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TFW Trainee Conductor Interview

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Jamie Price

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16 Aug 2019
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88
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Oswestry
Hi everyone, thank you for accepting me! I've just completed the SCAAT test and assessment workshop, and I've been invited back for an interview next week! I'm delighted but also quite nervous as I've never got this far and I've been trying for a long time to get a job in the industry. I would be grateful if anyone has any advice or experience of the interview stage they could share to help my preparation! I imagine it's very customer service orientated with example of necessary skills etc? Thank you for your help!
 
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Intermodal

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I wonder how long I can make my location on this f
Congratulations. I would recommend having a look at and a think about what a typical day for a conductor may consist of: safety checking trains, platform train interface duties (dispatch), revenue duties, communications with your driver, control, passengers, assisting lesser able passengers. I would also think about what type of out of course situations you might have to deal with: stranded trains due to signalling issues, train failure, severe weather, fatalities, revenue conflicts, cancellation of trains, missing stops, etc.

Think of some great customer service examples using the STAR method but also some good examples of communication skills, when you have shown good attention to detail in a repetitive task (dispatch), when you have managed your life around varied shifts, when you have spent a long time studying something new and complex, when you have worked well within a team, when you have shown good leadership, and when you have worked under severe pressure. Those things should be enough to get you going!

The management will like it if you use some industry terms, it shows you have done your homework. Say that you will be responsible for ensuring no platform train interface incidents occur, rather than saying you will close the doors. Explain that you will prepare and dispose of trains, rather than that you will check them in the morning. Talk about emergency protection and safety critical communications, your priorities (safety > punctuality > customer service > revenue), route knowledge, traction knowledge, etc.

Go travel on some trains and ask the conductor about the link at the depot - ask how many staff, what the rest day pattern is like, what routes they sign, what traction they sign. Management will be happy with that sort of research. Some information about these things is available online, but you never know what useful advice you may get if you go and speak to existing staff.

Overall just show that you have the right qualities for the role, and that you understand fully what the role is about, as well as any local issues that apply.

Good luck.
 

Jamie Price

Member
Joined
16 Aug 2019
Messages
88
Location
Oswestry
Intermodal thank you very much, that's so helpful and I'll certainly do as much research as I can! I really appreciate the response and I'll work my socks off between now and Wednesday! Thanks again!
 
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