• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Virgin casual CSA

Status
Not open for further replies.

voyagerdude220

Established Member
Joined
13 Oct 2005
Messages
4,262
I attended a selection event for casual CSA with VT last Tuesday, my second one with VT after reaching the final interview stage last year.

Last week didn't go as well as last year's selection event, as I got asked to leave after the group excercise.

What really annoys me though are that:

1) I only got invited after phoning VT up about their daft vacancy website trying to persuade me that I had "failed online tests".. Turns out they had unsurprisingly sorted applications depot by depot, but the different folders wrongly triggered unusual status messages.

2) Only one person reached the "final interview" stage.. So I don't think myself or the fellow applicant who left after the group excercise had any problem deciding who got the job..

As a side note, I'm reliably informed that the guy who beat me last year no longer works for VT, after he had disciplinary action taken against him for something or other..
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

RJ

Established Member
Joined
25 Jun 2005
Messages
8,816
Location
Back office
Are the tests like the ones at Southern? - Multiple Choice

Cheers.

The English test is usually multiple choice, certainly been the case for all assessments I have attended, I've done SHL and in-house tests. It's very straightforward, though strict time limits mean you need a good technique to reach the required standard.

 
Last edited:

FManc

Member
Joined
21 Jul 2011
Messages
399
I attended a selection event for casual CSA with VT last Tuesday, my second one with VT after reaching the final interview stage last year.

Last week didn't go as well as last year's selection event, as I got asked to leave after the group excercise.

What really annoys me though are that:

1) I only got invited after phoning VT up about their daft vacancy website trying to persuade me that I had "failed online tests".. Turns out they had unsurprisingly sorted applications depot by depot, but the different folders wrongly triggered unusual status messages.

2) Only one person reached the "final interview" stage.. So I don't think myself or the fellow applicant who left after the group excercise had any problem deciding who got the job..

As a side note, I'm reliably informed that the guy who beat me last year no longer works for VT, after he had disciplinary action taken against him for something or other..

Have you tried to get feedback from VT after your two interviews?
 

voyagerdude220

Established Member
Joined
13 Oct 2005
Messages
4,262
Yep-

1) Last year- the only feedback I got was that I should slow down whilst speaking during the face to face interview, but they understood it was just nerves etc. The person who gave me feedback said they'd happily employ me If there had been more positions going. They were extremely impressed with my "exam" results, particularly the mental maths paper.

2) This year- Solely based upon group excercise- Was given a great big list of things I did and didn't do- I struggled to take it all in as the VT person was talking so quickly, despite me politely asking her to repeat key bits at a slower pace.. One thing which sticks in my mind, is that I apparently should've asked the two others why they agreed with my opinion, whilst deciding who should go on the "spaceship". That's despite neither of the other two guys asking me why I agreed/disagreed with them..

I don't know why VT don't seem to care that I got to the interview stage last year, I noticed recently that the TPE application form specifically asks you whether you've been invited to an assesment day before.

Both times VT told me not to feel disuaded from applying again, but I doubt I will, considering it took another four-five failed applications & a big fluke in the form of a telephone call, to even get invited back this year.
 

Fincra5

Established Member
Joined
6 Jun 2009
Messages
2,636
Evening. Basically I've chosen to go to Uni and therefore give up my Conductor role with Southern :) Went to the VT position, got offered the job. I put on my application I needed a months notice, VT pressurize me into booking time off to attend the train course (a week Monday) or they can't offer me the job.

This has somewhat annoyed me.
 

FManc

Member
Joined
21 Jul 2011
Messages
399
Evening. Basically I've chosen to go to Uni and therefore give up my Conductor role with Southern :) Went to the VT position, got offered the job. I put on my application I needed a months notice, VT pressurize me into booking time off to attend the train course (a week Monday) or they can't offer me the job.

This has somewhat annoyed me.

Is it a casual position you applied for?
I've just finished training and am attending an induction at my depot this week and start shadowing soon after, so you'll probably end up needing to request more time off for the week after.
 

Fincra5

Established Member
Joined
6 Jun 2009
Messages
2,636
Is it a casual position you applied for?
I've just finished training and am attending an induction at my depot this week and start shadowing soon after, so you'll probably end up needing to request more time off for the week after.

They said they could be flexible on that, it was just the training week.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top