LOM
Member
Fingers crossed for you. You will get there I am sure.
There is no quota system. Candidates are assessed entirely on merit based on the application questions/SHL tests and interview scores. Interview panels are supposed to be gender-balanced where possible. The only slight nod towards a quota is that any candidate who declares a disability must be interviewed unless the hiring manager can demonstrate from the candidate's application that they do not meet the essential criteria for the role. Before a job is advertised the hiring manager has to agree a recruitment plan with HR which includes the timescales for everything from the vacancy going live in the system to the signaller finishing school. These timescales are supposed to be strict but in practice there has to be a bit of float. They generally plan on a maximum of 4 months from advertising to starting signalling school.
It would be exceptional to not appoint one of the candidates who are interviewed first time round. In fact once the interview shortlist (usually maximum 6, minimum 3 for one position) has been drawn up the other candidates are supposed to have their status changed to "reject before interview" with a reason code which then automatically generates a letter informing the candidate that they have been unsuccessful. I do not think you can then change their status back after that, it is final. I think you would have to readvertise the job.
Both are difficult courses but they focus on different skills and systems. I suppose an analogy would be like learning to fly an aeroplane versus a helicopter. The school is designed to take you from complete novice to competent signaller. A huge part of that is teaching you to understand the meaning and applications of the rules in the book.
Great news QT. I also had an email today, ref the same future roles, although it was to say I will find out whether I get to the next stage by Friday. I'm taking the positive view of I'm still in with a shout. Good luck for your interview mate.I have been fortunate to receive an email today inviting me to an e-intrerview in a couple of weeks time, the interview is for the North East future opportunities.
I'm excited and also very nervous.
On the email it states I will be asked to complete a scenario interview before hand. Does anyone know what this consists of? They say it's a pre-recorded assessment but can anyone elaborate on this please? Just so I can factor in any extra revision that may be needed.
I have already completed he SHL tests and met the benchmark.
Thanks
I have been fortunate to receive an email today inviting me to an e-intrerview in a couple of weeks time, the interview is for the North East future opportunities.
I'm excited and also very nervous.
On the email it states I will be asked to complete a scenario interview before hand. Does anyone know what this consists of? They say it's a pre-recorded assessment but can anyone elaborate on this please? Just so I can factor in any extra revision that may be needed.
I have already completed he SHL tests and met the benchmark.
Thanks
Hmm, I wonder how you have taken and passed your tests but only received your invite to interview yesterday. Network Rail are going about this one funny, I’ve had my invite a week now but they still haven’t sent me the tests.
The tests are done when you apply for the first job, and scores held so you don't need to complete them every time you apply for another position.
They are a link on the invite to test email which aren't particularly obvious if I remember correctly
Fingers crossed for you. You will get there I am sure.
Hi LOMThere is no quota system. Candidates are assessed entirely on merit based on the application questions/SHL tests and interview scores. Interview panels are supposed to be gender-balanced where possible. The only slight nod towards a quota is that any candidate who declares a disability must be interviewed unless the hiring manager can demonstrate from the candidate's application that they do not meet the essential criteria for the role. Before a job is advertised the hiring manager has to agree a recruitment plan with HR which includes the timescales for everything from the vacancy going live in the system to the signaller finishing school. These timescales are supposed to be strict but in practice there has to be a bit of float. They generally plan on a maximum of 4 months from advertising to starting signalling school.
It would be exceptional to not appoint one of the candidates who are interviewed first time round. In fact once the interview shortlist (usually maximum 6, minimum 3 for one position) has been drawn up the other candidates are supposed to have their status changed to "reject before interview" with a reason code which then automatically generates a letter informing the candidate that they have been unsuccessful. I do not think you can then change their status back after that, it is final. I think you would have to readvertise the job.
Both are difficult courses but they focus on different skills and systems. I suppose an analogy would be like learning to fly an aeroplane versus a helicopter. The school is designed to take you from complete novice to competent signaller. A huge part of that is teaching you to understand the meaning and applications of the rules in the book.
Great news QT. I also had an email today, ref the same future roles, although it was to say I will find out whether I get to the next stage by Friday. I'm taking the positive view of I'm still in with a shout. Good luck for your interview mate.
Hmm, I wonder how you have taken and passed your tests but only received your invite to interview yesterday. Network Rail are going about this one funny, I’ve had my invite a week now but they still haven’t sent me the tests.
Question for those who have been in the job a while:
In general this is a very positive forum thread about the job which is great. What are the "not so good things" about the job? There must be some...! What are signaller attrition rates like? And if people move out of the job, what are the most common reasons for that?
Signallers and drivers are like cats and dogs.
In no particular orderQuestion for those who have been in the job a while:
In general this is a very positive forum thread about the job which is great. What are the "not so good things" about the job? There must be some...! What are signaller attrition rates like? And if people move out of the job, what are the most common reasons for that?
Some bad points -
If you have a poor roster the job can be a real slog. Same is true if you do not get on with your colleagues in the same box for whatever reason (cleanliness, timekeeping etc..). If you get a bad shift in a multi-manned location it can be really horrible, trust me.
Days when the phone rings non stop with people wanting Line Blockages, users at level crossings, chasing delays and other trivia when all you want is peace and quiet and to be left alone.
Having to make damned-if-you-do regulating decisions and trying to find margins for Line Blockages between trains.
One serious irregularity can ruin your career and if you get it very wrong with a level crossing or Line Blockage you could go to jail.
Speaking to a train driver after a fatality as mentioned above. It really can affect you, I had a particularly nasty one when I was in the grade and I still occasionally dream about that phone call.
A lot of signallers suffer from what I call 'caring too much' - that is they are so motivated to do a good job that when they see something not done well by someone else, like a poorly planned possession, they get really wound up by it. Dealing with drivers can be quite difficult at times too. Signallers and drivers are like cats and dogs.
12 hours alone in a quiet signalbox in the middle of nowhere sounds idyllic but can be utterly soul crushingly tedious.
Trying to sleep on a lovely sunny summer day because you are nightshift, when the kids are out playing in the street and all your neighbours are cutting their grass and having barbecues. Lying there in bed not sleeping knowing that you have a hellish shift ahead with lots of complicated possessions, isolations, Line Blockages etc.. booked.
And worst of all some guys are unlucky enough to have a bad LOM....
It is a good job overall but it is not all roses!
Great insight LOM.
It does make you realise what a responsible job it is. Looking from the outside in, it is enough to cause second thoughts. Especially not having an full understanding what the job requires.
For such incidents, would it require gross negligence for something like that to happen?
You're making the wroc sound awful
Great insight LOM.
It does make you realise what a responsible job it is. Looking from the outside in, it is enough to cause second thoughts. Especially not having an full understanding what the job requires.
For such incidents, would it require gross negligence for something like that to happen?
As an aside. Any change to a base roster, for example going to a 12 hr from 8hr roster, should be a majority wins situation. If that isn't the case then the TU reps need to be asking why and making sure that any such issues are resolved.Not having a fair system to change rostering arrangements (although this is more an RMT issue). As it stands 1 or 2 people can hold up the wishes of 30
We are all different in how we love or loath the job. Personally I prefer to work nights, but take the rough with the smooth. For example, I'm on my third consecutive week of late turns this week, but as a General Purpose Relief that's just how it happens. Someone has already mentioned about some of the people you may work with; like all society there are good and bad, lazy and workaholics. Whilst I do have a tendency to get involved in the politics of the railway at times, I also like to come in, do the shift and then go home safely.Question for those who have been in the job a while:
In general this is a very positive forum thread about the job which is great. What are the "not so good things" about the job? There must be some...! What are signaller attrition rates like? And if people move out of the job, what are the most common reasons for that?
You may not cause an incident, but how you deal with one can also cause damage or lose of life.
id day the the greatest risk to a signaller, is the public at a user worked crossing, and link blockages.
Great advice for anyone who aspires to the job!Get a job as a signaller; do the job to the best of your abilities and training; admit your mistakes and ask for help when you need it, but most of all. Take pride in your work - even if you feel undervalued.
Question for those who have been in the job a while:
In general this is a very positive forum thread about the job which is great. What are the "not so good things" about the job? There must be some...! What are signaller attrition rates like? And if people move out of the job, what are the most common reasons for that?