A career as a signaller

[godfreycomplex]

A signaller I know , started as a G6 and was a teacher. Honestly doesnt matter what you do or did.

Agreed. Before signalling I was an out of work actor whose so-called “proper job” experience amounted to a few weeks washing dishes. Other jobs that people I know of have had before signalling include greengrocer, supermarket worker, school caretaker, tiler, spud digger, trainee wealth analyst, cloistered monk, reiki therapist, and my personal favourite, an Elvis tribute act.
Takes all sorts this job. What LOM says is correct, it’s all down to the interview.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Since I started looking and applying for signaller positions, I’ve not seen any come up for East Midlands ROC. Do these tend to come up with any frequency on the internal list?
Thanks

Two or three times a year on average.

 

[89jordanbj]

Cheers mate. It's all happening very fast. I was daunted at the start as been In a good secure job for the last 10 which I actually enjoy. But after applying and securing a job of sorts I feel I'd kicking myself down the line I'd I didn't take it.

No idea with contract of employment as of yet. I've given hiring manager verbal agreement he said he LL now get the ball rolling. Expecting some formal paperwork in the next week or so . I'm from Carmarthenshire ,so an hour from Newport. I can't imagine you LL be waiting long. Courses appear to run fairly often. All being well you LL get Newport too.

Any mention of medical as of yet? I wondered how they would work given the social distancing etc.

Manager mentioned I should receive some documents next week so that may explain more. Until I get a contract offer I'm not getting too excited, but it's good to know that after months and months of applying things seem to be happening.

Exactly, you don't want to have any regrets thinking of what could have been so don't blame you for grabbing the opportunity!

 

[amanda08]

Two or three times a year on average.

Thank you

 

[baz962]

Agreed. Before signalling I was an out of work actor whose so-called “proper job” experience amounted to a few weeks washing dishes. Other jobs that people I know of have had before signalling include greengrocer, supermarket worker, school caretaker, tiler, spud digger, trainee wealth analyst, cloistered monk, reiki therapist, and my personal favourite, an Elvis tribute act.
Takes all sorts this job. What LOM says is correct, it’s all down to the interview.

Well this reply has made my day . All waiter's are out of work actor's , aren't they. As for the Elvis tribute , wasn't expecting that and I pretty much doubled up with laughter. Good job I'm on a pretty empty train. Thanks for the laugh.

 

[LOM]

Years ago I knew a signaller who was a drag queen.

 

[CGH86]

Any mention of medical as of yet? I wondered how they would work given the social distancing etc.

Manager mentioned I should receive some documents next week so that may explain more. Until I get a contract offer I'm not getting too excited, but it's good to know that after months and months of applying things seem to be happening.

Exactly, you don't want to have any regrets thinking of what could have been so don't blame you for grabbing the opportunity!

The medical is a strange one. Normally the medical would be arranged prior to starting signalling school. However with what's going on IL be starting training and at some point during training or after the 12 weeks the medical will be arranged for then. Passing the medical is a criteria of your contract, a little unsettling but fitness and medical wise as I'm concerned I shouldn't have any problems. I have annual medicals with both of my current workplaces and have never had any issues. Touch wood.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Well this reply has made my day . All waiter's are out of work actor's , aren't they. As for the Elvis tribute , wasn't expecting that and I pretty much doubled up with laughter. Good job I'm on a pretty empty train. Thanks for the laugh.

Hahaha aren’t we just - I wasn’t even a good enough actor to be a waiter they shoved me in the kitchen away from paying punters. Very wise of them.
Delighted to oblige, reports of him describing a track defect as “all shook up” are unconfirmed

 

[godfreycomplex]

Years ago I knew a signaller who was a drag queen.

I’ve known a few signallers who were a drag but this is the first I’ve heard of the suffix

 

[89jordanbj]

The medical is a strange one. Normally the medical would be arranged prior to starting signalling school. However with what's going on IL be starting training and at some point during training or after the 12 weeks the medical will be arranged for then. Passing the medical is a criteria of your contract, a little unsettling but fitness and medical wise as I'm concerned I shouldn't have any problems. I have annual medicals with both of my current workplaces and have never had any issues. Touch wood.

I thought that would potentially be the case given what's going on, speeds things up I suppose! As you say, a bit unsettling having it in the back of your mind but I'm sure you will be fine! All the best with your training and good luck in your new career. Hopefully by some miracle I may see you there, you never know!

 

[Allaboard78]

The medical is a strange one. Normally the medical would be arranged prior to starting signalling school. However with what's going on IL be starting training and at some point during training or after the 12 weeks the medical will be arranged for then. Passing the medical is a criteria of your contract, a little unsettling but fitness and medical wise as I'm concerned I shouldn't have any problems. I have annual medicals with both of my current workplaces and have never had any issues. Touch wood.

Are you going to have to travel back and forth?

 

[Deanr1979]

Hi all. I received an email yesterday saying that I’m not getting an interview for future opportunities north/east. However I was in a high scoring pool of candidates and my overall application was impressive so I have been put in a talent pool for future opportunities in my area.
Has anybody received anything similar to this?
Thanks and good luck to anybody with future interviews and applications.

 

[amanda08]

Hi all. I received an email yesterday saying that I’m not getting an interview for future opportunities north/east. However I was in a high scoring pool of candidates and my overall application was impressive so I have been put in a talent pool for future opportunities in my area.
Has anybody received anything similar to this?
Thanks and good luck to anybody with future interviews and applications.

Hi, yes, I received the same email - not sure if anything will come of it though?

 

[SiggysigAah]

Hi all. I received an email yesterday saying that I’m not getting an interview for future opportunities north/east. However I was in a high scoring pool of candidates and my overall application was impressive so I have been put in a talent pool for future opportunities in my area.
Has anybody received anything similar to this?
Thanks and good luck to anybody with future interviews and applications.

I have that email also.

 

[ILoveLamp]

Years ago I knew a signaller who was a drag queen.

Is this a bit like saying ‘asking for a friend’

 

[Tom Quinne]

Hi,I also went for the abercynon job and had the phone call to say I was unsuccessful. I was offered the pool signaller route which I knew nothing about at the time. After much thought I feel it's an opportunity to good so will go for it. I've been asked to go on the 12 week course starting June 1st in Newport.

I was a bit unsure with the mention of a 12 month contract. However after speaking to another signaler was assured that internal jobs are always coming up. Best of luck and hope you get a date soon. I'm sure you will.

Unless you fail school and/or a complete fool once you finish school you’ll have a job within 12 months.

congratulations!

 

[Allaboard78]

Is this a bit like saying ‘asking for a friend’

This is my favourite reply ever

 

[LOM]

Is this a bit like saying ‘asking for a friend’

Haha, no definitely not. He was very good though. I left the area a long time ago so I do not know if he is still on the railway.

 

[iwasyoungonce]

Haha, no definitely not. He was very good though. I left the area a long time ago so I do not know if he is still on the railway.

Out of interest do NR allow secondary employment ?

 

[LOM]

Out of interest do NR allow secondary employment ?

Yes though it has to be declared and agreed with your manager and HR. You would be responsible for ensuring you are not coming to work fatigued etc..

 

[CGH86]

I thought that would potentially be the case given what's going on, speeds things up I suppose! As you say, a bit unsettling having it in the back of your mind but I'm sure you will be fine! All the best with your training and good luck in your new career. Hopefully by some miracle I may see you there, you never know!

Cheers appreciate it. Quite keen to get going and start a new career. All the best and hope you find out some good news on a start date soon. Ye definitely you never know. I think the courses are running on reduced numbers with the required social distancing, so that might be a good thing in terms of learning .

 

[CGH86]

Unless you fail school and/or a complete fool once you finish school you’ll have a job within 12 months.

congratulations!

Cheers hopefully won't fail the course then. That's not even worth thing about.

 

[CGH86]

Are you going to have to travel back and forth?

They said IL be booked a hotel Monday to Thursday. Although due to childcare issues IL have to travel back the odd night. Anyone know what time the course days start at. Heard between 9 and 9.30am. 9.30 be fantastic for me, where I'm stuck for childcare would have enough time to drop my daughter of at school hub and get to Newport. Nightmare at the moment with not been able to use grandparent etc.

 

[7Paul7]

They said IL be booked a hotel Monday to Thursday. Although due to childcare issues IL have to travel back the odd night. Anyone know what time the course days start at. Heard between 9 and 9.30am. 9.30 be fantastic for me, where I'm stuck for childcare would have enough time to drop my daughter of at school hub and get to Newport. Nightmare at the moment with not been able to use grandparent etc.

York is 9:30 on a Monday 9am every other day

Sim time is done before / after school also

 

[MostlyHarmless]

The medical is a strange one. Normally the medical would be arranged prior to starting signalling school. However with what's going on IL be starting training and at some point during training or after the 12 weeks the medical will be arranged for then. Passing the medical is a criteria of your contract, a little unsettling but fitness and medical wise as I'm concerned I shouldn't have any problems. I have annual medicals with both of my current workplaces and have never had any issues. Touch wood.

I'm quite intrigued about your medical comments. A number of us have had our contracts but are still waiting for a medical before we are given a start date...and thus hand in our notices. I hoping we will hear something next week!

 

[ArchangelA]

I dont like the sound of that, what if they find something wrong and you've already given up a good job?

 

[Tom Quinne]

You’d have to have a serious condition to be barred from signalling - I’ve know blind (no left eye) and hearing aid equipped signallers.

The only condition is you’d be confined to a multi manned location, and not allowed at a trackside SB where you’d potentially have to exchange tokens or use a permitted access across track etc.

 

[Danny5213]

Evening all, I've been invited to the assessment/interview stage for the North East future opportunities post. I've been looking at the locations based in Yorkshire and wondered whether anyone had any information on the Ferrybridge or Goole signal boxes?

TIA.

Just checked my application for future opportunities north/east. Now saying application unsuccessful. Guttered, although I still have an application under consideration for bedlington grade 2 box but it’s from January.

Hi all. I received an email yesterday saying that I’m not getting an interview for future opportunities north/east. However I was in a high scoring pool of candidates and my overall application was impressive so I have been put in a talent pool for future opportunities in my area.
Has anybody received anything similar to this?
Thanks and good luck to anybody with future interviews and applications.

Hi gents, congratulations on getting an interview/put in a talent pool. I've also got an application under consideration for North East future opportunities IRC2181167. I've not had any updates since the 28th April so trying to be optimistic although wondering if I've just been missed from the communication of results. Was any light shed on what the 'assessment' part of the assessment/interview is? I assumed the 'assessment' was the SHL tests but I'm wondering if it's just part of the interview? Have you been invited to sit the SHL tests or had you already sat them in a previous application?

Is anyone else still 'under consideration' for North East future opportunities?

TIA

 

[Major1494]

Hi gents, congratulations on getting an interview/put in a talent pool. I've also got an application under consideration for North East future opportunities IRC2181167. I've not had any updates since the 28th April so trying to be optimistic although wondering if I've just been missed from the communication of results. Was any light shed on what the 'assessment' part of the assessment/interview is? I assumed the 'assessment' was the SHL tests but I'm wondering if it's just part of the interview? Have you been invited to sit the SHL tests or had you already sat them in a previous application?

Is anyone else still 'under consideration' for North East future opportunities?

TIA

Hi Danny5213,

There's 2 SHL tests to complete, a pre recorded Scenario interview and a virtual interview. The SHL tests and Scenario interview need to be completed before the virtual interview which is on the 22/05/2020.

 

[Llanigraham]

They said IL be booked a hotel Monday to Thursday. Although due to childcare issues IL have to travel back the odd night. Anyone know what time the course days start at. Heard between 9 and 9.30am. 9.30 be fantastic for me, where I'm stuck for childcare would have enough time to drop my daughter of at school hub and get to Newport. Nightmare at the moment with not been able to use grandparent etc.

I suggest you need to talk to your LOM about this as soon as possible. The course is intense and you are going to need to stop on after classes to practice on the simulator.