Virgin trains

[Sammy h]

Hi there,

I recently applied for a job at virgin trains. I logged in to view my application today and it's status reads 'recruitment event'

I have not received an email off them yet. Can I presume that I have been selected to attend the event and they will be in touch via email/post to advise me of the event date?


Great forum btw! Wish I found this sooner!
Any help appreciated
Thanks
Sammy h

 

[Asian Demon]

This does mean you have been invited to a recruitment day. I'd suggest checking your email and if you provided a mobile number to them, you should also receive a text from them to ask you to confirm attendance. I'd contact the recruitment line if you have nothing in your email by tomorrow. When they do answer they are genuinely really helpful and will explain everything to you. What vacancy have you applied for?

The number to call for recruitment is 01270 588891.

 

[Sammy h]

Thanks for the info.

The application status did only change today so I will see if I get an email/text tomorrow and of not ring them on Friday.

Applied for a retail CSA at Oxenholme, I love in Morecambe so it isn't too far. Made up that I made the recruitment event, will keep my eyes open on here to get more advice/tips.

Do you work in the rail industry?

 

[Asian Demon]

Thanks for the info.

The application status did only change today so I will see if I get an email/text tomorrow and of not ring them on Friday.

Applied for a retail CSA at Oxenholme, I love in Morecambe so it isn't too far. Made up that I made the recruitment event, will keep my eyes open on here to get more advice/tips.

Do you work in the rail industry?

Ah the vacancy that was up very recently. I work for Virgin at London Euston. New guy who just started end of February. Congrats for getting to the recruitment event. Believe me it's worth it. If you have any questions please fire away

 

[Sammy h]

Thanks for your help I appreciate it, what do you do at virgin? Yes the closing date has only recently passed so they have moved quite quick. I will wait to confirm when and if I have definitely been invited to the event, don't want to jinx it!

But any tips for the event are most welcome

Thanks

 

[Asian Demon]

I work as a part time revenue protection officer but I'm hoping to do this full time at some point. It's a role I enjoy immensely and I've always been supported and helped along the way by people (work colleagues) around me. It's a good work environment and the first time in a long while I've had any job satisfaction.

What to advise hmmmm. Well obviously remain calm and make sure you are rested for the day. The tests you'll most likely be given will be a ticketing test, a reading comprehension test (multiple choice) aka read the paragraph then answer these questions and if you pass these, you'll have a group role play or presentation (they like to mix this up so you never know which one on the day). If you pass all that you'll have an interview.

The ticketing test is more about accuracy than anything else. Speed is important but it's useless if everything is wrong. Try to do both and answer at least over half the questions. This is one of those things where you just need to concentrate and if you don't understand something just ask prior to starting the test..

As for a group roleplay it'll be a scenario based role play and you will have to work with the other people in the group. At the same time you need to make sure you are heard and accounted for in discussion as an individual. This is probably the hardest part of the test but just take it in a calmed manner and you'll be fine.

The interview will be along the lines of what would you do in such and such situation, etc etc. This will be your chance to show your interest in the company and the reasons for wanting to apply. As above just go in with a calm manner and always keep a smile.

 

[BHXDMT]

Hey,

Sorry to hijack this topic, but I thought it better to use an existing one than start an almost identical topic. I recently applied for a CSA position at Stafford... now my application online (as of now, 23:10) says "Recruitment Event"... but I got an email two days ago confirming that "Unfortunately, because of the volume of applications, we are unable to invite you to a recruitment event."

Can anyone shed any light? I assume that the email is correct and the website is not.

 

[Asian Demon]

Hey,

Sorry to hijack this topic, but I thought it better to use an existing one than start an almost identical topic. I recently applied for a CSA position at Stafford... now my application online (as of now, 23:10) says "Recruitment Event"... but I got an email two days ago confirming that "Unfortunately, because of the volume of applications, we are unable to invite you to a recruitment event."

Can anyone shed any light? I assume that the email is correct and the website is not.

Chances are the email is correct but I'd recommend phoning the number given in a previous post above this and asking. I'd probably phone tomorrow morning. It's better to clarify this for definite. It may well be that when you phone they'll invite you if you explain the situation. You never know.

 

[Sammy h]

Damn it! I haven't had an email yet so hopefully I have been selected, we will see tomorrow.

I am now worried after that!

 

[BHXDMT]

Chances are the email is correct but I'd recommend phoning the number given in a previous post above this and asking. I'd probably phone tomorrow morning. It's better to clarify this for definite. It may well be that when you phone they'll invite you if you explain the situation. You never know.

Thanks! Will definitely give them a ring tomorrow, even if it's just to reconfirm the rejection.

P.S. Sammy, sorry I didn't mean to make you worry! I'm sure it can work either way. Good luck!

 

[Asian Demon]

Damn it! I haven't had an email yet so hopefully I have been selected, we will see tomorrow.

I am now worried after that!

I'd recommend not to panic and just phone tomorrow morning. Train companies as a whole tend to take their time getting to people about anything. It's better if you take the initiative in phoning.

 

[ghost]

Hi Asian Demon as you work for virgin do you have any idea if virgin take on trainee train drivers? when was the last time they took on any drivers.
thanks

 

[allticketspls]

Ghost

I work alongside A.D @ Euston and I must admit that I have seen no trainee driver vacancies being advertised. I don't think that any vacancies will turn up for trainees until the franchise has been re-awarded.

 

[western Champion]

Hi Asian Demon as you work for virgin do you have any idea if virgin take on trainee train drivers? when was the last time they took on any drivers.
thanks

The last trainee drivers taken on were i think when Pendolinos were being introduced, about 2003 or 2004 , recruitment since then has been existing drivers from other companies.

In my opinion, and it is only my opinion, at some point they will have to start training again. There was a massive recruitment to the footplate grade in the mid 70's and they are all due to retire inside the next ten years and then again ten years after that for those of us that started in the mid 80's.

 

[Sammy h]

Got a message today and the event is next Friday at Preston. Can't wait!

Is it a process of elimination, for example the day starts with 20 people then after the tests 10 people then the group discussion and interview etc?

Any other hints/tips?

Just another question, after the event, is that it? Or could there be a second interview?

Thanks guys.

 

[Asian Demon]

Got a message today and the event is next Friday at Preston. Can't wait!

Is it a process of elimination, for example the day starts with 20 people then after the tests 10 people then the group discussion and interview etc?

Any other hints/tips?

Just another question, after the event, is that it? Or could there be a second interview?

Thanks guys.

Congrats first off. As for how it works, it is a process of elimination as you described above. After the event that will usually be it. They will contact you and let you know if you got the job or not pretty soon afterwards. Then a medical will be arranged and you'll be asked to send them documents to prove who you are. These will be Passport AND Birth Certificate. As long as your documents are fine and nothing pops up at medical, you'll have a job with Virgin

 

[Sammy h]

Exciting times. Are there any practice tests or examples of the tests so I can prepare?

 

[HST Power]

Exciting times. Are there any practice tests or examples of the tests so I can prepare?

They should pop some in the post eventually.

 

[allticketspls]

Sammy

Little tip if you get through and have to do the group discussion. et involved but not too much, do as much listening as you do talking and try not to talk over people.

They are looking for people who can communicate effectively without becoming overbearing.

Wish you very good luck at your event, I know when A.D and I did ours it was a great relief when we had finished. VT have apparently the toughest selection process in the industry so if you get a job offer you are special.

 

[ghost]

The last trainee drivers taken on were i think when Pendolinos were being introduced, about 2003 or 2004 , recruitment since then has been existing drivers from other companies.

In my opinion, and it is only my opinion, at some point they will have to start training again. There was a massive recruitment to the footplate grade in the mid 70's and they are all due to retire inside the next ten years and then again ten years after that for those of us that started in the mid 80's.

I hope they do recruit as I would like to move there

 

[185]

**They usually email you the practice tests and recruitment day summary / invite, at the same time 'Assessment Day' appears on the status page. You may want to dig through your emails or chase it up.

 

[Sammy h]

Nope, I emailed them to confirm my attendance and asked for practice exams, but I was advised there are none.

Does anyone know what the tests are?

 

[185]

Ordinarily for a Retail-based job in any ticket office job in the UK, the standard tests are the 'OPC' (Occupational Psychology Centre) STVT-Station and Ticket Verbal Test, or the TOST-Ticket Office Sales Test.

I'm not sure why they are not sending those out as OPC guidelines state they should be sent out 7 days before the assessment, unless Virgin have become the first company to ignore the OPC tests. There's been some talk recently of Virgin falling foul of OPC rules - they may have started using another method of testing.

Chances are, if you have just a fairly basic knowledge of tickets, and practice some simple maths questions without a calculator, you'll pass the tests.

 

[All Line Rover]

Chances are, if you have just a fairly basic knowledge of tickets, and practice some simple maths questions without a calculator, you'll pass the tests.

I think I would pass such a test with flying colours! It's shocks me how little some ticket office staff know about tickets.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

I think I would pass such a test with flying colours! It's shocks me how little some ticket office staff now about tickets.

Ouch!

At least I can spell! :roll:

 

[Asian Demon]

The test really isn't all that difficult. Just basic maths and being able to handle different information. If a person has a discount card that gives 20% off at certain times you check the fare on a fares list then work out how much change you have to give them from the amount they give you. It really is a simple test.

Just walk in relaxed and this part of the assessment will be a breeze.

 

[All Line Rover]

Ouch!

At least I can spell! :roll:

I didn't proof read.

 

[Sammy h]

Thanks again for all your help guys, the recruitment day is on Friday so no long to go.

Been practicing some maths questions and done some research on virgin trains history etc so I go in to the interview with some knowledge, not a lot more I can do now, just pray, be confident and smile.

Wish me luck
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just another quick query, probably should have started a new thread, but will keep it in here. I notice the tole is until 31/12/2011, after doing some research I have discovered as this is why the contract for the west coast mainline runs out.

Anyone know what the chances are of the contract being extended? is anyone currently working for Virgin worried?

 

[Asian Demon]

My advice to you is this. Get the job, and once you are in apply internally for permanent vacancies. More vacancies are hired internally than externally. I'm in the same position as is VirginRPO and it is how it is. There is also the possibility of a contract extension but that will be down to a lot of factors.

 

[AlterEgo]

Anyone know what the chances are of the contract being extended? is anyone currently working for Virgin worried?

If you're permanent staff, you'll be protected by TUPE (look it up on Google) should a new franchisor be awarded the WCML. If you're fixed-term, I'm afriad there would be no such protection. It doesn't mean a new operator will decline to extend your contract though.

The rail industry is a very good place to make friends and have fun (sometimes!)

Good luck with the job - I work for VT also.