Trainee Train Driver Managers Interview

[Mikey5519]

Hi all,

I have my final interview coming up soon and I'm just after a little help on what sort of things I'm likely to be asked.

I've been told that it's pretty much the same as the MMI interview but less intense and they ask you a few questions about the company. Does this sound about right?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Kind Regards

Mike

 

[Pepperami]

Yup that's about the size of it

It's certainly a fairly laid back interview I was told at the start of mine that this was the easy part lol they are there to help you and are not trying to trick you they genuinely want you to succeed you've come through the entire process so this is the final part as far as getting the offer of a position.

Questions vary I would think between different TOC'S but I was told at the start that the questions asked are uniform throughout so everyone is asked the same thing.

I'm sure you've done some research into the company you've applied to so that's always good to do, and the questions you will be asked will be fairly straight forwards, if you have got this far then I'm sure they won't present any problems

Good luck and let us all know how you do

 

[Mikey5519]

Thank you for that Pepperami has made me feel at ease a lot more now.

I already work for the TOC I have applied for at a different grade, so hopefully I'll be able to answer the questions, lol, I'll still read up on them though just to make extra sure

Thank you once again and I'll let you know when I have been

 

[TDK]

Be honest as the interviewer will study your application form and your previous interview answers, the most important question to get right is "why do you want to be a train driver"

 

[Pepperami]

Yeah that was the one for me that I put a lot of thought into!!

I'm sure that there are those people who truly have since a young age really wanted to do it and, while the money is excellent, for me it wasn't about that if I was on that money in my current job, would I be happy? No is the answer.

Give thought to that question mate, it's an important one

 

[Joof]

Same as the above really. I was asked the golden question of why I wanted to be a train driver. I tried to avoid reasons like money and an interest in trains, I did however say I wanted a rewarding career, not a job, that would give me n my family long term security. That seemed to go down quite well. Must have worked anyway cos I passed the interview. I also did lots and lots and lots of research into the TOC regarding routes, stations called at ( numbers ), stations managed, staff levels, train passenger loads and company performance past present and plans for the future. Hope this helps and best of luck. O yeh, just be yourself too.

 

[Bert and Ernie]

I certainly wouldn't say this was the easy part of the process. I put loads of time and effort into the interview thinking of loads of examples, which is they key.
Name a time you had to work on your own
Why do you think a well run reliable railway is important
Customer service example

To name a few of the questions

 

[mulder]

When I had mine the TOC was trialing a new driver manager interview and literally all my hard work of researching the company, role and preparing my answers like the MMI went out of the window. There was only one question that you could 'sell' yourself on and that was why do you want to be a train driver and by that time I was so thrown by the interview I pretty much fluffed it. At least i'll be prepared for both eventuality next time!

 

[StationCat]

Yup that's about the size of it

It's certainly a fairly laid back interview I was told at the start of mine that this was the easy part lol they are there to help you and are not trying to trick you they genuinely want you to succeed you've come through the entire process so this is the final part as far as getting the offer of a position.

My view is different, I think the Manager interview is actually the hardest part of the process. A lot of companies are now holding these interviews first as that's where the most candidates are lost, why pay to put someone through a day of tests when they can't get through an interview? A Manager interview assesses motivation and attitude in addition to a candidate's ability to do the job, you can practice the tests and most people will get through even if on second attempt. A good interviewer will soon see through someone with the wrong attitude!

 

[Pepperami]

Just to clarify it wasn't my view they told me this was the easy bit lol but I was very nervous and although it went smoothly it was very nerve racking

I had a telephone interview before I started the process about 15 to 20 mins

 

[StationCat]

Just to clarify it wasn't my view they told me this was the easy bit lol but I was very nervous and although it went smoothly it was very nerve racking

I had a telephone interview before I started the process about 15 to 20 mins

Congratulations on getting through it!

 

[387star]

My view is different, I think the Manager interview is actually the hardest part of the process. A lot of companies are now holding these interviews first as that's where the most candidates are lost, why pay to put someone through a day of tests when they can't get through an interview? A Manager interview assesses motivation and attitude in addition to a candidate's ability to do the job, you can practice the tests and most people will get through even if on second attempt. A good interviewer will soon see through someone with the wrong attitude!

Indeed some say it is more intense than the MMI

Questions are way more unpredictable for a start not all interviewers use set questions there are wild cards thrown out there still
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

When I had mine the TOC was trialing a new driver manager interview and literally all my hard work of researching the company, role and preparing my answers like the MMI went out of the window. There was only one question that you could 'sell' yourself on and that was why do you want to be a train driver and by that time I was so thrown by the interview I pretty much fluffed it. At least i'll be prepared for both eventuality next time!

So what was the style of this interview?

 

[mulder]

I went into my interview after researching everything about the toc, visiting its stations and knowing its future plans to be asked questions you'd struggle to give more than a sentence answer for. The interviewers started each question by telling me all about the toc, it's rolling stock, its routes, it's training program (things I'd had researched) and then asked questions like 'would you be willing to train in Huddersfield for a portion of your training' 'do you have responsibilities at home that would effect your training' 'would you be willing to wear a uniform at work' 'how do you know you live 30mins to your chosen depot'. By the time they asked me why do you want to be a train driver I was wondering if I was in the right interview as I was expecting a MMI style grilling. The train driver question they said is the only question you can show off on!My final question I think was 'what does customer service mean to you' . I even said id researched the job for weeks but was told that wouldn't be needed. Think I would have faired better at a proper grilling

 

[TDK]

I certainly wouldn't say this was the easy part of the process. I put loads of time and effort into the interview thinking of loads of examples, which is they key.
Name a time you had to work on your own Why do you think a well run reliable railway is important
Customer service example

To name a few of the questions

This is usually name a time when you have spent long periods alone so you can use hobbies such as angling, metal detecting etc if you have never worked alone, even long regular car journey would be a sufficient answer.

Remember with the 2nd question here the TOC is in the business for profit, profit is hurt in many ways so a safe, punctual railway is a happy railway for all.

Customer service example is easy.

The managers interview is to test to see if you have what it takes to be a safe and reliable driver, whether you will fit into the railway life and whether you are suitable as a person. There are key words they are looking for that is a highly guarded secret

 

[tlionhart]

Whilst there are 'keywords', there's no point turning up to the interview and playing the buzz word game. If the job is right for you, these keywords or words similar to what they are looking for will naturally come out in your answers.
Researching the company and the job is important. It sounds very cliché, however understanding the job will certainly make you stand out. Therefore prepare your answers effectively.
If I could use one word that will help (for any job interview) rather than say 'difficult', replace that with 'challenging'

"So my opinion of the DM Interview, I found it challenging."
I personally found the whole process like that. The DM is laid back, but you still need to come up with the relevant answers/explanations. It's all very well rocking up and giving the interviewers the answers they are looking for, however if you have no personality then that will fail against you.
I strongly suggest looking up interview techniques.
- dress smart
- be early
- be polite, manners, etiquette
(If you have trouble with any 3 of those and yes, some people do ask what to wear to this interview...then your off to a bad start. First impressions is one of the most important things in an interview and nearly impossible to rectify...)

 

[Rocombe11]

This is a bit of a aside, but does anyone know how the DM interview is marked, when I attended mine, I beaked and saw that there were 4 boxes the interviewer could tick, the top one being highly recommended, the bottom one I assume being fail. I would assume that they dont grade how badly you failed so I am assuming that the other three boxes are passes, but what would the two boxes in the middle mean? Is Pass and Good Pass are the obvious choices for me to make.

I am trying to gauge the likelihood of being offered a position, as I saw which box the DM ticked at the end and I am currently in a talent pool. How much weight is given to the DM mark by HR when they make their choice as to who is offered positions, would a high test result mark be cancelled out by a lowish DM score? or vice versa, or would it all be on the DM mark, and passing the tests just lets you sit in the chair. Any information as to how HR make their choice would be hugely appreciated.

 

[StationCat]

This is a bit of a aside, but does anyone know how the DM interview is marked, when I attended mine, I beaked and saw that there were 4 boxes the interviewer could tick, the top one being highly recommended, the bottom one I assume being fail. I would assume that they dont grade how badly you failed so I am assuming that the other three boxes are passes, but what would the two boxes in the middle mean? Is Pass and Good Pass are the obvious choices for me to make.

I am trying to gauge the likelihood of being offered a position, as I saw which box the DM ticked at the end and I am currently in a talent pool. How much weight is given to the DM mark by HR when they make their choice as to who is offered positions, would a high test result mark be cancelled out by a lowish DM score? or vice versa, or would it all be on the DM mark, and passing the tests just lets you sit in the chair. Any information as to how HR make their choice would be hugely appreciated.

Each TOC will have a different way of scoring an interview, whereas the Druver testing process has to be followed strictly so you'll take the same tests everywhere, each DM interview will be designed specifically to assess for the attitude, behaviour and values that TOC is looking for. The DM interview is the key part...however high your tests are is irrelevant if the DM's don't want to give you a position.

 

[Rocombe11]

Each TOC will have a different way of scoring an interview, whereas the Druver testing process has to be followed strictly so you'll take the same tests everywhere, each DM interview will be designed specifically to assess for the attitude, behaviour and values that TOC is looking for. The DM interview is the key part...however high your tests are is irrelevant if the DM's don't want to give you a position.

So could you have say have a pass (one box above fail) and end up in a talent pool, or would you need the top score to end up in the talent pool? I ask because the talent pool I am in seems to have quite a few people, no positions are being given out at the moment and all successful interviewees are going into a talent pool. So, how would the TOC select from the talent pool.

 

[StationCat]

So could you have say have a pass (one box above fail) and end up in a talent pool, or would you need the top score to end up in the talent pool? I ask because the talent pool I am in seems to have quite a few people, no positions are being given out at the moment and all successful interviewees are going into a talent pool. So, how would the TOC select from the talent pool.

It will vary between TOC however it would be very bad practice to put someone in a talent pool with no intention of offering them a job...so whatever score you have it will meet their criteria in terms of a job offer. In terms of priority the TOC will look at all of your results and make a call on it, the emphasis they put on different elements of the process will depend on the view of the Driver Management and HR teams. My personal view is that the testing should be used as a simple pass or fail with the key element being the DM interview and so the talent pool would be ranked based on the interview scores however I'm sure some TOC's view it differently!

In a nutshell it's probably impossible to second guess, depending on the TOC some will do their best to give an idea of where candidates sit in terms of priority so it may be worth asking. Joining a trainee course takes a lot of commitment and essentially you have to put your life on hold so it makes sense for the TOC to ensure you have a good idea of when you are likely to join a course if they can so you can make the relevant arrangements.

 

[Rocombe11]

Thanks for your thoughts, your last paragraph sums up my predicament, I and all the others in the pool have absolutely no idea of when we are supposed to start, although at interview we were all told dates for different intakes, these dates for some have come and gone, admittedly the TOC hasn't employed anyone, but it is continuing its recruitment drive by putting more candidates through the testing procedure and DM interviews and adding to the pool. So my thoughts are on how we will be selected from the pool. If there are 3 jobs but you have 8 candidates in the pool, how would you select? My own view is that they would take the candidates with the highest DM interview score, but if someone has been in the pool for say 18 months but they have quite a low DM interview score, do they get precedence over someone who has just passed their DM but with a very high score.
Like you say no one really knows except the TOC so I will just carry on with my life, while waiting patiently, (wearing out the carpet, chewing my nails and pulling my hair out, .)

 

[387star]

Thanks for your thoughts, your last paragraph sums up my predicament, I and all the others in the pool have absolutely no idea of when we are supposed to start, although at interview we were all told dates for different intakes, these dates for some have come and gone, admittedly the TOC hasn't employed anyone, but it is continuing its recruitment drive by putting more candidates through the testing procedure and DM interviews and adding to the pool. So my thoughts are on how we will be selected from the pool. If there are 3 jobs but you have 8 candidates in the pool, how would you select? My own view is that they would take the candidates with the highest DM interview score, but if someone has been in the pool for say 18 months but they have quite a low DM interview score, do they get precedence over someone who has just passed their DM but with a very high score.
Like you say no one really knows except the TOC so I will just carry on with my life, while waiting patiently, (wearing out the carpet, chewing my nails and pulling my hair out, .)

Very good point your making... I remember there are normally 12 on a course and the pass mark for DM interview was 180 points but I may be imagining it

FGW don't use enhanced scoring however presumably any part of the process could be put under scrutiny including telephone interview and online assessments.

 

[Rocombe11]

Very good point your making... I remember there are normally 12 on a course and the pass mark for DM interview was 180 points but I may be imagining it

FGW don't use enhanced scoring however presumably any part of the process could be put under scrutiny including telephone interview and online assessments.

When you say that FGW don't use enhanced scoring, I assume that you mean the tests, needing an enhanced pass to progress to DM interview. Or are you saying that at DM interview stage a pass (180 points) is treated the same as a good pass, say 200 points, and that in the talent pool all candidates are viewed equally?

 

[tlionhart]

Very good point your making... I remember there are normally 12 on a course and the pass mark for DM interview was 180 points but I may be imagining it

FGW don't use enhanced scoring however presumably any part of the process could be put under scrutiny including telephone interview and online assessments.

Interestingly the WCE(written communication exercise) is one of the psychometric tests that's only (and very maybe) judged for DM Interview.

 

[387star]

When you say that FGW don't use enhanced scoring, I assume that you mean the tests, needing an enhanced pass to progress to DM interview. Or are you saying that at DM interview stage a pass (180 points) is treated the same as a good pass, say 200 points, and that in the talent pool all candidates are viewed equally?

No enhanced score but presumably scores can be compared if needed

Again with DM interview think you needed something like 180 to pass again could be a scoring system good excellent etc who knows

 

[TDK]

This is a bit of a aside, but does anyone know how the DM interview is marked, when I attended mine, I beaked and saw that there were 4 boxes the interviewer could tick, the top one being highly recommended, the bottom one I assume being fail. I would assume that they dont grade how badly you failed so I am assuming that the other three boxes are passes, but what would the two boxes in the middle mean? Is Pass and Good Pass are the obvious choices for me to make.

These boxes are not for grading they are for evidence that may be needed at a later date, the DM interview isn't marked as the way you are describing. The DM interview is all about the DM ascertaining whether you are a good candidate to fill the role, the DM may mark you to a certain extent to be able to sift all the interviewees that are good for the job but it isn't a pass fail point system.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

So my thoughts are on how we will be selected from the pool. If there are 3 jobs but you have 8 candidates in the pool, how would you select? My own view is that they would take the candidates with the highest DM interview score, but if someone has been in the pool for say 18 months but they have quite a low DM interview score, do they get precedence over someone who has just passed their DM but with a very high score.
Like you say no one really knows except the TOC so I will just carry on with my life, while waiting patiently, (wearing out the carpet, chewing my nails and pulling my hair out, .)

The only time that anyone is pulled from a pool is if when the job is advertised the quality of the new applicants is not to the standard of the applicants already in the pool, by this I mean if you are in a pool and 3 jobs become available and are tendered for applicants if 3 of these are better than anyone in the pool they get the jobs. The reason for a pool is an insurance policy for the company as if there are no candidates suitable for an intake they will go to the pool for the candidates, the reason anyone is in a pool is because with the original application there were candidates better than you that got the jobs!

As for the score it isn't the DM interview score (as this isn't usually scored) that is taken it is the complete scores from all the sections of the application from initial application, psychometric test scores and MMI scores.

 

[387star]

These boxes are not for grading they are for evidence that may be needed at a later date, the DM interview isn't marked as the way you are describing. The DM interview is all about the DM ascertaining whether you are a good candidate to fill the role, the DM may mark you to a certain extent to be able to sift all the interviewees that are good for the job but it isn't a pass fail point system.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


The only time that anyone is pulled from a pool is if when the job is advertised the quality of the new applicants is not to the standard of the applicants already in the pool, by this I mean if you are in a pool and 3 jobs become available and are tendered for applicants if 3 of these are better than anyone in the pool they get the jobs. The reason for a pool is an insurance policy for the company as if there are no candidates suitable for an intake they will go to the pool for the candidates, the reason anyone is in a pool is because with the original application there were candidates better than you that got the jobs!

As for the score it isn't the DM interview score (as this isn't usually scored) that is taken it is the complete scores from all the sections of the application from initial application, psychometric test scores and MMI scores.

Except at FGW currently everyone who is going through the process has been put on hold which is an unusual situation to be on

I also think with the sheer numbers applying there is some luck involved as well

 

[Rocombe11]

The reason for a pool is an insurance policy for the company as if there are no candidates suitable for an intake they will go to the pool for the candidates, the reason anyone is in a pool is because with the original application there were candidates better than you that got the jobs!.

As ML says, no one has been given a position yet, at Bristol this has gone on for nearly a year now I think, but they have carried on interviewing for these positions. At interview I was told January or March of 2015, but others have been told September of last year (they are still waiting).

As for the score it isn't the DM interview score (as this isn't usually scored) that is taken it is the complete scores from all the sections of the application from initial application, psychometric test scores and MMI scores.

So how does the DM make it known that there are certain candidates that they would really like to be employed, over and above, other candidates?

 

[NealFitz]

My Multi Modal Interview is next Tuesday for Northern Ireland Railways. hopefully I can talk the talk. I have a few examples from my personal life and work life that should cover it. I am very nervous to say the least; interviews are where i fall down.

 

[tlionhart]

As ML says, no one has been given a position yet, at Bristol this has gone on for nearly a year now I think, but they have carried on interviewing for these positions. At interview I was told January or March of 2015, but others have been told September of last year (they are still waiting).



So how does the DM make it known that there are certain candidates that they would really like to be employed, over and above, other candidates?

There is no wizardry to train recruitment process. You have passed this interview and maybe offered a conditional offer of employment in due time.
The driver managers themselves don't actually make a decision whether you got the job, the recruitment manager does. (This was explained in my interview)
As TDK mentions it's a flow or evidence to what you were asked. The recruitment plan was for 18months (this is in the job description)
Things are running slow, despite there seeming like there are loads on hold, most are for different depots ( if you refer to FGW)
You will be surprised how many actually get through...not many. I found the whole process nothing like this forum hyped up.

 

[Johncleesefan]

So all of us in the talent pool are so because we didn't meet the grade and others did. And the toc keeps us in hope and false pretenses by email ing and updating us as to when things will be moving to keep our hopes up and stay put where we are for their "insurance" reasons. If that were true it would be evil. Like something from rohl dhal. I don't believe that for a second.i believe they are overwhelmed by the number and trying to figure what ru do.