I just wanted to express my gratitude to this forum and to all it's members who have contributed with information and knowledge about the train driver assessments and interviews.
In September 2014 I decided upon a career change, I wanted to become a train driver despite never having previously considered myself for the role. I did lots of research and discovered this fantastic forum and learnt that I had to keep an eye out for threads confirming trainee positions. In October 2014 member OpsWeb (thank you!) posted a link to the Thameslink vacancies and I thankfully saw it in time to submit my application.
I didn't hear anything back and thought that I must have fallen at the sift, particularly after reading other members who had been successful and were now sitting assessments. I wasn't too disappointed as it was my first application and I just thought must do better next time.
Then on the 29th of January I receive an email confirming that I've been invited to attend the first stage of assessments, I was so surprised but obviously overjoyed at the same time. I made sure I put the effort in practising on the materials they sent and I used the search engine on this forum to gain as much information as I could, which was invaluable.
I then sat the first stage of the assessments in London and met some great people who had more invaluable advice and were very encouraging, it was refreshing to be amongst people who were effectively my competitors but were still forthcoming and willing to offer any advice they could give. We were all in it together and we all encouraged each other, great stuff!
I made it through the day and on to the second stage of assessments in Watford and was starting to gain real belief that I could be successful, initially it was all a bit of the unknown but now I was really getting a taste for it. The lads on the second stage were familiar faces and again it was all about encouraging each other and being positive (although I do recall that after each stage of each assessment very few of us believed we had done enough to get through).
Again I managed to make it through and I was really starting to dream about this becoming a reality, one more good interview and I'll be there.
I had the final interview today and came out thinking yeah that was ok, could of done this, should have said this but ultimately I gave a good account of myself and left a positive impression IMO. I was told they would let me know by the end of next week but was hoping for something sooner. I then literally walk through the door coming back from the DM interview and the phone rings, it's GTR and they are basically offering me a conditional offer
the lady said I scored so well that they had to offer me a position, I was left completely gobsmacked 
hock: it still hasn't quite sank in. Just waiting on a course start date now.
I really dont think I'd have been successful if I hadn't found this fantastic forum it truly has been an invaluable source of knowledge, thank you to all of those contributors
One piece of advice I will give is do your homework on the TOC, you need to show them that you know who you are hoping to work for. Routes, CEO, future investments/projects, history it all helps to leave a good impression.
Will let you know when I get a confirmed date.
Ramble over.
Cheers!
In September 2014 I decided upon a career change, I wanted to become a train driver despite never having previously considered myself for the role. I did lots of research and discovered this fantastic forum and learnt that I had to keep an eye out for threads confirming trainee positions. In October 2014 member OpsWeb (thank you!) posted a link to the Thameslink vacancies and I thankfully saw it in time to submit my application.
I didn't hear anything back and thought that I must have fallen at the sift, particularly after reading other members who had been successful and were now sitting assessments. I wasn't too disappointed as it was my first application and I just thought must do better next time.
Then on the 29th of January I receive an email confirming that I've been invited to attend the first stage of assessments, I was so surprised but obviously overjoyed at the same time. I made sure I put the effort in practising on the materials they sent and I used the search engine on this forum to gain as much information as I could, which was invaluable.
I then sat the first stage of the assessments in London and met some great people who had more invaluable advice and were very encouraging, it was refreshing to be amongst people who were effectively my competitors but were still forthcoming and willing to offer any advice they could give. We were all in it together and we all encouraged each other, great stuff!
I made it through the day and on to the second stage of assessments in Watford and was starting to gain real belief that I could be successful, initially it was all a bit of the unknown but now I was really getting a taste for it. The lads on the second stage were familiar faces and again it was all about encouraging each other and being positive (although I do recall that after each stage of each assessment very few of us believed we had done enough to get through).
Again I managed to make it through and I was really starting to dream about this becoming a reality, one more good interview and I'll be there.
I had the final interview today and came out thinking yeah that was ok, could of done this, should have said this but ultimately I gave a good account of myself and left a positive impression IMO. I was told they would let me know by the end of next week but was hoping for something sooner. I then literally walk through the door coming back from the DM interview and the phone rings, it's GTR and they are basically offering me a conditional offer
the lady said I scored so well that they had to offer me a position, I was left completely gobsmacked hock: it still hasn't quite sank in. Just waiting on a course start date now.I really dont think I'd have been successful if I hadn't found this fantastic forum it truly has been an invaluable source of knowledge, thank you to all of those contributors
One piece of advice I will give is do your homework on the TOC, you need to show them that you know who you are hoping to work for. Routes, CEO, future investments/projects, history it all helps to leave a good impression.
Will let you know when I get a confirmed date.
Ramble over.
Cheers!
