Passed train driver assessment :)))

[Loulou]

Ok so I'm new to this forum and would greatly appreciate some advice.
After working my arse off for the last few weeks I passed the train driver assessment for southern on Thursday now awaiting to hear a date for the DMI & MMI I really don't want to fail at the last hurdle so I have a few questions which I'm hoping some of you may be able to help with please

1. How long after passing the assessment did you hear about when you were going to have the next interviews

2. The DMI ? I'm under the impression this is mainly based around why do you want to be a train driver ? Knowledge of company ? Any feedback or questions for this would be greatly appreciated

3. The one I think I'm most dreading the MMI ! During the assessment we was asked to fill out a sheet listing tasks / experiences such as under pressure , emergency situation. I understand that I'm not under pressure to stick to what I wrote and can change my responses as these will go through to that interview, my current job is a bit samey samey every day such as sticking to rules & regulations can you use this as an overall answer in opposed to a specific task ?

After getting this far it would be a shame to fail any of the above any advice is welcome
Thank you

 

[Yellowcupra]

I had my DMI 1 month after passing my assessments. MMI 1 and a half months after DMI.
I reasearched Southern and GTR. Everything from their aims to the types of traction used. The number of services a day/year. What I knew of the role. They then asked me about 6 key competencies.
The MMI was my least favourite part of the whole thing. Best advice I can offer is don't lie. Use genuine examples. Think safety, customer care, honesty and reliability. Best of luck.

 

[Loulou]

Thank you , were you allowed to take notes in to the interviews ? I was going to bullet point a few things I don't want to miss out & refer to these during some of the questions

 

[Yellowcupra]

I didn't but can't imagine they'd have an issue with that. But I don't think they'd be happy if you they ask you what you know about the role of a driver or what you know about the company and you read it off a piece of paper.

 

[PhoenixBC]

Hi Loulou,

Congrats on passing and good luck with the next stages. I applied for Trainee Train Driver with Southern GTR/1326 and it's been exactly 4 weeks since their last email regarding the initial sift.
Was it this one that you applied for? or an earlier application? they did say that it would take 4-6 weeks to get back with a reply. Thanks.

 

[Loulou]

Thank you yellowcupra , I was only going to take notes into the MMI don't think il need for the DMI ,

& thanks phoenixBC yes I applied for this position around the week of the 20th Jan GTR/1326 , I had a response email after my application saying 4-6 weeks but got a reply about 3 or 4 days after , hope you hear something back soon

 

[EmGreen92]

hi loulou
well done for passing the assessment day, i also have been invited for an assessment day for southern on 9th March.
i have a couple of questions about the assessment day if you don't mind me asking?
was the bourdon test on paper or computer? &
did you only have to do the psychometric tests on the day? as i was under the impression they were done in the morning and if you passed those you stay for the mmi after lunch?
sorry to go slightly off the topic of you post

 

[Loulou]

Hi emgreen
Thanks , congratulations... the group bourdon was done on paper & we only done the tests not the MMI , I Asked the assessor this as I was under the impression you may have that too on the same day but he said definitely not ! Very relieved as after a whole day in the test centre you do feel kind of knackered lol
Best of luck hope you do well

 

[mandy13791379]

Hi LouLou,

Congratulations on passing your assessment centre! I have got mine tomorrow and I'm a tad nervous! Have you got any tips or advice on how to do well?

 

[EmGreen92]

Hi emgreen
Thanks , congratulations... the group bourdon was done on paper & we only done the tests not the MMI , I Asked the assessor this as I was under the impression you may have that too on the same day but he said definitely not ! Very relieved as after a whole day in the test centre you do feel kind of knackered lol
Best of luck hope you do well

okay fantastic thank you!
Strange that they gave the impression it was all on the same day, thats a relief though!
good luck with the next stage!

 

[PhoenixBC]

Thanks loulou, I really hope so. I applied on the 13/01 but now I'm wondering if they will reply or not. Still keeping my fingers crossed.
I wonder if it would hurt if I gave them a call. Getting a response in 3 or 4 days is incredible, anyone else waited some weeks before getting a response?

 

[PhoenixBC]

Hi EmGreen92, was your application GTR/1326 as well?

 

[Loulou]

Hi LouLou,

Congratulations on passing your assessment centre! I have got mine tomorrow and I'm a tad nervous! Have you got any tips or advice on how to do well?

Hi Mandy , best of luck for tomorrow, just relax ( I know easier said than done lol ) I left my nerves at the door for once ! & just kept positive thoughts, have a decent breakfast before you go to get your brain working, once you start the tests it's quite full on but you do get breaks when they're marking up & for lunch , the assessor we had was great and helped put us all at ease, just make sure you have tried every excercise in the pack at least once that they send you as if you are successful you will do all of them, ! the one I was most dreading was the group bourdon but I didn't actually find it as difficult as I thought I was going too good luck

 

[king_walnut]

the one I was most dreading was the group bourdon but I didn't actually find it as difficult as I thought I was going too good luck

Same with me. The group bourdon is focussed on heavily throughout this forum, so naturally I thought it was the worst part. I found it to be one of the easiest, and getting through that really settled my nerves.

How did you find the bit where they flashed pictures at you and you had to name everything that was in the picture? I was sure I'd failed that, it was crazy.

Luckily I got through it all though, I have my DMI at the end of next month

 

[EmGreen92]

Hi phoenixBC yes that's the one I have.

 

[Loulou]

Same with me. The group bourdon is focussed on heavily throughout this forum, so naturally I thought it was the worst part. I found it to be one of the easiest, and getting through that really settled my nerves.

How did you find the bit where they flashed pictures at you and you had to name everything that was in the picture? I was sure I'd failed that, it was crazy.

Luckily I got through it all though, I have my DMI at the end of next month

Oh god I didn't like that test lol ! & admittedly at one point I thought I'm not going to pass that ! I actually think those 3 computer tests at the end were probably the hardest, you need concentration for these and after doing tests all day you're starting to feel it though probably that's why they are staged like that to test how you can still concentrate after a long time !
Great news for your DMI , when did you pass the assessment ?

 

[PhoenixBC]

Oh, I hope I haven't missed the boat.

 

[king_walnut]

Doing that final one with the maze over and over again was heavy going too! I slipped out of the area a few times because of the controls and how laggy/sticky they were. But afterwards he said they're meant to do that because it measures how well you recover and if you can hold your nerve and not lose your **** with frustration. The flashing box ruined my life too. How many people started and how many were left at the end of yours? I was the only one to finish out of 14!

I passed on 6th January. I could have scheduled my interview for the start of next month but I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible. I already work for Southern so I'm in no rush. Want to make sure I do everything as best as I possibly can.

Like a few others have said, there is a lot of waiting involved when you're in the Southern recruitment process. Especially for drivers.

 

[EmGreen92]

Oh, I hope I haven't missed the boat.

You could always give them a call to see what is going on? I guess there is still 2 weeks left of the 4-6 week wait? i have seen on this forum a few people are in your position.

 

[PhoenixBC]

Maybe Emgreen, is that short for Emma? I might do that to be honest. Thanks, I'll just stay optimistic about it, thanks.

 

[EmGreen92]

It is indeed!
Good luck & I hope you hear from them soon.

 

[rob12]

cough

 

[Loulou]

Doing that final one with the maze over and over again was heavy going too! I slipped out of the area a few times because of the controls and how laggy/sticky they were. But afterwards he said they're meant to do that because it measures how well you recover and if you can hold your nerve and not lose your **** with frustration. The flashing box ruined my life too. How many people started and how many were left at the end of yours? I was the only one to finish out of 14!

I passed on 6th January. I could have scheduled my interview for the start of next month but I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible. I already work for Southern so I'm in no rush. Want to make sure I do everything as best as I possibly can.

Like a few others have said, there is a lot of waiting involved when you're in the Southern recruitment process. Especially for drivers.

Wow only 1 out of 14 ! Well done you , there was 7 of us on the day and 4 of us made it through. 2 got sifted in the first round and 1 was sifted at the last sift which was a shame as, as a group we had bonded well throughout the day. Southern do seem lengthy with the recruitment process however I suppose it's their way of choosing the right people so maybe not a bad thing, just can leave you feeling in limbo. I know of someone who applied to southern 15 times before they got a job offer ( various roles ) I suppose the motto is don't give up there is hope !

 

[PhoenixBC]

Which depots are you looking to work at guys?

 

[Loulou]

I'm literally minutes away from both Selhurst & Norwood so either if these would be fine for me

 

[Tomnick]

3. The one I think I'm most dreading the MMI ! During the assessment we was asked to fill out a sheet listing tasks / experiences such as under pressure , emergency situation. I understand that I'm not under pressure to stick to what I wrote and can change my responses as these will go through to that interview, my current job is a bit samey samey every day such as sticking to rules & regulations can you use this as an overall answer in opposed to a specific task ?

Not Southern (sorry!), so I'll skip the rest - but they really do push for details in the MMI, so I think you'd struggle with a generic answer that covers all sorts of different situations. I had a similar problem for a couple of the answers that I gave, and subtly rolling elements from two or three different - but specific - examples into one answer seemed to work (well, I passed it, at least!). As long as it satisfies what they're looking for - that you have the right non-technical skills in each category, it should be fine.

Just don't be tempted to make something up, because they will catch you out! I didn't take any notes in with me, but I can't imagine they'd have a problem with you taking something with you to use as a prompt for the various examples that you'll hopefully have in your head ready to use.

I'd be prepared for similar questions, albeit nowhere near as intense, in the DMI too. I don't know how Southern work, but non-technical skills are such a big thing in the industry at the moment that I wouldn't be surprised if your potential future managers wanted to find out a little more about you in that respect rather than relying on a pass/fail from the OPC folk.

Good luck!

 

[Loulou]

Thanks Tomnick, il take that advice on board, it's hard when you're in a situation where every day my job is the same ! following rules & procedures however I do have a few examples of times actually quite recent where I've been challenged by a customer over certain rules & regulations & ive had to go into quite detail with the said customer so maybe I could use a situation like this

 

[Jaydon Jay]

Hello all, I have an assesment day on the 13th March for southern. I'm really nervous yet I know I need to pass these tests. Can anybody who has passed these assessments recently please inbox me as I would like to ask some questions if you don't mind. The people who have passed were in the same boat as me at one time so your help and advice is most appreciated.

Thanks you ladies and gents

 

[mandy13791379]

Hello all, I have an assesment day on the 13th March for southern. I'm really nervous yet I know I need to pass these tests. Can anybody who has passed these assessments recently please inbox me as I would like to ask some questions if you don't mind. The people who have passed were in the same boat as me at one time so your help and advice is most appreciated.

Thanks you ladies and gents

Hey jaydonjay I passed the assessment centre on Monday, I'm happy to answer questions

 

[Loulou]

Congratulations Mandy13791379 , well done