Southern conductor assesment

[leonardos84]

I recently applied for southern conductor role, and on my applicant page on their site it says 'Invite to assessment' but i am yet to receive practice materials. Has anyone recently done the assessment? how are the questions asked and what does it entails. Help please.
Best regards..
Leonard

 

[GriffoBrighton]

Hey Leonardo, I just applied too for Brighton. Let us know how you get on.

 

[leonardos84]

Well i reckon if you pass through the screening stage then we should be taking the assesment same day then... Good luck mate
Just wish someone could enlighten on what test they do.

 

[GriffoBrighton]

Hey Leonardo, did you get past the screening mate??

 

[leonardos84]

Hey Leonardo, did you get past the screening mate??

Yh i did mate....on my applicant home page it says "Invite for assessment". But havent received an email from them, how did u do ursef? did you get past the screening?

 

[GriffoBrighton]

Yeah I got an email to say I passed the screening so I am now waiting for another message to see what is happening next.

 

[playmore64]

Good luck guys

I was unable to apply for this post because of their 30min radius rule! shame really.

I challenged the 30min radius rule with HR highlighting if one is willing to relocate on a permanent basis I think they should be given the equal opportunity to apply regardless of their current location.

If you were dismiss anyone outside the 30minute radius who maybe qualified to take on the role then that is an opportunity missed by the business.

I am in a position to locate anywhere in the country so perhaps one should be given the benefit of the doubt.

Fell on deaf ears....

 

[Central Trains]

Good luck guys

I was unable to apply for this post because of their 30min radius rule! shame really.

I challenged the 30min radius rule with HR highlighting if one is willing to relocate on a permanent basis I think they should be given the equal opportunity to apply regardless of their current location.

If you were dismiss anyone outside the 30minute radius who maybe qualified to take on the role then that is an opportunity missed by the business.

I am in a position to locate anywhere in the country so perhaps one should be given the benefit of the doubt.

Fell on deaf ears....

Thats the same situation I had with XC - stating I would be happy to relocate. But I was told to move to the area to then be considered. Surely you get a job then move?! Pretty pathetic I thought.

 

[387star]

I say go ahead and apply anyway.., you never know

 

[GriffoBrighton]

Playmore, sorry to hear that fella. I have had the knock back for the trams in Croydon twice now for the same reason. I know that the 30 minutes commute is written in stone.

 

[leonardos84]

yh i got that email long ago...i reckon the assesment date will be sent pretty soon, and also the 30mins or 45 mins rule is applicable to all TOC, i reckon the rule should be relaxed a lil....

 

[sarahj]

The 30-45 min rule is simple, when you start work at 4.30 in the morning, the last thing you want is a long commute. Here at Brighton, even people coming in from Eastbourne find the commute heavy going and the last thing you want at the start of a 8 hour plus shift is to be miffed off from a long commute. Again, when your end time is 02.00, do you want to start a 40 min trip home? And each day is different, one day your start time is 4.30, the next, 6.40, the next 5.04. Remember the railway is NOT a 9-5 job and not a job in an office where you come in from a long commute in, have a nice chill out and slowly move into your job, within about 10 mins of your sign on time you might be in charge of a 12 car 377 with a 1000 passengers, do you realy want a long commute on your mind?

Anyway, as for the assesment, southern will write to you soon with info on your assesment, day, place (will be east croydon) and some examples of what will be asked and happen. Look though what you get, but dont get to hung up, they are only an idea on what might happen. at mind the questioned were different and the style of tests as well.

Your day will go like this:
1 Welcome, check on who you are. Make sure you bring some ID, passport, NI card. On my day someone did not even do this and were on their way home within 10 mins.
Test 1
If you pass, you move onto Test 2
If you pass, you move onto Test 3
There will also be a role playing excercise.

I was told I'd passed and then got a letter inviting me to an interview at the depot.

So, what I can say is when you go, have a clear mind, take your time, READ the questions, and dont worry if you dont finnish the excercise in the time.
And good luck, might see you out there one day.

Oh and while the coffee is free at knolly's, its not in your depot

SJ

 

[leonardos84]

The 30-45 min rule is simple, when you start work at 4.30 in the morning, the last thing you want is a long commute. Here at Brighton, even people coming in from Eastbourne find the commute heavy going and the last thing you want at the start of a 8 hour plus shift is to be miffed off from a long commute. Again, when your end time is 02.00, do you want to start a 40 min trip home? And each day is different, one day your start time is 4.30, the next, 6.40, the next 5.04. Remember the railway is NOT a 9-5 job and not a job in an office where you come in from a long commute in, have a nice chill out and slowly move into your job, within about 10 mins of your sign on time you might be in charge of a 12 car 377 with a 1000 passengers, do you realy want a long commute on your mind?

Anyway, as for the assesment, southern will write to you soon with info on your assesment, day, place (will be east croydon) and some examples of what will be asked and happen. Look though what you get, but dont get to hung up, they are only an idea on what might happen. at mind the questioned were different and the style of tests as well.

Your day will go like this:
1 Welcome, check on who you are. Make sure you bring some ID, passport, NI card. On my day someone did not even do this and were on their way home within 10 mins.
Test 1
If you pass, you move onto Test 2
If you pass, you move onto Test 3
There will also be a role playing excercise.

I was told I'd passed and then got a letter inviting me to an interview at the depot.

So, what I can say is when you go, have a clear mind, take your time, READ the questions, and dont worry if you dont finnish the excercise in the time.
And good luck, might see you out there one day.

Oh and while the coffee is free at knolly's, its not in your depot

SJ

Passed assessment yesterday...just waiting for interview date with the line manager....

 

[sarahj]

Hope you took advantage of the free drinks machine at knollys?

Glad you made it, of the 7 that was there on my day, only me and one other passed. Good luck in the interview. Where are you going to be based?

SJ

 

[leonardos84]

Selhurst depot, dave rudman just called, will be having my interview on wednesday with piero....Any hint and advice on the interview?

 

[GriffoBrighton]

Hey Sarah, I have applied for Brighton. I am still waiting for my assessment day. Thanks for the post with all the information. Could you let me know what your roster is like on a typical week? Thanks a million
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Leonardo can you let me know what the assessment day was like???
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Sarah, one more thing. What's the working pattern in Brighton??

 

[sarahj]

Well, you do a week of earlies, then a week of lates. Each day is different,
eg this week my start times were:
15.34,14.23,13.34,14.23,14.54
Yesterday with my start time of 14.23 my job was this
Brighton to Barnham 377
Barnham to Brighton 377
Hove Shuttle 313
Brighton to Littlehampton 313
Littlehamton to Portsmouth and Southsea 313
PMS to Littlehampton 313
Littlehampton to Haywards Heath 377
Pass back to Brighton
(last night was on a 442, threw 5 people out of first class)

Today its
Pass to Haywards Heath
HHE to Vic
Victoria to Ore (nice mid rush hour train)
Ore to Eastbourne
EBN to Ore
Ore to Brighton

We have just introduced a new roster at Brighton. Work 5 weeks, get one off

If your based at Brighton you will work 313, 377 and 442 and work:
Brighton Main line to both Vic and London B
West Coast to Portsmouth
East coast to Ore (including Wivelsfield to Lewes via Plumpton)
Seaford Branch
Arun Valley line (Three Bridges to Ford)

Good luck

 

[GriffoBrighton]

Thats brilliant Sarah, thanks a million. Is that on a 5 on 2 off pattern or 6 and 3???

 

[leonardos84]

Hey Sarah, I have applied for Brighton. I am still waiting for my assessment day. Thanks for the post with all the information. Could you let me know what your roster is like on a typical week? Thanks a million
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Leonardo can you let me know what the assessment day was like???
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Sarah, one more thing. What's the working pattern in Brighton??

Assessment day was just how sarahj described it above....we were 8 in number, dont know if any other person got through tho, cos i only had one assessment to write which was the concentration test, had past all others when i did for revenue protection but didnt go through in final interview, it was the first test we had, pretty calm and cool environment. You should do fine tho anytime you get your invite...Hopefully i might be working as a conductor then. Wish you all da best.

 

[sarahj]

Alas, its things like, work 4 get one off, work 6 get one off, work 3 get one off, work 7 get one off, work 6 get one week off.
Forget weekends, going out with your mates on a friday, sat night.
You get many sundays off, but sometimes you finnish at 2 on sat night/sun morn and are back in at 4.30 monday am.
There is also a night shift turn at Brighton, 7 days in a row, but you do get a few days off after.
What you find is that some people cannot hack it and will leave in less than a year, while some will be there for ever.
If you like going out and getting drunk every weekend with your mates, you wont like the job.
If you like bank holidays and long weekends, you wont like the job
I used to work in the hotel industry before I came here and people would turn up wanting a job but saying I dont want to work evenings and weekends, well then you dont want a job in the hotel industry, also applies on the trains.
If you want 9-4 mon fri go work in a office
If you want 9-5 with evenings free, go work in a shop
If you want to work 7 days shift pattens, where even a hint of drink or drugs will get you a P45, come and work on the railway.
Pluses, while you might start at 4 or 5am, you will be done by say 2 or 3, perhaps less. If you live close, you can be home in 10 mins or so, but you will be in bed by 9.

SJ

 

[GriffoBrighton]

Thanks for all this info Sarah, its really helping me build a picture of what its going to be like.

What hours are the night shift turn??

I am guessing that there is no set turn pattern like the one I mentioned, 5 & 2 or 6 & 3. It seems that regardless of how many days you do at work, you only ever get one day off at a time then a week off after your 5 working blocks. Is this set in stone or do you ever get more than one consecutive day off??? Is there a regulated scheme for rest like there is when youre a pilot or a lorry driver???

 

[leonardos84]

For me, i dont mind, bring any shift pattern on and am rite dere, i currently live 10mins walk to the depot, and even if it takes me living rite in front of it, i will do it....lol

 

[GriffoBrighton]

I think its your interview today Leonardo All the best mate

 

[leonardos84]

I think its your interview today Leonardo All the best mate

Thanks mate.....

 

[GriffoBrighton]

How did it go Leonardo???

 

[leonardos84]

How did it go Leonardo???

Was ok i would say.....the guys were very friendly, they make you be @ease. It was pretty ok. Now have to wait for the longest two weeks of mi life....lol.

 

[387star]

Hey Sarah, I have applied for Brighton. I am still waiting for my assessment day. Thanks for the post with all the information. Could you let me know what your roster is like on a typical week? Thanks a million
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Leonardo can you let me know what the assessment day was like???
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Sarah, one more thing. What's the working pattern in Brighton??

I took it and passed and if I can do it.. was my second shot as failed concentration test first time. That test is dead easy if you understand the principle ie pay attention to what is being asked!

I won't be considered for brighton though as too far have to wait for a vacancy at a depot nearer
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Alas, its things like, work 4 get one off, work 6 get one off, work 3 get one off, work 7 get one off, work 6 get one week off.
Forget weekends, going out with your mates on a friday, sat night.
You get many sundays off, but sometimes you finnish at 2 on sat night/sun morn and are back in at 4.30 monday am.
There is also a night shift turn at Brighton, 7 days in a row, but you do get a few days off after.
What you find is that some people cannot hack it and will leave in less than a year, while some will be there for ever.
If you like going out and getting drunk every weekend with your mates, you wont like the job.
If you like bank holidays and long weekends, you wont like the job
I used to work in the hotel industry before I came here and people would turn up wanting a job but saying I dont want to work evenings and weekends, well then you dont want a job in the hotel industry, also applies on the trains.
If you want 9-4 mon fri go work in a office
If you want 9-5 with evenings free, go work in a shop
If you want to work 7 days shift pattens, where even a hint of drink or drugs will get you a P45, come and work on the railway.
Pluses, while you might start at 4 or 5am, you will be done by say 2 or 3, perhaps less. If you live close, you can be home in 10 mins or so, but you will be in bed by 9.

SJ

I work for southern and get one night off a week two if lucky and only three nights every 4/5 weeks.. given working nights eats into your days can't be any worse than 2 real days off a month!

 

[leonardos84]

I applied to southwest trains as well, and they just offered me the position @clapham junction, start date is 14th of january...think will just stick to southwest even if I get offered d southern....

 

[Vicpaul]

I applied to southwest trains as well, and they just offered me the position @clapham junction, start date is 14th of january...think will just stick to southwest even if I get offered d southern....

A wise move, conductors positions are more secure over at SWT

 

[tony6499]

A wise move, conductors positions are more secure over at SWT

In what way ?