SE trainee driver manager interview question

[FunkyJazzanova]

Hi, I'm due for the Managers Interview with SouthEastern anytime now.

Several people have suggested that I will be asked to demonstrate experience of handling Emergency Situations. Is this right?

If so, how could I gain suitable experience in advance of the interview?
I don't have emergency experience and it's extremely unlikely in my current I.T. job.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gekko5154]

Many congrats on getting passed the assessments and MMI!
I had my DM for Southeastern approx 2 weeks ago and was told I was successful 2 days later. The whole process was very quick from date of application (End of August) to successfully completing everything including DM (Mid November) and have a start date in March pending medical.

Before my DM I spent hours on this forum compiling a list of possible questions and having answers for each of them only to go in the interview with not one of the questions being asked (including the emergency situation you are talking about) lol.

First of all you should go to the TOC where your interview will be held and ask to speak to the train manager(who most probaly will be the one conducting the interview along with another person). You wanna ask him about the TOC and the role of a driver and why it's good to work for Southeastern also what he expects of you as an employee. Make it clear you are not coming for the interview questions just an insight into the role.
This builds rapport with the manager before the interview and shows enthusiasm and motivation and this tip is worth its weight in gold!

Make sure you have done your research into the company. It's imperative you know about the current fleet, how much people they employ, knowledge of the lines and routes (the route you will be driving) and make sure you know who the MD is (Managing director) also the values of the company. They will be impressed with this knowledge. I didn't know who the MD was or how much people they employ or the values and thought I wouldn't get it but they said my interview went really well. I don't want anybody to make the same mistake as me so make sure you know it!

It doesn't matter if you come from a IT background or bakery or you're a full time parent at home what's important is that you have a full understanding of the role and responsibilities of a train driver and how you can merge that into your work or home life.

The DM questions can be very random so prepare for basic typical interview questions like:
*Have you ever been criticised and how did you take it and how you resolved the situation
*Name one thing you don't like about your current workplace
*Tell us about a time you made a mistake and who you told about the mistake and how you resolved it
*Why is it important to wear a uniform
I was asked those questions plus a few more and had to think on the spot lol.

Also why do you want to become a train driver and why should they pick you?

I want us all the succeed so I try my best to help. Sorry for the long post guys and good luck.
.

 

[ComUtoR]

Several people have suggested that I will be asked to demonstrate experience of handling Emergency Situations. Is this right?

I thought the MMI had the question where you needed to have been in an emergency situation. I haven't heard it asked at DM interview level. Is this for a Drivers role and have you been through the assessment process already ?

 

[FunkyJazzanova]

Thanks for the info and congratulations on your start date.
I wasn't sure about the Emergency Situation experience hence asking. There's so much contradicting advice on forums it's good to get a clear picture. Thank you.

Am amazed the whole process went so fast for you. I originally applied back in August 2014 and didn't get the assessment day until July this year - passed that and am playing the waiting game again.

Infact when they wrote to me back in early summer i had all but given up hope of hearing from SE. Keepin' my fingers and toes crossed

 

[Kev.]

Hi, I'm due for the Managers Interview with SouthEastern anytime now.

Several people have suggested that I will be asked to demonstrate experience of handling Emergency Situations. Is this right?

If so, how could I gain suitable experience in advance of the interview?
I don't have emergency experience and it's extremely unlikely in my current I.T. job.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It does'nt have to be an emergency situation in you work, it can be one in your personnal life. I used a personnal situation in my DMI and it was exceptable.

Good Luck

 

[FunkyJazzanova]

Thanks for the help guys.
Am still waiting for the interview, the most recent communication from SE stated that it won't happen until 2018!
The slowest recruitment procedure in history?? I first applied back in the summer of 2014 !!!!
urgh.

 

[Gemz91]

I was asked for an emergency situation in both my MMI and interview with the driver manager. I would expect all driver manager interviews vary depending on TOC's.

Two days before my interview a large tree blew down outside my house during a storm and crushed the back of a passing car, perfect situation for my interview. Not much help to you though unless you happen to be a storm soon!

 

[PaulO76]

I was asked for an emergency situation in both my MMI and interview with the driver manager. I would expect all driver manager interviews vary depending on TOC's.

Two days before my interview a large tree blew down outside my house during a storm and crushed the back of a passing car, perfect situation for my interview. Not much help to you though unless you happen to be a storm soon!

Can you use the same examples if they come up in both the DMI and MMI???

 

[FunkyJazzanova]

Am pleased to report that I finally have the interview in the second week of August, nearly two years to when I initially applied!

Time to start cramming all the stats here and on SE's website.