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NorthernRail Trainee drivers 2013
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Eduardo
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- 7 Jun 2011
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Aw no mate. I'm gutted for you. :cry::cry:
At least you know you can nail the other tests. Something to work on for next time pal.
Do you know how many got through?
There was 4 of us there today and 2(including myself) went home before the reaction test so im not sure how the other 2 got on.
Eduardo
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Keep at it mate. Having done it gives you a huge advantage for the next time. 
I'm still waiting to hear as well jesslin, although I only got my email saying I'd been short listed 2 weeks ago, and it did say 4 to 6 weeks. I'm guessing they'd send all the Leeds emails out at the same time though.
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Just rang HR about the Leeds trainee role, the woman said they are having some delays due to readvertising the role but we should expect to hear something by the end of NEXT week. I also asked if they had any idea of the start date for the role for successful candidates and she said nothing had been confirmed yet. Looks like the wait goes on for some of us!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just rang HR about the Leeds trainee role, the woman said they are having some delays due to readvertising the role but we should expect to hear something by the end of NEXT week. I also asked if they had any idea of the start date for the role for successful candidates and she said nothing had been confirmed yet. Looks like the wait goes on for some of us!
Eduardo
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Does anyone have a copy of the original job spec from the advert for trainee drivers (shifts) as per the last Leeds advert? (I assume other depots / same job were the same). Cramming for my first DTM interview tommorow, just thought I might need to make reference to this and stupidly I didnt copy it down, its not on the site any more?
daddy_badger
Member
A bit late I guess but if anyone else would like this info please let me know and ill post it. Believe its a generic blurb for the position.
Well, had my DTM interview yesterday, and unlike others I hated it and did not do well. Gutted. Thought I was good at interviews as well. People have said its like an informal chat, I didnt find that at all. It was friendly enough, the manager was alright, the only other person there was a personnel type woman who just took notes. But it was very structured; I was just not prepared for the amount of example answers needed; must have been at least 7; I didn't have enough, or the right ones, and ended up scratching around for inappropriate answers to the wrong questions. Thinking about it now I reckon I would have struggled even if had known the questions and had a month to prepare (unless I invented things; sorry but working in an office there just hasn't been a time I improved safety in the workplace).
Gutted anyway. Really unsure if I could ever get past that interview. And I have heard the assessment day interview is the same but much, much worse..
Good luck to everyone else, I am going to cry into my beer.
JC
Gutted anyway. Really unsure if I could ever get past that interview. And I have heard the assessment day interview is the same but much, much worse..
Good luck to everyone else, I am going to cry into my beer.
JC
driver9000
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It's not over until they tell you it's over! Keep positive and keep your chin up
If it isn't your turn this time round, dust yourself off and try again.
Hey mate, don't worry yet. I thought it was a nice informal chat and thought I did alright, but I failed. I thought I had decent examples for each, so I think I must have explained them poorly. You may have done better than you thought! Chin up! For reference it took about 10 days for me to hear back!
Hey - sudden update on my tear-stained missive of 2 posts ago - just got the email to say passed and on to assessment stage! I am genuinely amazed. Sidekick - gutted for you mate, really thought you had that stage nailed. I wish I could give you advice for next time but I genuinely dont know what I scored well on. Would like to find out actually, if possible. I just suppose you never really know, and a lot must be down to the whim of a manager - at that stage especially. I think the interviews at assessment day are much worse and more down to point-scoring.
d9000 - ta for the encouragement. Onwards & upwards.
JC
d9000 - ta for the encouragement. Onwards & upwards.
JC
Eduardo
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Hey, well done JC, that's a great result.
Like I said to you, never assume anything, til you get the results back.
Now you need to do as much as you can in preparing for the assessment day.
You'll be sent some practice material through which is very useful and obviously you'll be going through that with a fine tooth comb.
I found the CBI on assessment day far more comfortable than the DTM interview, purely because they only ask you about the examples you have written down. Also you get 25 minutes to think about the material and write it down.
The DTM interview is a lot more spontaneous. Although you should have memorised varous examples in your head, you still don't know whats coming in the way of questions.
As far as interviews go, you've done the more difficult bit.
Well done and good luck for the rest of the process mate.
Like I said to you, never assume anything, til you get the results back.
Now you need to do as much as you can in preparing for the assessment day.
You'll be sent some practice material through which is very useful and obviously you'll be going through that with a fine tooth comb.
I found the CBI on assessment day far more comfortable than the DTM interview, purely because they only ask you about the examples you have written down. Also you get 25 minutes to think about the material and write it down.
The DTM interview is a lot more spontaneous. Although you should have memorised varous examples in your head, you still don't know whats coming in the way of questions.
As far as interviews go, you've done the more difficult bit.
Well done and good luck for the rest of the process mate.
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Hi, first post on here, although I have read the site a lot throughout the application process, thanks for all your help, I have my assessments in Doncaster next week! Really happy to get through my DTM interview!
I know there is a lot of information on it elsewhere and I have the practice materials Northern have sent me, but just wondered if anyone could give me directions to the best threads regarding preparing for these assessments or just tell me in here what to really expect and how to prepare.
Are there any books that are worth buying with practice material in them?
Thanks
I know there is a lot of information on it elsewhere and I have the practice materials Northern have sent me, but just wondered if anyone could give me directions to the best threads regarding preparing for these assessments or just tell me in here what to really expect and how to prepare.
Are there any books that are worth buying with practice material in them?
Thanks
Well done mate,
when is your start date? is it June 10th by any chance? Also is anyone else on here confirmed for a course in June?
Ive got my assessments in donny tomorrow, only got reactions and interview though so really hammering the interview responses.
Depending on who you listen too there's varying accounts of how difficult it is. Some say its like being on 'The Apprentice' interviews (if youve ever watch the BBC1 show youll know they are horrendous) and some say they are fine!!
Im preparing for the worst though!
Good luck to all and who knows we may meet soon on a course!
Just stay calm and relaxed! Think about your response and give as much detail as possible. Also have back up examples because they will ask you for another example if your written example is not strong enough. Mine was a lot less relaxed than 'The Apprentice' interviews although i could just have had a nice interviewer
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Cheers Ed - I will cram like crazy on those examples again - they need to be better and more fleshed-out as it were. And I need more detail. Cheers for all the advice. I have the Bourdon and Scaat tool, any other material where I can practice the tests (rather than the interview bit) or learn about them?
Chris - dont have a start date - I wish! Just passed the DTM interview and been told to wait for a assesment day.
Lefty - did you do the DTM interview in Leeds last week? I'm trying to work out how long between the interview and the assesment day as I have a big holiday coming up very soon...
Chris - dont have a start date - I wish! Just passed the DTM interview and been told to wait for a assesment day.
Lefty - did you do the DTM interview in Leeds last week? I'm trying to work out how long between the interview and the assesment day as I have a big holiday coming up very soon...
Well done mate! Good effort. If you want feedback from your assessment Northern should provide it, they gave me feedback which really highlighted my weak areas, and it really made sense when I saw it. It was definitely useful for the interviews I've had since.
Luckily I've been doing assessments with a different TOC since then, current awaiting results on CBI and DM after passing all other tests with an apparently high grade! I'm not too confident on the CBI as I found it to be a real grilling and 1 question in particular was a massive pain even though I thought I was well prepared! Everyone seems to have a different experience of it though, it may just be down to the assessor you have for the test!
If you passed your DM interview I think you'll find the CBI interview easy, as you can find the questions you are asked easily here:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=532586&postcount=8
Prepare those, including the 2 sub questions and you'll be cock on. They definitely asked me for numerous examples of each, so be prepared for that. I can't really provide much further advice as I'm not sure I passed them unfortunately!
The GBT and DGT seem the most difficult really so just use the programs available on here, but get your head around the practice material for the TRP 1/2 and you should have no problems. I honestly thing these psychometric tests are being over complicated by many on here, if you can stay calm, level headed and concentrate highly for the duration of the tests you should have no problem with any of them!
Good luck when you find out the dates for your assessments anyway!
I had my interview on the 17th April, and have my assessment day on the 2nd May, so just over 2 weeks between them for me, but it could be different depending on where your applying for.
Gutted - just had an invite to assessment, guess what I am on holiday, the only 2 goddamn weeks of the year that would have fallen on.... I know people will say bin the holiday and to be honest if it was a job offer I might have. But I'm looking at a loss of £3k (and untold damage to my marriage) for something that is still only a chance of a job rather than a job, so no can do.
But I am desperate to reschedule if at all possible. Does anyone know if it is ever possible to ask them for a different date? And if I have to blow it out am I subject to the 6 month rule or, say if they are recruiting again in 3 months can I just go for asessment or do I have to start again with application, DTM interview again etc? Also I would really rather speak to them rather than email if I can
But I am desperate to reschedule if at all possible. Does anyone know if it is ever possible to ask them for a different date? And if I have to blow it out am I subject to the 6 month rule or, say if they are recruiting again in 3 months can I just go for asessment or do I have to start again with application, DTM interview again etc? Also I would really rather speak to them rather than email if I can
JCLeeds, where are you going on holiday? Have you thought about flying home for the day of the medical? If it's in Europe you could probably get a return flight home for the day for not a lot of money. Have a look on some of the price comparison sites such as Kayak or Expedia. You might be surprised what you can find! Hope you can sort it anyway!
It was an assessment not a medical.
JCLeeds, PM sent to you.
You should be able to reschedule no problem. Not sure about 2 weeks difference mind.
Unfortunately I will be in Bali, which is a 16 hr - each way, minimum - journey, and at least £700 return ticket
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Thanks to everyone that sent PM's. Spoke to Northern HR - they cant reschedule the assessment day in time for the June intake but have said they will put me through the assessment as soon as they can anyway; the DTM interview pass lasts 6 months apparently. Bad news is they dont think they will be taking more on in Leeds until 'towards end of the year'.
- which would also mean I would need to do the DTM interview again... So, overall, unhappy but at least not end of the line yet.Good luck lads with upcoming assessments
NI 271
Member
Bad news is they dont think they will be taking more on in Leeds until 'towards end of the year'.
You've passed it once, absolutely no reason you won't do even better next time round. Bit of self-belief, that's what you need.
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