WMR / LNR - Trainee Senior Conductor - Crewe & Shrewsbury

[hihohelp]

hi i got the email for assessment aswell im just trying to find some practice papers does anyone know what will be covered i keep reading SCATT test
thankyou x

im sure you get practice material with email for assessments date,
also on the day you do the concentration test(i dont know what the names of tests are) which is basically the dot test
you do ticket selling an checking test
also a reading one where there is a paragraph an have a,b,c,d options what most people say about that is to read the a,b,c,d then look at the paragraph its just quicker
good luck!

 

[richardjeeves]

Thank you

 

[aimmee]

is the dot test on a computer? ive done that before not easy, is there a group exercise

 

[185]

The test (Group Bourdon, aka dots) is on a wide piece of (Size 3xA4) paper, in six sections, 2 minutes per section. Stay focused, try 3x cups of coffee, and don't think about anything else other than "four" during the test.

There is no group exercise, that is now covered by one of the interview questions, on challenging points of view.

 

[aimmee]

thankyou for explaining this, someone i work with went for interview with them one of the questions was how would you change someone’s opinion or bring them round to your way of thinking. what does everyone think of this, i feel like its a bit of a trick? ive been trying to think of how i would answer it

 

[richardjeeves]

Thank you for the information on the tests. It will be very helpful. The interview questions sound like interesting. I think you get any that you are not sure about you just have to be honest and sincere. Have aathink and say what comes into your mind.

 

[185]

thankyou for explaining this, someone i work with went for interview with them one of the questions was how would you change someone’s opinion or bring them round to your way of thinking. what does everyone think of this, i feel like its a bit of a trick? ive been trying to think of how i would answer it

There's many examples you could use, not just for those from a railway background....
examples / suggestions -
Work in a shop - Persuaded a customer to buy a product they were initially reluctant to buy by explaining it's benefits, and addressing their concerns.
Work in an office - Persuaded a colleague to consider a different approach by explaining your method of thinking and reasons why it was better.
Work in a factory - Persuaded a colleague to use a different technique to improve their way of work by explaining why it was more efficient.

 

[hihohelp]

the interview is actually really relaxed an more like having a chat there will be two people asking you questions which all generally are just really to see if you will be suited in the role, also about situations you have been in, just remember safety is the BIGGEST thing with the role so don't stress an you will be fine. The real work comes on the course an all the information you will need to remember

 

[richardjeeves]

Had the assement today. i think it went ok. Fingers crossed for the next 7-10 days

 

[Joe.666]

I had an interview at WMR and found both the interviewers extremely rude and treated me like I was something they had troden in on their way into the building.

One of them, a large fella with glasses (cat food brand name) was constantly boasting about his success, progressions through the ranks and salary
Basically rubbed his wealth in my face haha, boasting about his much his house and car is worth...I felt so so uncomfortable and knew it was one of those "if the face fits" organsations.

Worst experience of my life. And extremely rude people.
I actually turned the post down after being offered the role. My morals and personal ethics come first. If their attitudes stunk, I was sure that the rest would too.

 

[bionic]

Turning down a job because you didn't like the person who interviewed you? Seems like you didn't really want the job in the first place. I didn't like the estate agent I bought my house from... I didn't like the solicitors or the mortgage advisor either. In fact I didn't even like the woman selling the house! I still bought it though - and I've been very happy in it.

 

[Joe.666]

BIONIC. Like I said. It's what i felt was right at the time. Morals and principals come first before greed and wealth. Also, abit of self respect. I didn't want their attitudes and the companies attitudes running offon me and molding me into this obnoxious character like those two.

I know exactly how it work buddy. I worked for the public services for years and alot of it existed there aswell.

Thanks for the input tho. :L

 

[MostlyHarmless]

BIONIC. Like I said. It's what i felt was right at the time. Morals and principals come first before greed and wealth. Also, abit of self respect. I didn't want their attitudes and the companies attitudes running offon me and molding me into this obnoxious character like those two.

I know exactly how it work buddy. I worked for the public services for years and alot of it existed there aswell.

Thanks for the input tho. :L

I suppose the question I would have asked myself is do the people that interviewed you represent the company as a whole? Obviously you thought that was the case and you made your decision based on it - and not an unreasonable one at that. However it could just have been that they were the exceptions and were poorly managed but that's obviously a moot point now.

 

[bionic]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to have a dig at you. If it came across that way i apologise. I just meant i wouldn't turn down a job based on the attitude of the interviewer. If I really wanted the job I'd put the attitude of the interviewer to one side... Managers come and go.

 

[hihohelp]

Clearly if you have worked for any company small or large no one persons attitude reflects everyone who works for the company
You loss as pretty much all senior conductors i know and work alongside are great!! Oh an you dont actually work with anyone but the driver in your role
Good luck for those who waiting on interview results

 

[Deafdoggie]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to have a dig at you. If it came across that way i apologise. I just meant i wouldn't turn down a job based on the attitude of the interviewer. If I really wanted the job I'd put the attitude of the interviewer to one side... Managers come and go.

I remember in one job, a "senior" member of the team, when a new boss arrived that no one liked, said "Bide your time, managers come, managers go. On average they last 18 months"

 

[richardjeeves]

What other driver depots are there. I have heard that the interviews for Shrewsbury wont be until late next year now. There are other intakes needed sooner and i don't mind travelling.

 

[bionic]

What other driver depots are there. I have heard that the interviews for Shrewsbury wont be until late next year now. There are other intakes needed sooner and i don't mind travelling.

From the driver depots thread at the top of this sub-forum...

Bletchley; Northampton; Coventry; New Street; Wolverhampton; Shrewsbury; Crewe; Leamington Spa; Birmingham Snow Hill; Worcester Shrub Hill

I think there is also a guards depot at Watford.

 

[richardjeeves]

From the driver depots thread at the top of this sub-forum...

Bletchley; Northampton; Coventry; New Street; Wolverhampton; Shrewsbury; Crewe; Leamington Spa; Birmingham Snow Hill; Worcester Shrub Hill

I think there is also a guards depot at Watford.

Thank you.

 

[185]

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[Spiderman1]

Hi all, I've just passed the assessments for senior/conductor role for WMT and have interview on Tuesday 13/11/18. I just wanted to so for any advice regarding sort of questions they might ask. How long is the interview generally?
Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers all

 

[bionic]

Routes, traction, plans for franchise, company information, guards duties... It's worth looking all that stuff up. Between Wikipedia, this forum and the WMT website you'll glean most of it.

 

[Spiderman1]

Routes, traction, plans for franchise, company information, guards duties... It's worth looking all that stuff up. Between Wikipedia, this forum and the WMT website you'll glean most of it.

Thank you Bionic, I've just passed an interview for a trainee train driver for Transport for Wales (Arriva Trains) so most of my time has been spent working on that. The Conductor role has happened very quickly so a little unprepared at the moment, but sure with your advice I will get up to speed.
I must admit with all the work I did for the train driver interview I overlooked traction! Thankfully I never got asked about this. What exactly does this mean?

 

[bionic]

For the purposes of a conductor role it would be the range of traction (types of unit) WMT operate. Eg: 350, 323, 319, 158 etc. They wouldn't expect you to know anything about them (Although the 3's are electric and the 1's diesel) but it shows you've looked into what they do. If you knew the traction and routes of the depot you've applied for then even better.

Although if you've just passed interview for trainee driver then why are you going for a conductor role? Congrats by the way.

 

[richardjeeves]

Hi all, I've just passed the assessments for senior/conductor role for WMT and have interview on Tuesday 13/11/18. I just wanted to so for any advice regarding sort of questions they might ask. How long is the interview generally?
Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers all

Well done, I'm in the same boat. I passed my assesments early october but they said I needed to wait for an interview. I also changed my depot preference as they said that the shrewsbury interviews wouldn't be until late next year. Hopefully I should hear something soon. Good luck

 

[Joe.666]

Well done, I'm in the same boat. I passed my assesments early october but they said I needed to wait for an interview. I also changed my depot preference as they said that the shrewsbury interviews wouldn't be until late next year. Hopefully I should hear something soon. Good luck

I wish you all the best. You might just be a number to make up the figures...usually they have someone lined up from inside for the role. Like...relative. Goodluck buddy.

 

[Spiderman1]

For the purposes of a conductor role it would be the range of traction (types of unit) WMT operate. Eg: 350, 323, 319, 158 etc. They wouldn't expect you to know anything about them (Although the 3's are electric and the 1's diesel) but it shows you've looked into what they do. If you knew the traction and routes of the depot you've applied for then even better.

Although if you've just passed interview for trainee driver then why are you going for a conductor role? Congrats by the way.

I sent in the application for Conductor role a while ago, heard nothing for ages and then suddenly things have moved quickly.
I applied to trainee train driver role afterwards, having failed face to face interview 1st time round.
With Transport for Wales (Arriva) they do the interviews first and assessment day, medical aside, is the last stage so still along way from getting through.

The problem with train driver role, although my preferred choice, is my wife would have to give up work & uproot the family to move to Wales which she is now not keen on doing.

With the Conductor role (West Mids Based) she would only have to drop to part time to ensure school run is covered. Do you know what the likely shifts might be for a Conductor role? I know it's TOC dependant, just a general idea.

Cheers mate

 

[Mammoth10]

Hi all, I've just passed the assessments for senior/conductor role for WMT and have interview on Tuesday 13/11/18. I just wanted to so for any advice regarding sort of questions they might ask. How long is the interview generally?
Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers all

Nice one! I also passed my assessments on Wednesday this week and have an interview scheduled for next Tuesday.

A couple of questions to anyone that might know, how many competency based questions do you tend to get asked at interview? Also I made my initial application when the roles came up for Coventry, subsequently they advertised for New Street and Snow Hill and I wasn't able to re-submit a new application, is there any scope to change location preferences at this point (or in the event of being offered a role) as these two locations would be far more preferable to me.

 

[Spiderman1]

Nice one! I also passed my assessments on Wednesday this week and have an interview scheduled for next Tuesday.

A couple of questions to anyone that might know, how many competency based questions do you tend to get asked at interview? Also I made my initial application when the roles came up for Coventry, subsequently they advertised for New Street and Snow Hill and I wasn't able to re-submit a new application, is there any scope to change location preferences at this point (or in the event of being offered a role) as these two locations would be far more preferable to me.

Same as me mammoth10, I just missed the Bham application but would much prefer snow hill or new st, be interesting to hear any answers.
Good luck on Tuesday.

 

[Spiderman1]

Same as me mammoth10, I just missed the Bham application but would much prefer snow hill or new st, be interesting to hear any answers.
Good luck on Tuesday.

Ps where were you sat on Wednesday?