CrossCountry Retail Service Manager

[ValentaFan1974]

Hi all,

About 18 months ago I got to final interview for the RSM role but was unsuccessful. The day consisted of an assessment (maths and timetable skills), then a group discussion, then interview.

Another RSM role has come up and I have an interview in a week or so. But this time it’s different. I did a test online, had a phone call and then invite to an interview - and to take ID and passport photos.

Has the recruitment style changed, or have they recognised that I’d applied before and I’ve been skipped out of the assessment day? If it has changed, is there anything else I need to know or what to expect?

Thanks

 

[Jonfun]

Change in format of recruitment - it's online assessments, phone interview and then depot manager interview now.

Just make sure you do the usual interview prep and you'll be reet. If you've got that far in the process they'll have thought you were good enough from your CV and good enough from your Phone Interview, so just walk in and show you're good enough at the interview.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Cheers - thanks for that. How long does it take to get a start date if you’re successful?

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Irony - have had an invite to assessment for GWR Customer Host on the same day (albeit later in the day so can do both)... and that’s in the same hotel my old CrossCountry RSM assessment was last year... weird!

There’s no issue having two applications on the boil from two different TOC’s at the same time is there?

 

[Mike121]

No of course not! Good luck with both! Personally I’d go with GWR (if you get both)! Good luck!

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Is there any reason you favour GWR? The role with them pays less than the RSM role so would naturally go with AXC if I got that offer.

 

[Jonfun]

To be honest, I don't think there's much in it. Terms and conditions will differ, they're better at XC than most, though it's a 38 hour week there and most others as far as I know are 35. XC gets you free travel on all Arriva TOCs, I don't know what travel concessions GWR offer. I don't see any real difference in things like job security.

 

[221129]

Is there any reason you favour GWR? The role with them pays less than the RSM role so would naturally go with AXC if I got that offer.

Which depot for XC and GWR?

 

[221129]

No of course not! Good luck with both! Personally I’d go with GWR (if you get both)! Good luck!

I wouldn't! People are jumping ship from GWR in droves.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Which depot for XC and GWR?

Laira

 

[221129]

Laira

There are no XC or GWR caterers at Laira. So I'm assuming you mean Plymouth

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Yes, I mean plymouth. When you said depot I thought you meant as in train depot.

 

[221129]

Yes, I mean plymouth. When you said depot I thought you meant as in train depot.

I meant Traincrew depot, Plymouth XC is a pretty good depot with quite a low turn over, I would if given the choice choose Plymouth XC over GWR there. Quite a nice variety of destinations with some decent breaks in places. Turn lengths are quite long but as such I think it's a 4 day roster there.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

What’s the longest turn length? I do 11 hour shifts in my current role...

 

[221129]

What’s the longest turn length? I do 11 hour shifts in my current role...

No rostered shifts over 11 hours. However if you get stuck in disruption then it can be longer.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

That’s fine with me.... assume if your service is delayed they pay overtime?

 

[221129]

That’s fine with me.... assume if your service is delayed they pay overtime?

Yes..

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Really appreciate your replies. Thank you - anything else I need to know? ☺️

 

[221129]

Hi all,

About 18 months ago I got to final interview for the RSM role but was unsuccessful. The day consisted of an assessment (maths and timetable skills), then a group discussion, then interview.

Another RSM role has come up and I have an interview in a week or so. But this time it’s different. I did a test online, had a phone call and then invite to an interview - and to take ID and passport photos.

Has the recruitment style changed, or have they recognised that I’d applied before and I’ve been skipped out of the assessment day? If it has changed, is there anything else I need to know or what to expect?

Thanks

How did it go?

 

[Tom Quinne]

Just be aware if your future plan is driving, forget XC as a trainee and go for GWR.

XC haven’t taken on trainees ever? This is a serious annoyance for a lot of employees having to leave a firm the like go get their key then try and move back once qualified.

 

[221129]

Just be aware if your future plan is driving, forget XC as a trainee and go for GWR.

XC haven’t taken on trainees ever? This is a serious annoyance for a lot of employees having to leave a firm the like go get their key then try and move back once qualified.

I wouldn't count on this for much longer...

 

[ValentaFan1974]

How did it go?

Well, it was this morning... I was surprised that the interviewer remembered me from the last time 18+ months ago.... usual “tell us about yourself at the start, then situational questions used (only 4 questions) so 5 in total. I asked a few questions back about the role etc... seemed to go smoothly. Thanks for asking ☺️

 

[221129]

Well, it was this morning... I was surprised that the interviewer remembered me from the last time 18+ months ago.... usual “tell us about yourself at the start, then situational questions used (only 4 questions) so 5 in total. I asked a few questions back about the role etc... seemed to go smoothly. Thanks for asking ☺️

Fingers crossed then!

 

[Tom Quinne]

I wouldn't count on this for much longer...

If it did happen there would be hundreds of guards and hosts applying for a handful of jobs either way.

 

[221129]

If it did happen there would be hundreds of guards and hosts applying for a handful of jobs either way.

No different to GWR then...

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Fingers crossed then!

If you can keep a set crossed for me as well it would be appreciated

 

[221129]

If you can keep a set crossed for me as well it would be appreciated

Will do, if you have any more questions etc then feel free to PM me.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Very kind thank you. I just hate the waiting part...

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Well, I got the call today. The original job went to someone else but they’re just getting sign-off on a second position - and that’s been offered to me. I need to wait a week or so for another phone call and the wheels should start turning. It’s taken 10 years of trying and a LOT of perseverance but it looks to have finally paid off. To say I’m happy is an understatement.

 

[221129]

Well, I got the call today. The original job went to someone else but they’re just getting sign-off on a second position - and that’s been offered to me. I need to wait a week or so for another phone call and the wheels should start turning. It’s taken 10 years of trying and a LOT of perseverance but it looks to have finally paid off. To say I’m happy is an understatement.

Congratulations!