I've posted these before, but I suppose it can't hurt to repost here under a current thread:
I did the structured interview twice last year (thankfully passed second time). On both occasions the questions I was asked were something like this:
- Name a time when you dealt with an emergency situation.
- Name a time when you had to follow rules and procedures to get a job done.
- Name a time when you were working on your own.
- Name a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation.
- Name a time when you undertook a training course / studied (for at least 2 weeks) OR name a time when you achieved a goal.
On both occasions, they also threw in questions (that you hadn't prepared) on when you had completed checks and when you had to work to a set standard. These came in after the question on following rules and procedures.
After my first attempt, I was fortunate enough to be told by the assessor the qualities that they are looking for in a train driver when conducting the interview, which were:
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to follow rules and procedures
- Calm in an emergency
- Being conscientious.
- Being proactive / tenacious.
- Ability to work alone.
Obviously some of the qualities apply directly to some of the questions, but you're assessed on all of the qualities throughout the interview, so bear these qualities in mind throughout the interview.
Then as for the Safety Personality Questionnaire:
If I remember rightly, the questions asked are based on the answers you gave in relation to the statements in the questionnaire. Some statements are clear in the way you should answer e.g. I enjoy taking the occasional risk - disagree strongly. Others are not so clear cut and it's debatable whether these statements actually make much impact on the 'results' of the questionnaire e.g. I always use my vote. At the bottom of this post I'll mention the qualities that I was told they look for at the assessment centre in the 'results' of this questionnaire.
The 'results' will pinpoint the interviewer to read out a one or more specific phrases, along the lines of (this was similar to what I had):
"Your results show you as a cautious and patient individual. You prefer to complete your work methodically and accurately even though you may not complete work to deadlines as a result".
Then they ask whether you agree or disagree with the result, why you agree / disagree with the result and for you to provide an example of when you demonstrated being like / not like what the statement is saying. I'm not sure whether you'll be given more than one result to comment on.
In my experience I remember getting a bit confused and thinking that as a driver you'd need to be an all-rounder and be content to work cautiously when it suited and then quickly when under pressure. So my answer was that I would be happy to work in either environment and I provided an example of times at work where I would be in a ticket office and it would be very quiet and other times very busy. The interviewer wasn't satisfied with this and kept pressing me to choose whether I preferred working cautiously or not. I thought it through logically and obviously you should be working cautiously when driving (not taking risks) and chose that as my answer.
So again, I think a good strategy to employ during the question and answer sections of this part of you day is to remember the qualities that the interviewer is looking for and answer accordingly, but obviously have some examples of times when you demonstrated these qualities for the inevitable questioning from the interviewer.
The qualities I was told the interviewer is looking for during the Safe Personality Questionnaire are:
- Follows rules and procedures
- Is calm in an Emergency
- Is concerned over detail in their work
- Is cautious and patient
If you've still got any questions then feel free to ask.
