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Manchester Victoria Routes

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keynet10

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3 Feb 2019
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Sounds like they may have changed the interview and the 8 x NTS that have been widely mentioned in various posts on here have been updated or at least phrased very differently.

My personal view of this type of interview has always been that it does not actually determine the best people for the job, an outgoing and highly confident person who has a skill of memorising questions and answers can easily cope with these interviews for these reasons alone and in my opinion does not actually mean they will be better at the job than someone who is not as good at these particular attributes. This does not mean that person is going to be good at the job and it logically makes no sense whatsoever, how can the same interview technique and questions (eg NTS using STAR) be as effective for a railway job as it would be for an area sales reps job?

Are we saying that before this modern interview technique was adopted by HR's across the country and in many sectors that they were consistently recruiting the wrong staff because of how they interviewed them, i think not.

I honestly believe that the whole point of these questions is to see how people react to the pressure, I doubt there is anyone who would have answers prepared for these questions. I think the idea is to see how the candidates react knowing how difficult the questions are.
For example:
Provide an example how you logically overcame obstacles communicating a difficult message to a group whilst being part of a team!!!
That to me is 3 questions:
Communicating a difficult message.
Obstacles whilst using teamwork.
Communicating to a group.
 
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Termak

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The questions were non technical competency based questions,
I had a list of about 8 competency based questions I was convinced would be asked, had the answers all ready, all using the STAR method,
However, these were completely different questions but they were non technical competency based questions, just much more complicated.
Not just, for example teamwork, communication, emergency;
The DM even said "No one expects these questions".
This is true, I think I'm one of the people who found it a bit easy coz to be honest I did not prepare or practice for any of the usual questions. I got a phone call Monday evening, for interview on a Wednesday.. didn't have time at all, the only thing I looked at was the company information. Not had a response yet to know the outcome though.
 

CPFC#1

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I'm due to start my conductor training in May. Does anyone know if it is likely that the classroom training will still go ahead on the bank holiday Monday? Thanks in advance.
 
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Early Doors

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10 Feb 2019
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I honestly believe that the whole point of these questions is to see how people react to the pressure, I doubt there is anyone who would have answers prepared for these questions. I think the idea is to see how the candidates react knowing how difficult the questions are.
For example:
Provide an example how you logically overcame obstacles communicating a difficult message to a group whilst being part of a team!!!
That to me is 3 questions:
Communicating a difficult message.
Obstacles whilst using teamwork.
Communicating to a group.
Wow! That’s a tough question!
I’ve applied for Victoria but still waiting a response.
Can you remember any other belters that you was asked.
 

owen306

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29 Jan 2019
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I have an interview for driver position with Northern at Victoria next week, If anyone could give me some information on the drivers routes from Victoria it would be much appreciated.
How did your interview go Firepig?. hope you did good!
 

Firepig

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21 Dec 2018
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I thought it went well the questions were what I expected, usual give me an example,
I am still not confident even though I had good examples for each question.
 

Matt whitaker

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I thought it went well the questions were what I expected, usual give me an example,
I am still not confident even though I had good examples for each question.

Hi, hope you don't mind me asking just wondered how the questions went for your interview and whether you could shed any light on the type of questions they used. I have an interview next month for a driver position at leeds and like yourself a FF hoping to use my experience from that to cover most topics.
 

Firepig

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Hi, hope you don't mind me asking just wondered how the questions went for your interview and whether you could shed any light on the type of questions they used. I have an interview next month for a driver position at leeds and like yourself a FF hoping to use my experience from that to cover most topics.
Hi Matt, 11 questions 10 of which were scored, Q1 Tell me about yourself (ice breaker not scored ) Q2 -11 Tell me about Northern,why do want to be a Train driver and then the situational Q's give an example, tell me a time when, customer service, dealt with a difficult situation, solved a problem, worked as part of a team, quick decision, similar role as a train driver. personal development and attitude to learning.
I had a bank of around 20 Q's I had prepared ans for and I managed IMO to give good examples.
Hope this helps and good luck.
 

Matt whitaker

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15 Jan 2019
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Hi Matt, 11 questions 10 of which were scored, Q1 Tell me about yourself (ice breaker not scored ) Q2 -11 Tell me about Northern,why do want to be a Train driver and then the situational Q's give an example, tell me a time when, customer service, dealt with a difficult situation, solved a problem, worked as part of a team, quick decision, similar role as a train driver. personal development and attitude to learning.
I had a bank of around 20 Q's I had prepared ans for and I managed IMO to give good examples.
Hope this helps and good luck.
That's absolutely brilliant. Thanks for that
 

george8642

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11 Feb 2019
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Has anyone heard anything that was interviewed first week in February. My online status has switched from assessment to application in progress. I contacted HR and they said I should have heard by now and would chase up recruitment. I know it can be a slow process but just wondering how there others got on. Cheers
 

Lee0901

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20 Sep 2018
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Has anyone heard anything that was interviewed first week in February. My online status has switched from assessment to application in progress. I contacted HR and they said I should have heard by now and would chase up recruitment. I know it can be a slow process but just wondering how there others got on. Cheers
I've not heard either. I've emailed them but not had a reply. How did you contact them?
 

george8642

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11 Feb 2019
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Rang HR on 01904568101 but they said it was recruitment and they would chase them up. They weren't for putting me through to recruitment.
 

keynet10

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3 Feb 2019
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Not heard anything either. Interview 1st week of February. Profile on DB website still saying assessment. Emailed HR this morning. Interviewer said "should hear something in 7 - 10 days". Interview was 18 days ago.
 
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