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A career as a signaller

Journeyman

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Joined
16 Apr 2014
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6,295
Our other issue is he's T1 diabetic and I know that's an issue for NR for any safety critical positions. Also suggestions for any other positions within rail/transport?
Thanks

I don't think that's too much of a problem, if you can prove that it's managed properly. I'm sure each case is taken on merit/evidence, and doesn't flatly rule him out for anything.
 
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Godfang

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5 Sep 2019
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London
I don't think that's too much of a problem, if you can prove that it's managed properly. I'm sure each case is taken on merit/evidence, and doesn't flatly rule him out for anything.
Thanks. We will keep trying. I guess his love of trains started at 2 when I took him to watch from Alexandra Palace
 

Bell 1-2-1

Member
Joined
18 Jun 2019
Messages
13
Signalling school is tough and 1-2 hours per night whilst you’re there is essential to pass the course...... upto week 6 is hard as it is all new stuff, post week 6, a lot of what you learn makes sense and the “jigsaw puzzle” begins to fit and makes sense... hence why they say weeks 7-10 are less stressful. As it all relates back to previous learning.

Use the weekends off to relax and be with your family. It a tough 12 weeks being away from your family and they need you when you home. Yes revise, but put them first when your home. It’s all About work/life balance.

Good luck!!
Great post this. Perfectly describes the course. Up to week 6 it’s heads down and the work needs putting in during the evening, but this tends to bring the group together, then get past the week 6 exam and it does ease off and the new stuff fits in with the stuff already embedded. An Saracen is correct. Use the weekends to re charge the batteries with the family,
only advice I’d give would be if your in your room in the evening and your head is fried trying to learn one of the endless lists that won’t sink in, walk away for an hour, go an have a stroll or a pint, you’ll be surprised what an hours break will do when you go back to it. Good luck to those starting the course soon or with exams coming up. Passed out end of last summer and the year as flown by. Great job amongst good people.
 

BenG1984

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6 Sep 2019
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1
Location
High Peak
Hello, I've been reading for a few weeks now, lots of very useful information. Passed the initial assesments a month ago so just waiting to hear something now.
 

DB85

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Joined
22 Aug 2019
Messages
13
Location
Lincolnshire
Just got back from my interview in Leicester, I think it went ok. I did all the reading, NTS and learnt the Safety vision section but it always boils down to how you perform on the day. I always feel like I bumbling in interviews but put that down to nerves no matter how much I prepare.
 

Chaz T

Member
Joined
6 Jun 2019
Messages
41
Location
The Shire
Just got back from my interview in Leicester, I think it went ok. I did all the reading, NTS and learnt the Safety vision section but it always boils down to how you perform on the day. I always feel like I bumbling in interviews but put that down to nerves no matter how much I prepare.

Would it be rude to ask if you have had more than one interview for more than one post?
 

LAX54

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Joined
15 Jan 2008
Messages
3,753
Yes, it is the rate for Grade 9.

I know times have moved on, but only a few years ago, the idea of someone starting at Grade 8 or 9 (even a 5 or 6) would have been unheard of ! Best of luck to all new starters, the 8 and 9 can be very stressful somedays, but worthwhile, it cant be a bad job...in 4 weeks I will have been a Signlaman for 47 years...so it cant be all bad ! :)
 

SJCembre

Member
Joined
4 Aug 2019
Messages
29
Just been offered a role,

Basic pay is generous!

Can anyone advise me of how much nights and weekends can equate to on top of the basic pay?

Pretty sure it’ll be a 12 roster as far as I know
 

North123

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Joined
19 Jun 2019
Messages
19
Anyone know if you can access your network rail email address from outside of the company network? thanks
 

DB85

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22 Aug 2019
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13
Location
Lincolnshire
Congratulations getting the interview. I'm still trying to get my foot in that door

Thanks, what part are you getting up to assessment wise as I might be able
to help or give some advice to get you in the running?
 
Last edited:

Chaz T

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6 Jun 2019
Messages
41
Location
The Shire
Thanks, what part are you getting up to assessment wise?

I applied earlier in the year for a local Grade 2 box and passed the online assessments, so the next stage would have been interview, only to receive the 'Sorry you have been unsuccessful' email.

Have had to wait months for more roles to come up that are in my area. Currently got applications in and accepted. Waiting for them to progress but that will not happen until the vacancies close on the careers site
 

DB85

Member
Joined
22 Aug 2019
Messages
13
Location
Lincolnshire
I applied earlier in the year for a local Grade 2 box and passed the online assessments, so the next stage would have been interview, only to receive the 'Sorry you have been unsuccessful' email.

Have had to wait months for more roles to come up that are in my area. Currently got applications in and accepted. Waiting for them to progress but that will not happen until the vacancies close on the careers site

Ok so it sounds like your score on the SJT is not as high as others who’ve applied even though you’ve reached the required benchmark. Just hang in there and keep at it mate. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you.
 

Defenestrate

Member
Joined
6 Aug 2019
Messages
130
As an external applicant, I've had 4 interviews for signaller roles in the last 6 months. Whilst I haven't been successful (yet!) I have noticed where any weaknesses are in my answers...This has been helped by feedback from the interviewers, and also through interview practice with the Mrs (obviously she loves that...). Anyway, even though it's 4 interview failures, I now have what I believe to be a very strong set of answers/examples....I don't think it would have been possible to be at this stage without several failures.

I'm able to stay positive because obviously I still want the job, but also because 3 out of 4 interviews were for high grade (G5+) positions, where there is likely a strong presence of current signallers or at least "internal candidates", in densely populated areas.

I've got a couple more interviews lined up, and am thinking that a lower grade position may be the way to "get in" to signalling, and then be able to move up the grades with more experience etc.

Does this ring true with anyone else!? Or am I just fluffing the interviews?
 

Chaz T

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Joined
6 Jun 2019
Messages
41
Location
The Shire
Ok so it sounds like your score on the SJT is not as high as others who’ve applied even though you’ve reached the required benchmark. Just hang in there and keep at it mate. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you.

I have no idea as when I asked for feedback it was a generic copy and paste reply. I am pretty confident that my 3 online test scores are better than average. I know that comes over as a bit cocky.

I just have to be patient and go for posts as and when.
 

Tom Quinne

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Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
Basic is £45.5k so probably £60k with nights and weekends.

Grade 7 is £42,887
Grade 8 is £45,567

You’d expect to Net circa £55,000 on basic hours (Nights/Sunday’s etc).

If your location is short which most high grade boxes are, you can expect to Net anything from £60,000 to £85,000 easy.
 

TRain87

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2016
Messages
311
Location
England
As an external applicant, I've had 4 interviews for signaller roles in the last 6 months. Whilst I haven't been successful (yet!) I have noticed where any weaknesses are in my answers...This has been helped by feedback from the interviewers, and also through interview practice with the Mrs (obviously she loves that...). Anyway, even though it's 4 interview failures, I now have what I believe to be a very strong set of answers/examples....I don't think it would have been possible to be at this stage without several failures.

I'm able to stay positive because obviously I still want the job, but also because 3 out of 4 interviews were for high grade (G5+) positions, where there is likely a strong presence of current signallers or at least "internal candidates", in densely populated areas.

I've got a couple more interviews lined up, and am thinking that a lower grade position may be the way to "get in" to signalling, and then be able to move up the grades with more experience etc.

Does this ring true with anyone else!? Or am I just fluffing the interviews?

I've had 3 interviews with network rail, and gotn3 jobs from it. Straight off the street into grade 3, then into grade 7, then into MOM. While it's good that you see your flaws, and believe you have improved on them...each interview is different and you could end up getting offered the next 3 jobs, just because interviewer likes you! Keep going, you'll get there
 

ScotWestern

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Joined
13 Aug 2019
Messages
14
Anyone else starting training on the 30th in Shettleston, Glasgow? I didn't even know they trained there.
 

Maximus37

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Joined
11 Sep 2019
Messages
12
Location
Middlesbrough
Hi all. I was wondering whether anyone could offer their opinion. I had an interview 4 weeks ago (tomorrow) for a Signaller position at Middlesbrough. The interview seemed to go well. I also simultaneously applied for a position at Crag Hall which is under the remit of the same LOM that the Middlesbrough position is. This morning I had the "unsuccessful" email for the Crag Hall job owing to a more suited candidate even though I was never actually interviewed for Crag Hall. The status on my Middlesbrough application is still showing as open. I was just wondering whether this would mean I'm highly doubtful to get the job I was interviewed for seeing as though it's the same LOM for both jobs and it has now been 4 weeks without an update. Has anyone received any feedback regarding the respective positions? Any advice would be massively appreciated.
 

headshot119

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31 Dec 2010
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2,052
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Dubai
Hi all. I was wondering whether anyone could offer their opinion. I had an interview 4 weeks ago (tomorrow) for a Signaller position at Middlesbrough. The interview seemed to go well. I also simultaneously applied for a position at Crag Hall which is under the remit of the same LOM that the Middlesbrough position is. This morning I had the "unsuccessful" email for the Crag Hall job owing to a more suited candidate even though I was never actually interviewed for Crag Hall. The status on my Middlesbrough application is still showing as open. I was just wondering whether this would mean I'm highly doubtful to get the job I was interviewed for seeing as though it's the same LOM for both jobs and it has now been 4 weeks without an update. Has anyone received any feedback regarding the respective positions? Any advice would be massively appreciated.

Missing out on Crag Hall gives you no insight into what is happening with your other application for Middlesbrough in all honesty. It may just be that for Crag Hall they had five people who scored higher than you on the tests to interview.
 

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