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GWR Conductor vacancy Exeter

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grantos3000

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Hi folks, I Have my second assessment for Conductor at Reading on 25th March. I have been reading through the comments above and think I am happy about what happens with the group exercises, however I have noticed that no one has really mentioned what you are asked at the interview if you get that far.

Is it just the standard "Why do you want to work for us, tell me when you've given great customer service etc etc", or are there some curveballs thrown in there to trip you up which you probably wont have prepared for?

Also, as far as the group activities go (supposing we get the suncream one or something similar) - does it actually matter weather you eventually decide to market the product or not (ie will you automatically fail the assessment if you make the wrong decision as a group), or are they just assessing how you communicate with a group/weather you listen to others etc and the fact of weather you market the product or not in the end is irrelevant?

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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Lmc1976

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2 Aug 2017
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Has anybody who had their stage 1 assessments at Newton Abbot last week had the results back and if so has anyone been invited to the stage 2 assessment yet?

Thanks
 

NM1990

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17 Feb 2019
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Onto the next step for me...

Assuming i have passed the Customer Service assessment and also the Cat numerical test i have been invited to attend the assessment centre day next month at Newton Abbot.

It looks as though this one will just comprise of 3 tests nothing mentioned in the email regarding group activities however.

Am i right in thinking that had i pass this stage it would then be onto a second assessment centre day?

I have also noticed that they have re-advertised the same role again this evening!

Many thanks
 

Lmc1976

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Yes, pass stage 1 then you are then in the pot for being invited to stage 2 which is the group work.

When’s your stage 1 assessment?
 

NM1990

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Yes, pass stage 1 then you are then in the pot for being invited to stage 2 which is the group work.

When’s your stage 1 assessment?

Booked on for the 3rd April at 9am. Test
Material sent so have been working through that also.

It’s tricky. Last time I was actually in a test scenario was way back in school. Hopefully I get through because the group activity I’d feel much more confident in doing!

Have you heard back after assessment 1 yet?
 

Lmc1976

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I passed assessment 1 15 months ago its valid for 3 years if you pass so am now waiting/hoping for another shot at assessment 2.
 

NM1990

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I passed assessment 1 15 months ago its valid for 3 years if you pass so am now waiting/hoping for another shot at assessment 2.
so would you need to re-apply each time a suitable role becomes available? or would you be considered for any future posting for another shot at assessment 2?

How did you find the second assessment 2 first time round?
 

Lmc1976

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My experience was that you are not allowed to apply for the same or similar safety critical role for 6 months from the point at which you were unsuccessful in the process, in my case at assessment 2 in Feb 2018. I have then reapplied on 3 separate occasions (this current one being the 3rd) for Conductor since September 2018 and have never been invited back for assessment 2 again. It may be that there are several people with better scores than me on the tests or it may be that I’ve had my chance!!

I believe that if you fail assessment 1 you can re apply and try again after 6 months. If you are unsuccessful again then you will not be allowed to apply for the same/similar safety critical role again.

As far as assessment 2 goes it is almost impossible to know for sure what they are looking for as the two people who were progressed to interview in my group were totally different characters.

Hope this helps.
 

NM1990

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I guess its hard to know really what they are looking for regarding that side if you have a couple of different people with different personalities.

Fingers crossed i get through assessment 1 first anyway! Have spent more time reading up on the company and the more i delve into it the more i feel passionate about getting a role within GWR.

Here's to hoping anyway and all the best with getting on board again also!
 

NM1990

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I done the stage 1 tests at Newton abbot last week, on wednesday 13th March. I am booked in for stage 2 next week.
How did you find the assessments compared to the practice material given?

I’ve also just noticed that on the email they sent it states a verbal test any idea what’s involved with that?

Best of luck with assessment 2. How long did it take to get your results back after completion of assessment 1?
 

Jamie Branagan

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19 Mar 2019
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How did you find the assessments compared to the practice material given?

I’ve also just noticed that on the email they sent it states a verbal test any idea what’s involved with that?

Best of luck with assessment 2. How long did it take to get your results back after completion of assessment 1?

The practice tests are very similar just longer and less time. Just practice them as much as you can.

You probably won’t finish the actual tests on the day but as long as your accurate that seems to be key.

You’ll find out if you pass assessment 1 either later the same day or the following day once she has marked them.

There was no verbal test at Newton abbot, just the 3 written tests.

I’m looking forward to the next stage. :)
 

NM1990

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The practice tests are very similar just longer and less time. Just practice them as much as you can.

You probably won’t finish the actual tests on the day but as long as your accurate that seems to be key.

You’ll find out if you pass assessment 1 either later the same day or the following day once she has marked them.

There was no verbal test at Newton abbot, just the 3 written tests.

I’m looking forward to the next stage. :)

Ideal the practice material seems to be straight forward enough anyway :).

How many other candidates were on your first assessment?

When I chose the date for mine there were two other sessions one in the afternoon on the day I attend and another the following day.
 

Jamie Branagan

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Ideal the practice material seems to be straight forward enough anyway :).

How many other candidates were on your first assessment?

When I chose the date for mine there were two other sessions one in the afternoon on the day I attend and another the following day.

Yeah it’s all pretty straight forward there’s just more of it on the day.

There was 9 people on my day. I had the afternoon on the last day available. Think there is usually 10 people per assessment.

Good luck with it.
 

NM1990

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Does anyone know how many jobs are actually available?

I actually applied after the posting went live initially, it seemed that i was part of the batch to come through after it was advertised for the second time but have since seen they have posted it again.

they must take through 20-30 candidates through the process each time?
 

paulwestwood

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Does anyone know how many jobs are actually available?

I actually applied after the posting went live initially, it seemed that i was part of the batch to come through after it was advertised for the second time but have since seen they have posted it again.

they must take through 20-30 candidates through the process each time?

We currently have several trainees all at different stages though (ie Rules Training/Shadowing and Route Learning). I'm not sure about the quantity of jobs going forward so you will probably be put into a pool of candidates depending on link vacancies and course date availability. We have several conductors who are possibly going driving that also depends on course dates. I think most of the recruitment is also linked into the increased service frequency to be introduced in Devon and Cornwall. I hope this helps sorry there's no specifics.
 

NM1990

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We currently have several trainees all at different stages though (ie Rules Training/Shadowing and Route Learning). I'm not sure about the quantity of jobs going forward so you will probably be put into a pool of candidates depending on link vacancies and course date availability. We have several conductors who are possibly going driving that also depends on course dates. I think most of the recruitment is also linked into the increased service frequency to be introduced in Devon and Cornwall. I hope this helps sorry there's no specifics.

Does help a lot so thanks paul. If lucky enough to get into a talent pool I’d be happy with that. I’m currently working so no rush with regards to work. Are you a conductor yourself or work with GWR?
 

michael74

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So a conductors vacancy appeared on the 20th with a closing date of the 27th, closed early and another has re-appeared again today.....
 

NM1990

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So a conductors vacancy appeared on the 20th with a closing date of the 27th, closed early and another has re-appeared again today.....

I applied when this vacancy was released the second time.

I think the one posted yesterday/today is the 4th time I’ve seen that role advertised.
 

paulwestwood

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I applied when this vacancy was released the second time.

I think the one posted yesterday/today is the 4th time I’ve seen that role advertised.

For your info everyone, within HR there is normally only one person to deal with all Guards Recruitment and as they normally attend each recruitment event and this must coincide with HR and Depot Mangers being available at the same time. You may have to wait a while as they try to cover it on a Depot by Depot basis. Also if people have applied for more than one depot that adds time and effort to the whole process. Another factor being internals moving on to other positions at depots causing a further shortage at a particular depot meaning one depots recruitment gets put on hold to so that HR has then concentrate on the depot which has a more urgent requirement.
 

NM1990

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Received my pre paid travel card for my assessment centre booked on the 3rd. Didn't expect it but a nice touch nonetheless!

Been working through the practice materials supplied however i am starting to find that i am now able to answer the practice questions without thinking too much about it remembering the answers from previous practices.

The one that may cause me to slip-up is the RAAT, i have some group bourdon practise tests which seems to be very similar albeit slightly harder and wonder if it would be worth going through them to aid with speed and accuracy.
 

NM1990

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Yeah it’s all pretty straight forward there’s just more of it on the day.

There was 9 people on my day. I had the afternoon on the last day available. Think there is usually 10 people per assessment.

Good luck with it.

Hi Jamie, How did you get on with your second assessment? Hope things went well for you!
 

NM1990

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17 Feb 2019
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So that’s assessment 1 completed. Whilst doing it it felt like a car crash if I’m honest! I wasn’t too worried about completing the SCAAT test but wasn’t able to complete the ticket checking test and the rules and aptitude test. I got about 3/4 of the way through on both.

Was very well laid out and our instructor on the day couldn’t have been more helpful. I only wish some of the practice material was a little more intense as it is on the day.

Everyone else undertaking the task was very pleasant talking to them before and after the exams and wish all from my group the very best.

Fingers crossed I guess!
 

Lmc1976

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Has anybody recieved an assessment 2 invite yet after completing their assessment 1 last week?

Thanks
 

Peeler

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Sorry if this seems a silly question, but what is the role of a conductor? Is it the same as a train guard?
 

paulwestwood

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11 Nov 2012
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Sorry if this seems a silly question, but what is the role of a conductor? Is it the same as a train guard?

Yes it is, On GWR they have Train Manager and Train Conductor.
Train Manager is HSS Based (High Speed Services)
Train Conductor is Unit Based (Local Services such as on Exmouth - Paignton).

In the Rule Book the Description used is always Guard for Rules purposes though not Conductor as some Train Companies use different titles for the same job.
 

paulwestwood

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11 Nov 2012
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Has anybody recieved an assessment 2 invite yet after completing their assessment 1 last week?

Thanks

Exeter's recruitment is still on going, lots still to get through apparently and the Mangers have other work that needs sorting so can only be available at certain times, also as i've mentioned before the main lady from HR that deals with Conductor Recruitment has to be available at the same time as the Guards Managers as she also has to cover all other Depots that have recruitment going on. So please be patient as you may not get the invite for a while yet.
 

Lmc1976

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So please be patient as you may not get the invite for a while yet.

Thanks for this, it’s just incredibly hard being patient when I know that many others are being progressed through and I’m not, as I’ve previously mentioned it may just be because I’m not good enough but I will keep plugging away and hope GWR eventually cave to my multiple applications!!
 
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