Driver recruitment MMI interview

[RiverDon]

I am currently going through the recruitment process for trainee train driver and I have been invited to an assessment center where I'll have to sit the MMI interview. I applied to the same train company a few years ago and got to this stage but ultimately failed the MMI interview. I don't want to go into the details of what happened but I found it a horrible and humiliating experience. Now I am facing the interview a second time knowing that if I mess up this time then I can never apply to be a train driver again. I had my stage one assessment at the same place a few months ago so I know that the person who did my MMI interview last time is still working there. However I don't want to face them again because I got the impression they had taken a dislike to me as a person and wanted me to fail, I know the MMI interview is supposed to be tough and probing and puts you under pressure but this was something else entirely. From what I have seen there are only three different staff running the assessment center sessions so there's quite a high chance I'll get that same interviewer again.

I know before they start the assessments they give you a chance to speak to the person in charge privately to let them know of any issues or adjustments you need. Luckily the person in charge isn't the person who did my interview last time. My question is do you think I should ask for a different interviewer this time round or would it be counted against me? If so should I tell them its for personal reasons or explain how badly the interview went last time? I feel like I'm a bit better prepared this time but the thought of going through the same thing again, failing and never having another chance to get a train driver job is making me feel physically ill.

 

[Twotwo]

I'm pretty sure theyll have to give you a different person the second time round.

Did you receive feedback? Tbf, these tests are there to see you react under pressure etc. Write out your answers and go over it over and over again and I'm sure you'll feel a lot better the second time round.

 

[moonie95]

I am currently going through the recruitment process for trainee train driver and I have been invited to an assessment center where I'll have to sit the MMI interview. I applied to the same train company a few years ago and got to this stage but ultimately failed the MMI interview. I don't want to go into the details of what happened but I found it a horrible and humiliating experience. Now I am facing the interview a second time knowing that if I mess up this time then I can never apply to be a train driver again. I had my stage one assessment at the same place a few months ago so I know that the person who did my MMI interview last time is still working there. However I don't want to face them again because I got the impression they had taken a dislike to me as a person and wanted me to fail, I know the MMI interview is supposed to be tough and probing and puts you under pressure but this was something else entirely. From what I have seen there are only three different staff running the assessment center sessions so there's quite a high chance I'll get that same interviewer again.

I know before they start the assessments they give you a chance to speak to the person in charge privately to let them know of any issues or adjustments you need. Luckily the person in charge isn't the person who did my interview last time. My question is do you think I should ask for a different interviewer this time round or would it be counted against me? If so should I tell them its for personal reasons or explain how badly the interview went last time? I feel like I'm a bit better prepared this time but the thought of going through the same thing again, failing and never having another chance to get a train driver job is making me feel physically ill.

Hi, I recently did an MMI at OPC Watford early this year and passed.
What I can say about the MMI is that they are conducted by the assessment board which is not the TOC but the OPC regulator who have a standard. The MMI is a psychological interview to see how you react in certain circumstances and to view your feelings and mental thinking if you were to be in a position as a train driver. They see how you react and everything counts from hand gestures to facial expressions, they catch it all and to see if you can cope under pressure.
When I had my MMI, I wasn’t prepared for it and by the end of the interview I thought I had failed. I didn’t expect the questions for example ’’how did you feel’’, they kept asking about my feeling's and I thought didn’t answer it correctly but the interviewer kept repeating how did you feel which I thought I was giving the incorrect answer. But at the end they want to see how you mentally react as well for example not getting agitated with the repeated questions because as a driver you would need to remain calm at all times. But yeah, the MMI is not there to fail you unless you don’t have the qualities of a train driver. It’s there to find the suitability for you to remain calm in pressurised situations and being safety minded, following procedures, honesty and integrity, and being focused and concentrated.

And also your answers should preferably follow the STAR format and should be real situations, because they will try and catch you out and try lead you off track from your answers which may confuse you.

 

[RiverDon]

I'm pretty sure theyll have to give you a different person the second time round.

Did you receive feedback? Tbf, these tests are there to see you react under pressure etc. Write out your answers and go over it over and over again and I'm sure you'll feel a lot better the second time round.

Thanks. The rejection email said that I had passed the computer tests but failed the MMI interview but also that they couldn't provide any feedback for this part of the assessment. I have been going over the questions I can remember from last time and also some I found through a search on RailUK and I think I have decent examples for each of them.

Hi, I recently did an MMI at OPC Watford early this year and passed.
What I can say about the MMI is that they are conducted by the assessment board which is not the TOC but the OPC regulator who have a standard. The MMI is a psychological interview to see how you react in certain circumstances and to view your feelings and mental thinking if you were to be in a position as a train driver. They see how you react and everything counts from hand gestures to facial expressions, they catch it all and to see if you can cope under pressure.
When I had my MMI, I wasn’t prepared for it and by the end of the interview I thought I had failed. I didn’t expect the questions for example ’’how did you feel’’, they kept asking about my feeling's and I thought didn’t answer it correctly but the interviewer kept repeating how did you feel which I thought I was giving the incorrect answer. But at the end they want to see how you mentally react as well for example not getting agitated with the repeated questions because as a driver you would need to remain calm at all times. But yeah, the MMI is not there to fail you unless you don’t have the qualities of a train driver. It’s there to find the suitability for you to remain calm in pressurised situations and being safety minded, following procedures, honesty and integrity, and being focused and concentrated.

And also your answers should preferably follow the STAR format and should be real situations, because they will try and catch you out and try lead you off track from your answers which may confuse you.

The assessment center I will be attending is definitely ran by the train company but presumably they are audited by "OPC regulator" you mention. I do feel a little more confident this time round since I'm not going into it blind but the previous interviewer made it such an unpleasant experience for me that I am still really worried about it. I understand the purpose of the interview and why they apply pressure etc... I've been in some very pressured and distressing situations over the years at work but I found this quite different. Also it's easy to say "the MMI is not there to fail you unless you don't have the qualities of a train driver" from your point of view as someone who has already passed it but I truly believe I do have the qualities of a train driver (having passed the situational judgement test, the first assessment center and the driver manager interview, this is the final hurdle) however I am worried about the interviewer overlooking my personal qualities in favor of their own opinion of me.

Also I should say, I don't expect I am memorable enough for the interviewer to remember me after a few years so I am maybe getting myself worked up over nothing!

 

[Jobi-wan]

The MMI is not supposed to be an easy interview, just remember when you do it this time they are actively trying to push your buttons to see where your breaking point is. Keep your cool and good luck!

 

[Samzino]

Don't overcomplicate or over think it. The interview is truly based on experiences you can guide the interviewer on that you believe, represent the skills etc required of a Driver. You need to be able to at least have a general idea of what skills and abilities a Train Driver requires as that will help you to a big degree in picking experiences for the said 6 questions that you're interviewed on. Non technical skills are always a big hit if you can keep using them in your answers. As im sure has been mentioned here, you'd want to be using the STAR method(Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Good luck!

 

[driver9000]

What if they're the only person available that day? Do you know for certain they took a dislike to you creating a bias or do you just feel that way? I reckon you're overthinking it and stressing yourself out before you're even in the door. Given how many people pass through these places the interviewer likely won't even remember you.

 

[amansid]

Hey @RiverDon

Could you maybe explain briefly of what happened in order for us to help or advise you?

I ask because, maybe something similar has happened to us and the situation maybe wasn’t unique to you…

 

[transportphoto]

Moderator Note - I’ve given consideration to merging this into the “Assessment and Medicals discussion” thread but have decided against it. I’m happy to let the conversation continue here, I feel we’ve got off to a good start and don’t want to lose the flow. We’d normally encourage any questions related to the Assessment processes to be posted only in the “master” thread.”

 

[RiverDon]

Thanks for all the discussion. After sleeping on it I have decided it would be better not to mention anything and just hope I get a different interviewer or if I do get the same one that they don't remember me from last time. To be honest in the cold light of day I really doubt I will pass the MMI interview anyway so I guess its not worth worrying about it. What will be will be. Once I get the rejection email I will just have to have a rethink and focus my energy on another career. Personally I was staking a lot on passing the tests and becoming a trainee train driver this time round (I am totally burnt out from my current emergency services career) but I will just have to get over it and move on.

 

[Samzino]

You're putting too much focus on the interviewer and not really much on yourself. This Job is all about you, the individual and your mindset. You work in the emergency services from what I've read so you'd ideally have the background foundation to deal with the mmi but at the end of the day it's how "you" the individual perform.

Interviewers especially during the MMI phase are not trying to make you fail or be overly obstructive. They'll push you in many cases for more answers if they feel they need more.

 

[Twotwo]

Thanks. The rejection email said that I had passed the computer tests but failed the MMI interview but also that they couldn't provide any feedback for this part of the assessment. I have been going over the questions I can remember from last time and also some I found through a search on RailUK and I think I have decent examples for each of them.


The assessment center I will be attending is definitely ran by the train company but presumably they are audited by "OPC regulator" you mention. I do feel a little more confident this time round since I'm not going into it blind but the previous interviewer made it such an unpleasant experience for me that I am still really worried about it. I understand the purpose of the interview and why they apply pressure etc... I've been in some very pressured and distressing situations over the years at work but I found this quite different. Also it's easy to say "the MMI is not there to fail you unless you don't have the qualities of a train driver" from your point of view as someone who has already passed it but I truly believe I do have the qualities of a train driver (having passed the situational judgement test, the first assessment center and the driver manager interview, this is the final hurdle) however I am worried about the interviewer overlooking my personal qualities in favor of their own opinion of me.

Also I should say, I don't expect I am memorable enough for the interviewer to remember me after a few years so I am maybe getting myself worked up over nothing!

They can tell you what question it is you failed on? I failed the MMi the first time and when i called for feedback they told me i passed 5 out of the 6 questions and even told me which one. But i also feel like your blaming everything else and not taking accountability for your own actions, maybe you slipped up on a question? I know i did and i 100% deserved to fail but i was glad to be given the opportunity to resit it and now been a productive driver for about 18 months!

Go through your questions over and over again and always have a back up answer. Tailor your answer to match the criteria they are looking for e.g safety, following rules and procedure, remaining calm and composed, able to work by yourself for a long period of a time etc. These are all the qualities they are looking for. Best of luck.

 

[Samsanbor]

Thanks for all the discussion. After sleeping on it I have decided it would be better not to mention anything and just hope I get a different interviewer or if I do get the same one that they don't remember me from last time. To be honest in the cold light of day I really doubt I will pass the MMI interview anyway so I guess its not worth worrying about it. What will be will be. Once I get the rejection email I will just have to have a rethink and focus my energy on another career. Personally I was staking a lot on passing the tests and becoming a trainee train driver this time round (I am totally burnt out from my current emergency services career) but I will just have to get over it and move on.

You said to truly believe to have the qualities to become a train driver and this is a good start.
See how far you've gone already and how much of your time and effort it has taken.
Don't doubt yourself now, your fears are understandable but you still should put an effort and go for it.
Forget about your previous fail and the way it went, nobody can't change that, but you can make a memorable difference at the next attempt.

 

[ThunderPumpkin]

I understand the reasons that your doubting yourself this time round due to not passing before and as anybody who has been through the MMI knows, there is a lot riding on it for everyone who takes it BUT…

Take a breath, try not to let your mind run away with negative thoughts. You are using & wasting lots of energy worrying & thinking about failing. You need to reinvest that energy positively by preparing to succeed.

If I was where you are right now, I would be using that energy in thoroughly researching all possible questions and then preparing very good answers in the STAR format. I would expect to be grilled, for the interviewer to drill down on your answers, stay calm And be positive!

Yes it’s not easy but if you work in the emergency services (I really respect all who do) you should have quite a few excellent examples.

I wish you the best of luck, prepare well and succeed my friend

 

[RiverDon]

Just a quick reply to say since I started this thread I did my stage 2 assessment center and passed the computer tests so went on to the MMI interview in the afternoon. I felt better prepared than last time but I was still very nervous. I didn’t mention anything about my previous MMI interview to anyone at the test center. I had a different interviewer for the MMI (don’t know if that was deliberate or just lucky) and it was much more relaxed this time round. The interviewer really did their best to put me at ease and was friendly but professional too. I found out this week that I passed the interview and am now waiting for the HR people to tell me the next steps.

For future reference in case anyone finds this thread when you are searching for MMI interview information the initial six scenarios were:

• Give an example of a time when you have had to follow strict rules or procedures
• Give an example of a time when you had to do a job to a high standard although you were faced with difficulties
• Give an example of a time when you had to carry out a task where it was very important not to make a mistake
• Describe a time when you had to take control of a pressurised or emergency situation
• Give an example of a task you have carried out which is similar to an aspect of a train driver’s job
• Give an example of a time when you have had to persevere to learn something new

The interviewer also asked me a few hypothetical questions when I was answering which were:

• What would you do if you saw one of your colleagues breaking a rule? Have you ever been in that situation? What did you do about it?
• If you became aware one of your colleagues was struggling to complete their work how could you help them? What if you spoke to your manager about it but they didn’t listen to you or your colleague?
• If you started the train driver training course and didn’t really understand something you were taught how might you deal with it?

This time I wasn’t asked how I felt about anything during any of my answers.

Thanks to all posters on this thread and in general for all the help. I would not have got to this point with you.

 

[marcy]

Well done on passing the MMI, I also recently did the MMI and found it a very challenging experience, all your answers you are asked to expand on in great detail, definitely think they want to see you remain calm during extensive questioning!
Don’t know if I’ve passed , won’t be surprised if I haven’t ,

Also had the hypothetical questions added in as well , again these were discussed at length and great detail
I was in for just over an hour , absolutely exhausted afterwards

 

[TrainsJames]

Can someone explain the difference between MMI and DMI? as I have a DMI interview coming up but unsure if that's going to be different to MMI. Thanks

 

[AverageJoe]

Can someone explain the difference between MMI and DMI? as I have a DMI interview coming up but unsure if that's going to be different to MMI. Thanks

MMI is part of the psychometrics. You will be given a sheet of paper with some questions. Then when you go in to the interview they will dig in to the the answers and draw you out on your answers and get you to go in to more detail of the why’s and where’s.

DMI is the driver manager interview.
You won’t be given any questions prior but they will ask you situational based questions and also try to get an idea of your personality and your suitability to the role.

If you fail the MMI it means you lose a life.

If you fail the DMI you don’t lose a life.

 

[D3WY]

MMI is part of the psychometrics. You will be given a sheet of paper with some questions. Then when you go in to the interview they will dig in to the the answers and draw you out on your answers and get you to go in to more detail of the why’s and where’s.

DMI is the driver manager interview.
You won’t be given any questions prior but they will ask you situational based questions and also try to get an idea of your personality and your suitability to the role.

If you fail the MMI it means you lose a life.

If you fail the DMI you don’t lose a life.

I have my MMI coming up (no date yet) this is my second attempt.

First time 4 years ago we got given the MMI question sheets at the assessment day so had time between the assessments and the MMI to practice. This time I have bypassed the assessment day as its still within 5 years, will I get a MMI question sheet when I book a day?

 

[AverageJoe]

I have my MMI coming up (no date yet) this is my second attempt.

First time 4 years ago we got given the MMI question sheets at the assessment day so had time between the assessments and the MMI to practice. This time I have bypassed the assessment day as its still within 5 years, will I get a MMI question sheet when I book a day?

Well I’ve only ever sat it once but considering it’s part of the MMI then I would say that yes you will.

 

[Spider1806]

When it comes to these MMI questions

My answers are all going to be based on recruitment (current role) is that an issue?

Feel like my answers might be very simple and boring

 

[D3WY]

Just a quick reply to say since I started this thread I did my stage 2 assessment center and passed the computer tests so went on to the MMI interview in the afternoon. I felt better prepared than last time but I was still very nervous. I didn’t mention anything about my previous MMI interview to anyone at the test center. I had a different interviewer for the MMI (don’t know if that was deliberate or just lucky) and it was much more relaxed this time round. The interviewer really did their best to put me at ease and was friendly but professional too. I found out this week that I passed the interview and am now waiting for the HR people to tell me the next steps.

For future reference in case anyone finds this thread when you are searching for MMI interview information the initial six scenarios were:

• Give an example of a time when you have had to follow strict rules or procedures
• Give an example of a time when you had to do a job to a high standard although you were faced with difficulties
• Give an example of a time when you had to carry out a task where it was very important not to make a mistake
• Describe a time when you had to take control of a pressurised or emergency situation
• Give an example of a task you have carried out which is similar to an aspect of a train driver’s job
• Give an example of a time when you have had to persevere to learn something new

The interviewer also asked me a few hypothetical questions when I was answering which were:

• What would you do if you saw one of your colleagues breaking a rule? Have you ever been in that situation? What did you do about it?
• If you became aware one of your colleagues was struggling to complete their work how could you help them? What if you spoke to your manager about it but they didn’t listen to you or your colleague?
• If you started the train driver training course and didn’t really understand something you were taught how might you deal with it?

This time I wasn’t asked how I felt about anything during any of my answers.

Thanks to all posters on this thread and in general for all the help. I would not have got to this point with you.

Well done on passing your MMI! I'm in the same boat as you I failed 4 years ago and have got it coming up again (once I resit my assessment day) so seeing this post and seeing this update has put me at ease as I like you have been realy nervous about it.

I do think it's a help knowing what your walking into with the MMI so as nervous as I am I know what to expect and I will go in much more confidence. My second DMI was much more pleasant 2nd time too.

Just a quick reply to say since I started this thread I did my stage 2 assessment center and passed the computer tests so went on to the MMI interview in the afternoon. I felt better prepared than last time but I was still very nervous. I didn’t mention anything about my previous MMI interview to anyone at the test center. I had a different interviewer for the MMI (don’t know if that was deliberate or just lucky) and it was much more relaxed this time round. The interviewer really did their best to put me at ease and was friendly but professional too. I found out this week that I passed the interview and am now waiting for the HR people to tell me the next steps.

For future reference in case anyone finds this thread when you are searching for MMI interview information the initial six scenarios were:

• Give an example of a time when you have had to follow strict rules or procedures
• Give an example of a time when you had to do a job to a high standard although you were faced with difficulties
• Give an example of a time when you had to carry out a task where it was very important not to make a mistake
• Describe a time when you had to take control of a pressurised or emergency situation
• Give an example of a task you have carried out which is similar to an aspect of a train driver’s job
• Give an example of a time when you have had to persevere to learn something new

The interviewer also asked me a few hypothetical questions when I was answering which were:

• What would you do if you saw one of your colleagues breaking a rule? Have you ever been in that situation? What did you do about it?
• If you became aware one of your colleagues was struggling to complete their work how could you help them? What if you spoke to your manager about it but they didn’t listen to you or your colleague?
• If you started the train driver training course and didn’t really understand something you were taught how might you deal with it?

This time I wasn’t asked how I felt about anything during any of my answers.

Thanks to all posters on this thread and in general for all the help. I would not have got to this point with you.

May I also ask, did you get the MMI question forms to fill out at the assessment day? In 2019 I did but obviously unsure if anything has changed since 2019?

 

[Neatro]

When it comes to these MMI questions

My answers are all going to be based on recruitment (current role) is that an issue?

Feel like my answers might be very simple and boring

So long as you can confidently say that your answers will be relative to the questions they ask being from the same role isn't an issue.

Don't forget it doesn't have to be a role, it could be a hobby/volunteering anything that you can relate to the question.

Mine were all from the same role as it was the most relevant to the questions.

 

[Spider1806]

So long as you can confidently say that your answers will be relative to the questions they ask being from the same role isn't an issue.

Don't forget it doesn't have to be a role, it could be a hobby/volunteering anything that you can relate to the question.

Mine were all from the same role as it was the most relevant to the questions.

yes I would be answering the questions and making my answers relative to the questions but just through my current role if you get me

 

[sktt25]

Looking for a bit of advice regarding the WAFV test as this is the test I failed on before and am sitting it for cross country in January. I think I failed as I misunderstood the instructions. Can anybody on this thread that has sat it recently confirm if you press the button every time the square flashes black? Had asked this in the assessment thread to one response but I don't think the guy that responded had sat it themselves yet. He said you would press every time if flashed or faded to black

When I sat it I only clicked if it went from grey to black. So if it was grey and then flashed black three times in a row I only clicked once instead of three times.

Thanks for any advice it is much appreciated.

 

[transportphoto]

I’m going to bring this thread to a close as we’ve moved away from the OP’s original conversation.

Any further conversation can continue in the Assessment and Medicals master discussion