A career as a signaller

[Lewis423]

I know I am starting on 3rd April and exchanged a few messages with others so have a vague idea of what might happen on week one but nothing concrete or anything after that,

I think I will send an email on Monday to ask the question if I don’t find anything out by the weekend.

How long after accepting the job and having your medical did it take to get your start date if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Lewis423]

Ok thanks for clarifying that. The grade 8 West Hampstead is out again so maybe they didn’t have enough successful candidates. It’s really frustrating to see a job advertised again that I think I’m more than capable of doing but being unable to apply because I didn’t meet the standard on the assessments. I would love some feedback on this.

It’s taken me a long time to get passed assessments, roughly three years now of applying for multiple jobs, sometimes the same ones as you’ve mentioned, they seem to come back up, I’ve eventially got in! It’s been a long and really tough journey! Don’t give up, your time will come!

 

[baz962]

My online results were good enough for upto grade nine. I got turned down for four jobs, and two of them, the west hampstead , and a cambridge grade seven , went back on .

 

[NROP]

Ok thanks for clarifying that. The grade 8 West Hampstead is out again so maybe they didn’t have enough successful candidates. It’s really frustrating to see a job advertised again that I think I’m more than capable of doing but being unable to apply because I didn’t meet the standard on the assessments. I would love some feedback on this.

I had previously been interviewed for a G8 (unsuccessful at interview stage), then applied for G7 & G5 roles didn't even get to interview stage which I found quite odd. Medical booked in for next week for a G4 though

 

[Dispatcher999]

I had previously been interviewed for a G8 (unsuccessful at interview stage), then applied for G7 & G5 roles didn't even get to interview stage which I found quite odd. Medical booked in for next week for a G4 though

Congratulations

 

[Saracen_83]

I’ve just applied for the West Hampstead one, weird as I mentioned earlier, it came on last night and closing date is today!!!??? Anyone know why?

 

[Dispatcher999]

I’ve just applied for the West Hampstead one, weird as I mentioned earlier, it came on last night and closing date is today!!!??? Anyone know why?

It’s been on and off for a while I think. I wonder whether they don’t have enough candidates that meet the required benchmark so they keep advertising for more before they go through to the interview and selection process.

 

[Dispatcher999]

I had previously been interviewed for a G8 (unsuccessful at interview stage), then applied for G7 & G5 roles didn't even get to interview stage which I found quite odd. Medical booked in for next week for a G4 though

I would love to know what their selection criteria is.

 

[Saracen_83]

No idea, I’ve passed my online assessments up to a grade 9, so will see what happens......

 

[Dispatcher999]

No idea, I’ve passed my online assessments up to a grade 9, so will see what happens......

Was that assessment for a previous application then and it’s just saved on record for the 12 months? If so what happened with that if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[nom de guerre]

West Hampstead x 4 back up on website

Note: these jobs are actually for a mini-talent pool, shared between Kings Cross and West Hampstead PSBs - so if you've got your heart set on WHPSB, be aware that you may end up at KX instead.

KX is an 8h roster (12s on weekends) and starts to migrate to York ROC in 2019. WH is a 12h roster and will eventually relocate to Derby (recent chat suggested possibly from 2021, dependent on CP6 funding).

 

[Saracen_83]

Was that assessment for a previous application then and it’s just saved on record for the 12 months? If so what happened with that if you don’t mind me asking?

Yea from previous application which is at application under consideration

 

[Saracen_83]

Note: these jobs are actually for a mini-talent pool, shared between Kings Cross and West Hampstead PSBs - so if you've got your heart set on WHPSB, be aware that you may end up at KX instead.

KX is an 8h roster (12s on weekends) and starts to migrate to York ROC in 2019. WH is a 12h roster and will eventually relocate to Derby (recent chat suggested possibly from 2021, dependent on CP6 funding).

Ah right, was hoping for West Hampstead tbh and especially hoping for a 12 hour roster especially with an hr of travelling added, but getting in is getting in.... however the idea of sitting in a talent pool doesn’t fill me with delight

As for migrating to ROC, that fine by me, half the battle getting in I hope then if/when it happens I can transfer to a roc nearer me (tbroc or when operational Romford) if possible

 

[nom de guerre]

It really should have been mentioned in the ad, IMO. (The internal version was similarly lacking.)

Slightly confusingly, there was also a separate - lone - 'WH' vacancy on the internal list recently; that one was specifically for WH, rather than the talent pool. Not sure if it made it to the external list, however.

 

[Saracen_83]

True it should’ve been but I suppose once your in and signalling, you can transfer to a roc????

 

[Lewis423]

True it should’ve been but I suppose once your in and signalling, you can transfer to a roc????

As long as the job is there you can internally apply

 

[Saracen_83]

That’ll be the hope then!!!!

Just hope it works out!!!

 

[Lewis423]

Finally got confirmation that my pre employment checks are done today! Was asked when I could start and basically asked for tomorrow just waiting for a confirmed signalling school date! Hoping for April 3rd as I know a few people on the forum are also starting this date!

 

[uww11x]

Anyone know if Wigton Box is interviewing yet? My application still says under Consideration after passing the tests. Had an interview for Maryport last time but couldn't make it!

 

[Esu96kph]

.....

 

[Lewis423]

I was offered the job at the startof November.
Been waiting for ages for the signal school place!

I have been asked today when I can start, hopefully will be in signalling school come April! Fingers crossed anyways.

 

[linnet_ranger]

Grade 3 Relief at Haslemere up on the website for those that might be interested:

https://ebus2.hiav.networkrail.co.u...DISPLAY&p_svid=2103975&p_spid=6759842&refsh=0

 

[Sinistah]

Grade 3 Relief at Haslemere up on the website for those that might be interested:

https://ebus2.hiav.networkrail.co.u...DISPLAY&p_svid=2103975&p_spid=6759842&refsh=0

yes please

 

[linnet_ranger]

yes please

Best of luck Sinistah. Get your app in!

Haslemere is just a little bit too far away for me. I'm hoping to hear in the next few weeks if I have been lucky enough to get an interview for the Arundel roles posted a few weeks back. It closed internally on the 13th according to Nom de Guerre - about a fortnight after the external closing date.

Assuming internals still have to sit the tests (if applying for a higher grade position?) then in around a week's time NR HR will hopefully be passing the list over to an LOM to review and decide who they want to talk to.

 

[glenblade]

Hi did anyone on here apply for the grade 2 job at beighton I passed the online tests then my application changed from applying for that vacancy to be put in for a grade 4 job at Barnsley it's been sat on application for assessment 2 since December

 

[Saracen_83]

Best of luck Sinistah. Get your app in!

Haslemere is just a little bit too far away for me. I'm hoping to hear in the next few weeks if I have been lucky enough to get an interview for the Arundel roles posted a few weeks back. It closed internally on the 13th according to Nom de Guerre - about a fortnight after the external closing date.

Assuming internals still have to sit the tests (if applying for a higher grade position?) then in around a week's time NR HR will hopefully be passing the list over to an LOM to review and decide who they want to talk to.

I thought that internals (signallers) don’t have to pass/take the tests??? As they are qualified signallers already?? Their interviews would be more knowledge and rules based as well

 

[linnet_ranger]

I thought that internals (signallers) so t have to pass/take the tests??? As they are qualified signallers already??

Hi Matt. I don't know. That's why I am wondering perhaps if they are applying for a higher grade they may have to, as from what I understand of the tests, your scores can be good enough for certain grades (e.g. a 2 or 3) but wouldn't be good enough for an 8 or a 9.

 

[Saracen_83]

True, that maybe the case then....... would make sense in a way if so....

I know someone mentioned on here that the tests have no real relevence to the role of a signaller and are used merely to shortlist external applicants as they get so many apply for these jobs.. so easier to have the top 5 of test shortlisted rather than reading every single application......

 

[TRain87]

No internals don't have to take any tests. We have to answer the 70 questions on application, then it's just interview. With regards to tests, it used to be your score was compared to a grade - now it's not. So if you do tests and pass you can apply for any role. Your score is then compared to all others that applied...for example, if you get 65% on your tests and apply for a grade 9, the chances are you won't get an interview - as the hiring manager will take top 5'ish scores for interview, but if you get 65% and apply for a grade 2, then you may be within the top 5 scores as its a less sought-after position, than a grade 9.

 

[linnet_ranger]

No internals don't have to take any tests. We have to answer the 70 questions on application, then it's just interview. With regards to tests, it used to be your score was compared to a grade - now it's not. So if you do tests and pass you can apply for any role. Your score is then compared to all others that applied...for example, if you get 65% on your tests and apply for a grade 9, the chances are you won't get an interview - as the hiring manager will take top 5'ish scores for interview, but if you get 65% and apply for a grade 2, then you may be within the top 5 scores as its a less sought-after position, than a grade 9.

Ahhh....that clears that up then! Thank you TRain87. 4 positions available at Arundel so I'll keep my fingers crossed.