Turnaround Cleaner

[Nkay11]

Hi guys,

My name is Nigel and i've always wanted to work on the railway. I recently applied for a job within SWT for a turnaround cleaner at waterloo. (its a start and its all i can find near to where i live)

Anyways.. Ive been invited to an assessment day and was just wondering if anyone could give me any advice as i'm a bit worried after looking at some of the practice tests on the shl website.

I got a B in GCSE maths but that numerical reasoning test is ridiculously hard. Surely it won't be this hard just for a turnaround cleaners job will it?

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks.

 

[185]

I'm assuming the high level of assemessment difficulty is related to the high number of applicants... however years ago, when interviewing I was always told to be wary of those overqualified for a post as they will either get bored too easily and not stay in the job long.

I think it's just to get numbers down to an interview shortlist.

 

[Nkay11]

I'm assuming the high level of assemessment difficulty is related to the high number of applicants... however years ago, when interviewing I was always told to be wary of those overqualified for a post as they will either get bored too easily and not stay in the job long.

I think it's just to get numbers down to an interview shortlist.

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply

I kinda hope you're right. Seems rather bizzarre that a cleaner would have to be an einstein in maths lol.

Does anyone work for SWT and has done an assessment day provide any information?

Thanks.

 

[387star]

numerical reasoning for a cleaner? how strange. They arn't usually hard. Just know the basics like percentages I have found and look at a few books.

 

[Nkay11]

numerical reasoning for a cleaner? how strange. They arn't usually hard. Just know the basics like percentages I have found and look at a few books.

My point exactly haha. I'm hoping that the questions aren't as hard as the ones on the SHL website because i really want to begin a career on the railway. I've just turned 21 and i see it as a starting point to work from. I don't mind working my way up at all...

Fingers crossed for my assessment tomorrow and thanks again for the replies.

 

[Monty]

SWT seem to test you on maths irrespective of the job you are applying for, when I first joined in early 2007 I did a maths test for a Revenue Protection job. When doing my assessment for a Non-Commercial Guard's position I was required to do the exact same test well over five years later! I've had CSA's who have told me they have also been required to sit a maths test.

The good news is that it's a multiple choice test and if you've prepared thoroughly for your assessment you should not really have any real difficulties. During the test it's important not to panic, you get quite a few questions to answer and almost everybody doesn't finish them all. What they are looking for is accuracy, just make sure that the questions you do answer are correct.

Do you mind if I ask where the position you applied for is based?

Good luck tomorrow!

 

[387star]

SWT do that in addition to the ticket selling tests? What sort of questions are they, percentages etc?

 

[Stigy]

I've worked for SWT since 2006 and have had to do three of these tests, each varying slightly over the years. They don't expect you to finish the tests, and just have a basic mathmatical grasp, and good grasp of English language etc. These are Aptitude Tests and lots of companies use them to establish the best person for the role. The worst bit I found is the questionaire at the end of the tests which apparently doesn't form a part of it, but is clearly asking the same question in several different ways, almost in an attempt to trip you up...I'm sceptical that it isn't used as part of the selection procedure!