Train Manager / Guard FGW

[Georgiegirl]

Hiya

Just after a comparison of timescales and any other experiences as I am beginning to lose hope (or think I've been forgotten!)

Applied for Train Mgr FGW last July. Had assessment in Plymouth on October 28th 2013. Status on HRSmart website updated to 'successful at full assessment' but no other contact email / phone etc.

Followed up with the lady who had arranged the assessment day and she replied a couple of times saying that they were awaiting instructions from HR manager and didn't expect any news until after Christmas.

Feb 2014 - checked the HRsmart website and saw that the date on my application had changed to closing date 3/3/14 and still 'successful at full assessment'
Emailed again mid March - email bounced as lady had left the company, so I emailed the firstgroup email address and got the reply that they were awaiting instructions and someone would update me shortly.
Emailed again end of March requesting a rough guide to timescale, due to the length of time since my original application, and explained that I didn't want to mess anyone around and had been 'filling in' with temporary work, waiting to hear back.
No reply so far. I feel like I'm hassling FGW now, but I'm eager to work for them and anxious that I have been 'forgotten'. Almost just want a yes or a no now!
I tried to check the HRSmart website for progress and it says 'user deactivated' I am hopeful that this is a glitch rather than a rather strange way to tell someone they are now unsuccessful?

Any thoughts / experiences welcome. I've been offered a job elsewhere and I'm stalling for time because whilst it's ok, it's not really what I want to do and I don't like to mess people around as I know how much the hiring process costs. I want to work for FGW but I am going to run out of money waiting and doing odd jobs soon! :cry:

 

[hughavinalaf]

Look after yourself would be my advice.Continue to pursue a career on the railway,however,while doing such,take the 'other' job and get some money in.

In this day and age,opportunities are few and far between,holding out for a job that may never materialise wouldn't be wise imo.

 

[Georgiegirl]

Thankyou

I'm not out of money - yet - and was hoping to 'get by' with a mix of self employment, doing projects for friends and a little hospitality work in the tourist season. I'm not one for messing people around and I have (touchwood!) found it relatively easy to find temporary work. It's mostly low paid, but it covers some bills while I pursue my 'dream job'.

It would be good to hear other people's experiences, in case this is a typical timescale. It's hard to know, being from outside the industry, whether recruitment communications is normally like this, or whether the process is faster / slower in the experience of others.

Happy trails!

 

[tlionhart]

In this age of employment, I wouldn't think twice and take the other job. Today your just a number and can easily be replaced. By taking the other job, you will certainly get the ball rolling. How often or not, you take this new job that's not with First the chances are they will contact you. Sod's law. Also the other job will build experience. So go for it, especially if for now you feel you'll enjoy doing that more to what your doing now.

 

[Georgiegirl]

Yes the Law of Sod does seem to mean that the second I send this acceptance letter in, the phone will be ringing off the hook with eager FGW HR people desperately offering me interviews / cakes / amazing jobs I know it!