Trainee Train Driver Blackpool

[Philippabarber]

Hi everyone,

I recently got shortlisted for the trainee train driver role in Blackpool. I have been for an interview in Preston and got sent to complete psychometric tests in Leeds.

I have passed all tests, however, due to a high volume of candidates, they can’t offer me a job at this time and my application has been put on hold.

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get offered a job? I am very eager to start as I’m sure everyone else is and would like to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Thanks

 

[WBFC345]

Hi everyone,

I recently got shortlisted for the trainee train driver role in Blackpool. I have been for an interview in Preston and got sent to complete psychometric tests in Leeds.

I have passed all tests, however, due to a high volume of candidates, they can’t offer me a job at this time and my application has been put on hold.

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get offered a job? I am very eager to start as I’m sure everyone else is and would like to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Thanks

Dm me as I’m in the same position as you so I can share some info with you

 

[OnlyM]

Northern rail waste everyone’s time. Believe me. They send you to assessments send you to interviews. Then change there mind and say the jobs are no longer available.

 

[Newapplicant]

During my interview, I was told that this might be the case. They wait for you to pass your psychometrics then your application gets put into a holding pool for up to 9 months, they generally only take those with the highest psychometric grades. If you are unable to be picked within 9 months you then have to go back to the beginning again and re-apply and interview however you don't have to undertake the psychometrics due to them being valid for 5 years.

 

[HammerDown154]

When did you apply for the Blackpool post? Thanks

 

[AG1994]

You’ve now got what other companies want, apply everywhere else.

Don’t be one of the ones that now sits thinking you’ve got the job until your psychometrics expire and you’re back to square one. Apply for any job in your area, freight or passenger, and put on your application that you’ve passed psychometrics to Northern’s standards.

 

[Philippabarber]

When did you apply for the Blackpool post? Thanks

It was back in December

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Mar 2023 ==

During my interview, I was told that this might be the case. They wait for you to pass your psychometrics then your application gets put into a holding pool for up to 9 months, they generally only take those with the highest psychometric grades. If you are unable to be picked within 9 months you then have to go back to the beginning again and re-apply and interview however you don't have to undertake the psychometrics due to them being valid for 5 years.

Ahh okay thank you!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Mar 2023 ==

You’ve now got what other companies want, apply everywhere else.

Don’t be one of the ones that now sits thinking you’ve got the job until your psychometrics expire and you’re back to square one. Apply for any job in your area, freight or passenger, and put on your application that you’ve passed psychometrics to Northern’s standards.

Thank you. I’m applying for every trainee train driver job I can find. Someone mentioned there’s a different interview at the end of the psychometric tests depending on the TOC. Would mine with Northern still be valid for somewhere like Avanti for example? Thanks

 

[AG1994]

Thank you. I’m applying for every trainee train driver job I can find. Someone mentioned there’s a different interview at the end of the psychometric tests depending on the TOC. Would mine with Northern still be valid for somewhere like Avanti for example? Thanks

So for Avanti they use an alternative to the MMI called the CBI, I’d recommend not taking that unless you’re willing to risk turning your pass to a fail.

All of the other TOC and FOCs use the same tests so there is a good chance you already have all the testing required so all you’d have to sit is DMIs which are the company interviews - failing this doesn’t change anything for you, it’s not recorded and all it usually means is you can’t apply for that company for 6 months.

Some TOCs like additional tests but I believe at Northern you’ve probably done most of them, if you were to fail one of these additional tests I don’t think it changes anything for you. For example if you haven’t sat the DFFT and now fail it somewhere else, that’s one of your chances to pass the DFFT gone but it isn’t a psychometrics fail. Northern would be none the wiser.

Best thing you can do is if you get to final stages elsewhere and they want you to sit tests, come on here to ask what they are so people can advise the risk level.

 

[Philippabarber]

So for Avanti they use an alternative to the MMI called the CBI, I’d recommend not taking that unless you’re willing to risk turning your pass to a fail.

All of the other TOC and FOCs use the same tests so there is a good chance you already have all the testing required so all you’d have to sit is DMIs which are the company interviews - failing this doesn’t change anything for you, it’s not recorded and all it usually means is you can’t apply for that company for 6 months.

Some TOCs like additional tests but I believe at Northern you’ve probably done most of them, if you were to fail one of these additional tests I don’t think it changes anything for you. For example if you haven’t sat the DFFT and now fail it somewhere else, that’s one of your chances to pass the DFFT gone but it isn’t a psychometrics fail. Northern would be none the wiser.

Best thing you can do is if you get to final stages elsewhere and they want you to sit tests, come on here to ask what they are so people can advise the risk level.

Thank you! I’ve applied for Avanti anyway so I’ll definitely ask for some advice if I get through to the tests again. Hopefully I hear back from Northern before then

 

[EWI1999]

Have you heard anything?

 

[SteveL9]

Northern rail waste everyone’s time. Believe me. They send you to assessments send you to interviews. Then change there mind and say the jobs are no longer available.

They only take the highest scorers from the recruitment process, same as every other company I imagine.