Career advice

[eastc]

Hey you fine folk,

I, like alot on here, aspire to be a train driver. So far I have applied twice (with ScotRail) and twice failed. Didn't even get passed the paper sift.

What can I do to increase my chance of selection? I know if I could get an interview I could get the job.

Is there a job that I could do before my next application? Like bus driver? Or train guard? Or maybe some sort of qualifications I could study?

Any help, greatly appreciated.

 

[Lewis H]

If you haven’t got through the paper sift, I would focus on making sure the application is spot on the next time you apply. I am assuming that Scot Rail are the same as other TOC’s in that you have to write out written answers explaining your different experiences relevant to the Train Driving role, maybe take a look at these answers and ensure they show you in the best light, demonstrating skills that would be associated with being a Train Driver.

There aren’t any qualifications needed to be a Train Driver, you just need to be able to pass the psychometric testing, I know drivers that don’t even have GCSE’s, at the end of the day it’s all about relevant experience. Applying to work for the company in another role wouldn’t be the worst idea, a lot of people do this, whether it be station staff or guard, it’s a foot in the door!

 

[ChrisRS]

Hey you fine folk,

I, like alot on here, aspire to be a train driver. So far I have applied twice (with ScotRail) and twice failed. Didn't even get passed the paper sift.

What can I do to increase my chance of selection? I know if I could get an interview I could get the job.

Is there a job that I could do before my next application? Like bus driver? Or train guard? Or maybe some sort of qualifications I could study?

Any help, greatly appreciated.

Experience. Ideally in a customer focussed environment, retail etc. Bus driving can relate to the job role, I've seen on the forum a few members relating bus driving to their interview and getting roles as drivers.

The more experience you have, the more examples you can provide in the interview.

 

[eastc]

Experience. Ideally in a customer focussed environment, retail etc. Bus driving can relate to the job role, I've seen on the forum a few members relating bus driving to their interview and getting roles as drivers.

The more experience you have, the more examples you can provide in the interview.

Luckily I have a background in retail. Thanks for your response!

 

[eastc]

If you haven’t got through the paper sift, I would focus on making sure the application is spot on the next time you apply. I am assuming that Scot Rail are the same as other TOC’s in that you have to write out written answers explaining your different experiences relevant to the Train Driving role, maybe take a look at these answers and ensure they show you in the best light, demonstrating skills that would be associated with being a Train Driver.

There aren’t any qualifications needed to be a Train Driver, you just need to be able to pass the psychometric testing, I know drivers that don’t even have GCSE’s, at the end of the day it’s all about relevant experience. Applying to work for the company in another role wouldn’t be the worst idea, a lot of people do this, whether it be station staff or guard, it’s a foot in the door!

Cheers mate.
I've applied for a bus driver role. No idea if I'll even get an interview but my thinking is that I'm ferrying passengers around. Not a million miles away from train driving so has to look good on my CV for when I apply again.

 

[Lee0901]

Any work, hobbies or experiences that are safety critical will go a long way. I answered MMI and DMI questions with examples from HGV driving, military and climbing. Base everything around safety, following your training and customer service etc.

 

[eastc]

Any work, hobbies or experiences that are safety critical will go a long way. I answered MMI and DMI questions with examples from HGV driving, military and climbing. Base everything around safety, following your training and customer service etc.

Cheers mate. Very much appreciated.

 

[Stigy]

Certainly other roles within the railway will do no harm. It’ll give you a good basis for working in a customer focussed, safety critical environment.

 

[ninhog]

Cheers mate.
I've applied for a bus driver role. No idea if I'll even get an interview but my thinking is that I'm ferrying passengers around. Not a million miles away from train driving so has to look good on my CV for when I apply again.

I can assure you that although the principal of carrying passengers is the same, bus driving is a million miles away from train driving.

Driving a bus is an extension of driving your car. You already know how to drive, what the rules of the road are and how to recognise road signs. If you can drive a car, you can drive a bus.

Driving a train is a totally different world. First off, you need to learn a whole bunch of new, comprehensive and sometimes confusing rules. Once you’ve got your head around these, you have to maintain your knowledge of them and be aware of any changes to them. Many of these rules won’t make sense until you’re out on the track.

Once you’re competent in rules, you have to do a minimum amount of hours driving a train with an instructor. During this time, you need to learn the controls and handling characteristics of the traction you’re driving and learn the routes that you’ll eventually sign.

Learning a new bus route is easy compared to learning a train route.

Once you’re ready, you’ll spend a week or so doing your final assessment to determine whether or not you’re competent. If you pass this successfully, you’ll be responsible for maintaining your route and rule knowledge.

Also consider that if you make a mistake driving a bus, you may injure 90 passengers. If you make a mistake driving a train, you could easily injure hundreds, if not thousands of passengers.

Hopefully this will help with your perception of the job role and possibly get you a step further if you apply again.

 

[eastc]

I can assure you that although the principal of carrying passengers is the same, bus driving is a million miles away from train driving.

Driving a bus is an extension of driving your car. You already know how to drive, what the rules of the road are and how to recognise road signs. If you can drive a car, you can drive a bus.

Driving a train is a totally different world. First off, you need to learn a whole bunch of new, comprehensive and sometimes confusing rules. Once you’ve got your head around these, you have to maintain your knowledge of them and be aware of any changes to them. Many of these rules won’t make sense until you’re out on the track.

Once you’re competent in rules, you have to do a minimum amount of hours driving a train with an instructor. During this time, you need to learn the controls and handling characteristics of the traction you’re driving and learn the routes that you’ll eventually sign.

Learning a new bus route is easy compared to learning a train route.

Once you’re ready, you’ll spend a week or so doing your final assessment to determine whether or not you’re competent. If you pass this successfully, you’ll be responsible for maintaining your route and rule knowledge.

Also consider that if you make a mistake driving a bus, you may injure 90 passengers. If you make a mistake driving a train, you could easily injure hundreds, if not thousands of passengers.

Hopefully this will help with your perception of the job role and possibly get you a step further if you apply again.

Thanks mate. Despite the manner of the way you come across, I truly appreciate it.

 

[ninhog]

Thanks mate. Despite the manner of the way you come across, I truly appreciate it.

I’m not sure how I came across but I apologise if I caused any offence- I was just clarifying the matter, is all.

You’d come across far more obtuse and blunt people in the bus and rail industry

 

[eastc]

I’m not sure how I came across but I apologise if I caused any offence- I was just clarifying the matter, is all.

You’d come across far more obtuse and blunt people in the bus and rail industry

No offence taken mate. I met plenty of motor mouths in the army/security and even retail worlds.