Not sure I quite agree. Some people , myself included , have been told that they weren't strong enough on a particular answer.The DMI is not a pass/fail situation. It is a more traditional interview where you either get the job or you don't.
Not sure I quite agree. Some people , myself included , have been told that they weren't strong enough on a particular answer.The DMI is not a pass/fail situation. It is a more traditional interview where you either get the job or you don't.
I agree regarding the DMI. It’s not an assessment therefore there’s no pass or fail. It’s often sold that it is an assessment and we often hear of people saying they passed or failed.Failure rates taper off the deeper you get in to the process but there is still failure at EVERY level. High at the initial sift, still quite high at first assessments, smaller drop off if you take the MMI seperate, small numbers at the medical stage and then the DMI.....
The DMI could, in theory, pass everyone. The problem is that you have a limited number of vacancies. Getting large numbers of applicants still means that there is competition for the job. This doesn't mean you 'fail' at the DMI You could smash your DMI out the park but you still don't get a job offer. Of course there will be those who still can't make it pass the DMI stage for whatever reason. I would hope that TOCs only invite people to a DMI with the intention of offering someone the job It isn't like the assessments where you need a high number of applicants because the failure rate is so high.
I would say that most who pass the assessments go on to the next stage. Maybe not with the TOC they applied to but as others highlight, you have a pass and can apply elsewhere.
I see where you’re coming from here too, however, it’s all relative to the competition with interviews. Scoring is usually done comparatively against other interviewees so where you may not have scored highly enough, that’s more than like based on others scoring higher on certain questions. If everybody was scoring below or on a par with you, you may have been offered a job.Not sure I quite agree. Some people , myself included , have been told that they weren't strong enough on a particular answer.
I agree regarding the DMI. It’s not an assessment therefore there’s no pass or fail. It’s often sold that it is an assessment and we often hear of people saying they passed or failed.
I was asked more structured questions, than in the mmi . I was also told by that particular manager , that he had another 200 trainee's to take on . Baring in mind that I heard back after a week , he wouldn't of known wether the next 200 would be stronger/higher scoring. To be honest though , I had a different opinion as to why I was unsuccessful , and had some sort of confirmation that I was almost certainly binned for age reasons. Good job my current toc could see my potential.I see where you’re coming from here too, however, it’s all relative to the competition with interviews. Scoring is usually done comparatively against other interviewees so where you may not have scored highly enough, that’s more than like based on others scoring higher on certain questions. If everybody was scoring below or on a par with you, you may have been offered a job.
Admitedly it depends on the manager, and whether Or not they have their own benchmark they want to set, but there’s not a pass or fail in the same way as there is for an assessment.
In 2015 Freightliner was a 15 min chat with no explain a time questionsI think it’ll boil down to TOCs with how they approach the DMI. Whilst they can be like ‘traditional’ job interviews, mine was definitely a structured pass or fail affair, with questions not unlike those found in the MMI, such as those ‘Tell me about a time when...’ ones.
See aboveFailure rates taper off the deeper you get in to the process but there is still failure at EVERY level. High at the initial sift, still quite high at first assessments, smaller drop off if you take the MMI seperate, small numbers at the medical stage and then the DMI.....
The DMI could, in theory, pass everyone. The problem is that you have a limited number of vacancies. Getting large numbers of applicants still means that there is competition for the job. This doesn't mean you 'fail' at the DMI You could smash your DMI out the park but you still don't get a job offer. Of course there will be those who still can't make it pass the DMI stage for whatever reason. I would hope that TOCs only invite people to a DMI with the intention of offering someone the job It isn't like the assessments where you need a high number of applicants because the failure rate is so high.
I would say that most who pass the assessments go on to the next stage. Maybe not with the TOC they applied to but as others highlight, you have a pass and can apply elsewhere.
I would'nt necessarily say your application will go no further, possibly put on hold for forever and a day. I cant find any sources to say that Arriva is going to be stripped of its Northern franchise only that it is being discussed.
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It’s going to happen, transport secretary has already said the process has started, other option would be to reduce the amount of time left on their contract, but i can’t see that happening under the circumstances.
TOCs recruit regardless of the state of the franchise. Stagecoach East Midlands Trains recruited drivers in 2019 to start when the changeover to Abellio East Midlands Railway happened. So don't give up hope!Well Arriva trains are to be stripped of their franchise in the north of England. So looks like my application will be going no further.
I'm sure I read on this forum somewhere before that it's part of the agreement of franchises , that they still recruit as necessary.TOCs recruit regardless of the state of the franchise. Stagecoach East Midlands Trains recruited drivers in 2019 to start when the changeover to Abellio East Midlands Railway happened. So don't give up hope!
I'm sure I read on this forum somewhere before that it's part of the agreement of franchises , that they still recruit as necessary.
Not necessarily, I currently work for northern as a guard and have my assessment day for driving in Manchester next week. They are also still running training courses. if/when it happens they will still need more staff and the recruitment and HR staff won't change so will likely just carry on as before.Well Arriva trains are to be stripped of their franchise in the north of England. So looks like my application will be going no further.
Not necessarily, I currently work for northern as a guard and have my assessment day for driving in Manchester next week. They are also still running training courses. if/when it happens they will still need more staff and the recruitment and HR staff won't change so will likely just carry on as before.
I spoke to a few higher ups because I was worried about my application so don't worry too much. Maybe contact HR to confirm if you aren't internal but I can't see it being any different
thanks for the info, really appreciate it. I still haven't heard anything from my application as yet, its still showing as being processed. How long did it take to get a reply from your initial application?
After lots more trawling I’ve eventually found this post that lists a hell of a lot of TOC’s however I think it’s slightly outdated and doesn’t appear to take you to the recruitment pages I’d hoped it would. If someone knows where the post is that list the TOC’s recruitment pages then I’d be most grateful if they could direct me.I’ll post the link I found here in case it’s of any help to others in my position. https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/trainee-train-driver.160331/#post-3338081Hi folks
I’m new to the forum. Yesterday I was trawling through these forums and I came across a list of links for all the TOC recruiting pages, I thought I’d saved it as I knew it would be very helpful in my quest to become a trainee driver. Unfortunately it didn’t save and I’ve looked all over and I just can’t find it again. I wonder if someone could direct me to the post or if they would mind reposting it. My apologies in advance. For anyone’s interest I’ve been working on the Crossrail project since 2015 so I do have some although limited knowledge of the rail industry. Many thanks in advance and once again my apologies. I’d also just like to add that the enormous delay with the Crossrail project has absolutely nothing to do with myself
Not necessarily, I currently work for northern as a guard and have my assessment day for driving in Manchester next week. They are also still running training courses. if/when it happens they will still need more staff and the recruitment and HR staff won't change so will likely just carry on as before.
I spoke to a few higher ups because I was worried about my application so don't worry too much. Maybe contact HR to confirm if you aren't internal but I can't see it being any different
Hi Loganberry.
I have my interview soon for the Driver role in Manchester.
I've prepared some answers to questions that I might be asked, ie competency based questions such as 'Tell me when you've dealt with an emergency... XYZ'.
Is there anything else that you'd recommend doing in preparation for the interview?
Thanks for any help, and good luck with your assessment day!
JRE
Thanks so much Lee0901.If it's for Northern I was asked
Tell me about yourself
What do you know about the company?
Why do you want to be a driver and not a conductor?
A time when I've had to do something in sequence to achieve a goal
A time when I've disagreed with a decision of a manager
A time when I've been on a course longer than 2 weeks
A time when I've delivered excellent customer service
Personal development
A time when I've resolved a problem and obstacles I overcome
I used examples from work and hobbies to answer these.
Good luck
Thanks so much Lee0901.
How long ago was your interview with Northern if you don't mind me asking?
Also, I'm really struggling to think of anything that would answer 'doing something in sequence to achieve a goal' - maybe I'm not thinking outside the box enough?
Also the questions I had were very much like the MMI questions but just worded differentlyThanks so much Lee0901.
How long ago was your interview with Northern if you don't mind me asking?
Also, I'm really struggling to think of anything that would answer 'doing something in sequence to achieve a goal' - maybe I'm not thinking outside the box enough?
No problem.Just remember base all your answers around the qualities of a train driver and you'll be fine.Thanks Lee0901. Really appreciate that.
I've written about.. maybe.. 15 different scenarios and have them in my mind, so hopefully I'll be able to draw on them to answer whatever they ask me.
Cheers again!