Ellieharris04
Member
I am so unbelievably happy....passed my structured interview 
feel like happy crying 
DM interview next for me
feel like happy crying DM interview next for me 
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Greater Anglia Trainee Depot Driver position
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Ellieharris04
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DmanPoppet
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Update: Greater Anglia called today. As suggested in a different thread, they DM interviews are early January.
As it's for a trainee depot driver, would the interview take place @ the depot, or somewhere like Stratford?
As it's for a trainee depot driver, would the interview take place @ the depot, or somewhere like Stratford?
outseyuk
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- Joined
- 9 Oct 2013
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It will vary from depot to depot from what I've heard.
A friend was at depot for 18-24 months (he was an internal applicant with train crew experience already) but it was a quieter depot than say Ilford, where he said it's quicker to promote to mainline.
A friend was at depot for 18-24 months (he was an internal applicant with train crew experience already) but it was a quieter depot than say Ilford, where he said it's quicker to promote to mainline.
Takes anywhere from around 1-4 years depending on retirements and movements. Which depot are you applying for?
Cambridge or Bishops Stortford by any chance?
321446
Member
1-4 years. And the rest :"(
West Anglia, from getting job to passing out I imagine 6 months (ish). Over on t'other side, very depot dependant. Southend, 5 years and still waiting. Colleague just finished his training, took from March. He'd been in Depot 4.5 when he started. Ilford SEEMS to be around 3-3.5 before starting training.
Worth the wait tho. So I'm told.
West Anglia, from getting job to passing out I imagine 6 months (ish). Over on t'other side, very depot dependant. Southend, 5 years and still waiting. Colleague just finished his training, took from March. He'd been in Depot 4.5 when he started. Ilford SEEMS to be around 3-3.5 before starting training.
Worth the wait tho. So I'm told.
Chingford.
Well 1-4 years it what it takes at Clacton and Colchester currently but like you say very depot dependant.
Ellieharris04
Member
I've got my Driver Manager Interview on 10th January
I've got my Driver Manager Interview on 10th January
Well done, which depot are you applying for?
Ellieharris04
Member
Thanks
When I applied in August it was for Ilford but a few more have come up now so I've been told if I can to ask for Gidea Park.Thanks
Just remember that Gidea Park goes to Cross Rail in 2015.
Emilymay86
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- Joined
- 16 Sep 2012
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- 83
Anyone want to give any tips or info on what the Drivers Manager Interviews are Like for Greater Anglia? The East side?
Any info greatly received as it seems they can be very different from one TOC to the next x
Any info greatly received as it seems they can be very different from one TOC to the next x
321446
Member
This is something I knocked up for someone previously. I think it's all still relevant. I've tried to thin it out a bit, but apologies if parts are a bit meh! Thought I'd post it to a wider audience, in case it helps anyone thinking of coming to play with the trainset.
Racking my brains; I'll give the answers to any questions I can remember, forgive me if you already know the answer.
Q. Are you familiar with the Depot Driver system?
Depot Drivers move trains about the Depot under the direction of the Yard Controller (Ilford) so that they can be inspected, repaired, (Ilford) cleaned (Ilford, Gidea, Southend Vic), formulated for service (Ilford, Gidea Park, Southend Vic). Gidea Park this is done under own control, Southend under the direction of (Signalling)Panel Operator who is another Depot Driver. Ilford & Southend you will be dealing with the arrivals & departures for service as part of a team of Depot Drivers (Ilford into/out of Yard/Maintenance Shed, Southend into/out of Yard/Platforms/Sidings) Gidea you will be doing this yourself, giving instructions to Mainline drivers as to which units etc and into/out of Yard and occaisionally platforms at Gidea station.
That is the background - don't quote it verbatum!!! This next bit is important though. You will be a Depot Driver until space becomes available for Mainline training, which as previously pointed out will be AT LEAST 3 years at current rate at Ilford/Gidea and 5 years Southend -if they get a move on could be shorter, which is very unlikely, probably, almost definately longer.
They will ask you if you are prepared to wait indefinately for mainline. Tricky to answer truthfully, but there have been issues of D.Drivers getting bolshy with management about not being made aware how long process was going to take, so it is a sensitive issue. Think I said that it is my ambition to go Mainline eventually, but I am prepared to wait as D.Driver.
Q. Do you have any experience of shift work?
If so give examples. If not, this is not a problem (I had very little previous) just show a willingness - really looking forward to the challenge. Early/late starts/finishes not a problem - I gave example of shop work which was 25 years previous. They will also ask how you will get to Depot for early starts. I could drive when too early for trains.
Q. Why do you want to work on the railway?
Again tricky to answer. They are looking for someone who is not going to be fazed by the physical side of the job (dirty, can be dangerous if proceedures not followed, BIG responsibilities to customers, company, fellow workmates and self). They don't want someone who is going to collect the numbers of every train they drive or get distracted by a strange loco in depot. HOWEVER, pride in job is important. I like big mechanical things - planes, trains, boats, bikes, trucks, cars. A coupla hundred ton of metal is something I respect, but I am not overawed by it.
Q. Do you have any hobbies?
If you like going out and getting smashed/fighting etc, probably best not to bring that up! Drugs are a complete no-no. I said that I had never seen the atraction, which is true. Socialising is fine, but keep a lid on it! They like people who show an interest in history, current affairs, the wider world, but you don't have to be a professor of socioligy, geography or mathematics (or a good speller!!!). They like nice solid reliable people who can interact with others. They don't want people who text all the time or spend late nights looking a dodgy websites. Which is not to say you won't find these people on the railway, they just don't shout about it!
Q. How are you with coping with boring repetative tasks?
When, not if, you are mainline, it is hours of steady plodding. You have to stay alert, focused and not get distracted. Depot Driving has hours of sitting around (Gidea, Southend Vic - Ilford you are lucky to stop for 10 mins) too, doing paperwork (Gidea, Southend - Sorting out unit numbers for arrivals/departures as advised by Control. Sorting out how to get them in yard in such an order you don't have to spend the night shunting them around. Boring, but essential).
Q. How are you at coping with stress.
Another tricky answer. You will get stressed. They don't want you to, but you will. Try to show a steady, logical thought process. Not panicing. I used to be a motorsport marshal, was able to use that as an example.
Q. How do you think you will cope with a fatality.
I again used an example of my marshalling. Also said that you don't know until it happens, but you will have been made aware of the safety proceedures, and you would follow them, knowing that it is your responsibility to render the situation safe in a calm manner. Once situation is safe and you are relieved, well only time will tell.
Hope all this waffling is a) timely b) any use.
Good luck with the interview. They are not as intimidating as you think as long as you keep calm, think before answering and know when to shut up! If you can't think of an answer, say so. They will appreciate that more than you waffling yerself into a hole.
Racking my brains; I'll give the answers to any questions I can remember, forgive me if you already know the answer.
Q. Are you familiar with the Depot Driver system?
Depot Drivers move trains about the Depot under the direction of the Yard Controller (Ilford) so that they can be inspected, repaired, (Ilford) cleaned (Ilford, Gidea, Southend Vic), formulated for service (Ilford, Gidea Park, Southend Vic). Gidea Park this is done under own control, Southend under the direction of (Signalling)Panel Operator who is another Depot Driver. Ilford & Southend you will be dealing with the arrivals & departures for service as part of a team of Depot Drivers (Ilford into/out of Yard/Maintenance Shed, Southend into/out of Yard/Platforms/Sidings) Gidea you will be doing this yourself, giving instructions to Mainline drivers as to which units etc and into/out of Yard and occaisionally platforms at Gidea station.
That is the background - don't quote it verbatum!!! This next bit is important though. You will be a Depot Driver until space becomes available for Mainline training, which as previously pointed out will be AT LEAST 3 years at current rate at Ilford/Gidea and 5 years Southend -if they get a move on could be shorter, which is very unlikely, probably, almost definately longer.
They will ask you if you are prepared to wait indefinately for mainline. Tricky to answer truthfully, but there have been issues of D.Drivers getting bolshy with management about not being made aware how long process was going to take, so it is a sensitive issue. Think I said that it is my ambition to go Mainline eventually, but I am prepared to wait as D.Driver.
Q. Do you have any experience of shift work?
If so give examples. If not, this is not a problem (I had very little previous) just show a willingness - really looking forward to the challenge. Early/late starts/finishes not a problem - I gave example of shop work which was 25 years previous. They will also ask how you will get to Depot for early starts. I could drive when too early for trains.
Q. Why do you want to work on the railway?
Again tricky to answer. They are looking for someone who is not going to be fazed by the physical side of the job (dirty, can be dangerous if proceedures not followed, BIG responsibilities to customers, company, fellow workmates and self). They don't want someone who is going to collect the numbers of every train they drive or get distracted by a strange loco in depot. HOWEVER, pride in job is important. I like big mechanical things - planes, trains, boats, bikes, trucks, cars. A coupla hundred ton of metal is something I respect, but I am not overawed by it.
Q. Do you have any hobbies?
If you like going out and getting smashed/fighting etc, probably best not to bring that up! Drugs are a complete no-no. I said that I had never seen the atraction, which is true. Socialising is fine, but keep a lid on it! They like people who show an interest in history, current affairs, the wider world, but you don't have to be a professor of socioligy, geography or mathematics (or a good speller!!!). They like nice solid reliable people who can interact with others. They don't want people who text all the time or spend late nights looking a dodgy websites. Which is not to say you won't find these people on the railway, they just don't shout about it!
Q. How are you with coping with boring repetative tasks?
When, not if, you are mainline, it is hours of steady plodding. You have to stay alert, focused and not get distracted. Depot Driving has hours of sitting around (Gidea, Southend Vic - Ilford you are lucky to stop for 10 mins) too, doing paperwork (Gidea, Southend - Sorting out unit numbers for arrivals/departures as advised by Control. Sorting out how to get them in yard in such an order you don't have to spend the night shunting them around. Boring, but essential).
Q. How are you at coping with stress.
Another tricky answer. You will get stressed. They don't want you to, but you will. Try to show a steady, logical thought process. Not panicing. I used to be a motorsport marshal, was able to use that as an example.
Q. How do you think you will cope with a fatality.
I again used an example of my marshalling. Also said that you don't know until it happens, but you will have been made aware of the safety proceedures, and you would follow them, knowing that it is your responsibility to render the situation safe in a calm manner. Once situation is safe and you are relieved, well only time will tell.
Hope all this waffling is a) timely b) any use.
Good luck with the interview. They are not as intimidating as you think as long as you keep calm, think before answering and know when to shut up! If you can't think of an answer, say so. They will appreciate that more than you waffling yerself into a hole.
Emilymay86
Member
- Joined
- 16 Sep 2012
- Messages
- 83
Thanks this is really helpful!! When did you have this interview and at what station? Just curious. x
321446
Member
Sometime in 2008! However, I'm reliably informed my post is still relevant by my younger colleagues! Had it at the Training Academy in Romford Road Stratford.
Ellieharris04
Member
Well I had my DM interview last week on the Friday, it started off great then there was a iffy bit in the middle then it was good again so really don't know how I've done, ill be receiving a letter this week on how I've done so all my fingers and toes are crossed
It was such a relaxed interview, one of the funniest interviews I've ever had actually. Just hope they give me the chance
It was such a relaxed interview, one of the funniest interviews I've ever had actually. Just hope they give me the chance
321446
Member
I think I was sitting in the classroom behind you! Good luck!
Ellieharris04
Member
Lol oh really?
looked good what you were doing in there. And Thanks, your questions and answers above we're so helpful Ellieharris04
Member
Thank you
and the questions above are exactly right, the only one I didn't get asked was "why do you want to work on the railway" because I'm already staff. When's your interview?Emilymay86
Member
- Joined
- 16 Sep 2012
- Messages
- 83
My hubby had his interview on Monday.... Only he turned up at Colchester after a whole week of gearing up for it to be told they had changed the date till 24th... But forgot to contact him. Poor man.
Did you hear back yet Ellie? Wishing you the best of luck!
X
Did you hear back yet Ellie? Wishing you the best of luck!
X
Ellieharris04
Member
Oh no way? So he didn't have it in the end?
No I've heard nothing yet, not heard nothing on grape vine either, just want to be put out my misery
and thank you hope your hubby passes with flying colours !! X- Status