Shortlisting average timescales

[rriley27]

Interested to hear how long you all had to wait for a response.
Seems to take ages.

 

[LCC106]

Submitted my application end of October, initial interview mid November, 2 x assessment centres 2nd or 3rd week in December, job offer (conditional) 22 December, medical 03 Jan, start date 23 Jan (but that was for a definite advertised start date which may explain speed).

 

[Urban Gateline]

Share your experiences with the shortlisting with everyone, please folks.
Thanks.
Interested to hear how long you all had to wait for a response.
Seems to take ages.

I agree it does take ages, but I suppose it depends on the TOC and the role in question as to how long it will take, I am sure that the recruitment process is much slower for higher grades like Drivers and Guards, but for Platform and Gateline roles it doesn't take quite as long. Also you have to take into consideration that around the Christmas period not much will go on in HR departments so it's nearly like a void period where no progress is made at all.

For the Gateline role I am in now, It only took about 2 weeks after applying for SWT to get back to me and offer a place at assessment. For a Guards role I have applied for, I have waited over 5 weeks and heard nothing back yet (called HR who said they are still sifting through applications).

 

[LCC106]

Adding to molesey boy, when I went for my initial interview an administrator (who used to be a guard) told me they receive literally hundreds of applications per position so that's a heck of a lot to sift through! There are only so many hours in the day...

 

[Urban Gateline]

Adding to molesey boy, when I went for my initial interview an administrator (who used to be a guard) told me they receive literally hundreds of applications per position so that's a heck of a lot to sift through! There are only so many hours in the day...

Very true, although the vacancy I applied for is an internal only one, so I would not expect hundreds to apply, or at least not as many as an external vacancy! I accept that I am just an impatient person though, hate being kept hanging!

 

[rriley27]

Adding to molesey boy, when I went for my initial interview an administrator (who used to be a guard) told me they receive literally hundreds of applications per position so that's a heck of a lot to sift through! There are only so many hours in the day...

Yes, true.

 

[387star]

Did not know there were internal only jobs because I thought all had to be advertised externally?

For my job I had the Assessment in August then a short wait for the interview. It took almost three weeks to hear I was successful.

My medical was in September.

I started with the company for my induction week in November before undergoing almost three weeks of training (not that many compared to some roles)

I then had a further two to three weeks of training on the job

 

[Urban Gateline]

Not a surprise ml, the start date always seems so far away after the medical!

SWT have an internal vacancy list which is issued twice a month. It always has many more roles than are advertised on the external SWT site. Maybe all the roles on the Intenal lists are speculative

 

[Beveridges]

Did not know there were internal only jobs because I thought all had to be advertised externally?

I have known several vacancies to be advertised Internally only, and never even go external at all, so that proves that not all vacancies have to be advertised external. Many do not go external at all. Especially Despatch roles as it gives Gateline/Cleaners the opportunity for progression.

 

[Sun!]

Hi

I have applied for a graduate job at Arriva Trains Wales which closed 31/12/11.
Any idea when shortlisting takes place?
The job doesnt start until September so im not expecting it to be speedy.

Also any idea of what happens at assesments and interviews?

Thanks

(PS- also any idea what 'reference' means? Is it the total number of applications?)

 

[ushawk]

Southern got back to me within 2 weeks, invited me for an assessment 3 weeks after that, unfortunately i didnt pass the assessment and have to wait 6 months to re-apply, but thats off-topic

Generally faster than other people ive applied for.

 

[387star]

What position was that for? I haven't had much luck with all the Assessments either but thankfully am now working for Southern

 

[route101]

Quite often with Scotrail you are left waiting a month or 2. One app was rejected straight away and the other was shorlisted but rejected before the closing date.

 

[ushawk]

What position was that for? I haven't had much luck with all the Assessments either but thankfully am now working for Southern

That was Gateline at Brighton, although the assessors did say they really hope i apply again as i was close to passing.

 

[Urban Gateline]

That was Gateline at Brighton, although the assessors did say they really hope i apply again as i was close to passing.

You sure you want to go for Gateline? It's not all that its hyped up to be!

 

[telecaster]

You sure you want to go for Gateline? It's not all that its hyped up to be!

oh yes it is! and more,

 

[ushawk]

I thought it looked like a good place to start, from past work im used to standing for long hours so im used to that, cant be that bad

 

[telecaster]

job going at eastbourne on the gateline too on the southern website ..might be one for you ushawk..

 

[ushawk]

I saw that, cant apply for it because Southern have a policy saying that you must wait 6 months before re-applying - which is a shame but understandable.