Signalling Maintenance Network Rail Help

[DylanUK]

Hi all, I've got an interview coming up for Operative Signalling Maintenance with Network Rail, I've had interviews for Track Maintenance & Off Track positions but have been unsuccessful unfortunately. I'm just curious if this interview will be different to one's I've had previously? Or is it still the competency based interview that I've had before? I was contacted by email by GBS Interviews rather than phone call for this one so that's different.

Thanks Guys
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Anyone?

 

[TomBoyd]

how long ago did you interview?

 

[JohnFM]

Did you have any feedback from your previous interviews?

Usually it'll be competency based as well as company history, why you want the role, what you can offer etc. Do your homework, avoid the cheesy lines and don't forget to smile!

No one interviews individuals in order to destroy them - They want you to do well.

 

[DylanUK]

Thanks for the replies guys, my last interview was only in September, I've rang and asked for feedback after all 3 interviews but have never gotten it unfortunately. This time as well I've had to reply to an email rather than get a phone call to schedule the interview. Could just be a case of them changing how recruitment works maybe?

 

[TomBoyd]

maybe...

were there 8 questions last time? Based around the non technical skills?

 

[DylanUK]

Don't think I had 8 questions but they were around the non technical skills.

 

[TomBoyd]

Don't think I had 8 questions but they were around the non technical skills.

Then I'm reasonably sure it hasn't changed.

 

[jsimp]

new this this, a few questions regarding operative roles, may have already been asked:
What is the shift allowance for operatives?
working in a construction worker background des this seem relevant enough experience to start as an operative?
Is anyone currently an operative for network rail ?

many thanks

 

[alxndr]

What is the shift allowance for operatives?

On my contract it's 10% for nights (1800-0600) and weekends (1800 on Friday to 0600 on Monday morning). Not sure if this has been standardised across the company.

working in a construction worker background does this seem relevant enough experience to start as an operative?

Based on the operatives I know it should be enough. Try to relate it to the non-technical skills and focus on safety aspects.

Is anyone currently an operative for network rail ?

I'm a technician, but more or less standing in for an operative at the moment.

 

[jsimp]

Thanks for the reply, that's good to know. Will keep trying as that seems to be the way to do it according to these forums. What kind of shifts do you do ?

 

[alxndr]

Thanks for the reply, that's good to know. Will keep trying as that seems to be the way to do it according to these forums. What kind of shifts do you do ?

In every 5 weeks we have:

4x 8hr weekday nights (2200-0600)
4x 8hr weekday lates (1400-2200)
4x 8hr weekday earlies (0600-1400)
3x 12hr weekend nights (1800-0600)
3x 12hr weekend days (0600-1800)
1x 7hr weekday (0700-1400)

What you work varies all over the country though, this is just one way of doing it. I think our roster is comparatively nice compared to some. Some places are on 35 hour weeks whereas others are 40 hour weeks, and other places don't always have 24 hour cover, which changes things again. Teams which are maintenance only might only do day shifts, not nights or lates, although still likely to do some weekends.

 

[jsimp]

Thanks again for the reply, I am looking to do mostly do nights with some days ect. Can you recomend what sort of operative would do this? Is there an one all roster? Sorry for all the questions but your answers have told me more than 2 months of searching so appreciate the insight.

 

[alxndr]

Thanks again for the reply, I am looking to do mostly do nights with some days ect. Can you recomend what sort of operative would do this? Is there an one all roster? Sorry for all the questions but your answers have told me more than 2 months of searching so appreciate the insight.

At our depot, no, you do the full range if you're part of a combined faulting and maintenance team, and the dedicated maintenance teams have a different roster which might be all days, or a mixture depending on need at the time. Other areas will handle it differently, so you might find something that fits your ideal better, but then again you might not.

You can of course put in for overtime if you want, which will probably get you some more nights as lots of people don't like them. I quite like them personally, so sometimes book a week of day shifts off and pick up plenty of nights in what would have been my regular rest days.

 

[jsimp]

Ok thanks for all the info currently completed and passes tests awaiting some communication from them will keep my eye open though hopefully will get there. And sorry spelling mistake in last post what I meant was on call roster ?

 

[alxndr]

Ok thanks for all the info currently completed and passes tests awaiting some communication from them will keep my eye open though hopefully will get there. And sorry spelling mistake in last post what I meant was on call roster ?

Ah no, no on call. Good luck!

 

[jsimp]

I must say 10% for nights was as surprise I was thinking 20 to 25%. Oh well not going to put me off. Is their much over time ect as some of the salaries are lowered that others, just curious on how that can be bumped up.

 

[alxndr]

I must say 10% for nights was as surprise I was thinking 20 to 25%. Oh well not going to put me off. Is their much over time ect as some of the salaries are lowered that others, just curious on how that can be bumped up.

Most people who want it get plenty, but that of course depends on how keen the management is to cover leave/sickness, the time of year, and how many people at the depot are after overtime.

It's not something you can rely on, but for a bit of added extra as and when it comes it's nice.

 

[jsimp]

Ah no, no on call. Good luck!

Hi just been trying to find pay structure of operatives/grading ect. I came across at something looking at NR pay ect and it said on a table an operative starting on 23k with overtime/shift allowance was over 30k per annum ? Does that seem about right or...

 

[alxndr]

Hi just been trying to find pay structure of operatives/grading ect. I came across at something looking at NR pay ect and it said on a table an operative starting on 23k with overtime/shift allowance was over 30k per annum ? Does that seem about right or...

I've never been an operative, so can't say for certain, and it would depend on how much overtime is available/you're willing to do and your specific contract, but I've done some basic maths on my most recent payslip and that sounds fairly reasonable.

 

[jsimp]

I've never been an operative, so can't say for certain, and it would depend on how much overtime is available/you're willing to do and your specific contract, but I've done some basic maths on my most recent payslip and that sounds fairly reasonable.

Oh well that's good to know. From the experience you have what department / operative role would do more nights than anything else ?