Trainee Driver Application - Scotrail

[G42]

Thought I would share my experience of applying for Scotrail...

I had considered applying for the trainee driver position in Glasgow but didn’t do anything about it in time for the closing date. This time, when I saw the advert for Ayr, I decided to go for it. I am fortunate, that I live halfway between Glasgow and Ayr so could travel in either direction is less than an hour.

I've read bits and bobs on here about how troublesome the First Group recruitment site can be... I realise now what people mean!

The site seemed to continually think I was completing a speculative application therefore it wouldn’t take me to the second page of questions relating to the job. Then I clicked onto the 'check status of application' section where it said I had completed the application last week (?!). I remember quickly entering data onto the first page in order to get to the specific questions on the second page so that I could think about them but I don't recall submitting the application at that stage!

In the end, I ‘removed self from consideration’ and re-registered with a different email address. This time, I was able to get into the vacancy and apply which took me onto the second page successfully. This presented its own problems however as when I tried to upload my CV, it was rejected on the basis that my contact email address contained with the CV differed to that which I entered in the application.

When I began answering questions on the second page, I noticed there was nowhere to ‘save progress so far’ or similar which I found odd given the length of time candidates are likely to spend on this page. Not wishing to leave anything to chance, I entered all my answers on MS Word and pasted them across. I’m glad I did now as when I tried to submit the application, it had timed out!

I'm hoping I have put enough detail into my answers and managed to get across my experience within a safety critical role etc.

After all of that, I eventually got the application successfully submitted. It is now showing as ‘awaiting shortlisting’ so I will keep you posted!

 

[apestyler]

It's certainly quite a challenging website to use at times, but I'm glad you managed to get your app in - for what its worth I didn't bother with the CV upload option and just put the required information directly to the 1st page of the application.

Good luck with your application and let us know how you get on ... I've applied for the Glasgow driver roles and my assessments are on Thursday, been practising like crazy but still bricking it a bit :roll:

 

[G42]

It's certainly quite a challenging website to use at times, but I'm glad you managed to get your app in - for what its worth I didn't bother with the CV upload option and just put the required information directly to the 1st page of the application.

Good luck with your application and let us know how you get on ... I've applied for the Glasgow driver roles and my assessments are on Thursday, been practising like crazy but still bricking it a bit :roll:

Thanks!

Thats interesting then, what was the turn around from closing date to finding out that you were selected for assessment? Is the interview a separate stage from this or on the same day?

 

[apestyler]

I got my practice tests through roughly 10 days after the closing date. Website didn't update from 'Awaiting shortlisting' until the following week.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh and in regards to assessments and interview they appear to be split over 2 days:

1st Assessment Day:

Group Bourdon, Mech Comp and TRP

2nd Assessment Day:

Interview and Reaction test

 

[G42]

The closing date for Aberdeen Perth and Ayr has just been extended to the 16th August.

...after me spending all of yesterday trying to get it submitted in time for the deadline!

I'm guessing that means they don't think they have enough applicants?

 

[Greenback]

Or people may have experienced their own problems witht he site, reported them and in sufficient numbers for the deadline to be extended!

 

[apestyler]

The deadline extension seems to happen to every vacancy I see on that site where it's train ops based or another area of ScotRail. I'm also wondering if they need a certain number of applications before they can start the sift ... although trainee driver positions are extremely disrable so not sure why they would be lacking in the application area.

Checked with my other half and she's said there are quite a number of internal driver vacancies - I'm guessing from the sheer numbers of drivers they require it's forced them to go external with the applications we've both applied for

 

[G42]

The deadline extension seems to happen to every vacancy I see on that site where it's train ops based or another area of ScotRail. I'm also wondering if they need a certain number of applications before they can start the sift ... although trainee driver positions are extremely disrable so not sure why they would be lacking in the application area.

Checked with my other half and she's said there are quite a number of internal driver vacancies - I'm guessing from the sheer numbers of drivers they require it's forced them to go external with the applications we've both applied for

Interesting, guess it gives me more time to prepare for the assessments.

I guess its handy having an insider insight!

 

[apestyler]

It certainly is handy for information about possible upcoming external vacancies. I'm wondering if ScotRail are doing some forward planning as there might be quite a few drivers retiring in the next couple of years.

 

[G42]

Thank you for your application for the position of Trainee Train Driver [First ScotRail] at AYR Rail Station with First.

For each of the roles we advertise, we look for certain skills. Your application form is looked at and previous roles and skills are taken into account when shortlisting.

To help us to schedule interviews fairly and to ensure we see the right candidates, a minimum pass mark is set to each vacancy and in this case, unfortunately you have not been successful.

Whilst you have not been successful with your application for this role, you may still apply for a different role which may be advertised at the same time. Please note that as you have been unsuccessful at this stage, we will not be able to give you specific feedback on which areas that did not meet our criteria - this is to ensure fairness to all candidates.

Thank you for your interest in working for First. May we take this opportunity to wish you well in your future career.

Yours sincerely

The FirstGroup Resourcing Team

Oh well... rather shocked at this, given that they have just extended the deadline yet shortlisted me out already.

 

[Vandal]

And yet for anyone that had their application failed at any stage, even without actually being shortlisted, they can't re-apply for 6 months.

I phoned up the number on the website about this and got put through to a lady somewhere in the South of England. I told her I wanted to talk directly to someone from Scotrail Recruitment and I was told that that was not possible.

Edited to wish all those who have been successful this far, Good Luck.

 

[apestyler]

Hi Vandal - It's a rather unfortunate and harsh rule I agree ... I know you want to speak to them but maybe try e-mailing them at the following address advising that you want to speak to someone?

scotrail.jobenquiries@firstgroup.com

Really not sure if this address just forwards onto the standard careers@firstgroup.com but might be worth a go.

Don't despair and keep trying ... I've been knocked by 5 times over 5 years before getting to this point. Just had to get over the knock backs and keep at it!

 

[Vandal]

I've already done all that, but Thanks for the links.

No further forward though.

 

[iceman0303]

It's certainly quite a challenging website to use at times, but I'm glad you managed to get your app in - for what its worth I didn't bother with the CV upload option and just put the required information directly to the 1st page of the application.

Good luck with your application and let us know how you get on ... I've applied for the Glasgow driver roles and my assessments are on Thursday, been practising like crazy but still bricking it a bit :roll:

Did you pass your assessments mate

 

[apestyler]

Hi Iceman,

Yes I did thanks for asking - Just waiting for my manager interview date now. When are your assessments?

 

[iceman0303]

Well done mate

 

[ooer]

I'm guessing that means they don't think they have enough applicants?

Nope. I was told they had recieved hundreds of applications.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'm posting as an illustration of the frustrating & incomprehensible logic being used by First Scot Rail's application process. Before you think this all sounds like sour grapes, allow me to elaborate & add some perspective.

Firstly
I had already sailed through First Group's selection, Group Bourdon test, mental comprehension/safety awareness testing, interview, medical & enhanced disclosure to be offered a role with Tramlink Croydon; therefore, I was clearly capable of doing the same with First Scot Rail whose application process & skillset requirement was virtually identical... or was I?

A few examples of the skills criteria & how I stacked up against them.
1 - Staff to live within a set distance of the station: I would relocate.
2 - Technical aptitude: I have been an IT manager for Xerox in charge of all Barclays assets & provided 3rd line IT support.
3 - Ability to follow procedures: I literally wrote the procedure manuals for Xerox.
4 - Experience dealing with emergencies: I have worked alongside the emergency services for 6 years.
5 - Passing & Receiving information: I have 1.25 MILLION one on one customer transactions for British Telecom.

In every requirement I excelled, so surely it wouldn't take a HR mastermind long to figure out I would make pretty good candidate? Nope. Not according to Scot Rail.
First Scot Rail response: "...a minimum pass mark is set to each vacancy and in this case, unfortunately you have not been successful." :?
Baffled? Yeah, me too.

I contacted First HR to find out how they could conceivably maintain that I did not meet even the minimum requirements when it was impossible to contest that I very clearly exceeded all of them. First Scot Rail responded: "...we have hundreds of applications at the same level as [My Name] and are unable to process everyone."

Now I appreciate there will always be more qualified than myself & I know that hundreds apply for a Mainline Driver roles & congratulations to those of you who were successful, but, come on! Hundreds, all with the same level of experience? To quote Dr Evil's highly sceptical tone,"Riiiiiiiiiight." If I only had 5 years of work experience, maybe it would be a valid argument. But now, to add insult to injury, they have readvertised the [insert expletive deleted here] roles!

It would be interesting to know a little backgound of those who did get past this first stage, to help me figure out where I failed. I am at a complete loss to explain it. For example: Do you already live in Scotland, or already work in the rail industry etc? My thanks in advance to anyone who can provide some illumination.

Curious synchronicity
I was informed by First HR that the simultaneous rejection from First Scot Rail & the confirmation of a start date & contract for First Group Tramlink Croydon (after 2 months of no updates) on exactly the same day was... pure coincidence. The two are 'separate companies', I was told & HR did not influence the decision. Yet, as I sign the contract for Tramlink, I cannot reapply for any mainline role within First Group for 6 very long months & in this regard, suddenly, First Scot Rail, First Great Western etc all become one big happy company again. Now that's a 'flexible' corporate structure.

 

[Freightliner66]

Nope. I was told they had recieved hundreds of applications.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'm posting as an illustration of the frustrating & incomprehensible logic being used by First Scot Rail's application process. Before you think this all sounds like sour grapes, allow me to elaborate & add some perspective.

Firstly
I had already sailed through First Group's selection, Group Bourdon test, mental comprehension/safety awareness testing, interview, medical & enhanced disclosure to be offered a role with Tramlink Croydon; therefore, I was clearly capable of doing the same with First Scot Rail whose application process & skillset requirement was virtually identical... or was I?

A few examples of the skills criteria & how I stacked up against them.
1 - Staff to live within a set distance of the station: I would relocate.
2 - Technical aptitude: I have been an IT manager for Xerox in charge of all Barclays assets & provided 3rd line IT support.
3 - Ability to follow procedures: I literally wrote the procedure manuals for Xerox.
4 - Experience dealing with emergencies: I have worked alongside the emergency services for 6 years.
5 - Passing & Receiving information: I have 1.25 MILLION one on one customer transactions for British Telecom.

In every requirement I excelled, so surely it wouldn't take a HR mastermind long to figure out I would make pretty good candidate? Nope. Not according to Scot Rail.
First Scot Rail response: "...a minimum pass mark is set to each vacancy and in this case, unfortunately you have not been successful." :?
Baffled? Yeah, me too.

I contacted First HR to find out how they could conceivably maintain that I did not meet even the minimum requirements when it was impossible to contest that I very clearly exceeded all of them. First Scot Rail responded: "...we have hundreds of applications at the same level as [My Name] and are unable to process everyone."

Now I appreciate there will always be more qualified than myself & I know that hundreds apply for a Mainline Driver roles & congratulations to those of you who were successful, but, come on! Hundreds, all with the same level of experience? To quote Dr Evil's highly sceptical tone,"Riiiiiiiiiight." If I only had 5 years of work experience, maybe it would be a valid argument. But now, to add insult to injury, they have readvertised the [insert expletive deleted here] roles!

It would be interesting to know a little backgound of those who did get past this first stage, to help me figure out where I failed. I am at a complete loss to explain it. For example: Do you already live in Scotland, or already work in the rail industry etc? My thanks in advance to anyone who can provide some illumination.

Curious synchronicity
I was informed by First HR that the simultaneous rejection from First Scot Rail & the confirmation of a start date & contract for First Group Tramlink Croydon (after 2 months of no updates) on exactly the same day was... pure coincidence. The two are 'separate companies', I was told & HR did not influence the decision. Yet, as I sign the contract for Tramlink, I cannot reapply for any mainline role within First Group for 6 very long months & in this regard, suddenly, First Scot Rail, First Great Western etc all become one big happy company again. Now that's a 'flexible' corporate structure.

It's a bummer that you didnt get in mate, to be honest though when you contacted them, im surprised you even got a reply. They dont seem like the most organised/efficient company in the world. Having said that when you have literally hundreds of applications for each post I suppose you can afford to not give a toss about people.