lets share signaller interview questions

be96erj · 8 Jan 2017

I am in the process of applying for other signaller posts, having failed an interview a couple of weeks ago. I thought it might be helpful to collate all the different unusual questions they may have had and share it with the forum. I am not talking about the likes of "Give me an example of when you showed the ability to communicate both verbally and in written format clearly?"

I mean more like "you are working on at your live signal box, when you get a phone call come through and also a colleague needs to speak to you (all at the same time). In what order do you speak to them and why?" "How would you communicate this?"

Anyone got any other questions they are able to share?

RailUK Forums

JohnFM · 9 Jan 2017

Lets not, eh?

You should appreciate that giving answers to questions that you don't understand is exactly the wrong thing to do. Giving answers to folk who should fail is probably the most dangerous thing you could ever do.

You either understand what is asked and are able to formulate a solution or an answer, or you do not.

EssexGonzo · 9 Jan 2017

JohnFM said:
Lets not, eh?

You should appreciate that giving answers to questions that you don't understand is exactly the wrong thing to do. Giving answers to folk who should fail is probably the most dangerous thing you could ever do.

You either understand what is asked and are able to formulate a solution or an answer, or you do not.

Really? Ever heard of a thing called "learning"? And "knowledge sharing"?

I don't think the OP was talking about cheating in examination conditions or being in-post and not being able to do the role.

He/she is asking the question in a safe environment in front of many hundreds of people who have, over the years, openly offered support, help and encouragement before interviews and tests. Except for you, of course.

If the answer is always "you don't know therefore you should fail" then the human race wouldn't have got very far in the last few million years.

nom de guerre · 9 Jan 2017

JohnFM said:
You should appreciate that giving answers to questions that you don't understand is exactly the wrong thing to do.

Er, he didn't ask for answers. He asked for questions.

If you're going to be snippy, at least be accurate.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

be96erj said:
...having failed an interview a couple of weeks ago.

Any feedback?

I thought it might be helpful to collate all the different unusual questions... I mean more like "you are working on at your live signal box, when you get a phone call come through and also a colleague needs to speak to you (all at the same time). In what order do you speak to them and why?" "How would you communicate this?"

I'm interested why you think this question is "different" or "unusual" - I would say it's entirely typical NR interview fodder.

JohnFM · 10 Jan 2017

Thanks EssexGonzo, but I have offered plenty of help here! ha ha.

nom de Guerre; It may well be only information sharing and seems to be inconsequential and whilst the OP has asked for unusual "questions" you know only full well that answers is what he is asking for, putting your pedantry aside.

There is offering advice, such as researching the company, ethics but don't forget research and ask about future changes in the industry, future expansion of X TOC etc etc and then there's hand holding.

This isn't about "if you don't know you should fail" this is about "I want an answer because I don't know".

If someone does not see enough of this issue to know how to prioritise, or a hundred different other scenarios that you could be presented with, then how is that individual going to get on in training? Or, worst still, the individual scrapes through and is a liability later on.

Helping to get to interview is one thing, giving specific answers to prove one's ability to understand an issue (but is really the answer from someone else) is an entirely different thing altogether.

Llanigraham · 10 Jan 2017

I think one point to be made is that there are no wrong answers to the questions you will be asked.

You are asked to give examples of things you have done in certain situations and should have been given a list of those situations. They will not be about something that could occur when you get the job.

If you think that one of those situations has not applied to you then say so and don't waffle about it. And don't make something up!!

You've been given the list, so now is the time to think about it and go through all those past things you have done. You might be surprised what suddenly occurs to you. I mentioned being a rep, so although you were visiting customers a lot of the time you were on your own. I thought of incidents I had dealt with as a car rally marshal. I even thought of things I had done with my children and that fitted in to their "situations".

It doesn't matter how trite or silly they sound, if they fit in and you can talk about them you are half way there.

nom de guerre · 10 Jan 2017

JohnFM said:
nom de Guerre; It may well be only information sharing and seems to be inconsequential and whilst the OP has asked for unusual "questions" you know only full well that answers is what he is asking for, putting your pedantry aside.

Helping to get to interview is one thing, giving specific answers to prove one's ability to understand an issue (but is really the answer from someone else) is an entirely different thing altogether.

Again, I ask: who, on this thread, is requesting, or providing, "specific answers" (or indeed, 'answers')?

How do you know what I think, or what the OP's 'real' intentions are? Any evidence to support your assertions, or might you be making assumptions (something which our grade is taught to avoid)?

TomBoyd · 10 Jan 2017

For what it is worth, I agree with JohnFM, I don't think it is appropriate to share that info on a public forum. If NR HR wanted the information published, they would do it themselves. The process is the way it is for a reason.

be96erj · 11 Jan 2017

nom de guerre said:
Er, he didn't ask for answers. He asked for questions.

If you're going to be snippy, at least be accurate.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Any feedback?

I'm interested why you think this question is "different" or "unusual" - I would say it's entirely typical NR interview fodder.

Feedback was that I failed on the communications question which I have above :cry:

Why did I think it was unusual? Perhaps I used the wrong word. I just thought the question was quite different to the other questions I got asked.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

JohnFM said:
Thanks EssexGonzo, but I have offered plenty of help here! ha ha.

nom de Guerre; It may well be only information sharing and seems to be inconsequential and whilst the OP has asked for unusual "questions" you know only full well that answers is what he is asking for, putting your pedantry aside.

There is offering advice, such as researching the company, ethics but don't forget research and ask about future changes in the industry, future expansion of X TOC etc etc and then there's hand holding.

This isn't about "if you don't know you should fail" this is about "I want an answer because I don't know".

If someone does not see enough of this issue to know how to prioritise, or a hundred different other scenarios that you could be presented with, then how is that individual going to get on in training? Or, worst still, the individual scrapes through and is a liability later on.

Helping to get to interview is one thing, giving specific answers to prove one's ability to understand an issue (but is really the answer from someone else) is an entirely different thing altogether.

Actually you are wrong. I'm intelligent enough to come up with my own answers! It would be pointless using someone elses answer in case there are follow up questions!

Dude lighten up. We are all friends here trying to help one another out. Try and see the best in people.

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

Llanigraham said:
I think one point to be made is that there are no wrong answers to the questions you will be asked.

You are asked to give examples of things you have done in certain situations and should have been given a list of those situations. They will not be about something that could occur when you get the job.

If you think that one of those situations has not applied to you then say so and don't waffle about it. And don't make something up!!

You've been given the list, so now is the time to think about it and go through all those past things you have done. You might be surprised what suddenly occurs to you. I mentioned being a rep, so although you were visiting customers a lot of the time you were on your own. I thought of incidents I had dealt with as a car rally marshal. I even thought of things I had done with my children and that fitted in to their "situations".

It doesn't matter how trite or silly they sound, if they fit in and you can talk about them you are half way there.

I'm not looking for answers!

I'm was looking for the questions that the interviewees thought " that's a good question, I had to think a bit longer on that one."

I hope I'm making sense!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

nom de guerre said:
Again, I ask: who, on this thread, is requesting, or providing, "specific answers" (or indeed, 'answers')?

How do you know what I think, or what the OP's 'real' intentions are? Any evidence to support your assertions, or might you be making assumptions (something which our grade is taught to avoid)?

Well said

Llanigraham · 11 Jan 2017

See post 466 onwards from this thread:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=130571&page=32

lets share signaller interview questions

be96erj

Member

RailUK Forums

JohnFM

Member

EssexGonzo

Member

nom de guerre

Member

JohnFM

Member

Llanigraham

On Moderation

nom de guerre

Member

TomBoyd

Member

be96erj

Member

Llanigraham

On Moderation