Not a Train but a Tram job

[Velvetee]

Hi,

I was hoping someone could be kind enough to give me some advice. Whilst I'm aware this is a Train Forum, I am unable to find anything similar pertaining to Trams.

Anyway, I have applied for a Trainee Tram Driver job and have so far passed the initial tests including the SCAAT test. The next part includes the face to face interview. I am rubbish at interviews as I become very nervous and start spouting jibberish or my mind goes blank and I can't provide reasonable answers.

Can anyone give me an insight into what questions I will be asked and how to compose myself and come across in the right way. Also, before even getting a face to face interview, I will have to pass a driving test. I'm presuming this will be in a car as they wouldn't let a complete novice loose in a Tram.

One of my concerns is I've driven Automatic cars for years and my current car is a semi automatic. I would assume the car I have to drive will be manual and I've booked 3 driving lessons in a manual car to refresh me. Has anyone done one of these driving tests, what are they looking for, apart from being a safe driver?

Thank you

 

[507 001]

Where is your interview for? I drive for metrolink.

We were asked things like;

What would you do in an emergency? (The answer was basically whatever I was taught in training, nothing more nothing less!)

What would you do if somebody comes to you and tells you they are being threatened? (Answer was sit them directly behind you so that you can see them directly)

What would you do if you felt tired whilst driving? (Answer was have a walk/open a window/put the air con on/drink coffee)

And then generic ones like have you ever worked alone for long periods of time before and have you ever had to work to a set of rules before.

Just keep calm and think each question through, for metrolink they were looking to see if you could follow company procedure and not just make stuff up!

As for the driving test I think it will more than likely be in a tram, I did one when I got my job on metrolink. It'll just be a quick jaunt up and down the depot if it's anything like ours.

I'd ring HR and ask them to confirm either way before you go spending money on driving lessons that you might not need. I can't see why they would need to give you a car driving test, trams and cars are completely different animals. As long as you have a clean driving license you should be fine.

Good luck!

 

[hughavinalaf]

Seems an appropriate place to enquire.....

As the 'job fair' was a complete waste of time and money........

Does anyone know when the PSR vacancies for Metrolink will go live? cheers

 

[citycat]

At our tram depot, you need to be able to drive the company car when required to ferry drivers during disruption on the system. That's why they give you a driving test, to see how you would handle a company vehicle which is a manual, not automatic.

Ours is a 30 minute test and they're just looking to see that you drive safely, have good observational skills, don't take risks at junctions etc. Pretty straightforward stuff.

 

[Velvetee]

Thank you all for your info. The job I've applied for is with First Group. I'll take the driving lessons anyway as I have an inkling it will be in their car.

 

[citycat]

If it's First Group, then it's Croydon Tramlink, my depot. Think I saw a girl taking her car test today, with one of our assessors. The company car is a Vauxhall Zafira for your information. Good luck with the test and interview.

 

[Velvetee]

Many thanks Citycat.

 

[JB25]

First own Croydon Tramlink do they? hock:

 

[185]

First own Croydon Tramlink do they? hock:

They wish they did.

They are the hired in contractor for TfL.

 

[doctorteatime]

Hi. I too am due to have interview at Croydon for tram driver job next week. Can you please let me know if at the end of training, the salary goes up to £35136, or whether it goes up to that in increments and also if there's a London weighting payment paid in addition.
Thanksyou

 

[martin2345uk]

Hi. I too am due to have interview at Croydon for tram driver job next week. Can you please let me know if at the end of training, the salary goes up to £35136, or whether it goes up to that in increments and also if there's a London weighting payment paid in addition.
Thanksyou

Wowsers, if only Manchester Metrolink paid that much I'd be able to consider it!!

 

[citycat]

I can't remember to be honest if it went straight up from training wage to full salary upon passing out, or whether it was after a few weeks? That amount includes London Weighting.

 

[doctorteatime]

Thanks citycat

 

[doctorteatime]

I have been offered the job, I'm made up!! Can you let me know please if overtime is usually available and if so, how many hours a week?

 

[beavercreek]

There is as much overtime as you want but there are strict rules.There must be Twelve hours rest period between shifts and no more than twelve consecutive days without a rest day.

 

[citycat]

I have been offered the job, I'm made up!! Can you let me know please if overtime is usually available and if so, how many hours a week?

Well done ! Just to let you know in advance that most classroom work on the training course is done during the day, but most of the practical tram driving training will be carried out overnight when the tram system is winding down or closed.

Overnight is the only time when training trams are available, and you can practise driving without messing up the timetable. The only time you will do daylight training is on a Sunday when it is a more relaxed timetable and training trams are readily available.

 

[doctorteatime]

Ok thanks for that. It's always good to get that sort of info before you start in a job.

 

[doctorteatime]

Looking forward to starting

 

[citycat]

This post now deleted.

 

[doctorteatime]

thanks for info

 

[New]

Hi. I too am due to have interview at Croydon for tram driver job next week. Can you please let me know if at the end of training, the salary goes up to £35136, or whether it goes up to that in increments and also if there's a London weighting payment paid in addition.
Thanksyou

Hi doctorcteatime I am highly interested in becoming a tram driver. I have been on the Tfl website and have seen no vacancies, I was wondering how you applied for the job and if uno about any current vacancies as I live in Croydon.

 

[doctorteatime]

Hi. I applied for the job via Directgov. I was put on a holding list and advised that start date would probably be September. Still waiting to hear.
I would keep checking on both Directgov and First Group website to see if they're advertising for drivers.
Good luck!

 

[New]

Thanks a lot will defiantly give that a try. Congratulations on your new job!

 

[Holi117]

Hi everybody. I stumbled across this forum and wondered if anybody can help. A couple of years ago my partner applied for tram driver vacancy, he got through and was told he would be invited to interview, a few months later he got an email saying there were no vacancies actually available and to reapply when the next vacancy was listed as due to data protection they couldnt hold his details anymore... Since then he checks the websites all the time but there never seem to be any vacancies - yet we both keep hearing of people (friends of friends) being offered positions!

He has been a bus driver at merton garage for 7 or 8 years and is desperate for abit of a change (and abit more money ha!)... I just wondered (to those in the know) are there (trainee) driver jobs available very often? Are people getting in through the back door because they know the right person (before vacancy is even advertised)?? Finally - can anybody tell me any other ways he can try and get his foot in the door?

He is getting so frustrated that he was so near yet so far and that people seem to be getting jobs (when he keeps being told there are none).

Many thanks to anybody who can offer any advice or words of wisdom