WMT Driver Pool - 2021/22

[4-SUB 4732]

Just to say folks, don't think too much into it. It's impossible to guess what the decision-making is unless you're in the respective HR department. Chin up, apply for the next, see how it goes. It can be a long old process!

 

[puffpuffgive]

For those that have had the rejection email, when did you take the SJT?

 

[Supertrains19]

Also over 6100 people applied both internal and external so you can see why they are very cut throat in the initial sifting.

 

[New York Giant]

Is there an element of box ticking or positive discrimination involved?

I've yet to receive a congratulatory/rejection email but I am in my forties and often wonder whether employers (not just in rail) look to employ from a variety of age ranges, encourage females (to break down stereotypes) etc... when recruiting a large number of applicants and only then start to look at progressing with the BEST of what is left.

That could be complete BS of course, but it is something that was the topic of conversation many years ago, when TalkSport had a phone in on recruitment in the emergency services.

 

[Coach Carter]

It has to be quite a harsh cut at this stage. The next stage is HR reading through your CV/application in person and I don’t know about you guys but if I was a HR department I sure wouldn’t want to have thousands of applicants to read through.

 

[Jon1930]

As the salary gets higher and higher it's going to be harder and harder to get in, TOC I work for have qualified lawyers, pharmacists, junior doctors that have recently qualified as drivers. Money talks.

 

[Jaysea]

So we could have passed the SJT but then they look at our application at our answers etc and go from there?

The annoying thing is they will not provide feedback so we will never know if we passed or failed, so do we answer the same next time around or not?! I sat the test with a current qualified train driver and he said every answer I Provided was exactly what he would do in the real world and what he would have answered. I think it is purely down to numbers of applicants, just pot luck!?

 

[HLE]

As the salary gets higher and higher it's going to be harder and harder to get in, TOC I work for have qualified lawyers, pharmacists, junior doctors that have recently qualified as drivers. Money talks.

Indeed, less money but far less stress. Still a battle to get in though, ex plod still the favourite amongst externals.

 

[4-SUB 4732]

The annoying thing is they will not provide feedback so we will never know if we passed or failed, so do we answer the same next time around or not?! I sat the test with a current qualified train driver and he said every answer I Provided was exactly what he would do in the real world and what he would have answered. I think it is purely down to numbers of applicants, just pot luck!?

Whilst he may have been helpful, one or two of his answers could realistically have been influenced by habit. For example, the question about helping customers or giving route advice may not have been right, and that could have been enough. Not perhaps 'unsafe enough' but still if Abellio can have a handful of "Creme de la Creme" then one must suggest they could only be keeping the people who gave their preferred answer on every question?

 

[4-SUB 4732]

Indeed, less money but far less stress. Still a battle to get in though, ex plod still the favourite amongst externals.

I thought ex-Police were now not the favourites? I thought it was now Army, lorry drivers and the Fire Brigade? That's what I was told by a DI - something to do with Police being great at rules but having more autonomy in their day-to-day role and sometimes not quite being perfect for train driving.

 

[military85]

The annoying thing is they will not provide feedback so we will never know if we passed or failed, so do we answer the same next time around or not?! I sat the test with a current qualified train driver and he said every answer I Provided was exactly what he would do in the real world and what he would have answered. I think it is purely down to numbers of applicants, just pot luck!?

I worked on the railway

I thought ex-Police were now not the favourites? I thought it was now Army, lorry drivers and the Fire Brigade? That's what I was told by a DI - something to do with Police being great at rules but having more autonomy in their day-to-day role and sometimes not quite being perfect for train driving.

well im ex army. Female. Worked on railway before I joined the army, since leaving the army I have found it difficult to get back in the railway industry, always made in to interview stage.. even with experience. So I know the frustration it can have.

 

[Jaysea]

I worked on the railway

well im ex army. Female. Worked on railway before I joined the army, since leaving the army I have found it difficult to get back in the railway industry, always made in to interview stage.. even with experience. So I know the frustration it can have.

I ex army also which I thought would stand me in good stead for this role, just seems Everyman and his dog want to get into this role.

 

[Jaysea]

Whilst he may have been helpful, one or two of his answers could realistically have been influenced by habit. For example, the question about helping customers or giving route advice may not have been right, and that could have been enough. Not perhaps 'unsafe enough' but still if Abellio can have a handful of "Creme de la Creme" then one must suggest they could only be keeping the people who gave their preferred answer on every question?

I see what you mean mate, but the answers were all mine and purely safety based as advised. He is a relatively new driver and has not long passed this exact process so he knows exactly what is expected and hasn’t really had the time to gain bad habits.

 

[Ashley872]

The annoying thing is they will not provide feedback so we will never know if we passed or failed, so do we answer the same next time around or not?! I sat the test with a current qualified train driver and he said every answer I Provided was exactly what he would do in the real world and what he would have answered. I think it is purely down to numbers of applicants, just pot luck!?

I’d say it’s probably them wanting to see who is right for the role naturally. Probably makes it a bit easier for them to narrow it down. Not meaning to sound harsh or anything lol

 

[Jaysea]

I’d say it’s probably them wanting to see who is right for the role naturally. Probably makes it a bit easier for them to narrow it down. Not meaning to sound harsh or anything lol

You may be right, It was a no for me anyway so no point dwelling on it just got to move on and try again, onwards and upwards! I might apply for NASA as well, seems I may be in with a similar chance of getting an interview!

 

[Fore28]

Indeed, less money but far less stress. Still a battle to get in though, ex plod still the favourite amongst externals.

I'm ex plod and I had a reject email.

 

[Luqman]

They ought to provide feedback to all, we have all taken the time to apply & do the test only to receive a plain rejection email!!

 

[4-SUB 4732]

They ought to provide feedback to all, we have all taken the time to apply & do the test only to receive a plain rejection email!!

If, and I have no idea, but if only 200 people get to testing out of 6,600 (was that the number cited) who applied, you're talking about 6,400 personalised rejection emails?

 

[Ashley872]

Guys don’t take it too personally if you got rejected. Abellio for whatever reason just decided that you weren’t suitable at this time. Just take it on the chin and move on. Plus there are other TOC’s and you can always reapply next time.
The worst thing you can is dwell on a rejection.

 

[Jaysea]

They ought to provide feedback to all, we have all taken the time to apply & do the test only to receive a plain rejection email!!
It would be nice to have some kind of idea why we were not deemed suitable, so that we can go away and Try and put right what Is wrong! Otherwise we could be applying time and time again either being unsuitable through CV or unsuitable through the online assessment? Am I right in thinking if you get the email to take the assessment your CV has been checked and passed??

 

[Ashley872]

If, and I have no idea, but if only 200 people get to testing out of 6,600 (was that the number cited) who applied, you're talking about 6,400 personalised rejection emails?

This.
Why would they focus on people who they didn’t think were suitable. They wil want to focus on people who made it to the next stage!

 

[B1990]

I got the no as well, ah well I’ve had enough of them now to be used to them!!

 

[Luqman]

If, and I have no idea, but if only 200 people get to testing out of 6,600 (was that the number cited) who applied, you're talking about 6,400 personalised rejection emails?

we do not know the actual number of applicants, all I'm saying is it would be helpful to all whom took the time to apply to have some form of feedback on areas needing improvement should we decide to apply again if a position is advertised in the future.

 

[Tezza32]

Ive got the no too yet last time I passed I've done nothing diffrent I give up.

 

[Luqman]

This.
Why would they focus on people who they didn’t think were suitable. They wil want to focus on people who made it to the next stage!

why bother telling those unsuitable people you can apply again in 6 months then, bit of feedback would be appreciated

 

[Tezza32]

why bother telling those unsuitable people you can apply again in 6 months then, bit of feedback would be appreciated

Totally agree with you it's not good.

 

[military85]

In the last 3 years I have applied twice for a certain role with WMT and on both occasions I have failed at the interview stage. It is very disheartening.

 

[akasutts]

why bother telling those unsuitable people you can apply again in 6 months then, bit of feedback would be appreciated

The total number of applications was just over 6100. I know that it was mentioned above, but if they say put 200 people through to the next stage, that means that the company are sending out over 5900 emails. In an ideal world I’m sure that they would like to provide individual feedback, but this is simply to great a task to complete. Imagine yourself sitting down and just simply sending that many emails and that’s not including the time that it takes to check through each application.

Unfortunately it is simply a case that due to interest in the job the company can be as selective as they wish when it comes to whom they recruit. They can literally set the criteria to whatever they want. Whilst you may have the experience and skills to do the job and feel let down by the rejection, it has to be appreciated that thousands of other people have similar skills and experience and feel the same way.

I know that it’s frustrating but just be persistent. Look back through your application and answers in the SJT and improve what you have put, even a small detail could make the difference.

All the best.

 

[Grafter1900]

Never give up, keep trying..back in 2014 I got to the final interview but failed, kept applying got rejected few times, in the end I had to do all the assessments again cos my 5 years were up, I was gutted and thought of not going to the assessments and going through the long process all over again but managed to get right till the end and get the job. Best decision to stick with it and keep trying...I've done 50 hours train driving but like all other trainees been at home since March, but looking forward to returning when safe to do so. Good luck

 

[military85]

Why would they finally give someone the job after many times of trying? Just felt like they was putting me through for the sake of it then soon as I get to interview it was a no. Even with having the experience for that job role. I kept thinking.. what am I doing wrong here? So I given up for that job role now.