OBS recruitment process

[DingoDog]

Morning all, I have applied for the role of an OBS with Southern and am wondering if anyone could shed some light on the recruitment process? I have had a search through the forum but I have mostly found info on the trainee train driver journey and not much at all about becoming an OBS. I have had my application accepted and have an online test to do this weekend, if I pass this I’m invited to a assessment centre but after that I’m in the dark. From what I’ve read about the train driver role it is a long and drawn out affair, but I imagine the OBS application to be a shorter process.

Also is it still a role that is frowned upon? Most of the talk on the forum about the role was from when it was first created and understandably there was a lot of negativity and anger towards it.

Any info would be much appreciated

X

 

[Bonneville91]

I'm guessing you've gone for the OBS Eastbourne position? The online test will include about a 40 minutes maths test with varying prices of tickets with discounts and you have to work these out quickly and efficiently. I can't remember how this test begins to be fair so sorry I can't help that much.

From what I remember on the assessment days, it begins with a group discussion with you and your team setting up a fictitious health and safety briefing. You'll be given a list each and firstly on your own you will choose your top 6 choices. After 5 minutes or so you and the team will discuss each others choices and as a group deciding on the top 6 with one person feeding this back to the assessors. What they're looking for on here is the candidates listening skills to the other team, those who are able to get their point across in a dignified manner and be willing to change your views if you feel the other person has a good point. Don't sit in silence!

The next stage is the trainability test where you're given 8 paragraphs to read and remember. Make sure you read these through carefully but also quickly. These will be taken from you and you'll sit there for 5 minutes then the test paper will be given out. after a pause you'll have to answer questions based on the paragraphs you've just read. These are multiple choice. These questions will have subtle differences. For example: what colour was the fire exit sign?
A- white background with green 'exit'
B- white background with green 'EXIT'
C- green background with white ''EXIT'
D- green background with white 'exit'

Providing you pass this stage you'll then go into role play.

You're given time to write down a vague plan of how you'll approach this as you'll be given material to work from. This will be taken from you whilst you wait your turn. When it's your turn you will be given your plan back to you and then a scenario will also be given to you which changes the aspect of things such as trains being delayed by an hour etc.

You'll go back into the room where a mock train carriage awaits you. Walk in make your announcement then patrol the trains. They're looking for good posture, how you speak, how you deal with the confused or agitated 'customer' (the assessor), if you make a mistake they want to see how quickly you recover yourself. It's less daunting than it sounds.

Good luck with it all

 

[Bonneville91]

The assessment day is also half a day so not as long as the driver assessments.

I think the negativity was due to a lot of conductors, guards and revenue losing their positions and being forced into the role that no longer requires them to be safety critical, their hours were extended to accommodate the new role. If you embrace it for what it is it it a good starting position. Also bringing in the OBS on the same money for less responsibility didn't help matters.

After seeing the introduction of DOO on southern, all the negative things are on their way down now as drivers do their job and the OBS does theirs. It works well on the whole.

 

[DingoDog]

@Bonneville91 Thank you very much for your reply, I now feel more prepared for what is to come. It is the Eastbourne position that I have applied for. I will sit down and do my online test tomorrow morning and wait to hear.

 

[Bonneville91]

Hope it goes well. The online test is pretty straight forward. My advice would be have a calculator to hand. Helps with speed. Whilst on the job the tablet which they use to do the tickets does all the calculations anyway.

I actually think it's only 4 paragraphs not 8.

If you pass everything you'll most likely be interviewed by Carolina (OBS manager Eastbourne and the brighton OBS manager.

 

[Bonneville91]

How did the online test go?

 

[DingoDog]

I think it went well. I am confident with all my answers, just a little worried that I may have taken a bit too long on the maths test. I finished well within the allowed time but did double check a few answers. No news on how I did yet but the deadline was Monday afternoon so early days still. Will let you know when I hear.

 

[DingoDog]

@Bonneville91 Got the email last week telling me I'd been shortlisted to attend an assessment day on the 26th of this month so all went well in the online tests. Now have to prepare myself for the role play

 

[Bonneville91]

That's awesome news. Good luck with it

If there's anything else you want to know just drop me a message

 

[DingoDog]

@Bonneville91 thanks again, one last question before the assessment day. Dress code is stated as 'Smart, comfortable attire.' I was planning to wear a suit and tie, do you think this will be okay or a bit too much? Don't want to turn up and feel like a wally straight away .

 

[Bonneville91]

I know what you mean, I've always worn suit and tie for these things and it is usually common practise. Have seen a couple in questionable clothing and I didn't see them at the end of the assessments.

After sitting 2 of the OBS assessments and passing them, everyone has also worn suit and tie.

Always look your best, can't harm

Good luck

 

[Stigy]

@Bonneville91 thanks again, one last question before the assessment day. Dress code is stated as 'Smart, comfortable attire.' I was planning to wear a suit and tie, do you think this will be okay or a bit too much? Don't want to turn up and feel like a wally straight away .

Suit and tie 100% won’t do you any harm. Far better to be a little bit over dressed than to turn up under dressed. Even if you wore a shirt, trousers and tie, or a suit with no tie. All acceptable in my opinion.

 

[DingoDog]

Completed the assessment day today successfully and am waiting an appointment for an interview. Wore the suit and tie as you all suggested and was glad I did. @Bonneville91 your description of the day was pretty much spot on so thank you for that. Any ideas what sort of questions I can expect in the interview?

 

[Bonneville91]

Glad to hear it. Can't remember the sort of questions during the interview. Started off with the usual why did you apply for this role, what do you know about the company, what do you know about the role. You get the usual competency based questions "tell me a time you had to......" I do have a list of some practise questions another user sent me, always good to be prepared. I'll DM you these.

Glad I haven't forgotten how it went. How was the role play? Always odd in an unnatural setting.

 

[MB93]

@Bonneville91 Would you mind also sending me the list of practice questions? Thanks.

 

[micklon15]

Hi Guys. I have applied for the position in Croydon. What route would I be doing from there and what kind of training should I expect? Will I need to do route learning? Any Safety training?

Thank you

 

[DingoDog]

Glad to hear it. Can't remember the sort of questions during the interview. Started off with the usual why did you apply for this role, what do you know about the company, what do you know about the role. You get the usual competency based questions "tell me a time you had to......" I do have a list of some practise questions another user sent me, always good to be prepared. I'll DM you these.

Glad I haven't forgotten how it went. How was the role play? Always odd in an unnatural setting.

Did not enjoy the role play at all, but I wasn't expecting to. Got a bit flustered at first when dealing with the irate customer as I wasn't expecting them to be so angry right away but once I gathered my thoughts I took my time dealing with them and turned out it didn't go to bad.

 

[Emmsie]

Hi Guys. I have applied for the position in Croydon. What route would I be doing from there and what kind of training should I expect? Will I need to do route learning? Any Safety training?

Thank you

I think there are a lot of East Grinsteads. Used to get quite a few Horshams and Brightons but it might have changed. Nice people working there but as there are no resource managers based there you call Selhurst so it can be quite lonely depending on shift times. Also used to get all the 1st trains and last trains and there is no on site parking so be prepared to get cabs from Purley if on very early.

 

[Lharry84]

Glad to hear it. Can't remember the sort of questions during the interview. Started off with the usual why did you apply for this role, what do you know about the company, what do you know about the role. You get the usual competency based questions "tell me a time you had to......" I do have a list of some practise questions another user sent me, always good to be prepared. I'll DM you these.

Glad I haven't forgotten how it went. How was the role play? Always odd in an unnatural setting.

@Bonneville91 is there any chance you could DM me the questions aswell please as I have an interview coming up shortly thanks.

 

[tryingsohard]

I was quite surprised to also see the lack of topics in the forum surrounding recruitment for this position. Everything described so far is identical to what I've experienced so far though. I have my interview coming up soon too. Good luck