First Scotrail vacancy help?

[Grant72]

Hi, just joined today and I'm looking for some advice please. I recently applied for a trainee train driver position at Edinburgh and my application status still shows awaiting shortlisting. First Scotrail are now advertising for trainee train driver position in Perth, should I still be able to apply for 2 positions at the same time?

Many thanks

Grant.

 

[daddy_badger]

it is ok to apply for more than 1 position, however if you fail shortlisting you will not be able to alt for the role of a driver for 6 months.

 

[scotraildriver]

Yes but don't apply if you live further than about 45 mins drive or you will receive an automatic rejection based on distance and might scupper them both.

 

[Grant72]

Thanks for that, I've been waiting since June 18th for Edinburgh but just guessing it takes a while to go through all the applications. I live about 30 mins from each depot, so fingers crossed.

Thanks

Grant

 

[scotraildriver]

It can literally take ages. I know someone who was shortlisted last October and had all but given up then he got called in June and started his job in July. Be patient.

 

[BigStu]

Hi Grant,

I have also just joined.
The 1st stage assessment for those (like us both) who applied for Waverley is being held in Glasgow on 12th August.

Sorry you didn't get shortlisted, Grant. I hope you are still able to apply for other stations.

Keep trying when local vacancies come up, scotraildriver is right in mentioning the distance factor though. Don't apply for anything more than 30-45 mins away.
Good luck mate.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Does anyone know which version of Mechanical Comprehension Scotrail use?
Is it 4.1 or 4.2?

 

[BigStu]

Good question skinnydave, I was told by someone that it's 4.1 but I have 11 day until I sit it myself so if anyone knows from experience, it'd be good to know. Cheers!

 

[SkinnyDave]

Hi Big Stu,

Good luck I only need to sit this part if I get short listed for Perth

 

[BigStu]

Hi Dave,
So you have already done the interviews and been to the assessment centre before?
Good luck mate, if its just the mechanical test to get through then you've already done the hard part!

Stu.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Yeah mate
I done assessment centre at Donny and passed all core with good or really good marks but just came up short on MT4.1
It is not like any of the practice stuff you get or on any of the books. I took too much time and didn't answer enough questions she said if I got two more it would have been a pass :-/ I know what I'm up against this time with it
Not all TOC need it and fault finding instead but Scotrail still do it.

 

[BigStu]

aw that was tough luck man, well with a bit practice you'll nail it this time around. Sure you'll do fine.

I am just starting some serious practice with the bourdon tool and using the practice materials

But it seem like it'll be the equivalent of winning X-factor to actually get finally through to training so its more a fantasy than reality, despite wanting it more than anything!

I am being assessed for the Waverley job so i can only give it my best shot.

Stu

 

[SkinnyDave]

Plenty of advice on here for you
Patience is key- I am through to drivers managers interview at FGW then vacancies got pulled lol
You have got through first sift which isn't easy either so you are on your way

 

[BigStu]

That's for sure, Dave, there is an abundance of advice on here, that's why I joined!

I am surprisingly pleased how freely the members on here share their advice and experiance. It bodes well for the character and quality of colleagues that can be expected if I was lucky enough to work as part of the community.

Doesn't sound like you have had the rub of the green so far mate so you must be due some luck. All the best with the drivers manager interview!
I am lucky enough to get through the first sift on the first attempt and I want so much to justify that. I have read on here that getting to assessments is an achievement in itself.

Thanks for the support, I just don't wanna let myself down. I am well familiar with the STAR interview technique so there should be no excuses for lack of prep.

Trying to get myself in better shape physically too, not that I am unfit though (healthy body - healthy mind on the day!?)

Do you (or anyone else reading this) know how long there is between first assessment and a potential medical with Scotrail?

 

[SkinnyDave]

How long is a piece of string
Just to add-I'm hoping you will be able to tell me in weeks to come

 

[BigStu]

I assume the process can vary? I am in no rush. The longer i have to wait, the more prep I can do. I have patience in abundance.
I am expecting stage 2 to be a week or two after stage 1 IF I am lucky enough to progress. If anyone knows different, speak up lol

 

[barko26]

I assume the process can vary? I am in no rush. The longer i have to wait, the more prep I can do. I have patience in abundance.
I am expecting stage 2 to be a week or two after stage 1 IF I am lucky enough to progress. If anyone knows different, speak up lol

I had my assessments almost a month ago. 2 days later my status online changed to say successful. Still waiting on a call regarding an interview date. I guess they will get all the assessments out the way first.

 

[BigStu]

You could be right barko, what station did you apply for? I am shortlisted for Waverley, although i have no idea how many trainee drivers they are recruiting for.
Congrats on passing the psychometrics! No mean feat by all accounts.

 

[barko26]

You could be right barko, what station did you apply for? I am shortlisted for Waverley, although i have no idea how many trainee drivers they are recruiting for.
Congrats on passing the psychometrics! No mean feat by all accounts.

I'm applying for Waverley as well. One of the guys asked when we were finishing up, regarding positions. We were told that there were 1000s and 1000s of applicants, and that there would be around 7 or 8 vacancies. Doesn't sound like much but in terms of the rail industry it is! My only guess is that there are drivers transferring down to tweedbank when it opens.
Good luck with the assessment when it comes around!

 

[SkinnyDave]

1000s seems about right

 

[BigStu]

Well I guess we can consider ourselves damn lucky to get through the first sift (which is the biggest sift by far). At least we have the opportunity where many hundreds haven't even been considered.
Am not feeling too confident about the assessment tbh, especially MT4.1.
I'll be glad when Monday comes around, after which I will have either real hope of realising my dream, or a horrible and bitter burst bubble..

 

[Deidmoo5e]

I applied nearly 2 months ago and still haven't heard a peep. Status still says 'awaiting shortlisting'. Anyone else's the same as mine?

 

[col303]

Hi, I've just joined the forum.

I applied for Perth and I've got the first set of tests next week. The email said they are split into three stages. This is what it said for the first day-

For this session, you will only be asked to sit the mechanical test, safety and concentration test & train ability test for rules part 1 and 2.

Depending on that it said the next 2 stages are part two of the assessment and an interview with a line manager.

The group bourdon tool was helpful as I've never tried a test like that.

 

[ultrajapa]

Hi all
I applied on 01/06/2013 for Waverlay, then was invited for 1st assesment on Thursday 11th July 2013 at 9:30am. Couple days after that my application status changed online to : ''Successful at part assessment '' but I never recived any email about my result. Since it changed, nothing new happened. Good luck to everyone

 

[BigStu]

Hi Col303/ultrajapa,

Am in the same boat, successful at part assessment for Waverley last Monday (12th Aug) and I believe FSR still have more assessments to carry out yet, after recieving 1000's of applications for the few vacancies.

Makes me wonder what the failure rate is from the assessments..

'Orrabest with the rest of your journey, hope to pass you on the rails one day!



BigStu

 

[riggs42]

Hi guys have been hovering around forums for a couple of weeks but first time posting.
I too was shortlisted for Waverley then passed assessments on 12th Aug but have just had an email saying I've been put on hold as there's not enough positions and will be considered for future vacancies bit gutted but at least it'd not a rejection ,anyway just wondered if anyone else was in the same boat or had any info on the vacancies.

 

[jdevlin55]

Hi. I also got a email today saying there was no vacancies now and I would be keep till next time I was also on the assessment on the 12th August.

 

[ultrajapa]

Just an update, today i recieved an email :
Hi xxxxx

"We refer to your recent application for Trainee Train Driver at Edinburgh and apologise for the delay as there is no date for interview yet. We will be in touch when we are in a position to move you to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Kind regards,
FirstGroup Resourcing"

So fingers crossed that it will change soon

 

[riggs42]

That sounds a bit more promising than my reply hopefully you get a date soon.

 

[TDK]

You have got through first sift which isn't easy either so you are on your way

To get through the sift is a feat in itself. You need to chose 60 from 1000 applicants and out of the 1000 at least 200 are hopefuls then it is dwindled down to the amount the company needs. For every 1 position 10 - 15 will be sifted generally.