Interview question: Doing a job similar to driving a train

[TrainsJames]

Hi all, just wanting some advice on a potential interview question. I've heard that I could be asked to "tell me a time you've done something similar to driving a train" - the obvious answer is probably driving a car on a long journey, as I cant really think of anything else. I've heard people then being asked "how do you maintain concentration whilst driving" and I, nor any of my family, can really come up with a proper answer other than "I just do"

Can anyone offer some advice how to best tailor such an answer for what the interviewer would want to hear?

 

[AverageJoe]

Hi all, just wanting some advice on a potential interview question. I've heard that I could be asked to "tell me a time you've done something similar to driving a train" - the obvious answer is probably driving a car on a long journey, as I cant really think of anything else. I've heard people then being asked "how do you maintain concentration whilst driving" and I, nor any of my family, can really come up with a proper answer other than "I just do"

Can anyone offer some advice how to best tailor such an answer for what the interviewer would want to hear?

You have already highlighted a good example to use as regards driving.

If you have driven for long periods of time then think about some of the techniques you have used to maintain concentration, if you think about it there will have been things you did to help.

Train driving requires more attention than driving a car and we don’t get away with lapses of concentration so think about some of the scenarios that could happen and what you could do to prevent it.

Remember they are interviewing you not us so it’s up to you to think of appropriate answers.

 

[Harpo]

If you’ve had any ‘nearly’ incidents driving a car, consider what you now do differently to avoid repeats. Consider how you manage phone calls on the move and anything you’ve done to reduce in-car distractions by kids/others. Do you make sure you are well rested before (and during) driving a car and how do you manage your blood’s alcohol levels? If it’s shared, how do you make sure the car is set up right for you to drive it safely? Maybe more that you ‘just do’ if you’ve created a good safe car driving regime?

 

[martin2345uk]

I used the long car journey in my MMI and passed so it’s definitely a reasonable one to use.

 

[Kelki]

I don’t think they are necessarily looking for your answer to relate to physically driving because you are not expected to hold a driving license or even have a background involving any type of driving. What I believe they are asking is for you to show when you have done something that requires you involving similar skills required as a train driver. So for example a time or job that required concentration for long uninterrupted periods of time, that require you completing a repetitive tasks, that require following rules, processes and procedures, that have been safety critical, that are self motivated, that require being vigilant. The more similar requirements you are able to show having done in another situation the better you will be at showing you have done similar to that of a train driver.

All these thing happen on a daily basis and in most job roles. I’d think of a job where most of these requirements have happened for you.

 

[TrainsJames]

I have read about being asked for the interview something along the lines of : How do you recall information that you don’t use everyday

And I'm a bit stumped on what exactly the interviewer is looking for in such a response. Could someone provide some guidance, I would normally answer recalling info using arconyms or mnemonics etc

 

[Horizon22]

I have read about being asked for the interview something along the lines of : How do you recall information that you don’t use everyday

And I'm a bit stumped on what exactly the interviewer is looking for in such a response. Could someone provide some guidance, I would normally answer recalling info using arconyms or mnemonics etc

Well that's an answer in a way.

It's basically about how you remember tasks for irregular activities. Do you have a prompt sheet, double check information, check for advice etc. Think about things you do in your house or workplace or even something like car maintenance just a few things a year.

This will be important skill for drivers who may have to do something quite irregular in terms of a train movement or dealing with a fault with technicians, unable to rectify it and then running in a degraded mode because it all relies on being accurate, safe and compliant.

 

[nolypops83]

I have read about being asked for the interview something along the lines of : How do you recall information that you don’t use everyday

And I'm a bit stumped on what exactly the interviewer is looking for in such a response. Could someone provide some guidance, I would normally answer recalling info using arconyms or mnemonics etc

What's your current line of work? I work in an office setting and if I have to do something I haven't done before I write myself notes or take screen shots of things I come across and store them for next time. So some times I have to do something annually and there's no way I'd remember it off the top of my head, I can access the notes I made previously.

Regular revision helps. That's why we have things like fire drills so people know what to do in an emergency.
Pilots practice emergency situations in the simulator and are regularly tested.
Acronyms is a good one you mentioned. "Think FAST" for strokes or repetitive language like "See it, say it, sorted."

For the driving question, how do you maintain concentration, reduce distractions, do you make sure your equipment is in working order, do you prepare your route ahead of time, check for any roadworks, take into account the weather conditions, do you prepare physically and make sure you are well rested the night before, do you make sure you take plenty of breaks and stay hydrated, what would you do if you felt tired while driving. You'll do loads without thinking about it.