Trainee conductor interview

[Wing&Prayer]

Hello, thank you for taking your time to read this.
I have had a good read through this forum of what to expect in an interview and the STAR-L techniques for answering questions.
Very nervous as i have never had a proper interview before, but my current job is very rules regulations and safety orientated (design engineering) But I just wondered if they would put any questions out there like what would you do if...
If that's the case, would it be acceptable to say you would act in a certain manner and follow company protocol?
Also can anyone give me any other hints or tips that I may have missed?
Thanks again

 

[Tevion539]

It would be more "how would you deal with..." "Name a time you've done... And what was the outcome." As a trainee conductor, you'll want to prioritise yours and passengers afery over everything else. You will then consider other duties such as customer service and time management. Being a conductor is more than doors and tickets, you're a team with your driver and any other onboard crew. You're a constant presence (or should be) in the saloon. You make regular PA announcements to keep pax informed. You treat everyone with the same level of respect and dignity irrespective of their race, gender or any disability they may have. You'll also have to deal with vumlerable people and have a duty of care over everyone. All I can say is, read the job description and really work that into all your answers...

 

[Newapplicant]

I fully agree with everything that @Tevion539 has rightly said.

It's a competency-based interview like most these days so the majority of questions will be 'tell me about a time when' or 'Northern/TPE/Your TOC - looks to deal with situations like this, tell us about a time when you've had to do x for x.'

You've hit the nail on the head with the STAR technique, make sure you use this and as always read up about the company you're applying for so should they ask you any curve ball questions you can be prepared.

Best of luck!

 

[Wing&Prayer]

It would be more "how would you deal with..." "Name a time you've done... And what was the outcome." As a trainee conductor, you'll want to prioritise yours and passengers afery over everything else. You will then consider other duties such as customer service and time management. Being a conductor is more than doors and tickets, you're a team with your driver and any other onboard crew. You're a constant presence (or should be) in the saloon. You make regular PA announcements to keep pax informed. You treat everyone with the same level of respect and dignity irrespective of their race, gender or any disability they may have. You'll also have to deal with vumlerable people and have a duty of care over everyone. All I can say is, read the job description and really work that into all your answers...

Thank you, really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I will keep all that in mind and hopefully make a good impression

I fully agree with everything that @Tevion539 has rightly said.

It's a competency-based interview like most these days so the majority of questions will be 'tell me about a time when' or 'Northern/TPE/Your TOC - looks to deal with situations like this, tell us about a time when you've had to do x for x.'

You've hit the nail on the head with the STAR technique, make sure you use this and as always read up about the company you're applying for so should they ask you any curve ball questions you can be prepared.

Best of luck!

Thank you for taking the time to reply, really appreciate it. Hopefully i have the skills and past experience they are looking for to give a good impression to succeed in the interview.

 

[Tevion539]

Thank you, really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I will keep all that in mind and hopefully make a good impression

Thank you for taking the time to reply, really appreciate it. Hopefully i have the skills and past experience they are looking for to give a good impression to succeed in the interview.

No worries! Don't forget health and safety protocols apply to most jobs. Have a look to see if your current role has any health and safety policies and think how that affects your day to day working. When I had my interview I was working in an office, so I had to ensure my monitor and seat were at the correct height to avoid strain. I'm sure if you really think and look at your experience you will find examples of how you have worked as a team, adhered to health and safety policies and assisted customers (In some form.)


I'm sure you will be fine, keep us posted!

 

[Wing&Prayer]

No worries! Don't forget health and safety protocols apply to most jobs. Have a look to see if your current role has any health and safety policies and think how that affects your day to day working. When I had my interview I was working in an office, so I had to ensure my monitor and seat were at the correct height to avoid strain. I'm sure if you really think and look at your experience you will find examples of how you have worked as a team, adhered to health and safety policies and assisted customers (In some form.)


I'm sure you will be fine, keep us posted!

Thank you, I also work in an office, but sometimes site based (petrochemical, long and all sorts of nasties etc.) So hopefully that's the health and safety sorted, team work is something I am also akin to. Did supermarket work for 4 years back in the day lol. But just worry I will do that thing when they ask questions and suddenly I have forgot how to even breath nevermind my experience lol.
I will keep you posted.
How long have you been in the industry for?

 

[Tevion539]

Thank you, I also work in an office, but sometimes site based (petrochemical, long and all sorts of nasties etc.) So hopefully that's the health and safety sorted, team work is something I am also akin to. Did supermarket work for 4 years back in the day lol. But just worry I will do that thing when they ask questions and suddenly I have forgot how to even breath nevermind my experience lol.
I will keep you posted.
How long have you been in the industry for?

Not very long, I've just completed my guards course and I'm route learning. So about four months?

 

[Wing&Prayer]

Not very long, I've just completed my guards course and I'm route learning. So about four months?

How you finding it?

 

[Tevion539]

Training was intense, honestly. It took most of my spare time in revision, I’m enjoying being out and about more, but I can’t wait to actually work a service… We had a week with minders, about half way through the classroom and I’ve been wanting to get back to doing that since only 10 more weeks (route learning dependant) and I will be by myself!

 

[Daveym19]

Training was intense, honestly. It took most of my spare time in revision, I’m enjoying being out and about more, but I can’t wait to actually work a service… We had a week with minders, about half way through the classroom and I’ve been wanting to get back to doing that since only 10 more weeks (route learning dependant) and I will be by myself!

Start my training on the 3rd July. Any tips or advice?

 

[Tevion539]

Start my training on the 3rd July. Any tips or advice?

So, work as a team with your group. Communicate with your trainer, let them know if you're struggling. If you have prior railway knowledge, go in with an open mind. Otherwise make sure you get a ruler and some colour (art) pens for signals. These can be found for relatively cheap. Avoid felt tips. Pay attention, and make notes. Don't let it overwhelm you... Most importantly, enjoy it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Apr 2023 ==

It all depends how your toc does training ofc (otherwise you can forget the pens) our course was more theoretical.

 

[CFRAIL]

I can't add anything that hasn't already been said. It's safety first followed by customer service/interaction. Be prepared with scenarios of a time you've done XYZ, what was the outcome etc... Research the company. What TOC is it for?

 

[Toottoot85]

I have an interview next week for a guard role at northern Manchester. It’s my second Interview for this TOC, so I should know what to expect, but is it advisable to use the buzzwords in every answer that you give like, safety, customer service, reliable, works under pressure E.T.C or, will it sound too repetitive. I know where I went wrong last time, and not knowing about this forum didn’t help, but I’m worried trying to say things they want to hear over again, will get me marked down on the interview score.

 

[Tevion539]

I have an interview next week for a guard role at northern Manchester. It’s my second Interview for this TOC, so I should know what to expect, but is it advisable to use the buzzwords in every answer that you give like, safety, customer service, reliable, works under pressure E.T.C or, will it sound too repetitive. I know where I went wrong last time, and not knowing about this forum didn’t help, but I’m worried trying to say things they want to hear over again, will get me marked down on the interview score.

If your answer is relevant to their question and includes as much detail as possible, then you should be okay. Of course, they will want to know how you can work under pressure whilst maintaining a safety first attitude. I think the best thing you can do (a bit cliche,) just be yourself. Look at the interviewers directly and smile (genuine smiles of course) be as confident as possible.

 

[banksywhoshe]

Throw in a bit of ‘ABC’ accurate, brief and clear!
They love it.
I’ve just been offered a guard role today

 

[Tevion539]

Throw in a bit of ‘ABC’ accurate, brief and clear!
They love it.
I’ve just been offered a guard role today

That, and NTS