A very young candidate for a guard position.

[J123]

Hi there,

My Name is Jordan, I'm new to this forum. I've long been a rail enthusiast and aspire towards a successful career on Britain's railways. I have been Volunteering on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway since September 2012 and have really enjoyed my time there.

Earlier this month I applied for a position as a Guard on the South West Trains network. This opportunity is very important to me, I have spend a very long time getting my application form right. What I'd like to ask is are any of you aware of any very young people such as myself getting a job as a Guard? I'm only 18 years old, However I have exactly what the TOC is looking for according to my research and the job description. I have good experience in customer service, dealing with difficult customers, working in a health and safety critical environment, working to strict rules and regulations, working under pressure and some experience working in a railway environment.

According the South west Trains Mypage application, my application form's status is "In Process". which research tells me is a good thing. I suppose i will have to shine in my assessment/interview if my application is successful.

Any help/guidance you can provide would be much appreciated,

Jordan.

 

[L.M_DannyC]

Minimum age for a guard is 18, 21 for a driver, so you should have no problems with regards to your age. Good luck!

 

[J123]

Excellent thanks

 

[yorkie]

They will probably ask you for examples of how you dealt with challenging situations. Not many people your age can easily answer that, but it sounds like your experiences should be an advantage here.

Perhaps you could ask someone to act as the 'interviewer' and ask you such questions, to get some practice?

There are also several threads on this forum which are worth reading, with useful advice.

Good luck!

 

[J123]

I bought the How 2 Become a train conductor book a long time ago. I used it to help me write my application. It also has many practice interview questions in it as well as practice assessment tasks. I'm really doing my best to prepare. Hopefully it should pay off.

 

[GadgetMan]

I bought the How 2 Become a train conductor book a long time ago. I used it to help me write my application. It also has many practice interview questions in it as well as practice assessment tasks. I'm really doing my best to prepare. Hopefully it should pay off.

I got a Guards job off the streets at the age of 19. As long as you can provide relevant answers to application and interview questions then you'll stand a good chance. Lots of other people I know have also been taken on as Guards aged between 18-20 one end of the scale whilst others have been taken on in their late 50's. So it seems age isn't important as long as you meet the TOCs requirements.

Good luck.

 

[TDK]

One word of advice in interview, do not try to compare volunteering for a heritage railway to the job you are applying for, use the experience factor but do not say I know what I am doing as I have done it before on heritage railway.

 

[J123]

Noted. I was reading about that on a previous thread started about TOCs not wanting to employ rail enthusiasts etc. I'm glad I came to this forum for help and advise, There are so many things worth learning from this community.

Thanks

 

[TDK]

Noted. I was reading about that on a previous thread started about TOCs not wanting to employ rail enthusiasts etc. I'm glad I came to this forum for help and advise, There are so many things worth learning from this community.

Thanks

It's not that case that TOC's do not want to employ an enthusiast but they do not want this hobby effecting their training, the other candidates or their commitment to their job. Historically there have been a few previous incidents where the person at fault was an enthusiast which in turn puts some interviewers off.

 

[J123]

I can absolutely understand that. I do have an all around interest in the trains, stations and infrastructure, however I would never let it distract me from my duties. Especially when in a position of such great responsibility.

I once had a job in catering within a place that regularly had a stripper act... I still got the job done! haha

 

[TOCDriver]

I agree with what's been said - good advice. Your age will give you a definite advantage if you come across as being mature and sensible with a good head on your shoulders. I know a few very young guards and they are very impressive people. Best of luck.

 

[ModernRailways]

They will probably ask you for examples of how you dealt with challenging situations. Not many people your age can easily answer that, but it sounds like your experiences should be an advantage here.

Bit off topic, but how would someone with no experience actually answer those questions as they're only 18? Would the interviewer immediately say 'No thanks' or would they be given a hypothetical situation or ask how they would manage certain things? A friend of mine recently had an interview, but when I asked him about it, he just changed the subject.

 

[Dieseldriver]

I became an Underground driver at the age of 18 and started my mainline drivers course at the age of 20. I think to join a safety critical role at a young age maybe requires a bit more work and dedication as I did feel as though I had to 'prove myself' more than older applicants would. At the end of the day if you are suitable for the job then that is what they are looking for. In my personal experience, TOCs are quite accepting of younger people for guards/drivers positions.
Best of luck!

 

[J123]

I feel much better about my chances now and have a better understanding of what will be required form me.

Thanks to all for your input. It is much appreciated.

Jordan.

 

[Vicpaul]

I became an Underground driver at the age of 18 and started my mainline drivers course at the age of 20. I think to join a safety critical role at a young age maybe requires a bit more work and dedication as I did feel as though I had to 'prove myself' more than older applicants would. At the end of the day if you are suitable for the job then that is what they are looking for. In my personal experience, TOCs are quite accepting of younger people for guards/drivers positions.
Best of luck!

Must have been very recent or many moons ago as it's been 21 to be a driver for london underground.

Regarding the original poster, you seem a bright kid with his head screwed on and your exploring all the avenues to give you the best chance off success. I wish you all the best in your quest

 

[bronzeonion]

A mate of mine recently joined SWT Waterloo depot as a guard when he was 18 so no, shouldn't be a problem

 

[Met Driver]

Must have been very recent or many moons ago as it's been 21 to be a driver for london underground.

I don't think that's correct at all. I was qualified less than three months after my 18th in 2008, and I work with several ex-apprentices from various generations who were either drivers or guard-motormen at 18.

 

[TOCDriver]

I don't think that's correct at all. I was qualified less than three months after my 18th in 2008, and I work with several ex-apprentices from various generations who were either drivers or guard-motormen at 18.

It's not correct.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdIgMNx9I64

In fact, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this is 'Dieseldriver' himself!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

It's not correct.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdIgMNx9I64

In fact, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this is 'Dieseldriver' himself!

bloody hell, used to go riding round on trains with him a good few years back, had no idea he'd become a tube driver.

 

[Dieseldriver]

It's not correct.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdIgMNx9I64

In fact, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this is 'Dieseldriver' himself!

Nope that's not me, they didn't trust me with passengers! I was on the ballast trains.

 

[Vicpaul]

I don't think that's correct at all. I was qualified less than three months after my 18th in 2008, and I work with several ex-apprentices from various generations who were either drivers or guard-motormen at 18.

Pretty sure the graduate scheme was the exception. Could be wrong

 

[J123]

Good news, I've been invited for an assessment at Southampton. Very nervous but exited too.

It's on the 14th of this month, anyone else going?

 

[GadgetMan]

Good news, I've been invited for an assessment at Southampton. Very nervous but exited too.

It's on the 14th of this month, anyone else going?

Well done, remember to dress smartly (suit and tie, smart shoes). Get there in plenty of time and be professional from the point you leave the house. It's a small world and you have no idea if the person you interact with will later turn out to be the person interviewing/assessing you. Take some photographic ID with you Licence/passport.

Make sure you get plenty of sleep previous night as it should help.

If you do not fully understand any instructions during the assessment ensure you put your hand up and ask the assessor to clarify before the assessment starts. It may feel embarrassing but will avoid screwing an assessment up.

Good Luck.

 

[J123]

In my letter about the assessment center day it says I will have an interview, will the interview at the test center be similar to the final interview? If I get that far,
I'm really trying my best to succeed through the selection process.

Thanks for the tips Gadgetman... cool name, ha

 

[tlionhart]

Bit off topic, but how would someone with no experience actually answer those questions as they're only 18? Would the interviewer immediately say 'No thanks' or would they be given a hypothetical situation or ask how they would manage certain things? A friend of mine recently had an interview, but when I asked him about it, he just changed the subject.

Not many can or don't know how to answer the question. The word challenge can be on a scale of all levels. It's the interviewers way to see what their definition of challenging is. Not really a right or wrong answer. Could potentially give a weak example which would mark them down. Its an interviewers way to see how the candidate tackled the situation and how they reacted. Could the candidate deal with the problem on their own without getting help? Best not to end the result being the manager dealt with it in the end or I gave it to my colleague.

 

[BestWestern]

Just a pointer about the tests you'll do. I presume there is still a ticket 'checking and selling test' of some sort, which will likely include being asked to work out which ticket you would sell from a range of options. This generally involves being given a list of peak/off peak tme restrictions, and some cards with hyperthetical railcard discounts and the times they can be applied and so on, and being required to work out when the discounts can be applied and when they can't to come up with the correct fare. All I would say it don't be tempted to rush through the questions, there are plenty of pitfulls in calculating the details wrongly. Take your time, aim to answer a decent few but do ensure they're accurate too. It is very possibly worthwhile making up a simar test of your own, or expanding on the practise materials if you have them, in order to be prepared for it.

 

[J123]

I passed the assessment center! My final interview is on Thursday. I'm well prepared but still nervous.

Just wondering, how many guards are SWT likely to be recruiting at once? four of us made it through to the interview stage on the day I attended. I met quite a cool person on the assessment day, it would be awesome if we were to both get the job however unlikely.

 

[Monty]

SWT are currently recruiting for a fair few guards across the network at the moment, at my depot they are in need of at least eight. What depot have you applied for? Good luck for Thursday!

 

[J123]

Waterloo!

 

[Gman]

Good luck for Thursday. I start with SWT on 14 April. Hope to see you then!