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GWR Train manager recruitment

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G30RG3

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4 Jul 2019
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I was on August the 1st as well and haven’t heard anything back yet, and got a positive result - did you go to the am or pm assessment?
From memory it was about 4-5 weeks before I was contacted by telephone.

All the best with your process.
 
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unDraq

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Hi and well done on passing. I'm in a similar position - currently waiting for a GWR TM start date. Had the call and was told 3-9 months for an "on hold" position. Not sure what this means exactly so if anyone has any steer would be helpful!
No confirmation email either so I'm hoping these type of positions don't expire.

Congratulations! I'm in the same situation, on hold, for Plymouth. Did you had any updates since ?
 

TM Hopeful

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I got confirmation of start date for Paddington TM yesterday after successful medical last week. Starting first week of December. Don’t know if this covers different depots and conductor roles as well as TM but there are courses lined up for some anyway.
 

mb76

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Just attended my guards assesment day at Swindon, waiting on the email now for what happens next. Fingers crossed it's good news
 

Nicbetyy

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Just attended my guards assesment day at Swindon, waiting on the email now for what happens next. Fingers crossed it's good news
Good luck :) was this for the tests or the second round with groups etc ?
 

mb76

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Good luck :) was this for the tests or the second round with groups etc ?
Thank you. Just tests today, seemed more difficult than the practice papers, though that might just of been the pressure knowing it was real this time
 

Nicbetyy

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Thank you. Just tests today, seemed more difficult than the practice papers, though that might just of been the pressure knowing it was real this time
It’s definitely a test of remaining calm under pressure
 

B93

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Hi,

I applied for TM (Paddington) in August and just found out that I’ve been invited to Swindon for an assessment day. They’ve sent me some practice papers that I’ll go through today.

Can anyone give me a brief outline of what to expect on the day? I’m really nervous as getting this job would mean a lot to me.

Also one of the previous posters said they’ve been offered a TM job in Paddington, starting in December. That’s interesting seeing as there must be others like me who’ve only just started the recruitment process!

Good luck to everyone and thanks
 

Nicbetyy

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Hi,

I applied for TM (Paddington) in August and just found out that I’ve been invited to Swindon for an assessment day. They’ve sent me some practice papers that I’ll go through today.

Can anyone give me a brief outline of what to expect on the day? I’m really nervous as getting this job would mean a lot to me.

Also one of the previous posters said they’ve been offered a TM job in Paddington, starting in December. That’s interesting seeing as there must be others like me who’ve only just started the recruitment process!

Good luck to everyone and thanks

Hi,

Definitely do the practice papers a few times and time yourself . You have 3 lots of papers to get through on the day . There were around 11 people during my session - some internal and some external . I went on a Friday afternoon and got an email Tuesday morning to let me know I had passed and they would contact me if I was successful for stage 2. I got the email on the Thursday inviting me to stage two a week later .

For the paper assessments just stay calm - don’t worry about what anyone else is doing . It’s a test of staying calm under pressure I think :)
I applied for Cardiff . I got through to the final interview (5 internal candidates and me external ) I was the only candidate asked back to do the competency based interview . So don’t let the fact there are internal candidates there put you off .
I’ve been put in a talent pool awaiting a position . I think it depends on new timetables etc .. Paddington will see a lot of change after 17th December , so it looks like these are bring filled quickly
Good luck !
 

mb76

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I've had an email back saying I passed the assessment but the wording is the email doesn't seen to indicate that I will definitely go on to stage 2

'We are pleased to advise that you have passed your stage one assessment for the role of Train Manager.

Should you be shortlisted, the next stage of the process will be a group exercise and interview for which you will be contacted by email in due course to confirm the details.'

It's the should you be shortlisted bit that's concerning me or is this the same email everyone gets. At the assessment centre I was left under the impression if you pass you move on?
 

Joel466

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I've had an email back saying I passed the assessment but the wording is the email doesn't seen to indicate that I will definitely go on to stage 2

'We are pleased to advise that you have passed your stage one assessment for the role of Train Manager.

Should you be shortlisted, the next stage of the process will be a group exercise and interview for which you will be contacted by email in due course to confirm the details.'

It's the should you be shortlisted bit that's concerning me or is this the same email everyone gets. At the assessment centre I was left under the impression if you pass you move on?


I don’t think you definitely do - I had my stage 1 assessment on August 1st and only got invited to the stage two assessment on Thursday last week so that was a wait of two and a half
Months between the two stages!
 

TM Hopeful

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I think everyone gets that standard response. Depending on the numbers that pass stage one depends on how many go through to stage 2. Obviously if not many pass then a higher percentage get invited to stage 2.
Good luck, I was invited within about three weeks, but it really does vary so just keep your fingers crossed!
 

paulwestwood

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I've had an email back saying I passed the assessment but the wording is the email doesn't seen to indicate that I will definitely go on to stage 2

'We are pleased to advise that you have passed your stage one assessment for the role of Train Manager.

Should you be shortlisted, the next stage of the process will be a group exercise and interview for which you will be contacted by email in due course to confirm the details.'

It's the should you be shortlisted bit that's concerning me or is this the same email everyone gets. At the assessment centre I was left under the impression if you pass you move on?

Good Afternoon,
That is the standard email reply from Recruitment, as it depends how many get through the first stage and also the recruitment process may get stopped/postponed due to change of Company/Depot Requirements and also as previously mentioned it depends on HR and Local Manager Availability and also other Depots requirement may take over priority.
So now is just a waiting game, I'm sorry if thats not what you may of wanted to here, I am aware of one Depot which started doing the Stage 1, but Stage 2 has now been put on hold due to company requirements.
 

Nicbetyy

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57
I've had an email back saying I passed the assessment but the wording is the email doesn't seen to indicate that I will definitely go on to stage 2

'We are pleased to advise that you have passed your stage one assessment for the role of Train Manager.

Should you be shortlisted, the next stage of the process will be a group exercise and interview for which you will be contacted by email in due course to confirm the details.'

It's the should you be shortlisted bit that's concerning me or is this the same email everyone gets. At the assessment centre I was left under the impression if you pass you move on?
Hi

That’s the email I got too . I then did stage 2 quickly but now in a long wait in talent pool .
It changes due to requirements etc as Paul said below .
Hope it’s quickly for you :)
I think it’s a waiting game for us all but I’m sure will be worth the wait
 

Joel466

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Hi

That’s the email I got too . I then did stage 2 quickly but now in a long wait in talent pool .
It changes due to requirements etc as Paul said below .
Hope it’s quickly for you :)
I think it’s a waiting game for us all but I’m sure will be worth the wait



I’ve got stage two next week - what can I expect if you don’t mind helping a fellow candidate out?
 

Nicbetyy

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I’ve got stage two next week - what can I expect if you don’t mind helping a fellow candidate out?
Heya!
So I had the afternoon slot . 6 of us being assessed . 5 were internal and then me . I have to be honest I felt a bit intimated by that but I just had the attitude go in dnd give it my all . 7 managers were in a room assessing us - they assigned 1 manager to one person .
Got split into two groups and given a topic to prepare presentation on .
Just be confident , give input into the group and be yourself . They want to see your personality . The next exercise was again a group one but given a topic to debate on . Again be confident , have an opinion and just be yourself .
We then were all put in staff room whilst they decided who was going through to interview . Everyone gets given individual feedback before being sent home .
I got called first and was the only candidate to go through to competency which was straight away . Just have lots of examples ready relating to the role - customer service , safety etc and you will be fine

good luck and let us know how you get on
 

B93

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Can anyone advise me on the dress code? Should I be suited and booted up or is a smart shirt, trousers and shoes enough? Thanks!
 

B93

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I’ve got my first assessment tomorrow in Swindon. I’m going through the practice papers and timing myself. Is there anything else I should be doing before tomorrow?

would really appreciate any help!

Many thanks :)
 

B93

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Everyone on my stage 2 was super smart, so I’d go with suit etc as I did.

Oh wow I wasn’t expecting it to be a “wear a three piece suit” scenario but you’re the second person to tell me they wore one! Were most people dressed in suits on the first assessment too? Just out of interest. Thanks for your fast response :)
 

B93

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Hi,

Definitely do the practice papers a few times and time yourself . You have 3 lots of papers to get through on the day . There were around 11 people during my session - some internal and some external . I went on a Friday afternoon and got an email Tuesday morning to let me know I had passed and they would contact me if I was successful for stage 2. I got the email on the Thursday inviting me to stage two a week later .

For the paper assessments just stay calm - don’t worry about what anyone else is doing . It’s a test of staying calm under pressure I think :)
I applied for Cardiff . I got through to the final interview (5 internal candidates and me external ) I was the only candidate asked back to do the competency based interview . So don’t let the fact there are internal candidates there put you off .
I’ve been put in a talent pool awaiting a position . I think it depends on new timetables etc .. Paddington will see a lot of change after 17th December , so it looks like these are bring filled quickly
Good luck !

@Nicbetyy

Thanks for your previous reply! Is it just the papers you get on Assessment 1 then or are there any other tests/activities/questions I should prepare for?

Are they likely to ask me about my Previous customer service experiences in Assessment 1 or would that be if I got through to the next step?


Thank you
 

Nicbetyy

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1 Aug 2019
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@Nicbetyy

Thanks for your previous reply! Is it just the papers you get on Assessment 1 then or are there any other tests/activities/questions I should prepare for?

Are they likely to ask me about my Previous customer service experiences in Assessment 1 or would that be if I got through to the next step?


Thank you
Just papers on 1 .. you don’t be there for too long Group questions etc are on 2
Good luck
 

Nicbetyy

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Oh wow I wasn’t expecting it to be a “wear a three piece suit” scenario but you’re the second person to tell me they wore one! Were most people dressed in suits on the first assessment too? Just out of interest. Thanks for your fast response :)
All mine were internal candidates and they had their GWR uniform on in second assessment .
I wore a smart dress and jacket .
I would say dress smart
 

Supertrains19

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I would still say for stage 1 you should dress smart, I again for this one wore a suit and bar maybe 2 everyone else wore suit and tie. The 2 that didn’t were still smart casual, this is not a journey you want to be wearing casual in my view.
 

B93

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Just papers on 1 .. you don’t be there for too long Group questions etc are on 2
Good luck

Ah that makes sense, thanks. So my best bet is just revising the material as much as I can. And thanks for the clothing tip, I may go for a suit instead of the smart white shirt and trousers I originally had in mind.

Also if you don’t mind me asking, you say you’re in the talent pool after successfully getting through the assessments (congrats on that btw!) so what does that mean exactly? Do you have the TM job or are you waiting for a position to open up for you? My first time applying for a role like this so it’s all quite new!
 

TM Hopeful

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One thing to remember is don’t focus too much on how far you get through the concentration text ie marking the letters off, as the real ones are MUCH longer, whole sides of a4 and I think there are three sides of A4 per section! Every so often they will tell you to go onto the next page and leave wherever you got to on the previous page, so you really do have to remained focussed and hammer on through, you haven’t really got time to worry about how far you have or haven’t got, if you’re focused then you will do the best you can do regardless. Don’t forget the actual test is symbols too rather than letters, so some symbols start looking similar, especially as you get further into each page!
I echo the sentiments above, go smart, I asked exactly the same question on here before mine so don’t worry about asking, some interviews/assessments are certainly more relaxed these days than previously, keep smart for this one though! I just wore a shirt, tie and trousers though as it was still pretty warm when I went in the summer.
Good luck!
 

B93

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One thing to remember is don’t focus too much on how far you get through the concentration text ie marking the letters off, as the real ones are MUCH longer, whole sides of a4 and I think there are three sides of A4 per section! Every so often they will tell you to go onto the next page and leave wherever you got to on the previous page, so you really do have to remained focussed and hammer on through, you haven’t really got time to worry about how far you have or haven’t got, if you’re focused then you will do the best you can do regardless. Don’t forget the actual test is symbols too rather than letters, so some symbols start looking similar, especially as you get further into each page!
I echo the sentiments above, go smart, I asked exactly the same question on here before mine so don’t worry about asking, some interviews/assessments are certainly more relaxed these days than previously, keep smart for this one though! I just wore a shirt, tie and trousers though as it was still pretty warm when I went in the summer.
Good luck!


Thanks for your detailed message - really helpful info here! I thought I’d be asked other customer service related questions but it looks like I just need to practice my paper techniques! And I’ve got my suit sorted too.

Thanks for your help and good luck to you :)
 

B93

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Also @TM Hopeful I just realised you actually got the TM job! That’s fantastic. I’ve noticed a few people have said they got the TM job (that too for Paddington) so does that mean there are quite a few openings? Did they mention anything about spaces to you, such as how many people they’re looking for?

Also is your background in the Rail? Mine is not, but I’m hoping it won’t be a disadvantage as I’ve got 8 years of customer service experience.
 

TM Hopeful

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Also @TM Hopeful I just realised you actually got the TM job! That’s fantastic. I’ve noticed a few people have said they got the TM job (that too for Paddington) so does that mean there are quite a few openings? Did they mention anything about spaces to you, such as how many people they’re looking for?

Also is your background in the Rail? Mine is not, but I’m hoping it won’t be a disadvantage as I’ve got 8 years of customer service experience.
Thanks! No, no previous rail experience just over 21 years airline crew experience to the table though! No idea about numbers of positions available but I know of at least another work colleague just waiting to hear the outcome of stage 2
 
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