to know things are moving quickly for others too :lol:
 

jubilee_line

Member
Joined
26 Apr 2021
Messages
38
Location
Leeds
Passed assessment email 4th Jan
Invite to interview email 11th Jan
Applied for Manchester and they are taking on for both Victoria and Piccadilly.....Where have you applied for?
I've applied for York. One week is pretty fast, I hope that's the case for me as well :)

Thank you for the reply and good luck with your training!
 

JW7

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2021
Messages
17
Location
Newcastle
14th of March - training is in Leeds for me and I’ll be working out of Newcastle station.

Can not wait to get started!
Congratulations AASB99! Just out interest, when did you first apply for the role? I’m currently awaiting the application shortlist following successful online assessments for Newcastle, and applied at the end of December
 

Canonite

Member
Joined
31 Aug 2015
Messages
110
Location
Derbyshire
I applied for Sheffield at the end of December. Had an email on Monday to say I had passed both tests so I am just waiting to hear about the next stage now. Looking at the last few posters here, it would appear they are being quite proactive in turning these around quickly.
 

magpie999

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2012
Messages
13
14th of March - training is in Leeds for me and I’ll be working out of Newcastle station.

Can not wait to get started!
Hi AASB99

I have also got this provisional start date after hearing medical was fine last week. Just waiting for confirmation and contract to be sent out then notice will be going in. Excited and nervous!
 

LokiB

Member
Joined
3 Feb 2020
Messages
267
Location
Leeds
Hi AASB99

I have also got this provisional start date after hearing medical was fine last week. Just waiting for confirmation and contract to be sent out then notice will be going in. Excited and nervous!
Hi magpie.
Congrats mate, whens your course date starting?
 

AASB99

Member
Joined
20 Dec 2021
Messages
8
Location
Middlesbrough
Nice! Is it in Leeds? If so, we might be in same course as my provisional date is 14th March too! :)

What did your medical consist of btw?
 

magpie999

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2012
Messages
13
I would imagine Leeds as im based North East so would be the closest. Good chance same course

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Medical was colour blindness, eye tests, hearing, medical questions and height and weight. Everything came back fine last week via email.
 

KD410

Member
Joined
24 Jan 2022
Messages
7
Location
Manchester
Hey there,

Got my conductor interview tomorrow morning, i'm absolutely bricking it. Not had an interview in over 12 years so who knows how its going to go.

I'm new to this forum but reading everyones experiences has been so helpful so thanks for that everyone.
 
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jubilee_line

Member
Joined
26 Apr 2021
Messages
38
Location
Leeds
Hey there,

Got my conductor interview tomorrow morning, i'm absolutely bricking it. Not had an interview in over 12 years so who knows how its going to go.

I'm new to this forum but reading everyones experiences has been so helpful so thanks for that everyone.
Hey, good luck on your interview tomorrow! If you've been working for 12 years or more then you must have a lot of experience to draw on when you're asked for examples, even if you haven't interviewed in a while :)

What depot did you apply for? I've applied for York and am anxiously waiting on an update after passing my assessments a week ago, haha, can't stop checking my email/this thread!
 

pools

Member
Joined
18 Jul 2021
Messages
11
Location
Hull
I'm fresh out of training, finish my route learning this week then out on my own next week so if I can be of any assistance to anyone with rules/what to expect etc then shout up, more than happy to help.

Good luck and enjoy everyone
 

KD410

Member
Joined
24 Jan 2022
Messages
7
Location
Manchester
Hey, good luck on your interview tomorrow! If you've been working for 12 years or more then you must have a lot of experience to draw on when you're asked for examples, even if you haven't interviewed in a while :)

What depot did you apply for? I've applied for York and am anxiously waiting on an update after passing my assessments a week ago, haha, can't stop checking my email/this thread!
Thanks for that Jubilee. I've applied for Manchester. Hope you hear back soon, those assessments weren't the easiest were they! :)
 
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