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A career as a signaller

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Tom Quinne

On Moderation
Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
Yep, you need to see all parts of the timetable really. Where I am there are early morning and late evening shunts. Not much point doing all your training 9 to 5, passing out and then not knowing what is required at start and end of service. I was given the freedom to pick and choose the areas/times I thought I needed more development on. Not much point doing a night shift if you have nothing to do after say 0100 so you might instead work across two shifts to get relevant experience i.e. 1700x0100.

Also you may find there are certain residents or reliefs that you prefer being trained by (or perhaps prefer not being trained by!!!).


Not sure 12 hrs training is so great when you are new?

Most may struggle to concentrate for that long and actually stop taking stuff in??? On 8 hrs rosters my LOM was happy for me to come in for a few hours at the start and go when I felt I'd had enough - so maybe just do 4hrs to begin with (obviously not all LOM's may subscribe to that viewpoint!). You might get the odd few trainees that will take the piss but most are keen to pass out so will put sensible hours without ending up so tired that they lose concentration.

I agree, a 12hr turn is automatically knocked down to 10hrs after you take out your breaks. With the “training” aspect of the turn taking into account your 10hrs then becomes about 8hrs (I’m sure you know what I mean...).

You’ll at some point go from 8hrs to 12hrs why not start off on it and get used to it?
 

Defenestrate

Member
Joined
6 Aug 2019
Messages
130
Two grade 5 panels at Basingstoke ASC (at the station, no signalling in the ROC yet)
Dorset Coast covers Parkstone - Moreton
West of England covers Hunts Path (between Tisbury and Gillingham) - Whimple

The job advert doesn't specify whether this is WoE or Dorset Coast - but you'll find out at interview or offer stage...probably.
Very likely there will be further G5 position(s) coming up at this location in the short to medium term, from what I understand.
 

godfreycomplex

Established Member
Joined
23 Jun 2016
Messages
1,296
The job advert doesn't specify whether this is WoE or Dorset Coast - but you'll find out at interview or offer stage...probably.
Very likely there will be further G5 position(s) coming up at this location in the short to medium term, from what I understand.
Basingstoke ASC (particularly the grade 5 panels) has a very high turnover of staff yes
 

NoEyeDeer

Member
Joined
14 Sep 2020
Messages
34
Location
Aberdeen
Any advice for my interview tomorrow for the position at Carmont (Stonehaven)?

To add to the above it’s a face to face interview, how much interviews would typically be held for 1 position?
 
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BigRob21

Member
Joined
14 Jul 2020
Messages
39
Location
Wombourne
Any advice for my interview tomorrow for the position at Carmont (Stonehaven)?

To add to the above it’s a face to face interview, how much interviews would typically be held for 1 position?
Just be confident and be yourself. If you don't fully understand the question then speak up and ask if they could go over it again. Most of all, try not to think about how many others are in line to be interviewed. I recently got through the interview stage and was offered the role and still to this day, I have no idea how many interviews were set to take place. All I can tell you is I went prepared, done my research and had a positive attitude throughout.

Good luck buddy.
 

NoEyeDeer

Member
Joined
14 Sep 2020
Messages
34
Location
Aberdeen
Just be confident and be yourself. If you don't fully understand the question then speak up and ask if they could go over it again. Most of all, try not to think about how many others are in line to be interviewed. I recently got through the interview stage and was offered the role and still to this day, I have no idea how many interviews were set to take place. All I can tell you is I went prepared, done my research and had a positive attitude throughout.

Good luck buddy.

Cheers mate
 

Defenestrate

Member
Joined
6 Aug 2019
Messages
130
Any particular reason why?

Think some people use them as a starter panel - decent money yet still enough time to gain experience without as steep a learning curve as a G7/8/9 - before looking at the Basingstoke Main (G7), relief roles or higher grades further afield.
 

HaylStonee

Member
Joined
7 Sep 2020
Messages
7
Location
Llanelli
Hey everyone.

I’ve just had an email from NR saying they cannot progress my application due to me not completing the online tests. I had the email inviting me to test on the 7th, completed them on the 10th.

NR advised me to contact SHL who confirmed I have indeed completed the 3 tests, and they gave me a reference number so NR can view them.

NR have said that once they have viewed them I’ll be accepted back into the vacancy.

Has anyone else had this trouble before? I’m just really worried about it and just wondering how long this will take?

Thanks
 

SiggysigAah

Member
Joined
14 Feb 2020
Messages
75
Location
Lancashire
I think you will be ok if SHL have said you completed the tests and NR review them. HR are usually good when an error has been made on their side I have found.
 

ILoveLamp

Member
Joined
22 Nov 2019
Messages
215
Location
North Uk
I'd be very grateful if LOM or any others in the know can shed any light on this. My status has changed from test completed to application under review. My understanding is that means I am not one of the top 6 candidates chosen for interview. Does this mean I am unlikely to get an interview or can the hiring manager pick who they like? And how likely is this(I know, this is a how long is a piece of string question) Thanks
Network Rail HR do things differently to the rest of the world it seems... You can be one of the ones not chosen to be interviewed, and where any decent company would then just send you an ‘unsuccessful’ email so you know where you stand, you end up at either Test Complete, Application Under Consideration, Application Under Consideration for Assessment 2...or similar for months on end. I sent an email querying one of mine and within a couple of hours I received the ‘Unsuccessful’ email. So unless they decided there and then, then they just select the ones they want to see at interview and leave the rest to sit at home wondering if they will ever hear anything! Also, if the traffic on the forum is anything to go by, they seem to be prioritising the Future Opportunities applications rather than those Vacancies for an individual box, where someone has spent ages filling out 69 question answers...
 

Rockhopper

Member
Joined
29 Apr 2019
Messages
736
I know of many other people that’s happened to. Nothing heard for months then an hour after you enquire it turns to unsuccessful.
 

Rover77

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2019
Messages
191
Location
UK
I know of many other people that’s happened to. Nothing heard for months then an hour after you enquire it turns to unsuccessful.
In that case I wont be calling them then. Just wondering if there is still a hope of interview or not? Not looking to hopeful.
 

ILoveLamp

Member
Joined
22 Nov 2019
Messages
215
Location
North Uk
In that case I wont be calling them then. Just wondering if there is still a hope of interview or not? Not looking to hopeful.
You’ll probably find the interviews are all done and you are just sat in a holding pen waiting for someone to press the button when they clearing the pens out... give them an email and you will see where you stand at least! I’ve got one from April that says Under consideration for Assessment 2... even with Covid, obviously been left holding...
 

High Dyke

Established Member
Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,267
Location
Yellabelly Country
Network Rail HR do things differently to the rest of the world it seems...
It's no different on the inside. I'm trying to deal with a re-org of signallers in my area. The affected staff were given letters by HR stating they were displaced under the re-org and given choices of available jobs. They made their choices, but have heard nothing since. They haven't even had an acknowledgement that their selection form had been received.
 

MrsP2010

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2020
Messages
105
Location
Ellesmere
You’ll probably find the interviews are all done and you are just sat in a holding pen waiting for someone to press the button when they clearing the pens out... give them an email and you will see where you stand at least! I’ve got one from April that says Under consideration for Assessment 2... even with Covid, obviously been left holding...
 
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Deltic75

New Member
Joined
15 Sep 2020
Messages
3
Location
Nottingham
Hi,
New member here. I've applied for a signaller job, external.

What are the downsides of the job?

I've seen the word "skulduggery" a couple of pages back. Also read there is high sickness. Is this correct? If so, why?

Is it a secure job? Are jobs being
centralised?

Thanks in advance.
 

ILoveLamp

Member
Joined
22 Nov 2019
Messages
215
Location
North Uk
Probably not the best idea to make negative comments on here, you’d be shocked how far eyes spread.

Speaking from experience, I have stab wounds in my back to prove it.
And they would know who I am how? Negativity based on experience of their processes and it seems I’m not the only one to notice this. Feedback for them if ‘they’ are watching.
 

danners430

Member
Joined
2 Dec 2016
Messages
75
Location
Caledonia
Hey everyone.

I’ve just had an email from NR saying they cannot progress my application due to me not completing the online tests. I had the email inviting me to test on the 7th, completed them on the 10th.

NR advised me to contact SHL who confirmed I have indeed completed the 3 tests, and they gave me a reference number so NR can view them.

NR have said that once they have viewed them I’ll be accepted back into the vacancy.

Has anyone else had this trouble before? I’m just really worried about it and just wondering how long this will take?

Thanks
Happened to me on my first application - phoned them there and then, and within an hour they'd reactivated my application having received confirmation from SHL that I had completed my tests well within the time window.
 

Tom Quinne

On Moderation
Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
Hi,
New member here. I've applied for a signaller job, external.

What are the downsides of the job?

I've seen the word "skulduggery" a couple of pages back. Also read there is high sickness. Is this correct? If so, why?

Is it a secure job? Are jobs being
centralised?

Thanks in advance.

Sickness: I’ll be honest SOME people use sick as additional leave. No it’s not right, but it happens. It’s a fact that sealed AC offices like ROCs are heaven for gems, and those who work there do pick up bugs very frequently.

Job security: Very, the centralisation is more or less dead, the age profile is such that those who want to stay on after their remote location closes can, if they are prepared to move.

Downsides: There are a few, but they’ll be different depending on the person you ask.
 

Deltic75

New Member
Joined
15 Sep 2020
Messages
3
Location
Nottingham
Sickness: I’ll be honest SOME people use sick as additional leave. No it’s not right, but it happens. It’s a fact that sealed AC offices like ROCs are heaven for gems, and those who work there do pick up bugs very frequently.

Job security: Very, the centralisation is more or less dead, the age profile is such that those who want to stay on after their remote location closes can, if they are prepared to move.

Downsides: There are a few, but they’ll be different depending on the person you ask.
Thanks for the swift reply.
 

HaylStonee

Member
Joined
7 Sep 2020
Messages
7
Location
Llanelli
Happened to me on my first application - phoned them there and then, and within an hour they'd reactivated my application having received confirmation from SHL that I had completed my tests well within the time window.

Did they really? I haven’t heard anything just yet. I might give them a call just to check they’ve received it. Thank you
 

BigRob21

Member
Joined
14 Jul 2020
Messages
39
Location
Wombourne
Got notification that my IST starts on the 9th Nov @ Basingstoke. Anyone else on here starting that day?
Great news, I'm just waiting for a date to be confirmed so I will let you know if I end up at Basingstoke. If you dont mind me asking, where will you be working?

Cheers
 

Rockhopper

Member
Joined
29 Apr 2019
Messages
736
And they would know who I am how? Negativity based on experience of their processes and it seems I’m not the only one to notice this. Feedback for them if ‘they’ are watching.

Its remarkably easy to get an idea of who someone is by looking at their posts - I've not hunted back but you've presumably said which position you've applied for and what your current status is and so on. They'll narrow it down (and Tom is correct, this board is very well known about and many rail professionals inhabit it)
As regards feedback - I doubt they could care less - its a buyers market as far as NR are concerned with numbers applying for each post exceeding two hundred.
 

NoEyeDeer

Member
Joined
14 Sep 2020
Messages
34
Location
Aberdeen
Interview done, thought it went okay, at the end the LOC asked if I would be interested in any positions near the area if they came up in future, which I thought was a odd question and left me in a bit of doubt, I did what I could though can only wait and see now
 

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