Trainee Train Driver for NXEA

[W1]

yeah just recieved news today, i got the job..... MAN IM ECSTATIC, ANYONE GOT ANY NEWSSS???

Congrats how did you find out was it by call or post ?

 

[dannyboy2801]

I got a call today saying I had passed the structured interview and was given a date for a manager interview.

Any tips?

 

[E&W Lucas]

Sounds like this company has its own way of doing things, but I'd suggest making sure you get the basics right. You're going for a 40k job, where you will be required to act in a professional manner, so wear a (clean) suit, sensible tie, polished shoes & get a haircut. Make sure you arrive in plenty of time too.

Prepare well thought out answers for the obvious questions - why do you want the job, how will you get to work etc. Also learn some basic information about the company - where do they run trains to, general basic information about what they operate (NOT reams of trainspotter stuff), and what other business are they in. If they ask you a question more than once, they aren't trying to trip you up, you've just not answered it well enough first time, so they are giving you another chance to provide the information, so stop and think before you answer again.

The very best of luck.

 

[mintcake]

Are you a mainline driver mintcake?

Yes I am. Started as a depot driver and now mainline.

 

[newbie]

sorry for late reply they contacted me through phone.....

 

[jasont]

I had my managers interview yesterday.. So fingers crossed. Is there anyone on the inside who knows if anyone passed yesterday.

 

[DD]

I had my managers interview yesterday.. So fingers crossed. Is there anyone on the inside who knows if anyone passed yesterday.

how did you find it? how long did it last? I think they are still interviewing

 

[dannyboy2801]

Hi guys, I had mine today and am not very confident. It lasted about 45 mins with introductions etc.

Im just hoping I gave better answers than I thought!

 

[DD]

How many positions are there?

 

[dannyboy2801]

Havn't a clue

 

[jasont]

Do you think that would put off qualified drivers from applying?

My interview lasted about an hour and 20 mins.

 

[DD]

My interview lasted about an hour and 20 mins.

that seems quite long, I thought they mostly lasted for 45minutes, from what I have read on the various train driver websites. Did you have to give different examples to the questions they asked?

 

[jasont]

that seems quite long, I thought they mostly lasted for 45minutes, from what I have read on the various train driver websites. Did you have to give different examples to the questions they asked?

No we were chatting about a number of different things, and answers where given in a logical manner. They were interested in my cycling( Racing) that I do.

 

[DD]

No we were chatting about a number of different things, and answers where given in a logical manner. They were interested in my cycling( Racing) that I do.

best of luck, any news yet?

 

[jasont]

best of luck, any news yet?

Good luck to you also..... I believe it takes about a week to hear something

 

[31A]

I understand that 5 out of the 10 who were interviewed on 09 & 10 Feb have been successful, however, I believe only 3 will be offered positions due to distances from depots. This is mainly due to candidates saying they would relocate, but do not and this can cause performance and safety implications.

 

[jasont]

Any ideas who will be offered posts and when will they be notified.

 

[dannyboy2801]

That seems a bit unfair, why are the applicants that need to relocate not refused at the application stage if the company know they will not actually relocate? And why would the applicant attend every stage of the assessment process if not serious?

 

[DD]

and are the distances as the crow flies, or via distance actually driven.

 

[TDK]

and are the distances as the crow flies, or via distance actually driven.

Travelling time to depot
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That seems a bit unfair, why are the applicants that need to relocate not refused at the application stage if the company know they will not actually relocate? And why would the applicant attend every stage of the assessment process if not serious?

If they need to sift driver A from Driver B and they are about the same in their results and interview there needs to be something to judge by and distance from depot is one of them

 

[dannyboy2801]

I dont see how that could be a differentiating criteria if the applicant is willing to relocate

 

[reapz]

becuase people have to sell houses get involved with chains and if it fell through they might pull out of the job

 

[dannyboy2801]

And if they didn't have to sell?

 

[reapz]

well i guess they judge every case by its merits , location ,sickness and if on the railway already years served ??

All i know is that the railway is changing all the time so its hard to keep up lol

 

[31A]

We look at a "rough distance".

In recent history, candidates who have said they would relocate have not. They have lodges or rented accomodateion and when the first 2 years of driving is complete, they apply for positions nearer to where they came from and leave.
I certainly know of 6 situations like this in the past year and a half.
It costs a lot to train a driver and the company would like to keep drivers, not to train them for other companies, as NXEA is a big trainer of drivers.

It may seem unfair, but it is a business and has to watch the pennies.

I believe that in the last round of interviews, there are 2 candidates from afar who have been sucessful.
In the contract and terms of employment, it will state "subject to relocation". I believe that NXEA will now be excercising the right to terminate a contract if the relocation never happens.

 

[dannyboy2801]

That seems fair enough on behalf of the company, especially the way things are.
Good luck to everybody who had interviews by the way

 

[jasont]

That seems fair enough on behalf of the company, especially the way things are.
Good luck to everybody who had interviews by the way

Any ideas on the location of the candidates who where successful. I live in Harlow so distance from my chosen depots was not an issue.

 

[DD]

+1 be vague if you wish

 

[jasont]

Still no news!

 

[DD]

nope, no new either
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
are they going to let people know if they were unsuccessful?