A career as a train driver

[Chloe88]

Are you allowed a drink/bottle of water in the MMI interview which you can sip on occassionaly?

 

[rhysa85]

Are you allowed a drink/bottle of water in the MMI interview which you can sip on occassionaly?

Yes you can Chloe, I would even recommend it as you will be talking for roughly 45-60 minutes. The MMI isn't as scary as many make out, be confident, stick to your stories and say me/I instead of we and you'll smash it. Good Luck

 

[Chloe88]

Yes you can Chloe, I would even recommend it as you will be talking for roughly 45-60 minutes. The MMI isn't as scary as many make out, be confident, stick to your stories and say me/I instead of we and you'll smash it. Good Luck

Thats good to know

Thank you rhysa85

 

[djj395]

Hello guys,
Have a really stupid question where to start looking for opportunities to become train driver trainee. I know it is highly demanded job but maybe there is website where I can put my name in the hat when job echoes available? Thank you for any stear

 

[ATW-156]

I have applied with Arriva Trains Wales for the role of trainee Train driver. I have read the entire thread on "Becoming a Train Driver"from page 1 to page 71 (2008-to present) which has taken about 3 days. This thread has given me a lot of insight to the application and assessment's that I am required to achieve a pass in.


I am currently employed as a work area manager for the largest delivery company in the UK and an Important part of this is to be safety conscious at all times and relay messages to my team with clear and concise language that is not prone to deletion or distortion.

I also have to deal with many safety issues such as for example, occurrences of powder spillages from parcels that can be a contamination risk and also follow protocol on reporting to central postal control and quarantine to safe guard my employees, fire evacuation and role call, Fuel spillages, SSOW and ensuring employees follow SOP's.

I have tried my best to relate the above simplified layout of my current duties into the role of a Train Driver and hope this will suffice in at least getting an interview.

I have nothing to ask as it all appears to be covered in this thread or has led me in the direction I need to go to find the information myself using my own initiative.

I just want to thank all those who have provided good clear and concise answers to questions asked, It has helped me a huge amount.

And also a big thank you to the mods and admin that run this website.

Thanks to all

Alpha Tango Whisky 156 requesting MA for interview

 

[Bishaaj]

Has anyone apply to Firstgroup train driver recently? If so, what is their online assessment all about and how can one get through it. Anyone please?

 

[DunfordBridge]

Has anyone apply to Firstgroup train driver recently? If so, what is their online assessment all about and how can one get through it. Anyone please?

Did anyone actually get back to you on this and have you got an application ongoing at the present time?

 

[Bishaaj]

Did anyone actually get back to you on this and have you got an application ongoing at the present time?[/

I didn't receive any feedback from anyone. Anyway, i have attempted the online test and it was situational judgement test which i passed and then moved on to the reaction or fault finding test all online. I think i did it very well but got e-mail that i didn't progress.

I'm on a look out for trainee driver vacancy.
Thank you for you concern.....

 

[DunfordBridge]

These emails are not always very specific. Not applied for driver for well over a year but you always got the Situational Judgement Test followed by the Verify Checking test with numbers and strings of alphabetic letters. I would expect that if your score was below the threshold for the SJT, then you would not get the invite for the Verify Checking test. I gather that the telephone interviews may have changed since my last driver application.

Remember thinking, you only get 48 hours to complete the tests but I was extremely busy.

 

[Meonly]

Hey,

I joined the huge number of people who want to become a train driver and I am looking for education in this field.

I came across a 1 Day How2Become course and before I jump in I would appreciate if anybody who have done this course could send me his/her genuine feedback.

Thanks,
Zsolti

 

[drazky]

.......

 

[Yeffy]

Hey,

I joined the huge number of people who want to become a train driver and I am looking for education in this field.

I came across a 1 Day How2Become course and before I jump in I would appreciate if anybody who have done this course could send me his/her genuine feedback.

Thanks,
Zsolti

Zsolti?
lool, looks like not I am the only one person here from the same country

drazky

Avoid the how to become because they are rubish!!

can you explain me pls why? what's the problem with them?

 

[Cagey]

The How2Become series is an over priced educational rip off that preys on people by making them believe they have information you can't find anywhere else.

How2Become an SBS Soldier, How2Become a Firefighter, How2Become a Pilot, How2Become a Dominoes Pizza Delivery Chap... That sort of thing

Stick with this forum, it's a goldmine of information (as i'm finding out).

 

[RBSN]

The How2Become series is an over priced educational rip off that preys on people by making them believe they have information you can't find anywhere else.

This. They're a money-making series for people who may not be internet savvy.

Everything you would ever need to know is here.

 

[Yeffy]

The How2Become series is an over priced educational rip off that preys on people by making them believe they have information you can't find anywhere else.

How2Become an SBS Soldier, How2Become a Firefighter, How2Become a Pilot, How2Become a Dominoes Pizza Delivery Chap... That sort of thing

Stick with this forum, it's a goldmine of information (as i'm finding out).

right, thank you the information, mate!

for RSBN too!

 

[A2B]

I've attended one TOC's MMI as part of my train driver assessment process. I wasn't successful.

As I am not very happy the way it was conducted, hence I am requesting anyone here to please clarify the confusion I've regarding the process.

On the actual interview day I was asked if a trainee observer could observe the interview process as she was trying to gain her qualification, to which I obviously didn't have much choice and said yes.
I was later a bit surprised to see that it was just one manager doing my interview and asking questions when this trainee observe sitting next only took notes.
From the information I've gathered through different sources and people previously attended the same interview, I think it's a bit unusual for one person to hold such interviews and make decision solely, not sure if it's legal as per the rules.

I would appreciate if you please clarify the rules and common practice on this matter.

Please ask if you require any further information.

I would greatly appreciate your early response please.


Many thanks,

 

[Dave999]

When I did my MMI with GTR it was with one interviewer. I think it's pretty normal on the MMI.

 

[Wallicio]

It was one on one on my MMI ??????

 

[Dave999]

It's not nice failing the MMI but you passed the other parts and the MMI can be worked on. Get feedback and apply again at your next opportunity, you will be successful next time.

 

[sw1ller]

deleted this as i think i have the mmi confussed with something else! haha

 

[Shrimper]

My MMI at DB Schenker had only one interviewer during the MMI as well.

 

[Hughqq]

Hi

I failed my first MMI as well and was as disappointed as you, however I stuck at it and re took it after the 6 month period and passed.

I had the same initial feelings but then got out of that attitude and went to work on my answers with the help of reading the posts on this forum.

Patience and perserverance is the key as I then eventually went on to the DMI, and yesterday a medical, which if I pass will mean a start date of October.

All of this has taken me about three years but I'm nearly there!

My advice is to take the knock back on the chin and return with a positive attitude. All the time you are mithering about the fail prevents you from preparing for the future. Spend your energy on how you can achieve your goal

I've attended one TOC's MMI as part of my train driver assessment process. I wasn't successful.

As I am not very happy the way it was conducted, hence I am requesting anyone here to please clarify the confusion I've regarding the process.

On the actual interview day I was asked if a trainee observer could observe the interview process as she was trying to gain her qualification, to which I obviously didn't have much choice and said yes.
I was later a bit surprised to see that it was just one manager doing my interview and asking questions when this trainee observe sitting next only took notes.
From the information I've gathered through different sources and people previously attended the same interview, I think it's a bit unusual for one person to hold such interviews and make decision solely, not sure if it's legal as per the rules.

I would appreciate if you please clarify the rules and common practice on this matter.

Please ask if you require any further information.

I would greatly appreciate your early response please.


Many thanks,

 

[A2B]

Hi

I failed my first MMI as well and was as disappointed as you, however I stuck at it and re took it after the 6 month period and passed.

I had the same initial feelings but then got out of that attitude and went to work on my answers with the help of reading the posts on this forum.

Patience and perserverance is the key as I then eventually went on to the DMI, and yesterday a medical, which if I pass will mean a start date of October.

All of this has taken me about three years but I'm nearly there!

My advice is to take the knock back on the chin and return with a positive attitude. All the time you are mithering about the fail prevents you from preparing for the future. Spend your energy on how you can achieve your goal

Many thanks for your very encouraging and positive response.

Yes I agree that putting the failure behind and moving on focused is the best way forward.

I am still waiting to receive feedback, as the interviewer man was not able to make it last two promised times due to other commitments.
Hopefully equipped with feedback and preparation, i'll make it next time.

In the mean time any preparation advice, strategies or tricks if you can advise would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks once again.


Best regards,

 

[Hughqq]

The feedback will be very generic in terms of the answers you gave, which for me was very frustrating, so be prepared for that.

They will tell you which questions you passed and those that you did not so you will know which answers they did not like.

What I did was write as much as i could recall about what i said for each question and then take them apart from a critical eye.

Another forum user also provided these links

http://www.theopc.co.uk/content.jsp?c=otd

http://www.theopc.co.uk/content.jsp?c=ValidIssue01

which cover the sort of things that they are looking for in your answers.

As a result, and even though i only failed one question, I re built all my answers from scratch. I also had alternatives for each in case they wanted another.

As you probably know they do drill down into each answer and push you on the detail. This sort of prep will help you deal with that, and please make sure the answers are your own, they will know if they are made up.

I was pushed on a question about dealing with an emergency on the platform when you were due to take a train out, and of course there was no platform staff to take over. They were trying to see if I would leave the situation just to get the train out on time. I pushed back and said I would deal with the problem until someone was able to take over even if it meant there was a delay. This seemed to be the right answer.

So don't be afraid to stand your ground when it comes to safety first questions.

Finally read all the excellent posts available on this forum, there is a mine of information available

Good luck

Many thanks for your very encouraging and positive response.

Yes I agree that putting the failure behind and moving on focused is the best way forward.

I am still waiting to receive feedback, as the interviewer man was not able to make it last two promised times due to other commitments.
Hopefully equipped with feedback and preparation, i'll make it next time.

In the mean time any preparation advice, strategies or tricks if you can advise would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks once again.


Best regards,

 

[Calaguas]

How to become a train driver or shunter train driver?

 

[RBSN]

How to become a train driver or shunter train driver?

For which country?

 

[Kylie88]

Hi!

I've been following this thread since I applied to be a trainee driver for Northern Sheffield at the beginning of the year. I'm through to the assessment day which is in a few days time. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how long you usually get to hand your notice in if you are successful and are offered a position? I have 3 months notice to give which I did talk about in my interview and they seemed to think it would be OK but I know that there will be set start dates and I'm worried that if I do get through I won't have enough time to work my notice so I'll be stuck. I know that they are a bit behind with the trainee applications at the minute so I'm hoping this will go in my favour.

Also, as a side note I've seen a couple of posts about tattoos, I have a few and always cover them for interviews and such but I was wondering if anyone else worked for Northern and knew how they were about them? I'd expect to have to cover them but I'm quite lucky that in my current job they don't mind.

 

[Kit.Frank]

Hi Kylie88. I have to give 8 weeks notice at my place of work, which seems a lot more than most on this forum. However, I mentioned it at my interview for trainee driver like yourself and the interviewers said as long as I put 8 weeks on my initial application form, it wasn't an issue.

I haven't read much on here about tattoos and I'm not sure what Northern's stance is on them. I have one that's small but visible and I'm not sure if I will be required to cover it up when driving or not, but I wouldn't mind if they said I needed to.

Good luck with assessment day!

 

[ComUtoR]

Tattoo's amongst the Driving grade are quite popular. From very heavily tattooed to very subtle. I have never known a Driver to be asked to cover up. I have seen plenty with tattoos down the neck but nothing on the face.

I know many DM's that have Tattoo's and they do the interviews

 

[tommo1097]

Hi Kylie88. I have to give 8 weeks notice at my place of work, which seems a lot more than most on this forum. However, I mentioned it at my interview for trainee driver like yourself and the interviewers said as long as I put 8 weeks on my initial application form, it wasn't an issue.

I haven't read much on here about tattoos and I'm not sure what Northern's stance is on them. I have one that's small but visible and I'm not sure if I will be required to cover it up when driving or not, but I wouldn't mind if they said I needed to.

Good luck with assessment day!

Hi kit.frank, have you applied for trainee driver for northern?