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I’ve just been shortlisted for a phone interview with Northern, and am at the very start of the recruitment process. I was wondering if anyone could share insight into what kind of questions I might be asked at this stage? I want to prepare as much as possible, so any advice, or tips would be greatly appreciated!
I'm not sure if this is a new process, but if it has changed, it must have happened recently, as I've spoken to several people who attended in-person interviews just a few months ago. I imagine the interview layout, especially for the first stage, would be quite similar. Were there any key questions they asked you? I would really appreciate any information you can share about the process.
I went through the recruitment process this year (leeds, may advert) and there was no phone interview, my mate has just been invited to psychometrics this week and he's the 1st I've heard of having a phone interview. It may be the new process, I just assumed that's how they did it at York where he's applied
When you say phone interview, is it the one done via teams? I’ve applied for the trainee driver role at Sheffield and I’ve just been invited to an interview via teams.
I’ve noted on the email that the interview will be approximately 20 minutes. Doesn’t seem particularly long. Can’t imagine they’ll be able to fit too many questions in that time period.
My second time applying for Northern (first time I failed 1 test when at the psychometric center), this is a new thing like others have said as I didn’t do it the first time- I had to do this recently, it was just an initial ‘get to no more about you and what you can bring to the company type interview’, also to see what you know about the company- so do some research. Lasted about 15/20mins.
You’ll then go into a face to face interview (DMI) which is heavily S.T.A.R focused. Then the assessment day with the psychometric tests, if you pass them, then you’ll have a final MMI straight after- there’s loads of information on this forum about these next stages which I used and found helpful.
I’ve now recently just done my test again, now passed and booked onto my medical with a provisional start date.
My second time applying for Northern (first time I failed 1 test when at the psychometric center), this is a new thing like others have said as I didn’t do it the first time- I had to do this recently, it was just an initial ‘get to no more about you and what you can bring to the company type interview’, also to see what you know about the company- so do some research. Lasted about 15/20mins.
You’ll then go into a face to face interview (DMI) which is heavily S.T.A.R focused. Then the assessment day with the psychometric tests, if you pass them, then you’ll have a final MMI straight after- there’s loads of information on this forum about these next stages which I used and found helpful.
I’ve now recently just done my test again, now passed and booked onto my medical with a provisional start date.
It's a new thing because driver managers were kicking off about getting too many total no-hopers wasting their time. The phone interview is to sift out those who are unlikely to pass the in person interview.
The face to face interview will be 10 questions, 3 about your knowledge of the role/company and motivations etc. Then 7 competency based, all along the lines of tell me a time when....
They change the question set very regularly but they're looking for evidence of the qualities listed in the job spec.
I.e. tell me a time when you've had to: communicate an important message, resolve a disagreement, work under pressure etc.
I really can't help with the phone interview as it does seem a new step and I wouldn't know what to expect, other than get yourself somewhere quiet and articulate well. Take a moment to consider your answer then commit without waffle.
Good luck, and let us know what it does involve
I can't help with the telephone interview stage as it wasn't part of it when I went through the process but I imagine it will be similar to the dtm face to face one.
A few hints, research the company, a rough idea of routes, traction, the ceo etc etc.
Then use the star technique ( use the search function on here for lots of examples).
The railway is very much safety orientated, maintaining concentration and dealing with emergencies so your background should help with that.
I can't help with the telephone interview stage as it wasn't part of it when I went through the process but I imagine it will be similar to the dtm face to face one.
A few hints, research the company, a rough idea of routes, traction, the ceo etc etc.
Then use the star technique ( use the search function on here for lots of examples).
The railway is very much safety orientated, maintaining concentration and dealing with emergencies so your background should help with that.
From what I understand the telephone interviews and group exercises have been introduced this time round in order to help shortlist candidates. As above I'm not sure what the telephone interview will consist of but a thorough understanding of what Northern is about will help. Facts, figures, vision, future etc.
The best advice I got was to remember that they aren't looking for someone who is a good cop, but someone who will be a good driver. Use your experience to give them the answers NORTHERN want to hear from a prospective driver.
From what I understand the telephone interviews and group exercises have been introduced this time round in order to help shortlist candidates. As above I'm not sure what the telephone interview will consist of but a thorough understanding of what Northern is about will help. Facts, figures, vision, future etc.
The best advice I got was to remember that they aren't looking for someone who is a good cop, but someone who will be a good driver. Use your experience to give them the answers NORTHERN want to hear from a prospective driver.
Hi, can I just ask when the closing date was for your application? I spoke to someone from Northern in early December about a telephone interview and I've not heard anything back yet. Was assuming it was just a backlog due to Christmas and New Year.
Best of luck! I've not had the telephone interview before but I have had a DMI and done the psychometrics so if you need any tips, let me know.
Hi, can I just ask when the closing date was for your application? I spoke to someone from Northern in early December about a telephone interview and I've not heard anything back yet. Was assuming it was just a backlog due to Christmas and New Year.
Best of luck! I've not had the telephone interview before but I have had a DMI and done the psychometrics so if you need any tips, let me know.
Hi, it was 23rd December 23:59 when the advert I applied for ended.
It could well be the backlog as the person I spoke to today informed me over 1300 people had applied for this latest vacancy.
I reckon the DMI would be so much harder, I will accept any advice you have please.
Is there a way to send a private message on here?
Hi, it was 23rd December 23:59 when the advert I applied for ended.
It could well be the backlog as the person I spoke to today informed me over 1300 people had applied for this latest vacancy.
I reckon the DMI would be so much harder, I will accept any advice you have please.
Is there a way to send a private message on here?
Cool. I've just checked my application and the closing date is now showing as 23/12/24. The closing date was actually the 08/12/24 so I'm guessing it was extended. I'll see if I can find out. It's been under consideration since early December, so no idea what's going on there.
1300 is not unusual for these roles, it's SO competitive. Did you get the results today?
My DMI (in 2023) was with 2 driver managers from Manchester. They were really nice and the interview was fairly relaxed. The questions will be all STAR type questions where they will ask you to describe a time where you did X Y or Z. If you google "train driver non technical skills" this should give you an idea about what they might ask. They won't ask anything train related as you'll be taught everything on the course, they are looking for transferable skills so it's nothing to panic about. I just made a list of different scenarios (I've done a LOT of these type of interviews over the years) and applied them to the relevant question when asked. So something about working under pressure, something to do with communication, something to do with attention to detail etc. Stick to the STAR format and you'll be fine. They might ask you to expand on your answer so be prepared to go into more detail.
Hi, it was 23rd December 23:59 when the advert I applied for ended.
It could well be the backlog as the person I spoke to today informed me over 1300 people had applied for this latest vacancy.
I reckon the DMI would be so much harder, I will accept any advice you have please.
Is there a way to send a private message on here?
Any advice on the call? I have mine tomorrow at 12pm.
I have previously gone through the process for Avanti in 2023, passed all the assessments but I was unfortunate not to get past the final DMI. I have applied a few times for Northern but each time the Application Process was halted and then removed so this is the first time I have gotten further in the application process.
Any advice on the call? I have mine tomorrow at 12pm.
I have previously gone through the process for Avanti in 2023, passed all the assessments but I was unfortunate not to get past the final DMI. I have applied a few times for Northern but each time the Application Process was halted and then removed so this is the first time I have gotten further in the application process.
Hi I'm so sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I've been busy all day and only just got chance to log on. How did it go? I didn't expect it to be as informal as it was. Ended up being 20 minutes in total. I'm keeping positive thoughts
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Cool. I've just checked my application and the closing date is now showing as 23/12/24. The closing date was actually the 08/12/24 so I'm guessing it was extended. I'll see if I can find out. It's been under consideration since early December, so no idea what's going on there.
1300 is not unusual for these roles, it's SO competitive. Did you get the results today?
My DMI (in 2023) was with 2 driver managers from Manchester. They were really nice and the interview was fairly relaxed. The questions will be all STAR type questions where they will ask you to describe a time where you did X Y or Z. If you google "train driver non technical skills" this should give you an idea about what they might ask. They won't ask anything train related as you'll be taught everything on the course, they are looking for transferable skills so it's nothing to panic about. I just made a list of different scenarios (I've done a LOT of these type of interviews over the years) and applied them to the relevant question when asked. So something about working under pressure, something to do with communication, something to do with attention to detail etc. Stick to the STAR format and you'll be fine. They might ask you to expand on your answer so be prepared to go into more detail.
Hi, that sounds strange that they've extended to the same recruitment drive as mine and you've not had the call before me I didn't know it was that competitive if I'm honest. I expected hundreds but not over a thousand.
The guy I spoke to was really nice, very informal chat and I even managed to have a laugh with him. I did ask about how he filters the applications and he said he can get rid of 500 within an hour based on distance, answers, right to work in the UK, convictions etc. I didn't get my results today, he mentioned it would take a bit of time. Have people been told the following day?
I really appreciate the advice, it's given me something to expect as I always imagine interviews to be like the dragons den with a panel of bosses
What was the test like after that? I've been told there's a group exercise with simulations to put you in scenarios as a train driver after the telephone interview. It must be a new form of recruitment process.
Hi I also applied and had a phone interview with a nice man recently too. He told me also over 1300 and that had been shifted down to 45 who were getting the telephone interviews. I’m brand new to applying so was shocked to get to this stage and I was so nervous on the phone. I answered the questions at depth and gave examples from previous workplaces. I was given my result on the phone call at the end, everyone may be different times.
Hi I also applied and had a phone interview with a nice man recently too. He told me also over 1300 and that had been shifted down to 45 who were getting the telephone interviews. I’m brand new to applying so was shocked to get to this stage and I was so nervous on the phone. I answered the questions at depth and gave examples from previous workplaces. I was given my result on the phone call at the end, everyone may be different times.
Hi, you're like me as it's my first time getting to this stage and i was shocked about the final 45. What did he say about results at the time? Was it a scoring or just you passed? I'm still waiting
I have no idea if it was scoring but I’m guessing it will be. I was asked about commitments in the coming months holidays and willing to do shifts etc and said he would see me at the next stage. Mentioned I would have an interview and the assessments but I have no idea what to expect, just waiting for details for when it is. I guessing they have a lot to get through and plan for so it’s just a matter of time ☺️
I have no idea if it was scoring but I’m guessing it will be. I was asked about commitments in the coming months holidays and willing to do shifts etc and said he would see me at the next stage. Mentioned I would have an interview and the assessments but I have no idea what to expect, just waiting for details for when it is. I guessing they have a lot to get through and plan for so it’s just a matter of time ☺️
I was having such an informal conversation that I didn't realise he had been asking questions for the interview. So I can only wait and see for the official result
Yes me I was told on the day of the telephone interview and will be there next week no idea what the new assessment has in store for us it’s making me more nervous
Yes me I was told on the day of the telephone interview and will be there next week no idea what the new assessment has in store for us it’s making me more nervous
I got told I would get an email with a date for the assessment/interview, should be beginning of Feb for me. Good luck with the assessment, did they not give you any hints about what it would involve?
Yes I got the email confirmation too it’s next week. I can imagine there’s lots of assessment dates happening depending where we all live. No I have no idea just said familiarise yourself with a cab and observations from there on YouTube no idea what to expect
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