CSA Assesment Day Virgin Trains

[Sbarfoot]

Hi,
I have been browsing this forum since I was offered the Assessment day at Euston. I was wondering what to expect from the company and what test I will be expected to complete.
Found the forum a massive help so thank you already.

Sam

 

[craigybagel]

Is it a CSA platforms, CSA retail/lounge/floorwalking or CSA Onboard? I've held 2 of those positions and sat the test for the 3rd, so unless things have changed much since then your day should be something like this.

At the start you all do some paper tests - there are different ones for each of the 3 types of CSA. Platform staff have to do the dispatch test, retail a ticket selling test and Onboard a slightly more simple maths test. All 3 normally also have to do a test showing how well you pick up and understand rules. The papers are marked straight away, and those who pass go through to a group exercise.

Normally, you are all put in a room together, and you get given a story. It's usually something along the lines of your boat has sunk and you have to pick which objects are the most important to survive, or the world is about to end and you have to choose from a list which people you would save. You get given a few minutes to make your own rankings, then you all discuss it as a group and try to reach a consensus together. It's a good way of seeing which people are too quiet or timid to get their voice heard, and which people are too dominant. Communication and team working skills are vital so thats what you really need to demonstrate.

Those who pass that, get to go for an interview.

I can't guarantee that's how it will be, Euston like to do things their own way(I know for their recent TM assessments they added some extra things that the other depots don't normally ask for), but for most Customer facing jobs at Virgin, the routine is something similar to that.

In any case, good luck! Which ever job you are going for, they're a great company to work for, and whilst the jobs can involve a lot of hard work, they're also great fun and very satisfying.

 

[Sbarfoot]

Thanks, was for a platform CSA.
First test was dispatch one which wasn't too bad, the next was taking points from paragraphs, got through 26 of the 32 in the time so hopefully not too bad.
Will have to wait and hear back.

 

[dj papi]

Thanks, was for a platform CSA.
First test was dispatch one which wasn't too bad, the next was taking points from paragraphs, got through 26 of the 32 in the time so hopefully not too bad.
Will have to wait and hear back.

? i applied for the job at euston i have had no reply doesnt look like good for me when did they email or let you know about the assement

 

[Sbarfoot]

I had a reply last Friday via email. I would suspect they are interview a large amount of people so don't be downheartened. Until it says unsuccessful there is always a chance.

There was also a couple of internal staff on our tests so id say a lot of interest in the position.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
So I got through the test day as I have been invited to the selection event at the start of April. Excited to have got through the first part. Anyone have anymore hints and tips on the group assessment and what the one on one interview questions will be?
Thanks

 

[djpapi]

does anyone know how long virgin takes to reply for the customer service role (just a reply in general stating if been invited to next stage or not succesful) since applying still have not got nothing

 

[Sbarfoot]

Hey,

I think I am prepared for the interview this coming Monday, have been learning about the company and the routes the trains take. Scenario wise I haven't a clue what they will ask but I hope that having been in customer service for a long time I will have examples of situations that I may be asked about and how I handled them.

I have one query though, I volunteer for a charity which is a few hours every now and again. If I am asked what prior commitments I have should I mention this because the dates come in blocks so at the moment there are none concrete? I wouldn't particularly want to drop the charity thing because it is a great cause and I enjoy being involved in the project but that is not to say I am not 100% committed to the CSA role I have applied for. Thoughts?

Thanks
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have the group assesment and interview should I get to that point tomorrow. I have learnt the main stops on the routes Virgin runs from Euston and hopefully will remember them during the interview if I am asked them. Also guessing what I may be asked question wise but that part is a lottery. Anyone have any pointers of what kind of questions I will be asked?
Also is anyone due to attend tomorrow as well?
Good luck to anyone else that is

 

[notaide]

Hi
Just posting to let you all know after my second interview with Virgin within two weeks I've just been offered a role as Customer Services Assistant. 12 month contract at Birmingham New Street.

So excited! My first interview I didn't get thru the role play:cry: but my second interview only two of us passed the testing. (new tests in part too, so I was very pleased to have passed).

One of the interviewers remembered me from my first application and I thought that's it I'm a goner as there wasn't enough people for the team exercise I couldn't show I could work as part of a team. I thought the interview was just a formality but I got a phone call to say I've got a job offer subject to references and medical!

I'm so pleased. I love the idea of working for Virgin and as a 48 year old woman I thought I was stuck with office work the rest of my life. I can't wait to start. (Fingers crossed!!!!!)

 

[rico8t5]

Hi All I attended the Virgin Trains assessment day today for the GPR / CSA Multifunctional role. To begin with there are two tests for this posts first being based around how well you follow instructions so there was a set of paragraphs and for each there were multiple choice questions based around the paragraphs and you are required to select the correct one which was quite simple and for this there are 32 questions in 20 minutes. It then moves on to a ticket selling test where you are given a set of cards one with prices, another with stations and another with discount codes / times (peak / off peak etc). For the ticket selling again there are instructions ie Jim would like single return from Crewe to Wolverhampton and is paying with a £10 note and you have to select the correct fare, apply any discounts and take into consideration the times whilst calculating the costs for the journey and working out the change - seems straight forward but quite difficult to answer 20 questions in 10 minutes with the amount of cards to go through with various information - very likely to throw you off course lol

 

[pinguini]

Hi All I attended the Virgin Trains assessment day today for the GPR / CSA Multifunctional role. To begin with there are two tests for this posts first being based around how well you follow instructions so there was a set of paragraphs and for each there were multiple choice questions based around the paragraphs and you are required to select the correct one which was quite simple and for this there are 32 questions in 20 minutes. It then moves on to a ticket selling test where you are given a set of cards one with prices, another with stations and another with discount codes / times (peak / off peak etc). For the ticket selling again there are instructions ie Jim would like single return from Crewe to Wolverhampton and is paying with a £10 note and you have to select the correct fare, apply any discounts and take into consideration the times whilst calculating the costs for the journey and working out the change - seems straight forward but quite difficult to answer 20 questions in 10 minutes with the amount of cards to go through with various information - very likely to throw you off course lol

May I ask what GPR stands for?

 

[craigybagel]

General Purpose Relief - it means instead of being in a fixed link (roster), where you follow the same pattern as everyone else and you know months in advance what shifts you'll be working, you only find out the week before what shifts you'll be working - you bounce around covering whatever turns are un-covered through annual leave or illness.

It can apply to someone just trained in one area (Retail, Platforms, Announcing etc), or in this case to a multifunctional GPR, who is trained in most if not all roles at the station and can work almost any shift.

Some prefer it for the variety it gives (especially for a multi-functional), and the multi-functional GPR is usually the best paid CSA at the station (as they have the most skills) but most prefer the stability of being in a link, so GPR's tend to be the more junior staff at the station. Quite often, even though jobs open to external candidates have been advertised as standard CSA's, they are actually CSA GPR's.

 

[pinguini]

General Purpose Relief - it means instead of being in a fixed link (roster), where you follow the same pattern as everyone else and you know months in advance what shifts you'll be working, you only find out the week before what shifts you'll be working - you bounce around covering whatever turns are un-covered through annual leave or illness.

It can apply to someone just trained in one area (Retail, Platforms, Announcing etc), or in this case to a multifunctional GPR, who is trained in most if not all roles at the station and can work almost any shift.

Some prefer it for the variety it gives (especially for a multi-functional), and the multi-functional GPR is usually the best paid CSA at the station (as they have the most skills) but most prefer the stability of being in a link, so GPR's tend to be the more junior staff at the station. Quite often, even though jobs open to external candidates have been advertised as standard CSA's, they are actually CSA GPR's.

Thanks, this is incredibly useful information!

 

[louis3552]

hi,
Ive been invited to the assessment day in Crew for Costumer Service Assistant Platform in Preston, i dont know what to expect on the day (ie:what sort of tests and group exercises..), Can any one help please as i reely want to get this job.Thanks

 

[pinguini]

hi,
Ive been invited to the assessment day in Crew for Costumer Service Assistant Platform in Preston, i dont know what to expect on the day (ie:what sort of tests and group exercises..), Can any one help please as i reely want to get this job.Thanks

I didn't know that Virgin Trains did any costuming..?

 

[whhistle]

And you should really learn how to spell Crewe correctly.
This will help you