Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast

[bagazon]

Bingo!
Test invitation!

 

[MarkMayf]

I received the rejection email this evening as well. Sigh.

 

[atochopefull]

I did with mousepad. Really not that mouse dependant as all choices in a vertical line. Do the practice and see how you get on and where to place cursor before you start. Good luck

Thanks.

 

[Bucko]

If I'd have waited 16 months in a talent pool I would of realised that it's probably never going to happen and been a bit more proactive in trying

RE - never going to happen after 16mths. You obviously don't know how this all works. Nobody for Bedford has been put on a course yet. Theres a reason why assessments results are valid for 3 years

RE - be more proactive. Laughing face emoji.

 

[Jonno6699]

Just had the thanks for your cv and cover letter, and another email with the Checking Test link. I applied for Newcastle.

 

[bagazon]

Guys which link to use in order to practice?
On the SEB web page there is nothing specific nor the checking test??!!

 

[martin2345uk]

Pleased for you well done hope you do well!!
Where did you apply for?

Thank you! I applied for Leeds.

 

[doubleamber]

Got a 25 % discount on tickets and a dear John. Gee thanks and get lost

 

[HD-VTWIN]

Received an e-mail (1700hrs) with the link to the online test. I applied for Newcastle.

 

[Maybe]

Applied for Newcastle myself aswell but still yet to receive anything. After having my email hacked recently I have a really stringent junk filter inplace, can I ask people what address they have received emails from just so i can ensure I dont miss it please.

Good luck to those that have been invited to take the online tests however!!

Many thanks
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Invited to take the test. Email received at 1655hrs. Commiserations to those who have been unlucky. Those who have got this far, I feel, still have a very long way to go. Says I need a mouse to do the test. Anyone done it without a mouse? Is it impossible to do without a mouse?

If it is similar to the tests that I did for FGW 3 1/2 yrs ago (still in the talent pool apparently), then yes I would suggest using a mouse.

Although in theory the tests could be completed using a mousepad on a laptop for example, I believe reactions are a key part of the test, so using a mouse I believe is a fairer reflection of your reactions as opposed to a mousepad. Thinking back, I think some of the questions may have been timed aswell, but dont hold me to that however.

Others on here maybe able to help you out if they have been invited to take the tests, but I wouldnt hold too much hope for that however, as for some reason some people think they will be doing themselves harm in giving out information like this.

I wish you the best of luck however.

 

[Vik10]

Well that's me with a no, good luck to everyone in the next stage.

I know it was a long shot getting one of these positions and to get right through to the end was going to take a bit of luck as well, but am slightly disappointed I didn't even get through to the online checking stage.

It might have been my cover letter but with 15000 applicants and a office girl checking my CV from a technical industry she knows nothing about and probably reads double dutch to her it has got to take a bit of luck to get through.

 

[Hopeful2015]

Well that's me with a no, good luck to everyone in the next stage.

I know it was a long shot getting one of these positions and to get right through to the end was going to take a bit of luck as well, but am slightly disappointed I didn't even get through to the online checking stage.

It might have been my cover letter but with 15000 applicants and a office girl checking my CV from a technical industry she knows nothing about and probably reads double dutch to her it has got to take a bit of luck to get through.

Ha ha i don't think they have office girls who know nothing checking through the emails. Im sure they know their stuff and what they are looking for

 

[Vik10]

How long do you think they will have spent looking at CV's?

 

[Hopeful2015]

How long do you think they will have spent looking at CV's?

I think they Will have searched them for keywords

 

[Vik10]

Your probably right but I do believe the position I am in at the moment does have a lot of crossover skills required to be a driver so would have hoped to at least got to the next stage. They could have probably afforded to bin 14000 applications and still get enough great applicants to fill the positions so thats why I think there was a bit of luck needed at this stage.
I hope this does not sound as though I am bitter haha. I arent and do have an application in with Northern and always thought that one would have more chance of progressing.

 

[Jonno6699]

Your probably right but I do believe the position I am in at the moment does have a lot of crossover skills required to be a driver so would have hoped to at least got to the next stage. They could have probably afforded to bin 14000 applications and still get enough great applicants to fill the positions so thats why I think there was a bit of luck needed at this stage.
I hope this does not sound as though I am bitter haha. I arent and do have an application in with Northern and always thought that one would have more chance of progressing.

I too have a lot of transferable skills for the role. The question is did you put those across in the cover letter?

 

[juniorred]

Got the 25% discount email aswell. While I'm disappointed have to keep a realistic view on the situation and realise to be picked for one of these positions was a long shot. Good luck to the guys that are still left in the process. Hope you guys keep us updated.

 

[Vik10]

I didnt Jonno and that was probably my downfall but wasn't sure how much they wanted in there so my mistake, live and learn

 

[dugster70]

Applied for Newcastle myself aswell but still yet to receive anything. After having my email hacked recently I have a really stringent junk filter inplace, can I ask people what address they have received emails from just so i can ensure I dont miss it please.

Good luck to those that have been invited to take the online tests however!!

Many thanks


--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


If it is similar to the tests that I did for FGW 3 1/2 yrs ago (still in the talent pool apparently), then yes I would suggest using a mouse.

Although in theory the tests could be completed using a mousepad on a laptop for example, I believe reactions are a key part of the test, so using a mouse I believe is a fairer reflection of your reactions as opposed to a mousepad. Thinking back, I think some of the questions may have been timed aswell, but dont hold me to that however.

Others on here maybe able to help you out if they have been invited to take the tests, but I wouldnt hold too much hope for that however, as for some reason some people think they will be doing themselves harm in giving out information like this.

I wish you the best of luck however.

The reason that we come on these forums is that we all share a common goal, information should be shared about your experiences during the application process , if you are unwilling to share then don't post simple as

 

[martin2345uk]

I too have a lot of transferable skills for the role. The question is did you put those across in the cover letter?

I didn't really mention any skills in my cover letter :-/ and my CV is that of an office monkey so yeah I'm gonna say a large part of my getting through to the tests was luck!

 

[Sam Slade]

The reason that we come on these forums is that we all share a common goal, information should be shared about your experiences during the application process , if you are unwilling to share then don't post simple as

Really? Who nominated you as spokesperson for the forum? Easy to advocate sharing when you're already a driver ( as it says under your name ).

It's a forum, people are free to do as they please, as long as they stay within the rules.

Into sharing? Part of a commune? Going to buy me a pint?

 

[choochoochoo]

Well that's me with a no, good luck to everyone in the next stage.

I know it was a long shot getting one of these positions and to get right through to the end was going to take a bit of luck as well, but am slightly disappointed I didn't even get through to the online checking stage.

It might have been my cover letter but with 15000 applicants and a office girl checking my CV from a technical industry she knows nothing about and probably reads double dutch to her it has got to take a bit of luck to get through.

Mate, its not bitter at all. Trust me, I've worked in the back office of a few Virgin companies !! Old beardy Branson likes to give most of those jobs to girls who don't have a clue about life on the front line !!

You can see it from their twitter pics. Instead of going through the applications they were more interested in decorating their office for Halloween !!!

 

[dugster70]

Get in touch 07890317510
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Really? Who nominated you as spokesperson for the forum? Easy to advocate sharing when you're already a driver ( as it says under your name ).

It's a forum, people are free to do as they please, as long as they stay within the rules.

Into sharing? Part of a commune? Going to buy me a pint?

Of course I'll buy you a pint

 

[Coddy1983]

Hi guys
Well done to everyone who has progressed to the next stage, is there anyone who hasn't had a reply yet or just me

 

[juniorred]

I didn't really mention any skills in my cover letter :-/ and my CV is that of an office monkey so yeah I'm gonna say a large part of my getting through to the tests was luck!

The way how they advertised the position was abit weird imo. Personally I thought they only wanted the 5 questions in the cover letter. all I did was a little intro to who I was, answered the 5 question and a yours faithfully with my name.

 

[djsmith200]

Guys which link to use in order to practice?
On the SEB web page there is nothing specific nor the checking test??!!

https://www.cebglobal.com/shldirect/en/assessment-advice/example-questions/checking-test

 

[nata]

Have you received the email or not?

They seem to be getting nearer Leeds area now I know around 15 people that have applied and none had heard until 3pm yesterday and now 7/15 have a rejection!!

No emails at all yet. Just hanging tight.

 

[Maybe]

The reason that we come on these forums is that we all share a common goal, information should be shared about your experiences during the application process , if you are unwilling to share then don't post simple as

I think I shared as much as I possible could, so if this is a dig at me its unwarranted.

 

[Vik10]

I didn't really mention any skills in my cover letter :-/ and my CV is that of an office monkey so yeah I'm gonna say a large part of my getting through to the tests was luck!

Well good luck Martin, hope the tests go good for you mate. Its the assessment days I would not have enjoyed. Not keen on these big company modern HR techniques haha

The way how they advertised the position was abit weird imo. Personally I thought they only wanted the 5 questions in the cover letter. all I did was a little intro to who I was, answered the 5 question and a yours faithfully with my name.

Yeah Think that was my mistake should have sold myself more on the cover letter but it wasn't the clearest.

 

[dugster70]

I think I shared as much as I possible could, so if this is a dig at me its unwarranted.

It's not a dig at you my friend, apologies if it felt like that I was endorsing what you said