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A career as a train driver

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choo~choo

Member
Joined
8 Dec 2011
Messages
126
You need to distance yourself from the army as far as describing your experience to date.. Great that you have discipline, get up on time and are presentable but I'd aim more towards your customer service, dealing with public, sticking to rules and regulations and knowing the importance of safety.. It sounds like you are trying to sell a soldier to the railway, you are however looking for a career within the railway where you can use some of your skills to give the best service you can..

Ex forces & now train driver :)
ExTankieAaron said:
Is their any people on this forum that can help me out with trying to turn all my Army jargon into civilian talk and relate it to being a train driver?
I thought i managed to do it this time with the ongoing Freightliner opening but i seem to have (for now) failed again. i am aware this is a gold dust job and there are hundreds of people going for the jobs available.
I seem to get stuck with the applications where they ask for past experience of... I try to say stuff like (the truth) i am a vehicle commander so working in a pressured environment trying to keep timing with other vehicles is essential so being in charge of a train seems very similar. I even compared train company's to Army regiments, all working together for the same goal with their own company targets. Its true, they do sound like regiments. haha.

I am even looking to shift my career for now to HGV to get experience of delivering goods on time in all conditions, in charge of my lorry etc again to be similar to a freight train driver.
This is my 5th attempt now and starting to be a little disillusioned over this dream i have.
I can even send a CV for if anybody on here is HR to look over and give pointers though i know most jobs are fill in forms and in Freightliners case a 10 question test!!

ANY help at all illl be hugely grateful.

Aaron.
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RailUK Forums

ExTankieAaron

ExTankieAaron

Member
Joined
24 Apr 2014
Messages
123
choo~choo said:
You need to distance yourself from the army as far as describing your experience to date.. Great that you have discipline, get up on time and are presentable but I'd aim more towards your customer service, dealing with public, sticking to rules and regulations and knowing the importance of safety.. It sounds like you are trying to sell a soldier to the railway, you are however looking for a career within the railway where you can use some of your skills to give the best service you can..

Ex forces & now train driver :)
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But if its i have ever really known and being a gardener for my local council before i joined the army dont count as a job haha
But none the less it looks like i need help with this one, the only break through i ever had was when i was going for a job with DBS and i had a loooong chat with the HR, long story short, because of what i said to them the next round of recruitment it stated on the advert they wanted preferably ex forces fire fighters police bus drivers! Maybe i struck a nerve.
So when they ask what experiences of situations i have... how should i go about that without Army-ing everything because its all i got to go on. Even looking at HGV for this kinda job experience.

Aaron.
 
T

Theurbanjedi

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2014
Messages
22
Aaron
As an ex-police officer, one thing I have learned since leaving is that it is VERY difficult to make the transition from an institution like the police/forces to 'real life'.
Even your screen name underlines this!
Essentially when exposing yourself to potential employers, you need to sell Aaron, not the ex-services guy. Certainly employers will appreciate certain benefits in employed ex-services, and will understand that you have gleaned certain skills, attributes and experience over the years, but it has to be couched in a certain way - I've found it very easy to almost come across as something of a "smart Alec' in interview situations, and on written application forms, because it's very very easy for me to describe pressurised and life threatening situations, emergencies, team working scenarios, etc.
I have started using examples from my 2 years outside of the police so I don't come across as 'police obsessed' and overly reliant on my experiences.
Not wishing to take anything away from your service - for which I am grateful- but you just need not to be over reliant on your status as ex-services.
I hope this makes sense.
 
L

Lanc688

Member
Joined
20 May 2012
Messages
227
Location
Lincolnshire
Aaron,

I'm 23 years military...left last year and now working for TPE. Quite a few guys I worked with have managed to get driving jobs also...all on first application. Many see the ex Forces guys as arrogant....what I will say is that we can come across as a little self - assured, but that is because we are trained to be confident people. What you need to do is relax and realise that you are now trying to enter a different world....I disagree that you should tone down your past experience....You should take those past experiences and present them in a way that shows your ability and in a way that involves no self obsession or over confidence. The railway and the forces are the same in many other ways tho, so again I disagree with some as both are to a certain extent "institutions" and the banter is similar.
Please feel free to pm me and you can send me your CV if you'd like a second opinion or some advice !
Regards
Lanc
 
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B

Beveridges

Established Member
Joined
8 Sep 2010
Messages
2,136
Location
BLACKPOOL
I know plenty of people who got into the driving job after 20+ applications, so if you keep failing, just simply try again.
 
A

Albatross

Member
Joined
27 Dec 2008
Messages
66
Apply to Northern at Piccadilly.

We're slowly turning into a retirement home for ex Police and ex Army.

This isn't a complaint as they are nearly all good lads, just an observation, we defo like them/you at our place
 
3

387star

On Moderation
Joined
16 Nov 2009
Messages
6,655
Does stating you have passed all assessments in the application help you or not... I guess if you are put through you could potentially be placed ahead of others in the process

I work for FGW and assume it is easier for internals to apply and be put through but don't see them recruiting again soon? Would other First Group TOCs potentially welcome my application when advertising and be less concerned about the necessary relocation because I work for First?

PS my depot doesn't take trainees
 
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3

387star

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Messages
6,655
455driver said:
What about Southern or SWT?
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Yeah keeping an eye on brighton Horsham fratton Barnham
Was invited to assessment for southern shunter driver a few years ago at Brighton but turned it down as I had just accepted a job and was worried about failing the mechanics part of the old assessment
I passed a mechanics test for freightliner. which has given me more confidence if these questions are placed as extras
 
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SkinnyDave

Established Member
Joined
11 Mar 2012
Messages
1,242
ml said:
Yeah keeping an eye on brighton Horsham fratton Barnham
Was invited to assessment for southern shunter driver a few years ago at Brighton but turned it down as I had just accepted a job and was worried about failing the mechanics part of the old assessment
I passed a mechanics test for freightliner. which has given me more confidence if these questions are placed as extras
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Surprisingly Fratton may be looking for Trainees next year at FGW!
 
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387star

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--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
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SkinnyDave

Established Member
Joined
11 Mar 2012
Messages
1,242
They did put a notice out for internal expressions of interest for qualified for HSS and Fratton..
I spoke with them and said trainees may be brought in next year if not enough qualified express for Fratton
 
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russmcp

Member
Joined
22 May 2011
Messages
58
As a chap in the pool. I'm hoping the internal vacancy for qualified drivers is good news for those of us waiting for a start date. Fingers crossed
 
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455driver

Veteran Member
Joined
10 May 2010
Messages
11,332
ml said:
Yeah keeping an eye on brighton Horsham fratton Barnham
Was invited to assessment for southern shunter driver a few years ago at Brighton but turned it down as I had just accepted a job and was worried about failing the mechanics part of the old assessment
I passed a mechanics test for freightliner. which has given me more confidence if these questions are placed as extras
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How far away from Guildford are you, nice depot, reasonable routes and decent staff and managers.
Oh they also take on trainees quite often.
 
3

387star

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Cheers im near enough will look out
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have just completed an internal application followed by a situational judgement exercise which wasn't too bad

Presumably only successful applicants then complete a telephone interview

I thought there was some shape matching/reactions tests as well though?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
ah that one has appeared will take it now
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
That was a tough one think I did alright if not 100% hopefully not a 100% pass required
 
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J

jimjims

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2014
Messages
13
Does anyone know when the next trainee driver vacancies might come up at Barnham depot?
 
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SPADTrap

Established Member
Joined
15 Oct 2012
Messages
2,352
ml said:
This should prove of interest:
http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/about-us/safety/driver-training-and-train-safety
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Always found that a little odd.

BUT ONLY WHILE ACCOMPANIED – THEY ARE STILL NOT ALLOWED OUT WITH A TRAIN ON THEIR OWN
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Why the capitals?

As a side note, I've never had a passenger question training of new drivers, often heard them mention one must be training when seeing two drivers but nothing beyond that, they clearly trust the process, anyone else experienced differently?
 
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notadriver

Established Member
Joined
1 Oct 2010
Messages
3,653
SPADTrap said:
Always found that a little odd.



Why the capitals?

As a side note, I've never had a passenger question training of new drivers, often heard them mention one must be training when seeing two drivers but nothing beyond that, they clearly trust the process, anyone else experienced differently?
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As a matter of fact I have in a way. The last time I did my last casual job as a pcv driver (in this instance on rail replacements) the regular drivers asked what I did full time. When I told them one was asked how was it that train drivers were always getting lost and jumping red lights - questioning the training to the overinflated rates of pay. 'Now you have to see what we put up with' he said slyly to me. That was the only point I argued - I told him I've had my pcv licence for over 15 years and spent many of those bus driving in London. As for the rest of his comments regarding train drivers getting 'lost' and jumping red lights - I left his pea-sized brain to that one. Thankfully not all pcv drivers are like him.
 
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graeme.h

Member
Joined
26 Sep 2014
Messages
14
Hi all, got the first part of my assessment tomorrow for FTPE, I have read through this whole thread and want to say thanks for all the advice in here it has been very helpful.

It's quite odd that I'm looking forward to tomorrow, sounds stupid but I know it's going to be really difficult, I feel prepared and if I pass, great! If I don't then obviously I wasn't meant to do the job.
 
Fred Dinenage

Fred Dinenage

Member
Joined
23 Jul 2013
Messages
347
Mature attitude to have, you're right. I've tried and failed once, one more chance and if not then fair enough, move on.

Best of luck tomorrow mate :D
 
G

grubbenheimer

New Member
Joined
13 Oct 2014
Messages
3
graeme.h said:
Hi all, got the first part of my assessment tomorrow for FTPE, I have read through this whole thread and want to say thanks for all the advice in here it has been very helpful.

It's quite odd that I'm looking forward to tomorrow, sounds stupid but I know it's going to be really difficult, I feel prepared and if I pass, great! If I don't then obviously I wasn't meant to do the job.
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How do you think you got on? If it was in York, I was on the same one. Was pretty apprehensive beforehand, and to be honest I'd have preferred to get all the tests done in one day - I suppose they're trying to save a bit of money by weeding a good few out and therefore not paying for another set of tests.
 
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