WMT recruiting

birmz_ · 25 May 2019

Coach Carter said:
Hiya mate, thanks for the offer. I’m currently in a talent pool with freightliner after passing tests and dmi with them so I have a good idea of what’s to come but I might msg you in next few days to ask a few things if that’s ok?
How did you feel you got on mate?

No problem at all.
To be honest, I thought I gave really good answers to some of the questions and struggled a bit with others. I was extremely nervous as you could imagine. I passed though so guess it was enough.
I previously attended a DMI with London midland a few years back, which was a lot more relaxed. This one was a lot more structured. Your MMI answers will be very useful in the Dmi so try to prepare the same way. I spent a lot of time researching WMT and their parent companies with the hopes to impress. They didn't ask me anything about the company at all. I assume that's because they're new and have only recently taken over the franchise. so definitely don't waste a lot of time on that, I would brush up a little bit, but don't do what I did and have a brain full of stats n companies.

RailUK Forums

birmz_ · 25 May 2019

Hi does anyone have a rough idea of how often they advertise the trainee train driver position?
My friend is really eager to give it a try.

LAC · 26 May 2019

birmz_ said:
No problem at all.
To be honest, I thought I gave really good answers to some of the questions and struggled a bit with others. I was extremely nervous as you could imagine. I passed though so guess it was enough.
I previously attended a DMI with London midland a few years back, which was a lot more relaxed. This one was a lot more structured. Your MMI answers will be very useful in the Dmi so try to prepare the same way. I spent a lot of time researching WMT and their parent companies with the hopes to impress. They didn't ask me anything about the company at all. I assume that's because they're new and have only recently taken over the franchise. so definitely don't waste a lot of time on that, I would brush up a little bit, but don't do what I did and have a brain full of stats n companies.

Hi birmz

I've got my DMI coming up with WMT. I'll take your advice and scale back the stats, I take it they still asked about the rolling stock though?

What were some of the other questions asked that weren't similar to the MMI and when you say that you struggled with some was that due to you feeling unprepared for those types of questions, ie a few curve balls, or you just genuinely didn't have strong answers for?

birmz_ · 28 May 2019

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birmz_ · 28 May 2019

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birmz_ · 28 May 2019

LAC said:
Hi birmz

I've got my DMI coming up with WMT. I'll take your advice and scale back the stats, I take it they still asked about the rolling stock though?

What were some of the other questions asked that weren't similar to the MMI and when you say that you struggled with some was that due to you feeling unprepared for those types of questions, ie a few curve balls, or you just genuinely didn't have strong answers for?

No. they didn't ask me anything about the company, depots or rolling stock. If I was you, taking my advice, I would still prepare just so I'm not caught off guard. They might change it up depending on what you do or maybe it just comes down to whose doing the interview. but I did tell my interviewer I was expecting the question and his exact words were "we don't expect you to know anything like that".
I prepared but in the wrong way, I think I struggled because of nerves and because I literally memorised 2 and a half pages of info on the company and the sets, including the 3 new 230 trial sets upcycled from the London underground hahaha..... I also attended a DMI a few years back which was a lot more relaxed.

The questions I remember were:

A time when you've worked under pressure
When you've given good customer service
A time when you've turned a bad relationship into a good one (this caught me off guard)
A time when you've made a decision that's been challenge and you had to defend it (this also caught me off guard)
The rules and procedures you have to follow at your current place of employment to carry out your job
Importance of clear communication
I was ask to recite the blue health safety notice board up at most work places
How do you start your day, What do you do when you arrive at work.
If you've been in charge of more than 20-30 people, how it went, and if everyone got to the destination safe (something along those lines)

minds gone blank if I remember any more I will tell you.

Good luck though mate I know how much this means to me so it must be the same for you. I've had a lot of help off this forum so I just want to give back a little hope this helps.
p.s I was given the advice to bang on about SAFETY, AWARENESS, SAFETY, SECURITY, SAFETY, VIGILANCE AND MORE SAFETY. Incorporate that into your answers and you should be fine. let me know how you got on

LAC · 28 May 2019

birmz_ said:
No. they didn't ask me anything about the company, depots or rolling stock. If I was you, taking my advice, I would still prepare just so I'm not caught off guard. They might change it up depending on what you do or maybe it just comes down to whose doing the interview. but I did tell my interviewer I was expecting the question and his exact words were "we don't expect you to know anything like that".
I prepared but in the wrong way, I think I struggled because of nerves and because I literally memorised 2 and a half pages of info on the company and the sets, including the 3 new 230 trial sets upcycled from the London underground hahaha..... I also attended a DMI a few years back which was a lot more relaxed.

The questions I remember were:

A time when you've worked under pressure
When you've given good customer service
A time when you've turned a bad relationship into a good one (this caught me off guard)
A time when you've made a decision that's been challenge and you had to defend it (this also caught me off guard)
The rules and procedures you have to follow at your current place of employment to carry out your job
Importance of clear communication
I was ask to recite the blue health safety notice board up at most work places
How do you start your day, What do you do when you arrive at work.
If you've been in charge of more than 20-30 people, how it went, and if everyone got to the destination safe (something along those lines)

minds gone blank if I remember any more I will tell you.

Good luck though mate I know how much this means to me so it must be the same for you. I've had a lot of help off this forum so I just want to give back a little hope this helps.
p.s I was given the advice to bang on about SAFETY, AWARENESS, SAFETY, SECURITY, SAFETY, VIGILANCE AND MORE SAFETY. Incorporate that into your answers and you should be fine. let me know how you got on

Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it. I would have been caught of guard with those questions too so it's good to have a heads up.

I'll let you know how I get on, out of interest which depot did you apply for?

Blueben · 30 May 2019

I also spent two weeks learning lots of detail about wmt, Abellio etc, rolling stock and was asked nothing about any of it.

It was a very similar to the mmi, but a lot more questions. I’d guess between 20-30 questions. Quick fire questions though so I didn’t quite go into the depth of the mmi answers.

My advice, think of your weaknesses, your strengths. Be positive, be friendly and stay calm. If you don’t understand a question or you feel you can’t answer a question, be strong about it don’t let it bother you. They want people who are calm under pressure.

I was asked a question along the lines of, when have you found it difficult to make a decision? I just said, I’m sorry, I can’t answer that question. I make positive decisions based on facts available I trust my judgement and I genuinely can not remember a time where I have struggled to make a decision.

They were fine with me not answering it, I also asked to return to a previous question as I felt the answer I was giving to something else would also be more fitting than a previous answer I had given.

The interviewers were both really nice I had a driver manager who was a man about 50, and a lady from HR. Both were nice to talk to and it was really relaxed.

Just make sure your relaxed and in a good head space on the day and remember, safety, rules and procedures.

Good luck.

I have passed it all and my medical and am now hoping to soon receive an offer

Good luck to all of you

Coach Carter · 31 May 2019

Just finished interview. They were really nice people doing the questioning.
Don’t think I performed very well though, nerves got the better of me.
Best of luck to everyone else.

Blueben · 31 May 2019

Who did you have?
Did they give you any indication of how it went afterwards?

It’s very difficult to know how you did, you may feel you’ve under performed, but they may really like you or like your answers.

Got my fingers crossed for you

EGL1 · 1 Jun 2019

Hi all, I applied with WMT in for the Worcester job Feb and have an assessment centre next week, I have been studying the practice material they sent to me.

Maybe its a tad late but has any one bought the 'how to be train driver' practice question books, and would you recommend them? If so which one should I buy?

Many thanks

Stigy · 1 Jun 2019

EGL1 said:
Hi all, I applied with WMT in for the Worcester job Feb and have an assessment centre next week, I have been studying the practice material they sent to me.

Maybe its a tad late but has any one bought the 'how to be train driver' practice question books, and would you recommend them? If so which one should I buy?

Many thanks

I bought the book a year or so ago when I was going through the process. Parts of it were handy, other parts I found outdated. Not relevant to the content necessarily, but the blurb itself was out of date in terms of aspects such as the average driver salary (£35k I think they said??).

There was some good advice about interview techniques, but again, when talking about the CBI (Competency abased Interview - not MMI) it was only the old, pre-2013 format taken in to account and no mention of MMI.

I’d avoid it.

EGL1 · 1 Jun 2019

Stigy said:
I bought the book a year or so ago when I was going through the process. Parts of it were handy, other parts I found outdated. Not relevant to the content necessarily, but the blurb itself was out of date in terms of aspects such as the average driver salary (£35k I think they said??).

There was some good advice about interview techniques, but again, when talking about the CBI (Competency abased Interview - not MMI) it was only the old, pre-2013 format taken in to account and no mention of MMI.

I’d avoid it.

Thanks Stigy thats really helpful!

I'm in the library as I type this working though it all. I was considering getting one off Amazon for delivery tomorrow! I've found plenty of bourdon examples to practice from online and other bits to help me too.

The only sticking point for me is the TRP part 1 (where you have to remember a train operating procedure then answer questions). The practice booklet only give you one passage to practice from and thats about lighting on a train, (which I now know off my heart as I've practiced it and answered the questions a few times). Digging around google trying to find other examples similar I can practice from

Blueben · 1 Jun 2019

Best advice

Keep yourself calm on the day. Regarding the trp

Grab a magazine, pick a few paragraphs read them then get someone to quiz you on it. Similar principal. Even more handy if it’s something you have no prior knowledge of

Hope this helps. Relaxed and accurate is the key though

Coach Carter · 1 Jun 2019

Blueben said:
Who did you have?
Did they give you any indication of how it went afterwards?

It’s very difficult to know how you did, you may feel you’ve under performed, but they may really like you or like your answers.

Got my fingers crossed for you

Yer hopefully it didn’t go as bad as I thought. Just don’t feel confident like I did when I passed my DMI for freightliner. Is good that they are looking to get the ball rolling quite quickly for those that make it, the lady said it would be a September start date.
Couldn’t pick up any indication as to how they felt it went if I’m honest.
Yer if you could keep those fingers crossed for me mate that would be great.
Have you had your interview already? Are you in for Worcester or brum?

birmz_ · 1 Jun 2019

Coach Carter said:
Just finished interview. They were really nice people doing the questioning.
Don’t think I performed very well though, nerves got the better of me.
Best of luck to everyone else.

Don't worry mate, I felt exactly the same. I didn't think I did well at all and kept thinking of much better things I could've said after. I had mine on a Friday and got my answer on the Monday. got my fingers crossed for you. also had a sleepless weekend anticipating the reply so I know what you're going through. you will be fine. stay hopeful

birmz_ · 1 Jun 2019

EGL1 said:
Thanks Stigy thats really helpful!

I'm in the library as I type this working though it all. I was considering getting one off Amazon for delivery tomorrow! I've found plenty of bourdon examples to practice from online and other bits to help me too.

The only sticking point for me is the TRP part 1 (where you have to remember a train operating procedure then answer questions). The practice booklet only give you one passage to practice from and thats about lighting on a train, (which I now know off my heart as I've practiced it and answered the questions a few times). Digging around google trying to find other examples similar I can practice from

Hey mate there is a real group bourdon test that you can download on to your computer and practise until your hearts content. im not sure where I found it but it didn't take long to find, google it and there should be a free link to download the test, which will tell you how you perform. no one knows the pass mark so just keep practising and you should be fine.
The TRP is easy tbh, there isn't much info to remember at all. all the info you need will be right in front of you. read it, make notes at the same time so you can soak it in, read it again and go over your notes. u will be able to tell what the most important info is. I wouldn't stress about it. when they take away your notes and the paragraph you will be given a multiple question answer sheet. You have to pick from the provided answers, you can deduct the wrong answers easily, as some are just blatantly wrong others might be a bit tricky but again you should be able recognise the right answers. I wouldn't bother buying any book everything you need is in the assessment booklet. GOOD LUCK. any questions fire away I will help best as I can

P.s just had a look, I've actually still got the test on my computer its called: Group Bourdon Tool v2.0 google that and you should find it

birmz_ · 1 Jun 2019

Blueben said:
I also spent two weeks learning lots of detail about wmt, Abellio etc, rolling stock and was asked nothing about any of it.

It was a very similar to the mmi, but a lot more questions. I’d guess between 20-30 questions. Quick fire questions though so I didn’t quite go into the depth of the mmi answers.

My advice, think of your weaknesses, your strengths. Be positive, be friendly and stay calm. If you don’t understand a question or you feel you can’t answer a question, be strong about it don’t let it bother you. They want people who are calm under pressure.

I was asked a question along the lines of, when have you found it difficult to make a decision? I just said, I’m sorry, I can’t answer that question. I make positive decisions based on facts available I trust my judgement and I genuinely can not remember a time where I have struggled to make a decision.

They were fine with me not answering it, I also asked to return to a previous question as I felt the answer I was giving to something else would also be more fitting than a previous answer I had given.

The interviewers were both really nice I had a driver manager who was a man about 50, and a lady from HR. Both were nice to talk to and it was really relaxed.

Just make sure your relaxed and in a good head space on the day and remember, safety, rules and procedures.

Good luck.

I have passed it all and my medical and am now hoping to soon receive an offer

Good luck to all of you

Yup I remember being asked that very question and I basically said the same thing as you. I use the info at hand to make the best decision possible and that's all anyone can ever do! lol good job mate. (good addition to that answer would be, I'm not afraid ask for advice, if I needed it, to aid me in making the best possible decision)
have you had a date for you medical yet?

Blueben · 1 Jun 2019

birmz_ said:
Yup I remember being asked that very question and I basically said the same thing as you. I use the info at hand to make the best decision possible and that's all anyone can ever do! lol good job mate. (good addition to that answer would be, I'm not afraid ask for advice, if I needed it, to aid me in making the best possible decision)
have you had a date for you medical yet?

I have done my medical, they’re doing final back ground checks and hopefully I will get an offer soon. I have been advised of a potential start date but it means nothing until I have the official offer.

Hoping it’ll be sent next week

Homer · 1 Jun 2019

Blueben said:
I have done my medical, they’re doing final back ground checks and hopefully I will get an offer soon. I have been advised of a potential start date but it means nothing until I have the official offer.

Hoping it’ll be sent next week

What is the potential start date?

mumrar · 2 Jun 2019

Coach Carter said:
Yer hopefully it didn’t go as bad as I thought. Just don’t feel confident like I did when I passed my DMI for freightliner. Is good that they are looking to get the ball rolling quite quickly for those that make it, the lady said it would be a September start date.
Couldn’t pick up any indication as to how they felt it went if I’m honest.
Yer if you could keep those fingers crossed for me mate that would be great.
Have you had your interview already? Are you in for Worcester or brum?

That's exactly how I felt it went, I'd arrived slightly early and they were ready to go. I was in my Chiltern uniform due to having to work as the interview was short notice, but I turned that to my advantage pointing out that I'd swapped shifts in order to not leave the team short on the day. Most questions seemed similar to interviews before, but nothing at all about WMT really and one that really threw me about what would I expect to find on a safety policy statement - I had to blag that. I don't feel that I sounded confident at all times, tripped over my words a couple of times, so if they're assessing that in terms of coping under pressure I'll be looking at a rejection email next week to add to the collection I fear.

Best of luck to everyone else who has taken part or is along the process at a different stage, I'll operate under the premise that no news is good news for now....

EGL1 · 2 Jun 2019

Thanks pal that really helpful

I’ll have to dig harder on google I think I did look last week but my search wasn’t very fruitful, I’ve just found bourdon software you mention just trying to download it on my iPad ... the bourdon where you have to select more than one letter per page I find challenging

I think it’s the little neuances in the TRP which have caught me out practicing, you only get three mins to study and learn it don’t you ? I went to the OPC website yesterday and paid £9 for more TRP practice material thinking it was going to send me a big myriad of questions when actually it sent me just ONE practice question on the door closing policy on train

EGL1 · 2 Jun 2019

birmz_ said:
Hey mate there is a real group bourdon test that you can download on to your computer and practise until your hearts content. im not sure where I found it but it didn't take long to find, google it and there should be a free link to download the test, which will tell you how you perform. no one knows the pass mark so just keep practising and you should be fine.
The TRP is easy tbh, there isn't much info to remember at all. all the info you need will be right in front of you. read it, make notes at the same time so you can soak it in, read it again and go over your notes. u will be able to tell what the most important info is. I wouldn't stress about it. when they take away your notes and the paragraph you will be given a multiple question answer sheet. You have to pick from the provided answers, you can deduct the wrong answers easily, as some are just blatantly wrong others might be a bit tricky but again you should be able recognise the right answers. I wouldn't bother buying any book everything you need is in the assessment booklet. GOOD LUCK. any questions fire away I will help best as I can

P.s just had a look, I've actually still got the test on my computer its called: Group Bourdon Tool v2.0 google that and you should find it

Thanks pal that really helpful

I’ll have to dig harder on google I think I did look last week but my search wasn’t very fruitful, I’ve just found bourdon software you mention just trying to download it on my iPad ... the bourdon where you have to select more than one letter per page I find challenging

I think it’s the little neuances in the TRP which have caught me out practicing, you only get three mins to study and learn it don’t you ? I went to the OPC website yesterday and paid £9 for more TRP practice material thinking it was going to send me a big myriad of questions when actually it sent me just ONE practice question on the door closing policy on train

birmz_ · 3 Jun 2019

Blueben said:
I have done my medical, they’re doing final back ground checks and hopefully I will get an offer soon. I have been advised of a potential start date but it means nothing until I have the official offer.

Hoping it’ll be sent next week

Cool well done mate, what was the potential start date. is it quite far from the medical. I'm so eager to start lol

Blueben · 3 Jun 2019

Had medical 16/4

Talking mid July, but not concrete

Luke Allen · 3 Jun 2019

Blueben said:
I have done my medical, they’re doing final back ground checks and hopefully I will get an offer soon. I have been advised of a potential start date but it means nothing until I have the official offer.

Hoping it’ll be sent next week

Hi pal, I’m just waiting for a medical date. Found out I passed my interview today. What background checks do they do? Do they go through all of that with you when you go in after your medical?

8J · 3 Jun 2019

Luke Allen said:
Hi pal, I’m just waiting for a medical date. Found out I passed my interview today. What background checks do they do? Do they go through all of that with you when you go in after your medical?

Congratulations! You normally need to do a medical and police disclosure checks. What depot is that for?

Luke Allen · 3 Jun 2019

8J said:
Congratulations! You normally need to do a medical and police disclosure checks. What depot is that for?

Worcester, had my interview on Friday. Passed all the OPC last year.

8J · 3 Jun 2019

Excellent! Many congratulations!

birmz_ · 3 Jun 2019

Blueben said:
Had medical 16/4

Talking mid July, but not concrete

Cool that's not too bad. I emailed them today to ask when my possible start date is, they said they will be in a meeting all day today sorting out everyone's start dates. so I'm guessing you guys that have done your medical will be getting your exact start dates anytime now.

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