Virgin CSA Chester

[sw1ller]

Just a quick post to see if anyone has had an invite to the assessment days for this position.

Got mine for this coming week. Very nervous I must say.

 

[pinguini]

I'm attending a Virgin CSA assessment day in a couple of weeks time, although for a different station than Chester. I'm not too nervous yet - I'm quite excited - but I expect I will be nervous on the day.

What type of activities / exercises do you expect to be asked to undertake?

 

[Sbarfoot]

I recently sat one at London Euston for a platform CSA. Passed which was great after some advice on here but best thing I can say is it isn't as bad as you think. Everyone else is in the same boat so no need to be nervous I'm sure you will fly through

 

[Neil73]

I too have applied for Virgin CSA Platform (Preston). Anyone else?

Am I right in thinking that all the assessments/interviews are held at Crewe? I've had a read through some pretty good posts on these forums about the assessment day and it seems pretty straight forward. From what I can gather the role play is probably the most difficult aspect of the assessmemts, as in trying to find the right balance between having a strong vocal input but without being overbearing!!

Anyway, thats all by the by as I have only submitted my application recently so still early doors yet for me to hear anything back from them.

 

[sw1ller]

Activities are (for on board only) maths and English, then a group discussion and if you have not been sent home, a final interview.

for station staff you don't do the math and English. You do a listening exercise.

The group discussion will vary on difficulty for everyone. For me it was very easy (as it was for everyone in the room yesterday, we all got on very well and enjoyed it) My only advice here would be, have your say, don't talk over anyone else, if someone is interrupting a lot, let them carry on, they are failing, and try to bring the quiet one into the conversation if you have the opportunity. There are no right or wrong answers, its all about working together as a team.

Best of luck all.

 

[Neil73]

Sound advice swiller I'm sure. Can I just ask you how long it took for Virgin to respond to you from the application closure date? Good luck with your results from your assessments yesterday., was there many in?

 

[sw1ller]

Sound advice swiller I'm sure. Can I just ask you how long it took for Virgin to respond to you from the application closure date? Good luck with your results from your assessments yesterday., was there many in?

I got the e-mail on the 15th of April, think it closed on the 12th. They also send you a text message telling you to check your e-mail. I believe they don't tell anyone that they haven't made it until after the interviews. This way, if the standard that goes to the first interview is poor they can just invite more in.

I think, not completely sure, but I think there were 12 people in the assessment and only 5 made it to the next stage. I believe people are being told today that they failed to make it so I assume I now have a 20% chance (see, my math is getting good eh!) of getting the job. I would like to think it was a 50-50% but i'm pretty sure that's pushing it! ha. The quality was fantastic. Oh, I just remembered.... Think of something interesting about yourself, anything. You will be asked to introduce yourself to everyone before the first test and they want something interesting. Don't just say "am boring me" as one person did. Didn't see them again after that!

 

[MCW]

I didn't apply for this one, but Good luck! I applied for the same/similar roles at other stations.

 

[Neil73]

I got the e-mail on the 15th of April, think it closed on the 12th. They also send you a text message telling you to check your e-mail. I believe they don't tell anyone that they haven't made it until after the interviews. This way, if the standard that goes to the first interview is poor they can just invite more in.

I think, not completely sure, but I think there were 12 people in the assessment and only 5 made it to the next stage. I believe people are being told today that they failed to make it so I assume I now have a 20% chance (see, my math is getting good eh!) of getting the job. I would like to think it was a 50-50% but i'm pretty sure that's pushing it! ha. The quality was fantastic. Oh, I just remembered.... Think of something interesting about yourself, anything. You will be asked to introduce yourself to everyone before the first test and they want something interesting. Don't just say "am boring me" as one person did. Didn't see them again after that!

Oh right i'll be sure to think of something interesting about myself then

Cheers for the advice and very good luck to you...keep us posted

 

[sw1ller]

Hi all, very quickly, just to let you know, I didn't get the job but i'm happy at getting to the last 5. I did my best but I obviously don't do well with structured interviews. Best of luck all.

 

[NI 271]

Chin up fella, it'll happen eventually.

 

[Jen275]

Ah nevermind, keep trying, you'll get there eventually and well done for getting to the last 5. If at first you don't succeed and all that. Good luck!!