Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Multiple (25/01/24)

[felixflyer]

For anyone that has recently sat the tests for trainee driver at Tonbridge, I have the practice sheets they sent but wondering whether there are any other tests that they don't list.

Feel free to DM me with any tips if you don't feel it's right putting them on here

 

[spellbound330]

I applied for this recently as it’s still open. How long does it take to be fast tracked to DMI with OPC passes already?

 

[Croydon1991]

Had my DMI on Wednesday. Gutted to say I didn’t pass. Honestly felt ok leaving the interview but obviously missed the mark. I asked for feedback. Also surprised I even had the DMI at Tonbridge as Orpington was my main choice with HR telling me they are desperate for Orp!
Anyway I’m so gutted and don’t really know where to go from here as I aced all the assessments and MMI.

 

[ComUtoR]

Anyway I’m so gutted and don’t really know where to go from here

You have already taken the first step by checking into other TOCs (I noticed your request in the GTR thread). You need to take the feedback you were given and then see how you need to improve, figure what went wrong, and then plan for the next interview.

Did you get a 'talent pool, 6 month and reapply, or a straight no ?

 

[REO Nate]

Had my DMI on Wednesday. Gutted to say I didn’t pass. Honestly felt ok leaving the interview but obviously missed the mark. I asked for feedback. Also surprised I even had the DMI at Tonbridge as Orpington was my main choice with HR telling me they are desperate for Orp!
Anyway I’m so gutted and don’t really know where to go from here as I aced all the assessments and MMI.

I can completely understand why you are gutted, but just try to remember you are not the first and will not be the last to be in this position. What you do now is the important thing and if this is something you really want to do, then don't give up.

As @ComUtoR has said, you need to listen to the feedback and devleop the weaker areas before moving forwards. You know what questions have been asked and they are likely to be similar in the future, so you know what you face.

6 months before you can reapply for SE will fly past and you will be in a stronger position next time.

 

[Samzino]

Does SE usually tell you on the day if you've passed or failed the Assessment Day or has there been instances that this is done days later via Call or Email? Also does SE remove candidates on the day if they fail a certain test or does a candidate sit everything regardless of the individual test results until the end? Asking due to a fellow friend who's sat all the Assessments at Tonbridge but didn't hear anything on the day about their results.

 

[vargas1995]

Does SE usually tell you on the day if you've passed or failed the Assessment Day or has there been instances that this is done days later via Call or Email? Also does SE remove candidates on the day if they fail a certain test or does a candidate sit everything regardless of the individual test results until the end? Asking due to a fellow friend who's sat all the Assessments at Tonbridge but didn't hear anything on the day about their results.

Morning, when i sat my assessments on the 18/03/24 we was told at the beginning of the day that if you failed on one part of the test you will be sent on your way home.

The tests are split into stages & throughout the day you are required to pass every stage to progress. After each stage they mark it and tell you if it’s time to go home or next stage.

Im guessing your friend passed since they let him do all the assessments. First time hearing that they don't tell you if you have passed or not

 

[Samzino]

Morning, when i sat my assessments on the 18/03/24 we was told at the beginning of the day that if you failed on one part of the test you will be sent on your way home.

The tests are split into stages & throughout the day you are required to pass every stage to progress. After each stage they mark it and tell you if it’s time to go home or next stage.

Im guessing your friend passed since they let him do all the assessments. First time hearing that they don't tell you if you have passed or not

I thought so too. Thanks indeed. She did mention they were about 10 but by the end of the day we're around 5 to 6

 

[vargas1995]

Oh wow that is a few people making it to the end of the day! I was fortunate enough to have my MMi same day because i was the last man standing.

Been waiting ever since for a DMI.


Does anyone know if any london depots are recruiting soon?

 

[Samzino]

Oh wow that is a few people making it to the end of the day! I was fortunate enough to have my MMi same day because i was the last man standing.

Been waiting ever since for a DMI.


Does anyone know if any london depots are recruiting soon?

I'd assume Slade Green or Dartford should be as I know quite a few qualifieds from SE off those two Depots were due interviews recently with my TOC.

 

[kourblimey]

Hi everyone!

Does anybody know how long southeastern take (roughly) to inform you about DMI and Medical dates?

I applied in February 2024, completed all of my assessments at the Tonbridge assessment centre in March 2024 and haven’t heard anything since, other than being told I’ve passed.

Seems unusual to not have heard anything after 2 months, especially as I heard they were quite desperate for new drivers.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[REO Nate]

Hi everyone!

Does anybody know how long southeastern take (roughly) to inform you about DMI and Medical dates?

I applied in February 2024, completed all of my assessments at the Tonbridge assessment centre in March 2024 and haven’t heard anything since, other than being told I’ve passed.

Seems unusual to not have heard anything after 2 months, especially as I heard they were quite desperate for new drivers.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

Two months is definitely not unusual with Southeastern. I know a couple of people who were interviewed at Tonbridge a few weeks ago, but they completed their assessments much earlier this year. It will come, but don’t expect it to be a fast process, it rarely is.

 

[kourblimey]

Oh wow that is a few people making it to the end of the day! I was fortunate enough to have my MMi same day because i was the last man standing.

Been waiting ever since for a DMI.


Does anyone know if any london depots are recruiting soon?

Hi mate, have you had a response from them since?

Two months is definitely not unusual with Southeastern. I know a couple of people who were interviewed at Tonbridge a few weeks ago, but they completed their assessments much earlier this year. It will come, but don’t expect it to be a fast process, it rarely is.

Appreciate the quick response!

I’ve actually applied for the Victoria depot, that’s what was being advertised at the time. Any idea if any vacancies are popping up at Vic?

Also quite reassuring to know that people are being interviewed a few months after their assessments, thanks for the info!

 

[REO Nate]

Hi mate, have you had a response from them since?


Appreciate the quick response!

I’ve actually applied for the Victoria depot, that’s what was being advertised at the time. Any idea if any vacancies are popping up at Vic?

Also quite reassuring to know that people are being interviewed a few months after their assessments, thanks for the info!

Vic and Orpington are the two depots that have the greatest need, but there are vacancies popping up at all depots.

I doubt it will be too long before they interview for Vic and Orpington again.

 

[vargas1995]

Hi mate, have you had a response from them since?


Appreciate the quick response!

I’ve actually applied for the Victoria depot, that’s what was being advertised at the time. Any idea if any vacancies are popping up at Vic?

Also quite reassuring to know that people are being interviewed a few months after their assessments, thanks for the info!

Good evening! yes i got the call last week from recruitment. I have my DMI for charing Cross on the 3rd of June!! i'm excited and a bit nervous at the same time but i feel ready for when the day arrives

I passed my assessment and MMi on the 18th of March.

You will get the call 100% just try not to dwell on it too much and do your homework about the company while you wait.

 

[kourblimey]

Good evening! yes i got the call last week from recruitment. I have my DMI for charing Cross on the 3rd of June!! i'm excited and a bit nervous at the same time but i feel ready for when the day arrives

I passed my assessment and MMi on the 18th of March.

You will get the call 100% just try not to dwell on it too much and do your homework about the company while you wait.

Brilliant! Congratulations

Good luck with the DMI and keep us posted for the 3rd of June!

I passed my assessments and MMI just 3 days prior to you, so here’s to hoping it’s pretty soon

 

[Az87]

I applied last week for Ashford and now I'm waiting to do the assessment again as my previous pass has expired.

Less than 2 hours after submitting my application they replied saying I had passed the screening process (which was very quick) but they did say they have a lot of applicants to move through to the assessment stage and that they are currently prioritising applicants who live in the area they are recruiting for, I assume it is for the metro depots. They did also say they are trying to put people through to the assessment as quickly as possible.

I have previously gone through the process 3 times before always getting to the DMI but never getting offered the job, I thought I'd never put myself through the process again but now I'm feeling excited by it.

 

[Grvrdvicdr]

.

I applied last week for Ashford and now I'm waiting to do the assessment again as my previous pass has expired.

Less than 2 hours after submitting my application they replied saying I had passed the screening process (which was very quick) but they did say they have a lot of applicants to move through to the assessment stage and that they are currently prioritising applicants who live in the area they are recruiting for, I assume it is for the metro depots. They did also say they are trying to put people through to the assessment as quickly as possible.

I have previously gone through the process 3 times before always getting to the DMI but never getting offered the job, I thought I'd never put myself through the process again but now I'm feeling excited by it.

They advertised?

 

[Az87]

.


They advertised?

It wasn't shown in the job search but when I searched "Southeastern trainee train driver" in Google, I found this page: https://careers.southeasternrailway.co.uk/members/modules/job/detail.php?record=39

It now says the job closed on 14/05/24 which was the day I applied.

 

[kourblimey]

It wasn't shown in the job search but when I searched "Southeastern trainee train driver" in Google, I found this page: https://careers.southeasternrailway.co.uk/members/modules/job/detail.php?record=39

It now says the job closed on 14/05/24 which was the day I applied.

Does anybody know why southeastern would be advertising to recruit more trainee drivers before contacting those that have already passed assessments?

 

[Grvrdvicdr]

Does anybody know why southeastern would be advertising to recruit more trainee drivers before contacting those that have already passed assessments?

Because they’re so short staffed due to arguably being the worst TOC in the south to drive for

 

[Az87]

Does anybody know why southeastern would be advertising to recruit more trainee drivers before contacting those that have already passed assessments?

The previous times I applied (as an internal applicant) it was very common for most people to do the assessment and then be waiting for a year or 2 but they would continue to send people through to assessment.

It could be because a lot of people don't get offered a job after the DMI so they need a steady flow of people to send through to the DMI and it is faster if they have a large list than a small list which could risk becoming empty and then they need to advertise the job, send people to assessment etc. In one round of DMIs it is possible no one is offered a job and they need to then use the next batch of people from the talent pool.

I will advise about the DMI, it is graded and you need to receive a high grade in every answer to be offered a job.

 

[ComUtoR]

Because they’re so short staffed due to arguably being the worst TOC in the south to drive for

Or to allow for the expectation that there is about to be a sudden exodus with retiree's

 

[kourblimey]

The previous times I applied (as an internal applicant) it was very common for most people to do the assessment and then be waiting for a year or 2 but they would continue to send people through to assessment.

It could be because a lot of people don't get offered a job after the DMI so they need a steady flow of people to send through to the DMI and it is faster if they have a large list than a small list which could risk becoming empty and then they need to advertise the job, send people to assessment etc. In one round of DMIs it is possible no one is offered a job and they need to then use the next batch of people from the talent pool.

I will advise about the DMI, it is graded and you need to receive a high grade in every answer to be offered a job.

Is the grading for the DMI similar to that of the civil service? Where a minimum score of 4/7 is required to be deemed acceptable? Or is there a different scoring system for the TOC’s?

 

[Az87]

Is the grading for the DMI similar to that of the civil service? Where a minimum score of 4/7 is required to be deemed acceptable? Or is there a different scoring system for the TOC’s?

I can't remember the exact details but it is similar, it was scored on the scale of 0 to 4, minimum score of 3 if I remember correctly. The candidates are put into categories after the interviews for example job offer, passed the interview go onto a waiting list until the next job comes up and failed the interview.

I don't know if it is the same for other TOC's though.

They gave me some insight into how the interviews work and let me conduct some interviews for other roles to help me understand how to "pass" them after my failed 3rd attempt. Most roles in Southeastern use the same scoring system in their interviews.

 

[kourblimey]

I can't remember the exact details but it is similar, it was scored on the scale of 0 to 4, minimum score of 3 if I remember correctly. The candidates are put into categories after the interviews for example job offer, passed the interview go onto a waiting list until the next job comes up and failed the interview.

I don't know if it is the same for other TOC's though.

They gave me some insight into how the interviews work and let me conduct some interviews for other roles to help me understand how to "pass" them after my failed 3rd attempt. Most roles in Southeastern use the same scoring system in their interviews.

That’s great info, much appreciated!

Because they’re so short staffed due to arguably being the worst TOC in the south to drive for

What would make them worst than other TOC’s from an employees perspective? Sorry if that’s a silly question but would help me better gauge what I should be looking out for in terms of working conditions and comparing to other TOC’s

All the best