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London Underground - Operations Control Operator

thomas79

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4 Dec 2024
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london
Hi, congrats on getting the role!

How long did the process take…From assessment to cv/covering letter screening, to interview , and then finding out you’re successful? Thanks
Thank you. I would say around 3 months in total.
 
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Twotwo

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10 Aug 2018
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661
If this is a role that you genuinely want and will excel at, the number of positions should be irrelevant. Have the confidence in being able to meet the competencies provided.

If you are attracted to a job in control and see the salary, this isn’t the role for you.


This is a bit harsh. With the current cost of living it's absolutely fine for people to go for the salary and there's nothing wrong with it.

There's a lot of train drivers who don't even like trains/railway but do it because of the salary and the role gives them a great life balance.
 

Zb0905

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29 Dec 2023
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Location
London
This is a bit harsh. With the current cost of living it's absolutely fine for people to go for the salary and there's nothing wrong with it.

There's a lot of train drivers who don't even like trains/railway but do it because of the salary and the role gives them a great life balance.
This is so true people still want to work for London Underground and the money might attract them more even if it’s something they don’t want to do
 

Twotwo

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10 Aug 2018
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661
I think people fail to recognise that the railway aint a part of life for many people. They come to work to get paid - doesn't make them any less competent. In today's living everything is about salary especially if you have children and a mortgage etc.
 

bluegoblin7

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JB/JP/JW
I never said anything about having to have an interest in the railway - some of my most competent colleagues couldn’t care less about trains.

The point is that this role, and many equivalent roles, have a significant amount of responsibility and the salary reflects that. The conversation was moving down a route that I read as being more focussed by the salary that appropriateness for the role, and was something I felt a need - and still feel a need - to flag.

In terms of actual gross salary I actually think this role is underpaid, given the benchmark of the existing Network Information Coordination Managers.
 

Zb0905

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29 Dec 2023
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London
I never said anything about having to have an interest in the railway - some of my most competent colleagues couldn’t care less about trains.

The point is that this role, and many equivalent roles, have a significant amount of responsibility and the salary reflects that. The conversation was moving down a route that I read as being more focussed by the salary that appropriateness for the role, and was something I felt a need - and still feel a need - to flag.

In terms of actual gross salary I actually think this role is underpaid, given the benchmark of the existing Network Information Coordination Managers.
What do you think the salary should be for this role since it is new
 

DuserH9

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Joined
31 Mar 2025
Messages
6
Location
london
I never said anything about having to have an interest in the railway - some of my most competent colleagues couldn’t care less about trains.

The point is that this role, and many equivalent roles, have a significant amount of responsibility and the salary reflects that. The conversation was moving down a route that I read as being more focussed by the salary that appropriateness for the role, and was something I felt a need - and still feel a need - to flag.

In terms of actual gross salary I actually think this role is underpaid, given the benchmark of the existing Network Information Coordination Managers.
Hi, is there a reason why there is a difference with new/existing NICMs salaries? Is there a difference in what they do or is it to do with the re org mentioned in this thread?
 

Tblock10

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24 May 2024
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39
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caterham
It’s a few weeks to hear back for candidates to see the outcome of the screening CV stage and proceed to interview. I passed my assessment about a week ago, so hoping to hear next week the outcome. I’m sure everyone that’s passed the assessment are in the same boat.

@bluegoblin7 , I assume the role is safety critical? Despite not directly being responsible for passengers like a train driver for arguments sake, your actions as a Controller still could have consequences
 

Zb0905

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29 Dec 2023
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London
Since there is a assessment date in may when are people likely to get provisional offers after interview
 

Burry

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4 Jun 2024
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london
For the above role. I have been invited for the voice listening assessment.

Just wanted to know in regards to CV and cover letter, do they look into if you worked in control operations before or need to have that sort of experience in order to get the job?
 

Tblock10

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For the above role. I have been invited for the voice listening assessment.

Just wanted to know in regards to CV and cover letter, do they look into if you worked in control operations before or need to have that sort of experience in order to get the job?


Just my guess, i would think they would be looking for people with Control room experience especially as it’s incident management and probably would prefer someone who has experience in that field and someone who has worked in a control room environment
 

Zb0905

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29 Dec 2023
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London
For the above role. I have been invited for the voice listening assessment.

Just wanted to know in regards to CV and cover letter, do they look into if you worked in control operations before or need to have that sort of experience in order to get the job?
I think the most important thing is that you’ve tailored your CV and cover letter to the job description for example the qualities they want you to have, maybe duties that relate to the operations control operator that will definitely help one hundred percent
 

Horizon22

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Just my guess, i would think they would be looking for people with Control room experience especially as it’s incident management and probably would prefer someone who has experience in that field and someone who has worked in a control room environment
I think the most important thing is that you’ve tailored your CV and cover letter to the job description for example the qualities they want you to have, maybe duties that relate to the operations control operator that will definitely help one hundred percent

Obviously some form of control room experience when you are applying for a control job will be a plus.

For the above role. I have been invited for the voice listening assessment.

Just wanted to know in regards to CV and cover letter, do they look into if you worked in control operations before or need to have that sort of experience in order to get the job?

Seeing as you’ve gone past the CV and cover letter initial sift, I’d take it as a good sign you don’t “need” to have it to get the job. But obviously, the skill sets required align even if they are transferable from other roles.
 
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Burry

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4 Jun 2024
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53
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london
Obviously some form of control room experience when you are applying for a control job will be a plus.



Seeing as you’ve gone past the CV and cover letter initial sift, I’d take it as a good sign you don’t “need” to have it to get the job. But obviously, the skill sets required align even if they are transferable from other roles.
I haven’t passed the CV stage yet. Was asking do they look at that sort of experience. I have CSA experience working in railway

I haven’t passed the CV stage yet. Was asking do they look at that sort of experience. I have CSA experience working in railway
But not control experience. Is that a deal breaker
 

Tblock10

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I haven’t passed the CV stage yet. Was asking do they look at that sort of experience. I have CSA experience working in railway


But not control experience. Is that a deal breaker


If you look at the job specifications I’m pretty certain it says control room experience or something to that exte
I haven’t passed the CV stage yet. Was asking do they look at that sort of experience. I have CSA experience working in railway


But not control experience. Is that a deal breaker


Coming from someone with over 20 years of control room experience across various sectors, whenever i have gone for jobs they pretty much want some level of control room experience or dealing with incidents in that environment to an extent. Just being honest with you mate, but you never know. You could still get shortlisted
 

Zb0905

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29 Dec 2023
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London
They didn’t seem to appreciate my prior railway experience when I applied during the previous tranche. I was binned off during the CV Check stage. Shame, I was quite excited by the role. Ah well! Good luck with your application.
Did u not apply to this one
 

Flower1

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12 Apr 2025
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london
I had my assessment on Thursday no idea how I did only that I was nervous, I’m hoping that doesn’t go against me
 

Burry

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london
I had my assessment on Thursday no idea how I did only that I was nervous, I’m hoping that doesn’t go against me
If you don’t mind me asking, how was the test and what did they ask?
If you can’t say detailed, then roughly what did they ask?
 

Flower1

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12 Apr 2025
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london
Yeah how was it
It was ok, I think I got most of it but I did stall and also I may have not put the message in the correct order, funny thing is I have years of experience of working in an emergency control room but the nerves with someone sitting there with you, if I’m unsuccessful I will apply again
 

Zb0905

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It was ok, I think I got most of it but I did stall and also I may have not put the message in the correct order, funny thing is I have years of experience of working in an emergency control room but the nerves with someone sitting there with you, if I’m unsuccessful I will apply again
Can I ask for any advice would help and also unfortunately if you do fail I won’t be able to apply again you have to wait for the campaign after that
 

Flower1

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12 Apr 2025
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london
Can I ask for any advice would help and also unfortunately if you do fail I won’t be able to apply again you have to wait for the campaign after that
Yes I know I would have to wait for the next campaign which is annoying , my advice would be remain calm , try not to feel nervous, include names, locations, requests for services etc, which I did but stalled, not really sure what else to say it’s not something that you can really practice for either


I have just found out I have passed the assessment, now the CV review
 
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Zb0905

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29 Dec 2023
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Yes I know I would have to wait for the next campaign which is annoying , my advice would be remain calm , try not to feel nervous, include names, locations, requests for services etc, which I did but stalled, not really sure what else to say it’s not something that you can really practice for either


I have just found out I have passed the assessment, now the CV review
Congratulations
 

honey222

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17 Apr 2025
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London
Yes I know I would have to wait for the next campaign which is annoying , my advice would be remain calm , try not to feel nervous, include names, locations, requests for services etc, which I did but stalled, not really sure what else to say it’s not something that you can really practice for either


I have just found out I have passed the assessment, now the CV review
Any advice on what to wear to the assesment please? Smart casual or smart?
 

Flower1

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12 Apr 2025
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london
Any advice on what to wear to the assesment please? Smart casual or smart?
Although it’s quite relaxed I went smart wear, becatse it’s still part of the interview, I wore trousers and a plain top, mind you the assessment is so quick I didn’t even take my coat off good luck and let me know how it goes
 

43066

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Any advice on what to wear to the assesment please? Smart casual or smart?

Personally I would go smart, as in suit and tie. You can always take your tie off if the “vibe” is more relaxed.

At the last railway industry assessment process I attended all the candidates were fully suited and booted, and I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be the only person not wearing a tie.
 

honey222

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17 Apr 2025
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Although it’s quite relaxed I went smart wear, becatse it’s still part of the interview, I wore trousers and a plain top, mind you the assessment is so quick I didn’t even take my coat off good luck and let me know how it goes
Thanks and well done for passing!
 

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