Northern Trainee Driver Interview

[paulh1969]

Hi all,

I've managed to get a first interview for a trainee driving job in Leeds with Northern. The invite makes it appear that this is simply an "Example Based Interview" using the STAR technique to formulate answers.

I'll be putting effort in to thinking through as many examples/scenarios as I can think of (based around the requirements of the job). However, I'm wondering if this really is all I should be expecting at the first interview? Has anyone else been through this process with Northern recently, and if so how did the first interview pan-out?

Thanks in advance. Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere, but I have had a search around and haven't come across anything.

Regards

Paul

 

[Hopeful2015]

Is this for the trainee driver advertised in October. I've not heard anything back as of yet after applying

 

[paulh1969]

Hi Hopeful2015, yes I sent my on-line application form in mid October. Received email confirming interview backend of last week.

Regards,

Paul

 

[Hopeful2015]

Oh well. I've never had much luck with northern anyway.
Good luck mate.

 

[Shrimper]

When I went through the process in April, the first interview was a manager interview with two driver managers. It was fairly enjoyable (as far as a job interview can be!), with some small talk, about 6 graded questions (which are the formal ones which really need the STAR technique) along with a few other questions from answers I gave.

Nothing too horrific, and they aren't trying to trip you up. Know your stuff about the company and have plenty of experiences handy for the big questions - don't rely on feedback from others as they can ask different questions so you need to be able to adapt answers.

I think my interview lasted about an hour.

 

[Sooty123]

Has anyone else had the positive news of an interview for the Leeds role?

 

[paulh1969]

When I went through the process in April, the first interview was a manager interview with two driver managers. It was fairly enjoyable (as far as a job interview can be!), with some small talk, about 6 graded questions (which are the formal ones which really need the STAR technique) along with a few other questions from answers I gave.

Nothing too horrific, and they aren't trying to trip you up. Know your stuff about the company and have plenty of experiences handy for the big questions - don't rely on feedback from others as they can ask different questions so you need to be able to adapt answers.

I think my interview lasted about an hour.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess this is just an initial sift before the harder stuff really kicks in!!!

 

[Shrimper]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess this is just an initial sift before the harder stuff really kicks in!!!

Not at all; this is the formal DMI which for most other operators seems to be the final step! Get through this interview and it's just the one day of DB assessments in Doncaster to do, then the medical. Good luck!

 

[paulh1969]

Hi Shrimper,

Just a quick note to say thanks - your advice was spot on. I prepared as well as I could, and hope the interview went well. I spoke with a couple of other candidates and they appeared strong contenders. Fingers crossed, however.

BR

PaulH

 

[Shrimper]

Glad to be of assistance - hope you get some good news!