CSA Recruitment Event - Maths Test

[GlitterSparkle]

Hi, I've got the recruitment event for CSA in Glasgow this Tuesday and was wondering what the Maths test covers? Is it basic maths like adding and subtracting money or is it more in-depth? Maths is not my strong point and I'm really worried about it. Any advice appreciated, thanks

 

[voyagerdude220]

Hello GlitterSparkle,

I've attended a few different Virgin CSA "Recruitment Events" over the last two or three years.

The numeracy part of the test is just a very basic test, in the sense that the numbers you will be dealing with will only be typical values for the items sold in the onboard shop- e.g. If a packet of crisps costs £0.80 and a sandwich costs £3.20, what is the total of the transaction?

I've made that up- I can't remember what questions were asked, but it certainly didn't cause me any difficulty. I think they supply you with a blank piece of paper, just in case you want to check your answer.

Good luck! I personally found the group exercise the hardest part of the Recruitment event.

 

[GlitterSparkle]

Thanks for your reply. I've been practising some money sums but no idea if i'll be clued up enough to get me through the test...will be gutted if i fail that part. Fingers crossed! How long does the group discussion last? Do you have any tips for that?
Thanks

 

[voyagerdude220]

You're welcome!

The group exercises have all been slightly different, on each of the events I've been to, but they've averaged around 15-20 minutes (could be wrong).

On the most recent Recruitment Event I attended, I found the group exercise far more positive, than the previous three I had been to, but wasn't invited back to attend the formal face to face interview.

My feedback was very positive, the only negative being that I inadvertently cut someone off, as I thought they had finished telling the group their idea about something.

I've noticed that the number of people invited to the Recruitment Events seems to vary quite a lot from event to event.

 

[GlitterSparkle]

Sorry you didnt get through have you been trying for a while? I'll be gutted if i fail the maths before i get to the group stage...it doesnt sound much easier! I take it you have to try and strike the right balance between talking too much or not talking enough? Tricky...

 

[voyagerdude220]

Thank you. Yes, I've been trying for a few years. I've applied for probably between 10-15 jobs, and got invited down to Crewe three times.

On the most recent Recruitment Event, one of the fellow applicants recognised me from a year or two back, and stated they'd also applied several times, so clearly, it can sometimes take several attempts to get a position with Virgin. (as with any job)

Yes, you're certainly right about getting the balance right in the Group Exercise. I felt that I got it perfectly right on my more recent attempt, which is supported by the feedback from Virgin, stating that they were very impressed with both the active role I took and the way I took feedback from other members of the group, to improve on ideas of my own.

 

[shaunk26]

Thank you for sharing your previous experiences with Virgin Voyagerdude. What sort of topics came up when you attended the group discussions?

 

[voyagerdude220]

You're welcome.

The Group Exercise has varied a lot from Recruitment Event, to Recruitment Event.

My very first one was the easiest for me personally, as we just sat in a circle, picked a statement at random, and chatted for a few minutes about whether we agreed or disagreed about the statement.

More recently, they've been a lot more complex- e.g. The world's about to end, which people would you save from this list?

or "A day in a life of a Virgin CSA"- That was a station position, and you were given a scenario, where you were short staffed, had several issues which had to be dealt with- the emphasis being on delegation/team work etc.

 

[shaunk26]

I see, because I'm guessing it's the group assessment many people will worry about as speaking too much is as detrimental as not speaking enough. And everyone will be mindful of that.

 

[voyagerdude220]

That's right. My advice, is to just be yourself.

That way, the Virgin Trains staff can get to know you/see your personality etc.

 

[1006]

How did the big day go?

 

[shaunk26]

Interesting to say the least. A few surprises were sprung that I think caught some applicants off guard I.E. having to film a 60 second video clip profiling themselves and why they want to work for Virgin. The group exercise was like speed dating where you had a minute to speak to candidates and also Virgin staff. Not sure how those tasks are relevant to the job but if that's what Virgin want you have to go for it.

 

[1006]

Sounds like they have revamped the recruitment process then! So are you through to the next round.

 

[SkinnyDave]

I knew someone who attended and I would have paid money to see them at the speed dating part.
Seems they were recruiting for both Glasgow and Edinburgh

 

[Nym]

Interesting to say the least. A few surprises were sprung that I think caught some applicants off guard I.E. having to film a 60 second video clip profiling themselves and why they want to work for Virgin. The group exercise was like speed dating where you had a minute to speak to candidates and also Virgin staff. Not sure how those tasks are relevant to the job but if that's what Virgin want you have to go for it.

*sighs* I honestly can see the relevance of these, but it irritates me that it goes on...

 

[Humpty]

I was at the recruitment event on Tuesday too. I'm not really sure what to make of it. They made it clear early on that they were looking for 'personality'. They also said during the day that the 60 second video wouldn't influence the decision, it was more a way of remembering people when they look back. They also said the tests at the end wouldn't influence the decision. So, that left the speed dating scenario and just general interaction throughout the event, which left limited chance to shine in my opinion.

Still to hear back about the next stage though, but not very hopeful.

 

[GlitterSparkle]

I'm still waiting to hear too...the wait is killing me :-/

 

[loz489]

Do you think they will let us know either way about next Thursday? I am not feeling hopeful either. My video was AWFUL and I couldn't speak in the middle of it. Not sure about speed dating either- I was being myself but it was bizarre...

 

[Humpty]

Do you think they will let us know either way about next Thursday? I am not feeling hopeful either. My video was AWFUL and I couldn't speak in the middle of it. Not sure about speed dating either- I was being myself but it was bizarre...

They said they would, within 2-3 days. So I presume there will be emails tomorrow.

Sure I heard there was 200 people at the recruitment events and 10 jobs between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

 

[SkinnyDave]

There were a 150 people on the day overall

 

[GlitterSparkle]

Yeah a couple of days they said so surely tomorrow...I'm sure they said you will get an email either way. I heard there's 4 jobs in Glasgow and then the other successful candidates go into a 'job bank' for 6 months and that come December there's going to be lots more jobs so fingers crossed...just need to hope we get to next Thursday first.

I think I was maybe I came across as a bit too confident at the speed dating so not holding out much hope :-/

 

[shaunk26]

I'm in a similar position GlitterSparkle. I actually said everything I wanted to say in the video clip but sounded nervous. Its hard to relax when you've just been told 15 minutes previously you're doing a piece to camera. I also asked an HR woman how many internal applicants there were. She said none but I'm not so sure. She did say there were friends and family of staff members there who had been recommended to them. So you're also up against it from that point of view.

 

[GlitterSparkle]

Friends and family...really? Hmmmm....

Has anyone heard anything yet? Surely we have to hear today??

 

[shaunk26]

Yeah she told me while I was waiting to film my clip. And I overheard staff asking some people how they were, so they clearly knew each other. I haven't heard anything yet. It's maybe taking them longer to decide than they anticipated.