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DMI competency based questions

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Timpg

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Hi, I know DMI questions are covered a lot on this forum. But I was curious as to the various competency based questions peeps have been asked in a DMI. I have a DMI coming up next week, kinda just want to make sure I’m fully prepared lol!!

Many thanks in advance
 
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Stigy

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A few examples from my collection;

“Give a time when you’ve had to follow rules”

“Give a time you’ve had to go the extra mile to get a job done”

“Give a time you’ve taken on a job that your manager would normally do”

“Give a time you’ve had to work effectively as a team to get a job done”

“Can you Give an example of a course you’ve attended for longer than 2-weeks”

There are literally loads of possible, but they’ll generally be based around safety, team work and customer service (all key attributes). I’ve had a few DMIs and some are more competency based than others. Just relax, take your time with your answers and be specific with your examples (don’t simply say what you normally do in these situations). Also, don’t be afraid to ask to go back to the odd question if you can’t think of an example (you’re only human after all!). Don’t get too bogged down with this, and remember to research the company and have a couple of questions of your own to throw at them when the time comes, to demonstrate your genuine interest. Good luck!
 
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Trainee2be

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I had my DMI last week and was only asked a handful of competency questions as the rest were focused on the TOC, motivation and commitment to being a train driver. The competency questions that I recall are:
  • Tell us about a time you made a mistake at work
  • Tell us about a time you were criticised unfairly at work
  • What does good customer service mean to you?
  • Tell us about a time you went above and beyond for a customer? ( I covered this in the previous question so I didn’t need to provide an answer)
I hope this helps. Good luck!
 
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Timpg

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Stigy said:
A few examples from my collection;

“Give a time when you’ve had to follow rules”

“Give a time you’ve had to go the extra mile to get a job done”

“Give a time you’ve taken on a job that your manager would normally do”

“Give a time you’ve had to work effectively as a team to get a job done”

“Can you Give an example of a course you’ve attended for longer than 2-weeks”

There are literally loads of possible, but they’ll generally be based around safety, team work and customer service (all key attributes). I’ve had a few DMIs and some are more competency based than others. Just relax, take your time with your answers and be specific with your examples (don’t simply say what you normally do in these situations). Also, don’t be afraid to ask to go back to the odd question if you can’t think of an example (you’re only human after all!). Don’t get too bogged down with this, and remember to research the company and have a couple of questions of your own to throw at them when the time comes, to demonstrate your genuine interest. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Cheers stingy much appreciated, this isn’t the first DMI iv had, but what I didn’t want, is to attend the interview and be served a curve ball of a question and be caught of guard if you get what I mean hahaa!! I’m actually really looking forward to this interview, so I’m hoping that will outweigh how anxious I am about it too lol!!!!
 
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Timpg

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Trainee2be said:
I had my DMI last week and was only asked a handful of competency questions as the rest were focused on the TOC, motivation and commitment to being a train driver. The competency questions that I recall are:
  • Tell us about a time you made a mistake at work
  • Tell us about a time you were criticised unfairly at work
  • What does good customer service mean to you?
  • Tell us about a time you went above and beyond for a customer? ( I covered this in the previous question so I didn’t need to provide an answer)
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Oh those first two are the sorta questions I was on about, the sort of ones you least expect and kinda catch you of guard!! Excellent cheers buddy, wish all the best in your progress
 
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Stigy

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Timpg said:
Cheers stingy much appreciated, this isn’t the first DMI iv had, but what I didn’t want, is to attend the interview and be served a curve ball of a question and be caught of guard if you get what I mean hahaa!! I’m actually really looking forward to this interview, so I’m hoping that will outweigh how anxious I am about it too lol!!!!
Click to expand...
Apologies, you know the score then haha. I read so many peoples’ stories Here I lose track of who’s done what!

I know what you mean about curve balls. The one about the job my man anger would normally do is what I’d consider a curve ball question. Was your last DMI for Freightliner? Rings a bell.

Good luck with your result too @Trainee2be
 
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Trainee2be

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Timpg said:
Oh those first two are the sorta questions I was on about, the sort of ones you least expect and kinda catch you of guard!! Excellent cheers buddy, wish all the best in your progress
Click to expand...

Cheers mate. To be honest, I was a bit thrown by these questions and had to pause to think before responding. I used the STAR method and tried to end on a positive note.
 
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Timpg

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Stigy said:
Apologies, you know the score then haha. I read so many peoples’ stories Here I lose track of who’s done what!

I know what you mean about curve balls. The one about the job my man anger would normally do is what I’d consider a curve ball question. Was your last DMI for Freightliner? Rings a bell.
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Ah mate no need to apologise, I welcome any info or advice. I know your a regular on here so I know you know what your talking about buddy! Yea I must admit, I’m not sure if I’d be able to answer that one on the spot, so defo a curveball question. Truth be told.... I’m struggling to think of an answer sat here in the comfort of my living room pmsl!!!!
 
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Timpg

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Trainee2be said:
Cheers mate. To be honest, I was a bit thrown by these questions and had to pause to think before responding. I used the STAR method and tried to end on a positive note.
Click to expand...

Yea this is what I’m trying to avoid, I don’t want to be in full flow in the interview then be stunned by a curveball question and go inward resulting in a poor interview. Need to nail this one lol!!!!
 
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Stigy

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Timpg said:
Yes it was mate, been in the talent pool since July last year. So been looking other options, the mendip contract has taken up all their attention at present unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Frustrating. I had the same with DB Cargo, although never hit as far as a pool or anything as they froze recruitment (probably because they lost that contract to Freightliner?). Deffo agree with your method of keeping options open. I was asked that curve ball question at my Freightliner DMI.
Is your DMI with GWR?
 
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Timpg

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Stigy said:
Frustrating. I had the same with DB Cargo, although never hit as far as a pool or anything as they froze recruitment (probably because they lost that contract to Freightliner?). Deffo agree with your method of keeping options open. I was asked that curve ball question at my Freightliner DMI.
Is your DMI with GWR?
Click to expand...

Annoyingly enough there was 4 of us from my depot, but I was left in the pool due to staff shortages. The others are now finishing their driving hours!! My DMI is actually with GA
 
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baz962

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Timpg said:
Cheers stingy much appreciated, this isn’t the first DMI iv had, but what I didn’t want, is to attend the interview and be served a curve ball of a question and be caught of guard if you get what I mean hahaa!! I’m actually really looking forward to this interview, so I’m hoping that will outweigh how anxious I am about it too lol!!!!
Click to expand...
Stingy , how rude lol.
 
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Omar

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Trainee2be said:
I had my DMI last week and was only asked a handful of competency questions as the rest were focused on the TOC, motivation and commitment to being a train driver. The competency questions that I recall are:
  • Tell us about a time you made a mistake at work
  • Tell us about a time you were criticised unfairly at work
  • What does good customer service mean to you?
  • Tell us about a time you went above and beyond for a customer? ( I covered this in the previous question so I didn’t need to provide an answer)
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Click to expand...


Hello mate,

Where these question for Southeastern?
 
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Applepie356

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I got an upcoming DMI with SE for a Shunter Driver. Will the questions be the same as trainee train driver?
 
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