Commerical Guard

Gemmaleigh · 8 Aug 2018

Hey guys!

I know this has probably been asked so many times before but looking at threads on here I can't really find much regarding the answers.

I attended an assessment day yesterday at Southampton for the positions of Guard at Guilford and Commercial Guard for Farnham. I passed assessments for both so I have got through to the interview stage, but I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on what type of questions are asked in these interviews. The assessor said yesterday that it is competency based and I have to do a lot of research into the company which is fine, but what time of examples will I be needing?

Any help will be greatly appreciated! I have my interview for Commercial Guard on Wednesday the 15th August.

Thank you

RailUK Forums

dvdgrgsmt · 8 Aug 2018

Hi Gemma,

I've recently been offered the position of commercial guard at Farnham will begin my training at the start of September. The interview began with them asking me about what I know about SWR and my suitability for the role(shift patterns, how you'd relax after an especially stressful day, what you think are the priorities for the role etc) after that it was competency based questions such as tell me about a time you've dealt with a problem, how you could of dealt with the issue more successfully, when you've provided great customer service etc

They had me use the national rail app to work out train times, prices, journey lengths so I'd recommend downloading it and having a play with that.

The final part of the interview was sticking on a high vis and going down to the station to interact with customers and show off those customer service skills. You'll have an actual guard nearby for help with tricky questions or anything you don't know.

After that it was our goodbyes and a handshake.

For the priorities its always safety first followed by punctuality then customer experience. Good luck maybe I'll see you around

Gemmaleigh · 9 Aug 2018

Hiya,

Congratulations on getting the job, that’s amazing! I’m really pleased for you!

Thank you for the information that’s really helpful, especially for someone who’s just had an interview too, most of the threads here are from ages ago haha.

Did you have your interview at Southampton? Or was it based at Farnham? And how long overall did it last?

I’ll keep you updated after I’ve done my interview. Like you say, might see you around if I’m lucky enough to be successful.

Good luck with all your training and thank you so much once again for your help ☺️

dvdgrgsmt · 12 Aug 2018

Thanks, it was at Southampton just down the corridor from where they do the assessment. It lasted around an hour all in all maybe a tiny bit over. Also forgot to say before but its worth trying to learn some of the start/end points of the trains they operate as they asked me about the different areas they operate. Thankfully no questions about the train fleet as I wouldn't have a clue.

After your interview don't be worried about phoning them for updates on how it went, if I didn't call them up to chase I'm not sure when they would of let me know.

If you're successful with the interview then you'll need to go to London for a medical which is pretty fun.

Yes please do, all the best and if you have any questions just let me know.

Gemmaleigh · 14 Aug 2018

dvdgrgsmt said:
Thanks, it was at Southampton just down the corridor from where they do the assessment. It lasted around an hour all in all maybe a tiny bit over. Also forgot to say before but its worth trying to learn some of the start/end points of the trains they operate as they asked me about the different areas they operate. Thankfully no questions about the train fleet as I wouldn't have a clue.

After your interview don't be worried about phoning them for updates on how it went, if I didn't call them up to chase I'm not sure when they would of let me know.

If you're successful with the interview then you'll need to go to London for a medical which is pretty fun.

Yes please do, all the best and if you have any questions just let me know.

Okay, Brill! That's where mine is being held.

When I researched the company I did come across the 4 main lines and the stations they run to and from, Not sure off the top of my head though so I'll have to memorise that tonight!

How many days after the interview did you find out you had gotten the job? Do they say when they will get back to you?

My interview is tomorrow morning so I will be able to gauge how it went!

Thank you so much again for all of your help!

dvdgrgsmt · 14 Aug 2018

Yeah I just went with the figures for number of passengers and trains running from Waterloo and Basingstoke(I originally applied for a role there because it was advertised as a higher wage but turns out they are the same and Farnham is closer for me and meant an earlier start date so they asked me to take a role there instead) then they asked me to name the furthest away stations on their lines.

Well I had my interview on a Friday and they said I'd find out by the next Friday. When it got to Tuesday I called them up to find out if they had any updates for me and they let me know I was successful and asked me when I could start offering me training the next week but unfortunately my notice period isn't that short. So if you don't hear back from them it's definetly worth chasing them and not getting disheartened.

You're very welcome and good luck!

F285 · 25 Sep 2018

Hi, this was just the thread I was looking for. I have an interview for train guard (non commercial) in a couple of weeks. I passed the assessment today. I was looking for thread about interview prep but this is very helpful. Starting my research tomorrow.

dvdgrgsmt · 25 Sep 2018

Hi, congratulations and good luck with the interview. If you've got any questions feel free to drop me a message.

F285 · 25 Sep 2018

Thanks

Gemmaleigh · 2 Oct 2018

Good luck for your interview, you'll smash it I'm sure :smile:

F285 · 2 Oct 2018

Thanks v much

saintsfan · 29 Oct 2018

Found this thread really helpful for my upcoming interview, thanks guys. Am I right in thinking that most of the competency based questions revolve around customer service and dealing with stressful/demanding situations?

F285 · 30 Oct 2018

That is correct. Use the STAR method to reply to the questions.

Gemmaleigh · 1 Nov 2018

When’s your interview? Best of luck :lol:

F285 · 6 Nov 2018

Hi all,

I have just been offered the guard job! I did put in for Staines but they have offered Strawberry Hill and would start January. They don't have a date for my first choice training as yet so they offered that but both depot are close for the commute . My question is, What are the pros and cons of either? Does it make a difference? Does it restrict opportunities?
I have accepted it anyway as I want to get the ball rolling and quite frankly I looking forward to leaving my current job due to boredom, at the airport.

Stigy · 6 Nov 2018

F285 said:
Hi all,

I have just been offered the guard job! I did put in for Staines but they have offered Strawberry Hill and would start January. They don't have a date for my first choice training as yet so they offered that but both depot are close for the commute . My question is, What are the pros and cons of either? Does it make a difference? Does it restrict opportunities?
I have accepted it anyway as I want to get the ball rolling and quite frankly I looking forward to leaving my current job due to boredom, at the airport.

Congratulations! I’m sure others will be able to offer more advice, but re pros and cons, the only possible ‘con’ (which isn’t necessarily a con anyway if that makes sense) is that Strawberry Hill don’t have commercial guards (as far as I’m aware?), so moving on to commercial would mean a change of depot.

saintsfan · 6 Nov 2018

Gemmaleigh said:
When’s your interview? Best of luck

Interview was last week and I was offered the position - the advice here was fantastic - Thank you!

HeelBurton · 6 Nov 2018

Stigy said:
Congratulations! I’m sure others will be able to offer more advice, but re pros and cons, the only possible ‘con’ (which isn’t necessarily a con anyway if that makes sense) is that Strawberry Hill don’t have commercial guards (as far as I’m aware?), so moving on to commercial would mean a change of depot.

Strawberry hill don’t have commercial guards. Only depots that do are Basingstoke Bournemouth Guildford Farnham Fratton Salisbury Waterloo Weymouth and Woking

Stigy · 6 Nov 2018

HeelBurton said:
Strawberry hill don’t have commercial guards. Only depots that do are Basingstoke Bournemouth Guildford Farnham Fratton Salisbury Waterloo Weymouth and Woking

I thought Staines did?

HeelBurton · 6 Nov 2018

I knew I missed one from my list. Apologies. Yes SN have commercial guards

F285 · 7 Nov 2018

Thanks all for your responses! I know that commercial guard is more pay and more routes and that would include learning about tickets and stuff. Getting to Waterloo for the early start may cause an issue if no car or lack of parking, I suppose I could transfer to Staines if interested in commercial at some later point. I didnt want to hang for Staines without having an indication of training start date.

In regards to the training am I right in thinking its at about eight weeksish in Basingstoke classroom setting followed by weeks at the depot?

dvdgrgsmt · 7 Nov 2018

Congratulations, I'm not sure which trains Staines or Strawberry Hill cover but I would imagine you'll have to learn most of them which stretches the training out a bit but 8 weeks is about right. After you've done that you'll begin route learning which is around 4-6 weeks once that's finished you should have a week working with another person and then you'll fly solo and at that point your wages go up and your six months probation period begins.

Gemmaleigh · 10 Nov 2018

F285 said:
Hi all,

I have just been offered the guard job! I did put in for Staines but they have offered Strawberry Hill and would start January. They don't have a date for my first choice training as yet so they offered that but both depot are close for the commute . My question is, What are the pros and cons of either? Does it make a difference? Does it restrict opportunities?
I have accepted it anyway as I want to get the ball rolling and quite frankly I looking forward to leaving my current job due to boredom, at the airport.

I was offered Guildford and Farnham after my interview, I didn’t accept Guildford cause Farnham was closer to me but I have no idea when my training is starting now, so I was in the same position. I chose the other option to wait and not get the ball rolling but it worked out for me in the long run anyway.

Well done on the job offer and good luck with your training ☺️

F285 · 10 Nov 2018

Thanks Gemmaleigh!

zoo · 12 Nov 2018

If you fail any part of the testing for guard role....is it corect you have to wait for 6 months before you re-apply??

F285 · 12 Nov 2018

Thats right and you only have to take the test you fail.

Commerical Guard

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