Hi Techie2. I worked in HR but found the interviews challenging. Yes, I know the theory of how to answer questions, but the examples on my application form related to relevant experience gained through volunteer work on a heritage railway (sorry TDK, probably making you shudder as you read that
) as did many of the examples I gave during the manager interview itself. I was full of a rotten cold on the day. I never get ill and really thought I'd fluffed it. The structured interview is something that you can either handle or you can't. I found it challenging at times but the way in which you react during it is more about your character / personality.
The Forces will have, I suspect, given you discipline, the ability to remain cool etc. These are traits that are in my opinion important to help you succeed on during the whole recruitment process and that is where you may have the edge over others.
There is a wide variety of people who work on the railways and I can guarantee that they haven't all worked in HR and don't all have ologys (ologies? sp?) It really is a shame that you can't take the financial hit because I know I now have a career for life (subject to passing the training) and the pay will ultimately be better than what you currently receive, with financial stability and security for life. Of course, pay is personal to everyone and some have more financial obligations than others.
What I guess I'm saying is that if you really want it and you can afford to take the hit for a year, go for it. It's the best decision I've made in a long time. Not sure if this helps, just my opinion.