South West Trains Job Applications

[new2this]

I think generally in this industry it is a slow process, I am waiting and waiting patiently at that.
I have been told different things and I keep calling and keep in touch with HR, keep chasing it, show your still very much interested and that you do not want to go to another TOC, also not knowing where you live but being willing to relocate to anywhere close to a depot that they are recruiting for will help and go a long way, I have been told that I am on the list and have been acepted from September 2012, so it is just a waiting game, when the time comes to go in for a medical and start, I am ready and will be out the blocks quicker than Usain Bolt.

If you have time on your hands and have a steady job then wait, as your time will come as I hope will mine!

 

[canman31]

I did the psychometric tests still waiting for interviews.
I applied for Salisbury but I don't live down their I'd be relocating.

My mate works at Swt and he said that some more guards have been tested and that the course next month is happening as he knows people on it so I don't know what's right and wrong.

But to be told to apply to other toc's if I dońt want to wait was not what I wanted to hear.

The tests are valid for 3 years with Swt but most toc's its 2 years so only only got realistically 17 months to get a job and on a Trainee course.

I spoke to some companies today and because everybody wants the jobs because of the large salary, a lot get enough that live in the travel distance already so my options are now extremely limited.

A bit fed up is an under statement at the moment !!
All that practising I did and spent hours doing the application form on New Year's Eve 2011 for nothing it seems.

 

[new2this]

I can understand your frustration, there was a guy been waiting nearly 3 years or there abouts and then finally got the call and the news he had been waiting for.

It does seem an odd thing to say to apply to other TOC's if you do not want to wait, but the fact that they used that word "wait" I think is what stands out to me, I take that meaning this is a waiting game and things do not move fast, maybe the person that said that was having a bad day and just let out a bit of frustration themselves.

As long as you have passed everything, the interviews and tests and are willing to relocate then there is no reason to think that they will NOT take you, if there was any doubt that you did not fit in with the company or what it is looking for or it's standards then I am sure they would not waste time putting you through the whole process or wasting the company's time and you would of been told "Unseccessful"

As for the courses, I believe they have now sorted and fulfilled all up to April.

This is all my own opinion of course and what I know personally myself and could be wrong.

All the best and keep faith.

 

[canman31]

I am still waiting for interviews.

Yes if I was not suitable then I'm sure they wouldn't waste their time with me.

But why test guards or other staff when people are sat waiting you have already past tests but just want an interview ?

Seems odd and I also know a staff member from Swt who has been waiting sice 2010 for an interview so if their own staff have to wait off the street people haven't got a prayer.

I appreciate its a waiting game but aswell If I had already moved I'd be in a right mess now.

Just don't get it at all.

Seems their bus more to it just not tellin you if you know what I mean.

I was told that next course and July cancelled but I know for a fact that next months course is happening as some Swt staff are on it.

 

[Paddy88]

Sorry for hi-jacking this but I have a Assesment Day for Virgin as a Train Manager and would love some advice. I am new to this forum and have no idea how to start my own post. Any help would be great! Thanks

 

[LCC106]

Hi Paddy

I suggest you go to the main page for the jobs and careers area. Towards the top right is a search facility. If you search the term Train Manager in there, there will be lots of results. However, if you can't find what you're looking for, click on Forum Tools (next to the search box) and you can post a new thread.

Welcome by the way and good luck!

 

[Paddy88]

Thanks a lot LCC106 appreciated!

 

[jc1]

Wouldnt it be better if hr just told us the truth (even if it might not be what we want to hear) rather than we will be contacting you shortly every time you ring.

 

[canman31]

Yes it would be better for us all but still hard as its not easy getting the application form and then the tests begs the question why do all that and then say that theirs no jobs so why put a lot of resources into getting you through to that point.
Also why are they still doing the assessments for guards to go driving when they will have to replace them and the testing is similar ?

I just feel a bit let down and frustrated as my life as been on hold waiting and hoping for this to happen.
I am now having to start again contacting other toc's or re think what I am going to do.

Will come right eventually but its a big set back.

I wish all those the best who have made it a big achievement.

 

[TDK]

Wouldnt it be better if hr just told us the truth (even if it might not be what we want to hear) rather than we will be contacting you shortly every time you ring.

The company owes a candidate nothing untill they attend the assessments not even a "sorry you were not sifted" so any info off them is a bonus. However if you have passed the assessments and the intervierw then they should have to keep you informed.

 

[W230]

Yes it would be better for us all but still hard as its not easy getting the application form and then the tests begs the question why do all that and then say that theirs no jobs so why put a lot of resources into getting you through to that point.
Also why are they still doing the assessments for guards to go driving when they will have to replace them and the testing is similar ?

When I took the psychometric tests we were told by the TOC that it was in their interests that we all passed. It then gives them the greatest choice of candidates from their original applicants. Yes it costs them money, but there're plenty who pass the tests and then fail their final interview. It's not a guarantee of a job. The industry says that all new potential drivers have to pass the psychometric tests before being able to become a driver so the TOC will do things in the order that suits them best. If people don't want to wait around because they feel their life is on hold then that is not the TOC's fault. As this forum shows, there are thousands of applicants for very few places, so TOCs can pick and choose as they like.

I just feel a bit let down and frustrated as my life as been on hold waiting and hoping for this to happen.
I am now having to start again contacting other toc's or re think what I am going to do.

There's no golden ticket in. SWT's apparent policy of taking internal staff over external (i'm going by what is posted in this thread - I personally have no idea) will be because they feel that this model works for them. This may be because the staff already know the company and the compnay know about the staff so SWT think their is less risk in training them or any other myriad of reasons. But after all it is their choice how they decide to recruit! I can definitely understand people's frustration but this is how the system works. Either accept it or move on!

If you want it a trainee driver job and keep at it then i'm sure eventually you will be successful!

 

[canman31]

When I took the psychometric tests we were told by the TOC that it was in their interests that we all passed. It then gives them the greatest choice of candidates from their original applicants. Yes it costs them money, but there're plenty who pass the tests and then fail their final interview. It's not a guarantee of a job. The industry says that all new potential drivers have to pass the psychometric tests before being able to become a driver so the TOC will do things in the order that suits them best. If people don't want to wait around because they feel their life is on hold then that is not the TOC's fault. As this forum shows, there are thousands of applicants for very few places, so TOCs can pick and choose as they like.


There's no golden ticket in. SWT's apparent policy of taking internal staff over external (i'm going by what is posted in this thread - I personally have no idea) will be because they feel that this model works for them. This may be because the staff already know the company and the compnay know about the staff so SWT think their is less risk in training them or any other myriad of reasons. But after all it is their choice how they decide to recruit! I can definitely understand people's frustration but this is how the system works. Either accept it or move on!

If you want it a trainee driver job and keep at it then i'm sure eventually you will be successful!

Yes will get their but they say interviews are usually a few weeks after not months.
Yeah people do fail at interview stage its not guaranteed.
But a lot of other toc's the process only takes 3 maybe 4 months so at least you know sooner if you are or are not suitable as years down the line things change.

And by the rssb whom are looking at the whole process of driver recruitment and testing.
Say that the tests are only valid I you have not had a life changing event like a death, marriage etc.
And so should be completed I'm a reasonable amount of time.
I appreciate some of the members will agree and disagree with my position for various reasons.
But it is not great getting so far with the tests running out and waiting for an indefinite amount of time then the possibility that you could have to start from scratch again.
I will keep at it as I don't give up easy or should have chose another depot maybe ?

 

[W230]

Yes will get their but they say interviews are usually a few weeks after not months.
Yeah people do fail at interview stage its not guaranteed.
But a lot of other toc's the process only takes 3 maybe 4 months so at least you know sooner if you are or are not suitable as years down the line things change.

I was successful with two TOCs last year. One took 7 months from application to being offered the job, the other took 10 months from application to actually starting the job - and that is a big SE commuter TOC with lots in through the doors!

And by the rssb whom are looking at the whole process of driver recruitment and testing.

There's been no definite change yet though so I wouldn't start worrying until there is! In fact don't worry because if/when it changes, everyone will be in the same boat.

But it is not great getting so far with the tests running out and waiting for an indefinite amount of time then the possibility that you could have to start from scratch again.

The TOC that I work for now took so long in offering me a job after I applied to them that I applied to a second TOC (why I was offfered both). Don't wait for the job to come to you. There's nothing stopping you applying to more than one TOC - the more applications, the greater the chance.