A career as a signaller

[Mi&Li]

Hi Guys. Haven't received a phone call today but my application status on the job portal says application withdrawn. Now I know I haven't done that so can only assume I haven't been successful. Pretty gutted as I thought there would of been a phone call at least. Has anyone checked there application status?

Just checked mine but still sat at Assessment 2 Completed. Gutted for you if that means the worst. I have just come off the phone and the guy said they are still working through the phone calls up until 8pm tonight and through to tomorrow so there’s still hope.

 

[Yorkshire1985]

Mine still says Assessment 2 completed, weirdly it says status update 15.46pm today (It’s been Assessment 2 completed since my interview).

Mine says the same thing, so I'm going to assume we are unsuccessful.
According to Network Rail we 'did great' and were 'excellent' obviously not excellent enough, what a joke.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Hi Guys. Haven't received a phone call today but my application status on the job portal says application withdrawn. Now I know I haven't done that so can only assume I haven't been successful. Pretty gutted as I thought there would of been a phone call at least. Has anyone checked there application status?

I wouldn't read too much into the status on the recruitment portal at this point. Normally it will go to unsuccessful if you didn't make the grade (as I've found out a few times).

The whole recruitment process can be glacial in its speed at times so don't give up yet!

 

[Mi&Li]

Mine still says Assessment 2 completed, weirdly it says status update 15.46pm today (It’s been Assessment 2 completed since my interview).

Never noticed that, mine was updated 16:17 today to the same status it was at since 01/06

 

[Briggs0592]

Mine still says Assessment 2 completed, weirdly it says status update 15.46pm today (It’s been Assessment 2 completed since my interview).

I emailed them at 16:05 and then my status was updated at 16.22 to say application withdrawn. Gutted. Fingers crossed for the guys whos statuses still haven't changed.

 

[Yorkshire1985]

I emailed them at 16:05 and then my status was updated at 16.22 to say application withdrawn. Gutted. Fingers crossed for the guys whos statuses still haven't changed.

Mine was changed at the same time - We aren't excellent enough for Network Rail apparently

 

[Chumba]

I emailed them at 16:05 and then my status was updated at 16.22 to say application withdrawn. Gutted. Fingers crossed for the guys whos statuses still haven't changed.

Application withdrawn normally means you’ve withdrawn it. If your unsuccessful it will say that. Could be an error, status does change wrongly sometimes. I’d follow up with HR soonest, don’t just let it go wrong. I had a status say withdrawn once and it was just an admin way of assigning me to a different IIRC number for the same role.

 

[Briggs0592]

Mine was changed at the same time - We aren't excellent enough for Network Rail apparently

Whilst I haven't received confirmation that I've been successful I can only assume I have been from the stays of the application but it is somewhat frustrating having an encouraging email like that using positive words to make you feel as though you've got news coming. I foolishly thought it was a personal email and then since being on here find out it's rather generic. Can help but feel in many ways with the language used.

 

[craig1992]

I have just received an email from recruitment and I have been placed on the reserve/waiting list for when more roles become available. I'm not mad about that to be honest would of been gutted had it been unsuccessful after been told I had done excellently.

 

[iamdavid]

Just had an email saying I’m on the reserve list but haven’t been selected for the position for this particular role. Any idea how many people normally make the reserve list?

 

[Briggs0592]

Received the same email. Guessing its another generic one and maybe by sayi g that it's letting you down softer. Hmmm I don't know. Gutted though.

 

[Questiontime]

Could anyone advise me on the pension schemes?

I have just been emailed the paperwork but pensions isn't my strong point? Which one would people recommend and for what reason?

Thanks in advance

 

[Mi&Li]

Just had an email saying I’m on the reserve list but haven’t been selected for the position for this particular role. Any idea how many people normally make the reserve list?

 

[Briggs0592]

Been given the same news but by phone call. Very gutting. Such a positive email to be let down. “You have now completed all assessments and will receive an update the week commencing 08/06.” Would have been absolutely fine. Rather cruel if you ask me

Couldn't agree more. At least you got a phone call mate. The email you get after live interview seems very encouraging. I believe we have all been told we was excellent candidates and in a high scoring backet, so don't get the eimpression anyone of us will be above anyone in the reserve list. Poorly worded IMO. However I won't less this deter me from applying in future.

 

[LOM]

Mine says the same thing, so I'm going to assume we are unsuccessful.
According to Network Rail we 'did great' and were 'excellent' obviously not excellent enough, what a joke.

I understand how frustrating it must be but you can be an excellent candidate and still not be the successful candidate. It all comes down to interview scores. I have rejected many really good candidates over the years who I am sure would have made brilliant signallers. Unfortunately we cannot employ everyone we interview. In this case it looks like Recruitment has tried to keep candidates in the loop with what is happening with the best of intentions but unfortunately in doing so given a bit of false hope.

Do not let a bump in the road put you off, get back on the bike and try again.

 

[Briggs0592]

I understand how frustrating it must be but you can be an excellent candidate and still not be the successful candidate. It all comes down to interview scores. I have rejected many really good candidates over the years who I am sure would have made brilliant signallers. Unfortunately we cannot employ everyone we interview. In this case it looks like Recruitment has tried to keep candidates in the loop with what is happening with the best of intentions but unfortunately in doing so given a bit of false hope.

Do not let a bump in the road put you off, get back on the bike and try again.

Thanks for the encouraging words LOM. You've been a great insight.certainly won't make me shirk away from future posts. Untill next time.....

 

[MrsP2010]

Could anyone advise me on the pension schemes?

I have just been emailed the paperwork but pensions isn't my strong point? Which one would people recommend and for what reason?

Thanks in advance

Pensions have come up on earlier posts in this thread. Can you search for it?

 

[Chumba]

Could anyone advise me on the pension schemes?

I have just been emailed the paperwork but pensions isn't my strong point? Which one would people recommend and for what reason?

Thanks in advance

You really need to get proper independent pensions advice, because it really depends on your personal circumstances, your attitude to risk, your age, how long you envisage working for NR and lots of other factors. Different schemes benefit people differently. There isn’t a one fits all. I got independent advice and was surprised when they recommended one scheme over the other. ( I thought it would be the other way round) All because I already had a final salary pension, and my circumstances and earnings.

 

[iamdavid]

So it sounds like the reserve list means very little then by the sound of it they just sent that to everyone? A little disheartening I guess but will keep trying, at least the experience will help for the next attempt. Would highly recommend HR have a think about the wording of the generic emails they send out, in hindsight just feels a little patronising and definitely gave me a sense of false hope. But there you go!

 

[amanda08]

I was reserve candidate for the position I have just been offered. And that was for two positions. So if 30 have been offered the job, i bet at least a few reserves end up getting the call after all. I had given up on mine, assuming being reserve was a nice brush off, but it wasn't. There is still hope

 

[iamdavid]

I was reserve candidate for the position I have just been offered. And that was for two positions. So if 30 have been offered the job, i bet at least a few reserves end up getting the call after all. I had given up on mine, assuming being reserve was a nice brush off, but it wasn't. There is still hope

Well that has heartened me! Thank you!

 

[Mi&Li]

So it sounds like the reserve list means very little then by the sound of it they just sent that to everyone? A little disheartening I guess but will keep trying, at least the experience will help for the next attempt. Would highly recommend HR have a think about the wording of the generic emails they send out, in hindsight just feels a little patronising and definitely gave me a sense of false hope. But there you go!

This is the third time I’ve been a reserve candidate and it doesn’t get any easier. There is many reserves this time round though as we will all be in different locations. I guess our only hope now is something becomes available locally. Can’t see it happening soon though as this mass intake will have cleaned up most roles due to become available I guess!

 

[craig1992]

Based on what some people have said they are planning to do another big recruitment in autumn time? So surely that holds people on the reserve list in good stead for that? That is of course if they are planning to do another big recruitment.

 

[Questiontime]

You really need to get proper independent pensions advice, because it really depends on your personal circumstances, your attitude to risk, your age, how long you envisage working for NR and lots of other factors. Different schemes benefit people differently. There isn’t a one fits all. I got independent advice and was surprised when they recommended one scheme over the other. ( I thought it would be the other way round) All because I already had a final salary pension, and my circumstances and earnings.

I will look into it, thank you

 

[SiggysigAah]

Contact HR for feedback to see what you can improve / polish. Keep reading this thread, keep finding out more about Network Rail and signalling. Tweak your CV and answers to the 69 questions, get someone new to have a fresh look at both if you can.

Keep your eye out for any future signaller jobs in your area, signallers will still retire, leave signalling, leave Network Rail and pass away. Plus the next round of Future Opportunities is scheduled for later in the year. I am in the same boat as those who have been knocked back today (for a non future opportunities signalling role).

Yes it’s frustrating but I am even more determined to be successful next time. Or the time after, or the time after that. Chin up.

 

[Questiontime]

Pensions have come up on earlier posts in this thread. Can you search for it?

managed to find it, I was struggling so reposted. Thanks though

 

[danners430]

Scotland appears to have woken up - Craigo, Inverkeilor and Carmont all advertised in the last couple days... Excuse me while I go and revisit my CV!

 

[Pugman]

Can anyone offer insight as to what happens on the medical? Is it self contained on the day as such or is there a wait afterwards due to them contacting your GP. Finally how long do people normally wait after their medical date until starting on average? The medical is for a crossing keeper role...
Ps i realize its a how long is a ball of string type question...

 

[LOM]

The medical is self contained unless they find something untoward and need to refer you to your own Gp Or Optician. They have been doing medicals on Zoom video calls recently(!).

 

[Pugman]

The medical is self contained unless they find something untoward and need to refer you to your own Gp Or Optician. They have been doing medicals on Zoom video calls recently(!).

Thanks LOM. I've been given an in person appointment in Cardiff next week...