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A career as a signaller

Mart1n888

Member
Joined
9 Jan 2020
Messages
11
Location
France
Very true, I'm not sure how high the benchmark is for passing, but due to the sheer number applying its still going to be difficult to get an interview I Suspect.

fingers crossed for you all however!
Cheers
 
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9tfrizzco

Member
Joined
17 Oct 2019
Messages
115
Location
worthing
Is there actually any proof that they select 'the highest test scores' for interview like I keep on hearing? I would imagine once the benchmark is passed CV and questionnaire become far more important
 
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Mi&Li

Member
Joined
19 Dec 2019
Messages
87
Location
UK
Is there actually any proof that they select 'the highest test scores' for interview like I keep on hearing? I would imagine once the benchmark is passed CV and questionnaire become far more important
I’ve not got it in writing but I have been told so by a LOM. I find it hard to believe though
 

9tfrizzco

Member
Joined
17 Oct 2019
Messages
115
Location
worthing
For a couple of applications (one in london and one in Kent) I have initially received the typical 'I am pleased to inform you have met the required benchmark....' e-mail only later to receive e-mails saying

'Thank you for completing the selection testing for the above position. Unfortunately on this
occasion you did not meet the required benchmark for this role therefore we will not be
progressing your application.'

Quite baffling as I felt I did quite well in the tests and I've already had one interview.
 
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Spidercat

Member
Joined
6 Nov 2019
Messages
5
Location
Merseyside
Hi, does anyone know whats happened with the Monks Sidings positions? My application has changed to unsuccessful however I didn't hear anything (i have contacted HR for feedback). this week the role was re-advertised but when i tried to apply it said position unavailable? I still have an app in for the various North West Grade 2 positions that was advertised before Christmas and heard today they will be shortlisting for interviews at the start of Feb so fingers crossed!
 

High Dyke

Established Member
Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,267
Location
Yellabelly Country
Yes other venues can run courses but it does not mean your LOM will wait for a space on a local course. Add in being away allows you to avoid home life distractions to concentrate on the coursework and access the college for sim practice.
Unless the distractions are in the school or after the course has finished for the day.
 

Radarman

Member
Joined
10 Dec 2017
Messages
5
Good Evening good people!

Haven't been posting on this forum for a while!

Tried again recently for a signalling vacancy at Pontrilas SB, looks like i've passed the test and waiting to hear if i've got an interview or not!

In the meantime, could anybody tell me how is Pontrilas in terms of workload and generally as a box? is it nice to work in?

Thanks in advance for your time!

Ago
 

Llanigraham

Established Member
Joined
23 Mar 2013
Messages
6,074
Location
Powys
Good Evening good people!

Haven't been posting on this forum for a while!

Tried again recently for a signalling vacancy at Pontrilas SB, looks like i've passed the test and waiting to hear if i've got an interview or not!

In the meantime, could anybody tell me how is Pontrilas in terms of workload and generally as a box? is it nice to work in?

Thanks in advance for your time!
Ago

Friend was one of the reliefs there and always said it was quite nice.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...nAhXLTsAKHdOJByEQ7Al6BAgKEDM&biw=1366&bih=663
https://www.roscalen.com/signals/Pontrilas/index.htm
12 hour shifts like most of the Boxes on the Marches.
 

NeilNX

Member
Joined
21 Jul 2018
Messages
21
I see york ROC are doing an open day in may for future vacancies. What would these entail, would it be dressed smart ie suit or casual smart? Will the jobs be advertised as normal or would you be applying there and then as there seems to be a lot of vacancies coming up. TIA
Interesting may book a visit, read as if their doing a morning 10am and a afternoon one at 2pm if im reading it right. That correct?
 

headshot119

Established Member
Joined
31 Dec 2010
Messages
2,052
Location
Dubai
Can anyone tell me if we have to do the tests again as an internal applicant

If you are a signaller grade at the moment then no. (And if you are and you've been sent them give HR a ring who will sort it out)

If you are internal to Network Rail, but not in a signaller grade, then yes you will.
 

leomc1627

Member
Joined
9 Feb 2018
Messages
47
If you are a signaller grade at the moment then no. (And if you are and you've been sent them give HR a ring who will sort it out)

If you are internal to Network Rail, but not in a signaller grade, then yes you will.

Thanks for that as i tried to apply for a new position while on nights and the computers in the signal boxes arnt the greatest but i was asked to do the tests and obviously there timed and the computer was awfully slow im getting turned down for grade two roles due to this my Lom did say i shouldnt have had to resit them ill call HR and ask whats going on.!
 

MOM67

Member
Joined
6 Mar 2019
Messages
31
For a couple of applications (one in london and one in Kent) I have initially received the typical 'I am pleased to inform you have met the required benchmark....' e-mail only later to receive e-mails saying

'Thank you for completing the selection testing for the above position. Unfortunately on this
occasion you did not meet the required benchmark for this role therefore we will not be
progressing your application.'

Quite baffling as I felt I did quite well in the tests and I've already had one interview.

You may have done well in the tests, but not as well as others. Every vacancy has many applicants so HR will sift out until the Hiring Manager is left with a certain number of interviews (eg 5-8). Unfortunately it would appear that your scores have reached the benchmark to pass the tests but are not high enough to get you into the list of candidates selected for interview.

Just keep trying, Good Luck!
 

9tfrizzco

Member
Joined
17 Oct 2019
Messages
115
Location
worthing
You may have done well in the tests, but not as well as others. Every vacancy has many applicants so HR will sift out until the Hiring Manager is left with a certain number of interviews (eg 5-8). Unfortunately it would appear that your scores have reached the benchmark to pass the tests but are not high enough to get you into the list of candidates selected for interview.

Just keep trying, Good Luck!
Yeah I just found it unusual because before I've only had the 'more suitable candidate identified' e-mails after the test success emails. This to me sounded like the e-mail they would send to people who didn't pass the benchmarks initially.
 

Defenestrate

Member
Joined
6 Aug 2019
Messages
130
Are internal job interviews (e.g. current signaller moving to another signaller role) similar to external ones, i.e. heavy focus on 8 NTS?

Or will they be more signalling/area specific?
 

JB1234

Member
Joined
24 Jan 2020
Messages
5
Location
York
Yes other venues can run courses but it does not mean your LOM will wait for a space on a local course. Add in being away allows you to avoid home life distractions to concentrate on the coursework and access the college for sim practice.
I can vouch for that! I live in York but start Signal school on Monday in Preston. Very nervous but excited too.
 

headshot119

Established Member
Joined
31 Dec 2010
Messages
2,052
Location
Dubai
Are internal job interviews (e.g. current signaller moving to another signaller role) similar to external ones, i.e. heavy focus on 8 NTS?

Or will they be more signalling/area specific?

Still a focus on the 8 Non-Technical Skills but you may find the questions are more signaller scenario based. You can also be asked some technical questions.
 

LOM

Member
Joined
26 Dec 2019
Messages
405
Location
Been and gone.
Are internal job interviews (e.g. current signaller moving to another signaller role) similar to external ones, i.e. heavy focus on 8 NTS?

Or will they be more signalling/area specific?

Still a focus on the 8 Non-Technical Skills but you may find the questions are more signaller scenario based. You can also be asked some technical questions.
There are 4 question sets 2 scenario based and 2 generic. The generic questions are for external candidates but you can use either the generic or the scenario based questions for internals. The scenarios are all signalling based. We are not looking for rule book perfect answers in these but we are scoring non-technical skills indicators in your answer. There is one question for each of the non-technical skills. There also can be up to 2 technical (rules) which you will need to get right as per the rule book and 2 location specific questions at the end. The technical and location questions are not mandatory but you will usually be asked at least 1. There will always be a safety question too.
 

Leewarburton12

New Member
Joined
25 Jan 2020
Messages
4
Location
Layton
Quick question , I have a applied for a position in which I thought was local “ as Network rail “ advertise local. They advertised it as Kirkham GB , only to discover that the Kirkham boxes closed last year. I have since looked again at the add and it advertise as Kirkham GB but Kirkham abbey which is York not north west . I have applied for two closer positions but I have done the selection test for Kirkham abbey position. My question is, is it worth keeping kirkham abbey application? Also will HR transfer my results to my other applications or will I have to do two separate test for both ?
 

Rockhopper

Member
Joined
29 Apr 2019
Messages
736
You'll need to make separate applications for each post that you want but the results for the three tests are valid for six months (although it says they keep them on file for a year..) so you don't redo them.
 

Midlands_lad

Member
Joined
15 Jan 2020
Messages
98
Location
Staffordshire
I had an interview yesterday at WMSC, very nice people interviewing made you feel very at ease.
I think I did ok to be honest but you never know with interviews I guess!
When asked about contract type I was told it would be a 2 year fixed term with a view to become permanent. I believe you have to apply for a permanent job within these 2 years and hope you get one? My question is do many people get a permanent contract or not? Is it a risk to take this job if I am successful at interview as at the moment my current job is permanent. I love the sound of signalling for network rail and I really want the job but I also have a family to provide for and bills to pay etc. Any information on these contracts would be truly appreciated!
 

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