Would it have been better to lie?

[desi]

I have been working in Retail for the last few years and was looking for a career change. I worked for the same company as Sales Associate for 6 years, I took a break from work for a few months due to certain circumstances. When these circumstances changed I started applying for different jobs and after much contemplation I decided I wanted to start a career in the railways. I sent out numerous applications to Retail companies and Railway companies and took the first job that was offered to me. It was the second place I had applied to and it was for a Supervisor position in Retail.

I have had many assessments and interviews for various positions but no offers yet. I made an application for Gateline Assistant with a TOC, and have pending applications with the same TOC for 'higher' positions. I sat an interview with them a few days ago for the Gateline Assistant position.

The interviewer started off almost confrontational making reference to the other jobs I have applied for and almost asking me why I bothered turning up for this interview considering I am being considered for the 'higher' positions. I stated that I am looking to start in Railways and I feel I have the capability of excelling in this environment and would happily start off in the Gateline Assistant role and look to progress within the TOC. He then made reference to the fact that I have only found a job a few weeks ago and why am I looking for another? I explained my situation with the circumstances and that I took the first job available rather than sit at home and wait for my dream job.

To cut the story short I think I came across as too ambitious and feel if I had just stated that I would be happy in Gateline for years to come I would have been offered the job but I was rejected. I have an excellent record from all my employers. When applying for such positions is it better to keep pick your words carefully and not mention your ambitions too much so the interviewer does not thing I am going to run off to a Guard job in a few months etc?

 

[Simon11]

I have been working in Retail for the last few years and was looking for a career change. I worked for the same company as Sales Associate for 6 years, I took a break from work for a few months due to certain circumstances. When these circumstances changed I started applying for different jobs and after much contemplation I decided I wanted to start a career in the railways. I sent out numerous applications to Retail companies and Railway companies and took the first job that was offered to me. It was the second place I had applied to and it was for a Supervisor position in Retail.

I have had many assessments and interviews for various positions but no offers yet. I made an application for Gateline Assistant with a TOC, and have pending applications with the same TOC for 'higher' positions. I sat an interview with them a few days ago for the Gateline Assistant position.

The interviewer started off almost confrontational making reference to the other jobs I have applied for and almost asking me why I bothered turning up for this interview considering I am being considered for the 'higher' positions. I stated that I am looking to start in Railways and I feel I have the capability of excelling in this environment and would happily start off in the Gateline Assistant role and look to progress within the TOC. He then made reference to the fact that I have only found a job a few weeks ago and why am I looking for another? I explained my situation with the circumstances and that I took the first job available rather than sit at home and wait for my dream job.

To cut the story short I think I came across as too ambitious and feel if I had just stated that I would be happy in Gateline for years to come I would have been offered the job but I was rejected. I have an excellent record from all my employers. When applying for such positions is it better to keep pick your words carefully and not mention your ambitions too much so the interviewer does not thing I am going to run off to a Guard job in a few months etc?

This would have been a key question that you would have expected if applying for lots of jobs. I'm no H-R person, but they would prefer a person who will stick at a longer, to save them time and costs in finding a new person.

Wait until you get the results. I'm very surprised how you worked in the same retail place for 6 years. I'm sure that will show you are a person who remains loyal to a firm.

 

[youngboy]

There's two schools of thought there mate, you stay at a company for ten years and some people think you have no ambition, some think you're a good reliable and valuable company employee.
Or you hop from job to job and some think great, ambitious, keen and eager to progress and do a good job. Or you're a waste of space and can't hold a job down...imho I would rather have someone who has put the years in at one company.

 

[JB25]

This is an interesting one and I feel for you... Before I got my job I applied for a Conductor job then the Drivers job came up the next day so I applied for that. As I wanted to get into the Railway I even applied for a Gateline role and an HR role.

I passed my Conductor and Driver Assessments and to save me having two interviews with the same people on two separate days they asked if I wanted to do a joint interview which I agreed to (Lasted almost two hours by the way).

Anyway... One of the very first questions I was asked in my interview was they had noted I had applied for a couple of other jobs too why was that. I basically told them that I really wanted the Conductor or Driver positions and only applied for the others as a fall back option. It was quite awkward but I decided to be honest as it's the best policy.

Even at the end of the interview they asked me which job I was swayed towards and I took the diplomatic option and told them I hadn't decided. I am so glad I got the driver position though.

 

[red2005]

Even though it most definitely would've seemed like the easier option mate lying is a definite no no! As you've found out these interviews/interviewers can be brutal even with your honesty! Can you imagine if they start probing (which they do) and you get found out!? They are trained to spot a liar a million miles away!

Even though from what I read you don't sound 100% confident (which you should never be anyway) at least your still in with a shout buddy! Even if worst case scenario actually happens you can say you've been totally honest and can be proud of your efforts!!and look at it this way no 2 companies are the same!whats negative for one is a positive for another!

If there's 1 bit of advice I can give you when trying to get on the railway mate it is persevere!!they absolutely love that!!very few make it very first time simply due to the law of averages!but stick with it, keep doing your research and take advice of the guys on here and you'll get there mate!

Good luck

 

[TDK]

I have been working in Retail for the last few years and was looking for a career change. I worked for the same company as Sales Associate for 6 years, I took a break from work for a few months due to certain circumstances. When these circumstances changed I started applying for different jobs and after much contemplation I decided I wanted to start a career in the railways. I sent out numerous applications to Retail companies and Railway companies and took the first job that was offered to me. It was the second place I had applied to and it was for a Supervisor position in Retail.

I have had many assessments and interviews for various positions but no offers yet. I made an application for Gateline Assistant with a TOC, and have pending applications with the same TOC for 'higher' positions. I sat an interview with them a few days ago for the Gateline Assistant position.

The interviewer started off almost confrontational making reference to the other jobs I have applied for and almost asking me why I bothered turning up for this interview considering I am being considered for the 'higher' positions. I stated that I am looking to start in Railways and I feel I have the capability of excelling in this environment and would happily start off in the Gateline Assistant role and look to progress within the TOC. He then made reference to the fact that I have only found a job a few weeks ago and why am I looking for another? I explained my situation with the circumstances and that I took the first job available rather than sit at home and wait for my dream job.

To cut the story short I think I came across as too ambitious and feel if I had just stated that I would be happy in Gateline for years to come I would have been offered the job but I was rejected. I have an excellent record from all my employers. When applying for such positions is it better to keep pick your words carefully and not mention your ambitions too much so the interviewer does not thing I am going to run off to a Guard job in a few months etc?

The thing is the person interviewing you is most likely a line manager for Gateline Assistants and therefore needs to know that whoever they employ is going to fill the position that is vacant. I feel that the interviewer in this case should have been a little bit more professional with their questioning for example they should have asked you if you intend staying with the Gateline Assistant role if you are successful and if a higher graded role comes up in the near future would you pursue this. If the answer to this question is yes then I would not offer you the job but put you on hold for a future position if you were suitable for the role.

I understand you position here and do see your plan but unfortunately for you the lower graded position has come up first, if on the other hand you feel confident that you can achieve employment with a higher role I would go for your preferred role first and if unsuccessful try for the lower grades.