XC Train manager - Leeds

[Ceat0908]

Hi, I applied for a Train manager position based in Leeds with Cross Country and it closed Last week I believe. Does anyone know how long it normally takes them to get back to you? It said in the job description that training would start at the end of August. My application is currently marked ‘application in progress’ on the XC careers page. I know that its a small and busy recruitment team at XC and they understandably don’t normally get back to you because of this.

I am also wondering what the application process is like if shortlisted. I done the OPC conductor tests last year In August and passed them, so not sure if I have to do this again as I know TOC’s keep the results on file for a certain length of time. Really excited about this position, hoping I do get shortlisted but I know it is a role that’s popular and difficult to get into externally.

Thanks.

 

[C J Snarzell]

Hello mate

I applied for a XC TM role in May and my application is still marked as 'Application in Progress' too.

It is a very long waiting game and sadly Covid19 has rocked the boat making the process that bit longer. As long as your application doesn't change to 'End of Process' (which is game over I'm afraid) you are okay.

As you say the recruitment team for XC is small and they are processing huge volumes of applications so please be patient and bare with them. They should get back to you either way - always check your spam/junk inbox in any case.

The August start date could be put back, which can happen in the railway world. One of the TM adverts stated the 31st August which is actually Bank Holiday Monday (very unlikely anyone would start a new job on a public holiday!!!). I'd just keep an open mind.

Good luck anyway - I'll let you know if I hear anything my end.

CJ

 

[Ceat0908]

Hello mate

I applied for a XC TM role in May and my application is still marked as 'Application in Progress' too.

It is a very long waiting game and sadly Covid19 has rocked the boat making the process that bit longer. As long as your application doesn't change to 'End of Process' (which is game over I'm afraid) you are okay.

As you say the recruitment team for XC is small and they are processing huge volumes of applications so please be patient and bare with them.

The August start date could be put back, which can happen in the railway world. One of the TM adverts stated the 31st August which is actually Bank Holiday Monday (very unlikely anyone would start a new job on a public holiday!!!). I'd just keep an open mind.

Good luck anyway - I'll let you know if I hear anything my end.

CJ

Hi, thanks for replying. Did you apply for Leeds too? Yeah the railway recruitment process is unlike anything I’ve done before. Can be quite exhausting, but hopefully worth it in the end. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[C J Snarzell]

Hi, thanks for replying. Did you apply for Leeds too? Yeah the railway recruitment process is unlike anything I’ve done before. Can be quite exhausting, but hopefully worth it in the end. Fingers crossed for you.

No mate, I applied for a Manchester based TM role. It was advertised internally back in May on the Arriva site - I was working for Arriva on a FTC which ended last month.

XC seem to be strict on travelling times to locations but I live just half an hour from Piccadilly so no issues there.

Like I said, patience is the key - I'd refrain from e-mailing them, just sit tight for now.

Regards

CJ

 

[Supertrains19]

Who did you do your tests with as X country use the OPC tests but don’t report them into the central database and don’t have access them selves, also the do the opposite test to group bourdon (Dots) they do the letters so if the TOC you used does the group bourdon (dots) then you will have to take this part only of the test, when you get confirmation of attending the testing/interview then Speak to recruitment and you normally just have to prove you passed and if you get through the group exercises then you go straight to interview/presentation.

might have changed but this was only early last year.

 

[LCC106]

If the position closed last week (so I suspect was only advertised very recently) and was advertised to start at the end of August then it’s likely that there will be some rapid progress now. Very possible to start on a Bank Holiday Monday. I’ve known it before and of course the railway doesn’t recognise BH for us mere Train Crew! Good luck, sit tight and from applying for my driver course to start date was less than 3 months so things can and do happen quickly when needed.