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NEW 06/03/2020 Thameslink / Great Northern Trainee driver advert for LDN Hornsey & Brighton depots!

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Nevergiveup

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Joined
19 Jun 2019
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254
Off topic but is there any point in applying for trainee role after failing one of the psychometric tests? Or Should I just wait till 6 months have gone by?
 

Headhunco

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Joined
21 Oct 2019
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21
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London
I bet the drivers love that lol
Yeah lol they do enjoy company from trainees but it’s frustrating for trainees I’ve been through it having no driving instructor and front ending for weeks on weeks gets frustrating I’m pretty sure it happens at every TOC
 

westcoaster

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DTOS A or B
I bet the drivers love that lol
We do, well I do had numerous front enders for months at a time, over the years.
It's all a learning process. Once you have finished in the class room you will front end ( start learning the route, ask questions and get a head start) until your DI is ready.
 

na281093

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21 Nov 2019
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Uk
New closing date of 3rd April. I haven’t got a reply no, I can’t imagine that being up until the 3rd April though. I’ve rarely ever seen vacancies for trainee drivers up for more than a week if that.
 

Jonboy79

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Joined
3 Jun 2019
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12
New closing date of 3rd April. I haven’t got a reply no, I can’t imagine that being up until the 3rd April though. I’ve rarely ever seen vacancies for trainee drivers up for more than a week if that.

Seems like it's been taken off GTR's website. Only way to apply is if you have the link.
 

EJohns96

New Member
Joined
13 Mar 2020
Messages
3
Location
RH15
Hello,

Does anyone know how long they usually take to respond to applications. I know they usually get quite a few, but average time on response?

thanks!
 

GeniusB

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Joined
10 Sep 2019
Messages
107
Location
Southall
Hello,

Does anyone know how long they usually take to respond to applications. I know they usually get quite a few, but average time on response?

thanks!
Think it may be a while, as when you click on the link the advert is still up until April..
 
Joined
1 Mar 2018
Messages
988
Think it may be a while, as when you click on the link the advert is still up until April..

Not as long as you may think.. I've just got the thanks but no thanks email!

I'm intrigued as to how they sifted the applications based only on CVs (no bitterness here, just curiosity)
 

EJohns96

New Member
Joined
13 Mar 2020
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Location
RH15
Not as long as you may think.. I've just got the thanks but no thanks email!

I'm intrigued as to how they sifted the applications based only on CVs (no bitterness here, just curiosity)
Hmm, interesting.

I will look out for an email then and check my spam. Yeah, I wonder how they decided based solely on CV?

thanks,
E
 

GeniusB

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Not as long as you may think.. I've just got the thanks but no thanks email!

I'm intrigued as to how they sifted the applications based only on CVs (no bitterness here, just curiosity)
I got the same email mate........but as I mentioned the advert was/is still live.
 

EJohns96

New Member
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13 Mar 2020
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Have you got any applications in for any other companies in group? Southeastern or Southern for example?
I haven't had any emails yet, I even checked my portal and nothing new on there either...

I applied for a customer ambassador job as well but still haven't heard back from that one either
 

Blackkat

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Joined
7 Mar 2020
Messages
65
Location
Uk
Not as long as you may think.. I've just got the thanks but no thanks email!

I'm intrigued as to how they sifted the applications based only on CVs (no bitterness here, just curiosity)
Lol I’m in your boat. (The no boat) I think they done it Of location distance maybe? I was 48mins away
 

na281093

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I’m hours away from Brighton, assume they know I will happily relocate instantly should I need to & I haven’t had a rejection email yet so I’ll take that as good news I guess.
 
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I’m hours away from Brighton, assume they know I will happily relocate instantly should I need to & I haven’t had a rejection email yet so I’ll take that as good news I guess.

I'm not sure if they do allow relocation.. the question asked whether you lived within 45 to 60 minutes of the location. Still good luck to you
 

na281093

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I'm not sure if they do allow relocation.. the question asked whether you lived within 45 to 60 minutes of the location. Still good luck to you

I never understand that with the relocation thing and some companies not taking on applicants who live further than 1 hour away. You’d assume people wouldn’t apply should they not be able to relocate INSTANTLY and TOCs would allow it in all cases. Usually you’ll know your start training date in advance anyway leaving plenty of time to sort out your new accommodation. Then again I guess if they find a good enough candidate who already lives close its not needed but you’d think they would give themselves the best possible chance of finding a candidate from anywhere who will be one hour away from the depot before starting.
 

Blackkat

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Location
Uk
I never understand that with the relocation thing and some companies not taking on applicants who live further than 1 hour away. You’d assume people wouldn’t apply should they not be able to relocate INSTANTLY and TOCs would allow it in all cases. Usually you’ll know your start training date in advance anyway leaving plenty of time to sort out your new accommodation. Then again I guess if they find a good enough candidate who already lives close its not needed but you’d think they would give themselves the best possible chance of finding a candidate from anywhere who will be one hour away from the depot before starting.
I’m guessing it’s all about finding ways to illuminate and filter... what annoys me is I’ve passed all the assessments and only require a DMI yet they already reject me with out even checking or asking
 

mresh91

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Joined
30 Aug 2013
Messages
161
I’m guessing it’s all about finding ways to illuminate and filter... what annoys me is I’ve passed all the assessments and only require a DMI yet they already reject me with out even checking or asking

I keep hearing this same argument, and just want to clear something up. While I do agree with you to a certain extent, for companies like GTR and SWR who conduct the driver assessments in-house, it isn’t an issue for them to book assessment centres and start seeking applicants from scratch. Passing the psychometric tests isn’t some huge achievement which will automatically put you in good stead for any application, rather your core technical skills and experience on your resume in your initial applications holds more value to a TOC than holding the assessment centre passes.

Believe me, I would know... I’ve held passes until they’ve expired and only recently managed to retake the assessments to get them current, and all that time I’ve passed my tests, it didn’t benefit me in any way, and why should it? That’s just how railway recruitment is, psychometric passes aren’t even a thing for the TOCs, they can conduct them in large batches without an issue. It isn’t necessarily a free ticket towards the interview, or shouldn’t be interpreted as such.

Sorry if I come across as being harsh, but just talking based on experience as I keep hearing this argument.
 

baz962

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Joined
8 Jun 2017
Messages
3,280
What
I keep hearing this same argument, and just want to clear something up. While I do agree with you to a certain extent, for companies like GTR and SWR who conduct the driver assessments in-house, it isn’t an issue for them to book assessment centres and start seeking applicants from scratch. Passing the psychometric tests isn’t some huge achievement which will automatically put you in good stead for any application, rather your core technical skills and experience on your resume in your initial applications holds more value to a TOC than holding the assessment centre passes.

Believe me, I would know... I’ve held passes until they’ve expired and only recently managed to retake the assessments to get them current, and all that time I’ve passed my tests, it didn’t benefit me in any way, and why should it? That’s just how railway recruitment is, psychometric passes aren’t even a thing for the TOCs, they can conduct them in large batches without an issue. It isn’t necessarily a free ticket towards the interview, or shouldn’t be interpreted as such.

Sorry if I come across as being harsh, but just talking based on experience as I keep hearing this argument.
What do you mean by in house , I did mine through gtr and it was done by the opc. Also I believe you do sometimes get prioritised if you have the psychometrics , as gtr didn't give me the job at interview , but I then got three interview offers quite quickly after that. Someone I know passed the psychometric tests in January and February , was waiting for a dmi with the company and then applied elsewhere and got two interview offers on the same day for a week later . He got offered the first job a day later , less than a month after applying.
 
Joined
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Messages
988
I keep hearing this same argument, and just want to clear something up. While I do agree with you to a certain extent, for companies like GTR and SWR who conduct the driver assessments in-house, it isn’t an issue for them to book assessment centres and start seeking applicants from scratch. Passing the psychometric tests isn’t some huge achievement which will automatically put you in good stead for any application, rather your core technical skills and experience on your resume in your initial applications holds more value to a TOC than holding the assessment centre passes.

Believe me, I would know... I’ve held passes until they’ve expired and only recently managed to retake the assessments to get them current, and all that time I’ve passed my tests, it didn’t benefit me in any way, and why should it? That’s just how railway recruitment is, psychometric passes aren’t even a thing for the TOCs, they can conduct them in large batches without an issue. It isn’t necessarily a free ticket towards the interview, or shouldn’t be interpreted as such.

Sorry if I come across as being harsh, but just talking based on experience as I keep hearing this argument.


You've not cleared anything up, just expressed an opinion. I've known a couple of people who have gone straight to interview after applying with a different company and one is now doing his driver training. It's not a given that this should happen of course but this particular vacancy had no initial tests, just a CV upload so it's very hard to understand on what basis they are rejecting people.

Also I think its GWR you mean and not GTR
 

Fancythis

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Joined
6 Feb 2020
Messages
40
Location
Stevenage
This is my first application so maybe I’m missing something, but aren’t the vast majority of interviews for jobs awarded from just a CV? Also there was a question on the application form which I personally put a lot of thought into answering. Waiting to see if it was good enough.
 

387star

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16 Nov 2009
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6,653
I got an interview with GTR off a phone call
Wasn't even screened at that point
I'd passed the assessments already
 
Joined
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Messages
988
This is my first application so maybe I’m missing something, but aren’t the vast majority of interviews for jobs awarded from just a CV? Also there was a question on the application form which I personally put a lot of thought into answering. Waiting to see if it was good enough.

Because of the number of applications its usually the case that there are a series of screening questions for trainee driver jobs, and the results are used to reduce the number of applications. It's the same these days with most jobs that are popular; after all few organisations have the capability to read 100s or even 1000s of CVs!

Good luck with your application
 
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