Too old for GTR?

[fastfall]

I applied for GTR/1403 in March and passed the online assessments, 2 assessment days and the MMI over the following 4 months. I then had my DMI at the end of July. I had REALLY done my research on the TOC and compiled a potential list of 27 awkward questions and figured out and memorised the answers to those questions from my work/life experiences.

The interview was incredibly relaxed and whilst some of the questions were challenging there was nothing that I was unprepared for. I saw a post a few days later which I wish has been posted earlier as they were the exact same questions that I was asked!!

They were really impressed with my research of the TOC and stopped me to move on! On three questions, they said 'that was really impressive as you have answered another question we were going to ask', on the third occasion they said 'you have done it again, if only everyone made our life this easy'!

Outside of the ‘standard ask everyone questions’ we had long chats about the training, how long it would take (estimated 2 years now due to shortages of driver trainers), the new Ashford depot, the new TL route to Cambridge and so on.

At the end, they told me I would be contacted by XX or assistant (name given) to arrange my medical. XX would also forward my offer documentation and would look to book me on a course (which would likely be October/November but they advised me to contact XX to put myself forward in case of drop outs on a September course, I am available now)

I have had quite a few interviews in my time some successful and some unsuccessful but I have never had such as positive vibe as this one, as good as you are just the sort of person we are looking for etc .

So why after 3 weeks did I get an email saying thanks but no thanks! they did tell me at the interview that offers would have to be ‘rubberstamped’ by the operations manager/director (or similar) before personnel got in touch. So, what happened? I may be delusional over my interview performance and understanding of the feedback! But I don’t think so.

So, what else? I have to surmise that at 53, for GTR I am too old. Of course, thy won’t admit to that and I’m sure there are many 20/30/40 year olds just as suitable. However, I am incredibly fit for my age, I am constantly told I look 10 years younger, I regularly compete in marathons and triathlons. I love to work and if I got the job I could easily see myself giving 15 years + so where’s the problem?

I cannot even explain how gutted I am and how much of a mistake I believe GTR have made in dismissing my application like this and especially at the final stage.

On the plus side, I have 5 years (I think) before having to redo the assessments but on the downside, there are limited opportunities around Ashford, plus I won’t be getting any younger!

I am really considering writing a letter to someone higher up, now I may be flogging a dead horse but I wanted this job so much I feel I must explore every avenue.

Any thoughts??

 

[baz962]

I applied for GTR/1403 in March and passed the online assessments, 2 assessment days and the MMI over the following 4 months. I then had my DMI at the end of July. I had REALLY done my research on the TOC and compiled a potential list of 27 awkward questions and figured out and memorised the answers to those questions from my work/life experiences.

The interview was incredibly relaxed and whilst some of the questions were challenging there was nothing that I was unprepared for. I saw a post a few days later which I wish has been posted earlier as they were the exact same questions that I was asked!!

They were really impressed with my research of the TOC and stopped me to move on! On three questions, they said 'that was really impressive as you have answered another question we were going to ask', on the third occasion they said 'you have done it again, if only everyone made our life this easy'!

Outside of the ‘standard ask everyone questions’ we had long chats about the training, how long it would take (estimated 2 years now due to shortages of driver trainers), the new Ashford depot, the new TL route to Cambridge and so on.

At the end, they told me I would be contacted by XX or assistant (name given) to arrange my medical. XX would also forward my offer documentation and would look to book me on a course (which would likely be October/November but they advised me to contact XX to put myself forward in case of drop outs on a September course, I am available now)

I have had quite a few interviews in my time some successful and some unsuccessful but I have never had such as positive vibe as this one, as good as you are just the sort of person we are looking for etc .

So why after 3 weeks did I get an email saying thanks but no thanks! they did tell me at the interview that offers would have to be ‘rubberstamped’ by the operations manager/director (or similar) before personnel got in touch. So, what happened? I may be delusional over my interview performance and understanding of the feedback! But I don’t think so.

So, what else? I have to surmise that at 53, for GTR I am too old. Of course, thy won’t admit to that and I’m sure there are many 20/30/40 year olds just as suitable. However, I am incredibly fit for my age, I am constantly told I look 10 years younger, I regularly compete in marathons and triathlons. I love to work and if I got the job I could easily see myself giving 15 years + so where’s the problem?

I cannot even explain how gutted I am and how much of a mistake I believe GTR have made in dismissing my application like this and especially at the final stage.

On the plus side, I have 5 years (I think) before having to redo the assessments but on the downside, there are limited opportunities around Ashford, plus I won’t be getting any younger!

I am really considering writing a letter to someone higher up, now I may be flogging a dead horse but I wanted this job so much I feel I must explore every avenue.

Any thoughts??

Ah I feel for you I have done everything, just had dmi and my two interviewers said similar things , actually said wow you done your homework and upon answering one question said great thats exactly what I was looking for. At the end of the interview they didnt say I passed or not tho I was told they would mark it then it had to go to their boss to decide I am 47 and now upon reading your post I am worried

 

[Need2]

I wouldn't say youare too old, you wouldn't have got as far as you had otherwise.
I'm in training now and i'm 50 and there is definately some trainees older than me! (might be wishful thinking on my part)
Contact HR and ask them the reasons for the interview failure, they almost certainly will reply with the reason.
Good luck for the future.

 

[Lasbrisas]

I know someone the same age as you and is in training, I too am the same age and going through the application process, although I have also been offered a signalling job which was my other choice.

 

[baz962]

I wouldn't say youare too old, you wouldn't have got as far as you had otherwise.
I'm in training now and i'm 50 and there is definately some trainees older than me! (might be wishful thinking on my part)
Contact HR and ask them the reasons for the interview failure, they almost certainly will reply with the reason.
Good luck for the future.

Older thanks me or original op although you are by your own admittance lol

 

[whoosh]

I went for a Qualified Driver position with what was then First Capital Connect. Had an interview, then a few days later offered the job verbally on the telephone by a HR lady. She said they would 've in contact for a date for a Medical.

A week or so went by, and I got a phone call from the HR lady again. This'll be the date for the medical I thought, but no, the vacancies were being withdrawn. So that was that. I was especially annoyed as I had asked my existing employer to provide my ATOC train driving record information by this stage - so they knew I was looking to leave!


A couple of years went by and I applied again but for a different location. Same thing, had an interview, got phoned up and offered the job and was waiting for a date for the medical.
Then I got an email saying that, "due to the high standards of applicants you have unfortunately been unsuccessful on this occasion."

Three weeks later I then got a phone call asking if i was still interested and to arrange a time and date for a medical. Went for the medical and passed, and I received a phone call saying I would get a formal offer in the post, but the start date was quite a few months later!

Bizarre!

I've since learned that the recruitment of Drivers is subject to such a lot of issues such as existing Drivers transferring depots, and filling the various training courses up, that people are often bumped back to later start dates.
Sometimes, although it won't be applicable at the moment - but it might explain my first experience above, there is a recruitment freeze.

Unfortunately, it seems standard 'Dear John' emails are often sent out instead of proper information about what is actually going on.



Being 53 I don't think is an issue. Once you have done your training you will be productive for the rest of the franchise period. Which is as far as they are bothered about really.

 

[baz962]

I went for a Qualified Driver position with what was then First Capital Connect. Had an interview, then a few days later offered the job verbally on the telephone by a HR lady. She said they would 've in contact for a date for a Medical.

A week or so went by, and I got a phone call from the HR lady again. This'll be the date for the medical I thought, but no, the vacancies were being withdrawn. So that was that. I was especially annoyed as I had asked my existing employer to provide my ATOC train driving record information by this stage - so they knew I was looking to leave!


A couple of years went by and I applied again but for a different location. Same thing, had an interview, got phoned up and offered the job and was waiting for a date for the medical.
Then I got an email saying that, "due to the high standards of applicants you have unfortunately been unsuccessful on this occasion."

Three weeks later I then got a phone call asking if i was still interested and to arrange a time and date for a medical. Went for the medical and passed, and I received a phone call saying I would get a formal offer in the post, but the start date was quite a few months later!

Bizarre!

I've since learned that the recruitment of Drivers is subject to such a lot of issues such as existing Drivers transferring depots, and filling the various training courses up, that people are often bumped back to later start dates.
Sometimes, although it won't be applicable at the moment - but it might explain my first experience above, there is a recruitment freeze.

Unfortunately, it seems standard 'Dear John' emails are often sent out instead of proper information about what is actually going on.



Being 53 I don't think is an issue. Once you have done your training you will be productive for the rest of the franchise period. Which is as far as they are bothered about really.

Just seems strange though that the op had a great interview as well as passing everything. Bearing in mind they told me at mine they are recruiting 200 more trainees. The reason I am slightly concerned is apart from being told I would be phoned to arrange medical, it would seem that word for word our interview's were identical. I guess though that a career with an application process as involved as this with a dream job at the end seems so surreal that you start to second guess if you are successful as i sometimes pinch myself that I even got this far and so close, Yet possibly so far .

 

[donpoku]

Same thing happened to me, feedback was lack of 'working alone' experience. Hurt like hell at the time, told myself ok, what are you made of, stop feeling depressed and get back on the horse which is what I'm doing right now.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

 

[baz962]

Same thing happened to me, feedback was lack of 'working alone' experience. Hurt like hell at the time, told myself ok, what are you made of, stop feeling depressed and get back on the horse which is what I'm doing right now.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

What stage are you at now and anyway thats a poor excuse by them for 1. What can you do to amend that quit your current job for a lone role and 2. They seem to like taking on ex army and firemen and they dont work alone

 

[rwalk365]

I applied for Gtr/1403, passed everything, assessment, DMI and MMI. It's been since the end of June since I last passed something and waiting for medical, seems like they've filled all the positions, which is frustrating as hell. It's a brutal recruitment process, you think you've got to the end but in reality you're no where near.

 

[Need2]

They seem to like taking on ex army and firemen and they dont work alone

The reason they like taking on fireman, police and ex army is that there job is to take, understand and to act without question to any order or regulation given to them.

 

[baz962]

The reason they like taking on fireman, police and ex army is that there job is to take, understand and to act without question to any order or regulation given to them.

Yep do not dispute that but it Still means no experience of working alone is an excuse to ditch someone or does having no experience of working alone only count for ex forces or services besides I have read about ex office staff being taken on and they do not fulfil either that or ex forces/ services. I think they tailor the excuse to fit

 

[RedZed]

The reason they like taking on fireman, police and ex army is that there job is to take, understand and to act without question to any order or regulation given to them.

Not quite right... it has to be a 'lawful' order and in line with the training you have received.

EG, Officer orders me to put a loaded gun to my head and pull the trigger? It fails on both counts.

 

[donpoku]

What stage are you at now and anyway thats a poor excuse by them for 1. What can you do to amend that quit your current job for a lone role and 2. They seem to like taking on ex army and firemen and they dont work alone

God only knows but that's the reason they gave me. I'm still going for it and won't stop until I make it.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

 

[baz962]

God only knows but that's the reason they gave me. I'm still going for it and won't stop until I make it.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

What stage you at now is it just dmi for you mate