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Signalling Interview - Questions

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SignalBox

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Hi,

Could anyone from the top off their head remember the questions you get asked in a Signalling Interview? I'm certain all these questions remain the same and each interview is done on a score basis, although it has been two years since I had mine.

I remember one being about setting up an event in a town, one about cows on the line. Other than that, I cannot remember any others.


If either of the two Tom's and/or Carriageline is still about, maybe you guys could share some knowledge on the above. I do recall some detailed conversations with you lot from a couple years ago regarding Signalling.


Thanks in advance.
 
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TomBoyd

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That event question is out now, as far as i know. Check previous threads for reference to the 8 NTS questions.
 

Bluejuice

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The interview is completely based on the 8 Non Technical Skills now.

Tell me about a time when you..........Research the 8 skills and link them to your experiences of life be it work or pleasure.
 

Goggy02

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Hi Signal Box. Yes, like the others have said, it will be on the eight non technical skills which you can find lots of information on within this forum. Can I ask which box you have an interview for? Oh, well done and good luck!
 

SignalBox

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Thanks for the responses and advice.

The box I'm interviewing for is Kings Cross Station.

Thank you,
Fingers crossed!
 
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I have just found out that I have qualified for the interview stage for the vacancy that I am pursuing (A grade 2 at Egginton in Derbyshire)

Is it best to have a couple of examples for each skill? Also can we expect the traditional questions of "what do you know about us?" and "Why do you want the job?"

Thanks in advance
 

woblynne

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Hi, I am in the same position as waterlooroader and would be interested to hear the responses. I am going for the grade 5 at Worcester.

Many thanks
Mark
 

Gavmnnng

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My interview (last April) was completely based around the 8 NTS as mentioned previously.
Give an example of when you multi task etc.
I was asked why I wanted the job and it was also explained that the job as advertised was not going to last much more than 10-15 yrs due to modernisation.
I wasn't asked what I knew about the company as far as I recall.
 

SignalBox

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Thanks for the information Gav!
Yeah a lot of the smaller boxes down where I live (Kent) have been given dates that they will be closed by as they all seem to be integrating into the larger boxes. Mind you, 10-15 years is plenty of time to get in the door and find somewhere more secure when it comes to it!
 

TomBoyd

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Thanks for the information Gav!
Yeah a lot of the smaller boxes down where I live (Kent) have been given dates that they will be closed by as they all seem to be integrating into the larger boxes. Mind you, 10-15 years is plenty of time to get in the door and find somewhere more secure when it comes to it!



Bear in mind that a lot of boxes have MUCH shorter lifespans and NR are trying to drop Non-Compulsory redundancies from the next pay deal, so work has a much lower guarantee rate than before.
 

SignalBox

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Good luck at interview... and if you can try and remember what your asked and spill the beans on your return, most appreciated. ;)


I cannot remember the exact questions but my interview was roughly as follows:

Opening Questions:
Can you tell us your career to date?
What do you currently do? How long have you been there? How comes you want to leave your current job?
How did you find out about Signalling?

I was then asked 8 questions, each regarding 1 NTS. All of which was "Can you tell us a time...". These questions are all scored. It seems as you hit the "buzz words" they tick stuff off the sheet which they have down in bullet points. They also write down your answers.

NTS Questions:
Can you tell us a time where you have had to multi-task?
Can you tell us a time where there has been conflict with colleagues?
Can you tell us at time where you have had to learn a lot of new information at a time?
Can you tell us a time where you have had to keep yourself vigilant when not a lot else is happening?
Can you tell us a time where you have had to make big/important decisions yourself?

They then asked if I had any questions.

The whole interview was very very relaxed, I'd say it was more of a chat. I was expecting it to be a lot more formal. Maybe they try to see if you remain professional - Who knows!


Hope this helps.
 

Goggy02

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Best of luck for the job SignalBox, I know you (like me!) have been looking to getting into signalling for a while. Thanks for the info too :D
 

jimmyvonk

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Melton Constable
I had mine last Monday - very friendly & relaxed, 8 questions on the NTS, but not directly worded like above though, took you a while to work out what they were asking about - and some questions overlapped.
Think it went OK - still waiting for news and running out of fingernails. :)
 

Lddex

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13 Jan 2015
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UK
I had an interview for Egginton in Derbyshire last week; as you say the waiting is torture! :lol:

Tell me about it I got the call from the MOM a couple of days after mine. Just waiting on HR now. Its been 4 weeks (some issue with having to raise the vacancy)
 
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Very true, been in and out of the website far too often to check for any update... it's that terrible mixture of excitement and dread. :(
Good luck on your's - looks a nice box. :D

I know what you mean mate; I keep checking and I haven't had the dreaded "Thanks but no thanks" email yet so I still have hope!

Cheers mate, good luck for yours too.
 

taraandmick

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26 Jun 2015
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Hi, I will be attending an assessment day for a Signalling post at Ledbury in the next few weeks. Can anyone inform me when the Ledbury signal box is due for closure please and what is likely to become of the signallers when the signal box has been closed. Thanks.
 

Lddex

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Hi, I will be attending an assessment day for a Signalling post at Ledbury in the next few weeks. Can anyone inform me when the Ledbury signal box is due for closure please and what is likely to become of the signallers when the signal box has been closed. Thanks.

Thats a tough one. I attended another interview this week which was FTC - but was told that because the re-signalling was being pushed back and most likely not going to happen in their area for a good while, the LOM and his manager had argued to make the position a permanent position as they'd only end up extending the FTC.

As for what happens when the boxes do close I'm not sure but speaking to many signallers on here and from the two interviews, I get the impression that once you're in and have access to the internal jobs board and are willing to re-locate or move you will prob be good.
 

TomBoyd

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Hi, I will be attending an assessment day for a Signalling post at Ledbury in the next few weeks. Can anyone inform me when the Ledbury signal box is due for closure please and what is likely to become of the signallers when the signal box has been closed. Thanks.

All bets are off now for closure. No one knows anything.

FTCs will be extended.
 
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