A career as a signaller

[headshot119]

Could anybody tell me much about Aberthaw signal box if possible? I.e roster, whether its manned on a Sunday etc.

I am currently at York IST and on a 12 month FTC paper based at Cardiff roc and Aberthaw permanent position has gone on external list.

Cheers

Aberthaw box closed as part of the Cardiff Area Resignalling Scheme.

Not sure what it would be for, though Tom may be along with more info.

 

[High Dyke]

Ahhhhh absolutely chuffed to bits. Just been offered a position at Dullingham sixth application lucky!!!

Well done.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Could anybody tell me much about Aberthaw signal box if possible? I.e roster, whether its manned on a Sunday etc.

I am currently at York IST and on a 12 month FTC paper based at Cardiff roc and Aberthaw permanent position has gone on external list.
Cheers

As Headshot has said Aberthawe SB closed about 8 years ago, the actual job advertised is for the St Fagans Level Crossing workstation at SWCC.

 

[Rover77]

I'm considering contacting HR and asking for feedback after my rejection email yesterday. Having read and reread this thread I am aware of the volume of applications a hiring manager receives so I am in 2 minds. The reason given was that I did not meet the required criteria. I really would like to know exactly what this means so I am better placed for next time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rockhopper]

They'll be unlikely to give feedback until you reach the interview stage. all they are saying at the moment is that they found someone better. I believe there is a drop down list of rejection reasons and they just pick one that sounds like its right.

 

[Bunnymomma]

I'm considering contacting HR and asking for feedback after my rejection email yesterday. Having read and reread this thread I am aware of the volume of applications a hiring manager receives so I am in 2 minds. The reason given was that I did not meet the required criteria. I really would like to know exactly what this means so I am better placed for next time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Rover,

I had 4 applications rejected before I got to interview stage. I know how you feel!

They have a lot to weigh up; 70 questions, experience, CV, your pre tests, and volume of applicants etc

Even If everything was great, you still may not get an interview due to sheer volume of applicants. I believe interviewers only pick a handful.

My advice would be to sign up for future opportunities, keep researching and reading. Its a timely process but your opportunity will come!

 

[Rover77]

They'll be unlikely to give feedback until you reach the interview stage. all they are saying at the moment is that they found someone better. I believe there is a drop down list of rejection reasons and they just pick one that sounds like its right.

Thanks. That was my understanding. It's very hard to know if my CV and answers need more work or not. I had put a lot of effort in already and was quietly confident with them. I had read how others have been rejected and invited to interview with the exact same CV and answers. Perhaps
I wont tweak just yet.

Hi Rover,

I had 4 applications rejected before I got to interview stage. I know how you feel!

They have a lot to weigh up; 70 questions, experience, CV, your pre tests, and volume of applicants etc

Even If everything was great, you still may not get an interview due to sheer volume of applicants. I believe interviewers only pick a handful.

My advice would be to sign up for future opportunities, keep researching and reading. Its a timely process but your opportunity will come!

Thanks for replying. I wont bother asking for feedback. Will just keep plugging away.

 

[LokiB]

Probably a daft questions but when there's an advertisement for a signallers job is that just for 1 role of could it be multiple?
Would the advert say e.g x5 if there's more than 1 or would you not be able to tell?

 

[Tom Quinne]

Generally it’ll say “there are 5 roles available” or “X1 fixed term, and X1 permanent” etc

 

[LokiB]

Generally it’ll say “there are 5 roles available” or “X1 fixed term, and X1 permanent” etc

Thanks Tom, neither of the apps I have in say anything along those lines so I'm guessing it's just the 1 role for each.
Another question if I may. The 2 apps in are both based at the same location one grade 3 and one grade 9. Would it be the same LOM looking at these and doing the interviews etc?

 

[Tom Quinne]

Thanks Tom, neither of the apps I have in say anything along those lines so I'm guessing it's just the 1 role for each.
Another question if I may. The 2 apps in are both based at the same location one grade 3 and one grade 9. Would it be the same LOM looking at these and doing the interviews etc?

Depends on how many links there are,our place has multiple links with different LOMs.

I’d assume the Grade 3 link has a different LOM to the grade 9 one.

 

[LokiB]

Cheers Tom. Thanks for the reply mate.

 

[TC1]

I've also got an interview for the East Mids future opportunities ... tremendously exciting. Not often you apply for a job you actually want.

Some hardcore prep coming up!

 

[desrudy]

Hi

who know Where can i find some informations about the North London Line East Workstation and the North London Line Central Workstation at the Upminster IECC ?

 

[Boobah086]

.

 

[TC1]

Congratulations!! I'm not sure how best to prepare for a scenario based interview..
Is this your first?

Yes. I'm not worried about the scenario-based interview, or the reasoning tests, simply because you just go with the flow when you take them. It's the competency-based, real life interview I'm worried about. You've really got to show your stuff. Never been much of an interviewer!

First NR interview, I applied for a Grade 4 role last year and found the 60+ questions etc. far too difficult. My application was rejected. The condensed format for "future opportunities" is far more suited to entry-level applicants.

Before COVID kicked off I was making solid progress with a trainee Air Traffic Control vacancy, had passed the in-house exams and was awaiting further instruction, but the selection process was cancelled a few months ago, so here I am trying my hand at the trains! Having read a few pages and anecdotes of this thread, it looks really good.

Fingers crossed for good news in a month's time.

 

[WoollyMammoth]

Ahhhhh absolutely chuffed to bits. Just been offered a position at Dullingham sixth application lucky!!!

Very well done!

 

[Boobah086]

.

 

[Boobah086]

Ahhhhh absolutely chuffed to bits. Just been offered a position at Dullingham sixth application lucky!!!

Congratulations and all the best for the exciting journey ahead!

 

[craig1992]

Congratulations!! I'm not sure how best to prepare for a scenario based interview..
Is this your first?

I recently went through the North East opportunities, so I have done the same process you are about to do. In regards to the scenario interview, I was in the same position, not sure how to prepare for the scenario interview. The scenario is setup for someone who has no rail/signaller experience so all the information is provided throughout just make sure you are writing it all down so you have all the information when giving your answer i think I had written like 3 pages of information by the end of it. You are given plenty of time to prepare an answer so dont worry too much (difficult i know) but once you do the first scenario you relax abit more. I really enjoyed the whole process myself, if you have any other questions ill be happy to answer. Good luck with your app.

 

[Bunnymomma]

Thank you guys!

 

[BigRob21]

Just putting it out there. does anyone have any idea on timescales following an interview? I ask as I had my face to face interview a month ago to the the day but still haven't heard anything. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing really so just wanted to check if others had a similar experience. Thanks in advance

 

[AirCon888]

Just putting it out there. does anyone have any idea on timescales following an interview? I ask as I had my face to face interview a month ago to the the day but still haven't heard anything. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing really so just wanted to check if others had a similar experience. Thanks in advance

In regards to the vacancies at WMSC, which I believe you're referring to? I was told that they had over 40 interviews to complete for the 7 roles, taking place up until the end of August. The interviewer told me that we could expect to hear back from them, late August or even early September. I hope this eases any of your worries.

 

[BigRob21]

In regards to the vacancies at WMSC, which I believe you're referring to? I was told that they had over 40 interviews to complete for the 7 roles, taking place up until the end of August. The interviewer told me that we could expect to hear back from them, late August or even early September. I hope this eases any of your worries.

Yes that does ease the worries a little, thank you for the heads up. I wish you the best with your application and I hope your interview went the way you expected.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Has anyone else heard the firm want to look towards including Sunday in the working week?

Personally I’d go for it, we have to work them now anyway (I’d cover can’t be found), increased basic goes towards our pension as well. Seems like a no brainer from our side, obviously it’ll require more staff though.

 

[Pancakes84]

I recently went through the North East opportunities, so I have done the same process you are about to do. In regards to the scenario interview, I was in the same position, not sure how to prepare for the scenario interview. The scenario is setup for someone who has no rail/signaller experience so all the information is provided throughout just make sure you are writing it all down so you have all the information when giving your answer i think I had written like 3 pages of information by the end of it. You are given plenty of time to prepare an answer so dont worry too much (difficult i know) but once you do the first scenario you relax abit more. I really enjoyed the whole process myself, if you have any other questions ill be happy to answer. Good luck with your app.

thanks for this. Great to hear it’s not as daunting as it sounds.
struggling to get my head around the tests at the moment, definitely having to practice lots!

 

[Roadster 7]

Has anyone else heard the firm want to look towards including Sunday in the working week?

Personally I’d go for it, we have to work them now anyway (I’d cover can’t be found), increased basic goes towards our pension as well. Seems like a no brainer from our side, obviously it’ll require more staff though.

Sounds interesting.
I'm starting in November as a relief signaller, so I won't have any rostered Sundays wonder how it would work for reliefs?

Ahhhhh absolutely chuffed to bits. Just been offered a position at Dullingham sixth application lucky!!!

Congratulations! I've just had my medical completed, now waiting for my course to start in November!

 

[Tom Quinne]

Sounds interesting.
I'm starting in November as a relief signaller, so I won't have any rostered Sundays wonder how it would work for reliefs?



Congratulations! I've just had my medical completed, now waiting for my course to start in November!

Good point, if Sunday was part of the working week there’d be no Sunday’s for relief men to cover.

We’ll have to wait and see.

 

[Trackboy]

Hi

who know Where can i find some informations about the North London Line East Workstation and the North London Line Central Workstation at the Upminster IECC ?

Amybody??? I am Interested to know aswell. Also does anyone know how much London allowance do Upminister get?

 

[AshBod]

I agree, however I tend to waffle when put on the spot in scenario's which is something I'm going to have to be mindful of when I do it.

The competency based interview will go great for you, I'm sure! Just have a few scenarios for each of the 8 NTS points, and get plenty of rest the night before. In my most recent interview, that was my biggest mistake - not having a good nights sleep, it seemed to elevate my nerves and I didn't get everything I wanted to say out because of this!

That's a pretty spectacular feat - I work in aviation at the moment and know how hard it is to get to that stage! That's a shame it was cancelled, hopefully it will pick back up again once travel isn't so restricted.

All the best for your interviews and test and fingers crossed you get the news you are hoping for

Do you think there will also be general interview questions as part of this? Thing like what do you know about Network Rail, why do you want this role, why will you be suited to this role etc or is all competency NTS based?