London Midland Recruitment

[warriorofrovac]

I have been invited to attend an assessment day with London Midland for a position based in the West Midlands.

Can anyone shed some light onto the recruitment process? The documents they posted me gives me example papers for the TDCT (train dispatch concentration test) and the STVT (station and ticket verbal test)

They look straightfoward enough, but the letter said it could take up to 2 hours. 2 hours seems a bit long for two tests, so is there another element to the day that I am missing?

Similarly, what are the managers like with London Midland? (seeing as how they would probably be interviewing me)

 

[185]

TDCT (train dispatch concentration test)
This is the more difficult of the two tests. This is an audio test and is designed to see if you can safely oversee a safety critical situation whilst being distracted. It may have changed since I sat it long ago, but it was in two parts.

Part one, you hear three sounds, lets say a whistle, a horn and a man shouting... if they are in the right order, you mark yes, otherwise no. There were about ten scenarios / questions.

Part two, is the same three sounds, but there is also a passenger asking a question during those three sounds that you must use a small route guide in the exam paper to answer. Also about ten scenarios / questions for that bit.

STVT (station and ticket verbal test)
This is a fairly straightforward comprehension test. You will be given the information, and will have an amount of time to complete as many questions correctly as possible. It is virtually impossible to finish I beleive. Fairly straightforward exercise, easier than the first bit.

 

[warriorofrovac]

Are there any tips you can give me regarding the TDCT?

Part 1 seems simple enough, but it seems Part 2 gets 100% harder. Is it just a matter of concentrating hard?

 

[RJ]

The TCDT tests are not really something that you can fail, especially if you're already conversant with print media like maps. Honestly, it's nothing to worry about.

For example, you may be given a map, usually with a station at either end and two routes between them. Say from Alexandra Palace to Stevenage. The customer will ask a question like "which platform from Alexandra Palace do I need if going to Hertford North" or "How many stops until Brookmans Park." It'd be on a much smaller scale but that's the kind of thing you'd have to answer, whilst listening to the sounds.

 

[warriorofrovac]

Do the tests simply count towards getting an interview, or are the results also used in conjunction with the interview to decide who gets the job?

 

[RJ]

In my experience the tests are marked straight away and those who didn't get a high enough mark are asked to leave the process.

 

[warriorofrovac]

After reading the comments in the LM Drivers and Conductors thread, I'm getting rather worried.

 

[First class]

After reading the comments in the LM Drivers and Conductors thread, I'm getting rather worried.

Most of the applicants for this position will be external, few, if any internal applications will have been received.

These vacancies are covering those who went to traincrew. I think they need staff urgently at Droitwich Spa.

The managers are great! Except if you're not one of them

 

[warriorofrovac]

Most of the applicants for this position will be external, few, if any internal applications will have been received.

These vacancies are covering those who went to traincrew. I think they need staff urgently at Droitwich Spa.

The managers are great! Except if you're not one of them

My assessment centre is for a position at Birmingham Snow Hill. I'm slightly relieved most applicants will be external - I probably wouldn't stand a chance against applicants who already work on the railways or with London Midland.

 

[GadgetMan]

I probably wouldn't stand a chance against applicants who already work on the railways or with London Midland.

Not necessarily true. It's often the case that it's better to employ someone outside of the industry as you can train them from scratch to the company's way of thinking with no previous bad habits.

Although it doesn't last long once passed out and allowed to mingle with the oldies

 

[warriorofrovac]

Does anyone know the likely salary?

What with the proposed changes to ticket office opening hours there is likely to be ticket staff wanting to move onto the platforms.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
We were told we'd receive an email telling us whether we've progressed to interview today - as of 4pm, I've received no email.

 

[GadgetMan]

We were told we'd receive an email telling us whether we've progressed to interview today - as of 4pm, I've received no email.

Read the end of the other thread about LM guards and driver recruitment. LM's HR department is not the most efficient and reliable one out there that's for sure. Good luck.

 

[warriorofrovac]

Does LM recruitment work tomorrow (/on a Saturday)?

The letter they sent inviting me to the assessment centre said that interviews would be scheduled for the 20th or the 23rd. That seems a bit optimistic considering they didn't send the as promised emails today. Assuming of course those that are unsuccessful are actually told.

 

[First class]

Nobody will be in 102 New Street doing anything about recruitment tomorrow. I seriously doubt you'll have an interview anytime before March.

 

[warriorofrovac]

If that is the case, then the letter is very misleading. It clearly says

'If you are successful following the assessment, we will arrange an interview for you which will take place either on the 20th February 2012 or the 23rd February 2012'

We were also clearly told on the day that we would be informed via email the following day as to whether we had progressed.

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If what you say is correct LM__ then what are actual LM playing at?