A career as a signaller

[OneTrackMind]

Looking for some advice. Applied for two signalling jobs a week ago, both have now closed. I haven't been invited to take any tests or heard anything.

When do you get the invitation to take the tests - it should be within 72 hours of them receiving your application right?

So am I ****ed...

No, if you are successful at application stage you will get an invite to test within 72 hours.

If your application is sat on 'Application Under Consideration' then someone somewhere has it on their to list to review, but these things can honestly take weeks

 

[Spectroscopic]

No, if you are successful at application stage you will get an invite to test within 72 hours.

If your application is sat on 'Application Under Consideration' then someone somewhere has it on their to list to review, but these things can honestly take weeks

Thanks.

I guess I feel a bit better then...

 

[be96erj]

I sat my assessment today. I was on an early shift but it is the only chance i'll have to complete the tests in a quiet environment before the deadline.

I'm fairly sure I did not pass the maths - I got just shy of two thirds in. It's my own fault for spending too long on a question I knew I could work out but did the sums wrong and had to do it again (one of the 'which two combined figures had the highest increase') despite maths not being a weakness normally.

I'm unsure of the SJT - i thought it was a practice one until it said submitted! That'll teach me for doing it at the end of an early turn.

Fingers crossed but I wouldn't be surprise to have to wait 12 months now and then wait for an appropriate position to open up.

Kneeon- may I ask how many questions were on the numeracy test and how long were you given? Also the same for the verbal reasoning?

I've got to get mine done by Monday, so I am doing a few practice tests to get back into the swing of things!

 

[MoorsBox]

Hi All,
Would anyone be able to help me find email for LOM who covers either Chichester or Newhaven Town.

~I've tried NR recruitment and was told they couldn't provide due to data protection...these must be a way of making contact, for us external applicants...hopes

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

Hi All,
Would anyone be able to help me find email for LOM who covers either Chichester or Newhaven Town.

~I've tried NR recruitment and was told they couldn't provide due to data protection...these must be a way of making contact, for us external applicants...hopes

In my experience you'll get their telephone number if invited to interview. Otherwise I guess anyone else who has it will give you the same answer as NR.

Not trying to be difficult, just stating facts.

Anything anyone can help with?

 

[KneeOn]

be96erj - it was 17 minutes to complete 30 questions for the verbal and maths I believe. Lots of the maths are quick and straight forward. A couple require a little bit longer due to the number of calculations to complete.

The SJT is untimed and I can't recall how many questions there were. I think it was 2/3 for each of the 8 nontechnical skills.

Someone PM'd me about what to expect and said they were a tad worried now.

Don't be overly concerned, GCSE bitesize (higher) for maths would provide a good base. Calculating percentages is the best preperation as well as being able to use a calculator quickly. Have scrap paper to write down numbers you need to refer to on the fly is vital.

When you do it make sure you read what numbers you need to interpret and don't forget to check all of the data - some questions will test your ability to handle differently named data with different values the same chart.

Scorpio008 - NR say six months, however when you finish you're taking to a NR page which states 12. I'm not entirely sure.

I thought there was still a minimum bench mark the best candidates who pass get ranked and selected from. I'm still gutted i've not done my self justice and I am not optimistic but all three of my railway roles were 'against the odds' or 'on paper there might have been better candidates' so it's not over until its over! If it is six months and not 12 then i'll be very happy and hopefully my preferred box will recruit outside this window if i'm unsuccessful.

Spectroscopic - London Bridge ASC deadline was New Years Eve. I only had my email regarding assessments this week. I wouldn't worry, NR have changed how they recruit this month so it is taking time. If you are successful and join the railway (and I'm assuming you're not already in the industry) you'll learn everything takes "slow time!"

Donachie - It is not the end of the road. If you want to join it'll happen eventually! Keep practicing for the new assessments and give it another crack.

 

[Sunset route]

Hi All,
Would anyone be able to help me find email for LOM who covers either Chichester or Newhaven Town.

~I've tried NR recruitment and was told they couldn't provide due to data protection...these must be a way of making contact, for us external applicants...hopes

Those two locations are covered by two different LOMs and should you be successful you will find them pleasant to work for.

 

[MoorsBox]

Those two locations are covered by two different LOMs and should you be successful you will find them pleasant to work for.

Thanks Sunset route...after my first interview I asked for feedback and part of this was that he thought it would have shown more interest if I'd asked to visit the box, but without being able to make contact, how else could I do this?
Any advise plz
Thanks all

 

[nom de guerre]

Did you ask HR to contact the LOM(s) on your behalf?

 

[TRain87]

Wondering if anyone can help? Recently passed medical and have agreed start date with LOM and NR are aware of this start date - how long before I'm emailed/sent an official contract?

Also - are there any rules regarding who can and can't get accommodation, that you're aware of? I live about 45mins - 1 hour away from Basingstoke school and don't fancy the commute each day.

Cheers

Tony

 

[flappy8]

Wondering if anyone can help? Recently passed medical and have agreed start date with LOM and NR are aware of this start date - how long before I'm emailed/sent an official contract?

Also - are there any rules regarding who can and can't get accommodation, that you're aware of? I live about 45mins - 1 hour away from Basingstoke school and don't fancy the commute each day.

Cheers

Tony

Didn't you get contract stuff when they sent you conditional acceptance? That's all you get I think. As I understand it they expect everyone to stay in a hotel anyway. I know someone who lived 25 minutes from York and he had a hotel.

 

[TRain87]

Didn't you get contract stuff when they sent you conditional acceptance? That's all you get I think. As I understand it they expect everyone to stay in a hotel anyway. I know someone who lived 25 minutes from York and he had a hotel.

I accepted the formal offer and had contracts through with that, but my understanding was I would receive another letter with official start date and details of hotel and course etc? But I'm unsure so asked

Glad the hotel has no boundary rules.

How you been flappy?

 

[flappy8]

Glad the hotel has no boundary rules.

I didn't say they were the rules! But that's what seems to happen. I suspect that if your base was to be Basingstoke ROC it may be different.

I've sent you a PM

 

[Termy]

Checked the HR website for updates on my Pembrey box application today. Had a third "Application Under Consideration" yesterday. XD Wondering how many desks and sifts there are. Quite happy to have made it past two already.

 

[KneeOn]

Rather unexpectedly I passed the benchmark for LBG ASC! I am genuinely shocked because it was the first assessment which I felt I had let my self down.

Now to wait to see if I'm in the top x% of candidates!

 

[Llanigraham]

Checked the HR website for updates on my Pembrey box application today. Had a third "Application Under Consideration" yesterday. XD Wondering how many desks and sifts there are. Quite happy to have made it past two already.

One frame, and presumably single manned. No "desks".
I suspect they will be 12 hour shifts, 0600 -1800 - 0600.

Photos:
http://photos.signalling.org/index?/category/134-pembrey

 

[TRain87]

Evening all

Can somebody inform me, when I will receive information such as hotel I'll be staying at and tickets etc for signaller school? Due to start role on 6th March, start school 13th - and I know I'm going to Basingstoke!

Cheers

 

[Llanigraham]

Probably the week before.

 

[MylesHSG]

Evening all

Can somebody inform me, when I will receive information such as hotel I'll be staying at and tickets etc for signaller school? Due to start role on 6th March, start school 13th - and I know I'm going to Basingstoke!

Cheers

I got mine literally a week before when I met up with my LOM and visited the box. I think from what I heard you'll be at "The Basingstoke Hotel" (formally a Hilton).

 

[KneeOn]

Update: I am now under consideration for assessment 2 on the system.

Does anyone have any idea what that means on the 1 assessment process NR are using now?

 

[NX]

Under consideration for an interview, in reality you'll get a call from HR asking you to attended shortly.

Well done !

 

[KneeOn]

Under consideration for an interview, in reality you'll get a call from HR asking you to attended shortly.

Well done !

Thank you! They're taking their time though. I've applied for another box too now so I'm hoping to have two interviews and I know which box i'd rather be in as well!

 

[NX]

I was interviewed for two positions about 10 days a part, got offered both and took the one which offer the best long term career - one was a FTC, the other a permanent role grade 7.

 

[KneeOn]

I was interviewed for two positions about 10 days a part, got offered both and took the one which offer the best long term career - one was a FTC, the other a permanent role grade 7.

Very similar to the position I hope to be in. Applied for one role FTC which closed on 1/1/17 and just applied for another role which closes 1/3/17 and although a lower grade the second position isn't temp and is in the location I want too.

I was advised to take the first job if offered then accept the second job if I get it otherwise stick with the first and move when I can.

 

[Muz333]

How much notice do they generally give after references to a start date?

 

[KneeOn]

How much notice do they generally give after references to a start date?

I believe they'll give you a minimum of any current notice period for a previous employer.

It will depend on how many people are on a course, when the next course is etc.

If you've applied for a box with one position and another four boxes with two positions are only a few weeks behind yours in the process they'd wait (i'd assume) until all 9 of you are ready to start school rather than run a course with just you and another with 8 on. I don't know if you would spend a week doing a depot/box induction and shadowing existing signallers.

 

[Muz333]

I believe they'll give you a minimum of any current notice period for a previous employer.

It will depend on how many people are on a course, when the next course is etc.

If you've applied for a box with one position and another four boxes with two positions are only a few weeks behind yours in the process they'd wait (i'd assume) until all 9 of you are ready to start school rather than run a course with just you and another with 8 on. I don't know if you would spend a week doing a depot/box induction and shadowing existing signallers.

Excellent, just a bit worried I'll only get a few days notice but if it's 1-2 weeks that's perfect.

 

[KneeOn]

Excellent, just a bit worried I'll only get a few days notice but if it's 1-2 weeks that's perfect.

I am not a signaller nor do I work for Network Rail so take that information as totally uninformed but I'm relying on a long process plus working my notice period with my current employer to be able to start a my desired job mid June!

 

[TRain87]

Due to start at school in Basingstoke on 13th March - I understand you get out, what you put in and I will be required to learn outside school hours, in hotel room or with others, and I also understand this will be no walk in the park to pass - but just playing over worst cases in my head, and wondering how high the pass rate for school is, and if given 2nd opportunities on tests, should the worst happen?....As the 13th edges closer I become more nervous in fear of failing. I have already received some great information from others on forum via private message, but just wondering what others had to offer in way of advice? Is there anything I should be doing to prepare myself also?

Cheers

 

[MylesHSG]

Due to start at school in Basingstoke on 13th March - I understand you get out, what you put in and I will be required to learn outside school hours, in hotel room or with others, and I also understand this will be no walk in the park to pass - but just playing over worst cases in my head, and wondering how high the pass rate for school is, and if given 2nd opportunities on tests, should the worst happen?....As the 13th edges closer I become more nervous in fear of failing. I have already received some great information from others on forum via private message, but just wondering what others had to offer in way of advice? Is there anything I should be doing to prepare myself also?

Cheers

I passed out 3 weeks ago now. Not sure how the structure might be changing, I think it's a longer course from now on.

There were 10 of us on day 1, week 1 and 9 of us completed the course. The person who didn't pass out is getting some box experience and will retake the course at a later date. What I would say is don't overload yourself, do a couple of hours in the evening, don't have your head in the rule book until the small hours every night. Also enjoy your weekends and have a little brush up when you get back to the hotel on Sunday evening. I'm almost certain everyone gets given 2 chances to pass even though it is never explicitly said it is implied, we were told a story of someone who was on their 3rd try up in York.

Remember you have already passed the assessments and interview which weeds out those that are not suitable/capable of passing signalling school.