Trainee train Planner with First Capital Connect

[simo85]

Good morning,

I've applied almost a month ago for the above position and yesterday I've been contacted and apparently it looks like I might be invited for an interview, finger crossed. At the moment I work as a Customer Service assistant for First. I was wondering if any of you has any experience at all in the field as a train planner or perhaps some of you has attended an interview in the past, if so could you please help me out? Would you be able to tell me what to expect from the interview, what questions?

I do really appreciate your help,

Thank to you very much
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hi again guys, none of you got any information for me? Pleaseeeeee!

Thank you very very much

 

[RJ]

Hi,

I've attended one interview with FCC, which was for a student placement as a Service Planning Assistant in the same department. I went to Hertford House for the interview and met the team. It seemed like a pleasant place to work and the interviewers were friendly and easy going. I was asked what I knew about the business and the function of the role, about my career history and a series of competency based questions. Prior to the interview I was sent a large amount of information about the role and a sample copy of a Working Timetable.

I didn't get the job - it went to a very talented friend of mine, but it was a good experience. Best of luck with it!

 

[simo85]

Good evening,
Thank you for replying, very much appreciated. Is there anyway you would remember what questions they've asked you? So that I could research and prepare some examples and elaborate on the questions.
Of course if that's not too much of a trouble for you.

Thank you very much

 

[yorkie]

Must be a popular job. Two separate forum members told me on recent forum meets that they were going for this!

Good luck to you all - but I think you may have a lot of competition!

 

[simo85]

Hi yorkie, thanks for posting. Really, is that popular? I had no idea so many of us were going for that job. Well I guess will see how it goes. Do you have any idea on what to expect?

Regards

 

[harry42]

You should have an advantage with previous experience with first good luck.

 

[306024]

Good luck to anyone applying, the FCC chaps are a decent bunch so no need to worry about the interview although I would be prepared to expect some searching questions.

Basic geographical knowledge of the area and the structure of the timetable is a good start. Just study the public timetable, available on line from the NR website. Don't worry about learning the whole timetable! Just the off peak and weekend pattern will show you have done your research.

Although I haven't seen the job spec, these type of jobs are not usually just about timetables, but the resource plan as well. Knowledge of the types of traction and where they operate is good. Then there are the train crew. The location of the drivers depots and the routes and traction they sign is also useful.

A trainee will usually cut their teeth on special traffic planning, so understanding different service patterns for engineering work and bus replacement could be handy.

Finally teamwork is essential in planning. You could be the best planner on the planet but if you can't function as part of a team that's no use, so personality does enter into it to a degree.

There is a lot to learn, but it can be an interesting job to someone with the right mind set.

 

[The Planner]

As said before aswell, do not emphasise if you are an "enthusiast", knowledge and interest is good, saying you have crossed off every 313 is not.....

 

[87015]

Good luck to anyone applying, the FCC chaps are a decent bunch so no need to worry about the interview although I would be prepared to expect some searching questions.

Basic geographical knowledge of the area and the structure of the timetable is a good start. Just study the public timetable, available on line from the NR website. Don't worry about learning the whole timetable! Just the off peak and weekend pattern will show you have done your research.

Although I haven't seen the job spec, these type of jobs are not usually just about timetables, but the resource plan as well. Knowledge of the types of traction and where they operate is good. Then there are the train crew. The location of the drivers depots and the routes and traction they sign is also useful.

A trainee will usually cut their teeth on special traffic planning, so understanding different service patterns for engineering work and bus replacement could be handy.

Finally teamwork is essential in planning. You could be the best planner on the planet but if you can't function as part of a team that's no use, so personality does enter into it to a degree.

There is a lot to learn, but it can be an interesting job to someone with the right mind set.

+1. Might also be worth a quick google for timetable planning rules (NR site) so you can mention headways and junction margins as well.

 

[simo85]

Guys, I am speechless.

Thank you so much for all the information. I am printing off the internet as much as I can. I think last time I've researched so much for something was when I was writing my dissertation, lol.

You keep posting.

Thank you very much

 

[RJ]

Please do keep us updated

 

[simo85]

Good afternoon,

how are you guys?

I'm sorry I didn't post lately. I have been working silly hours. Finally off tomorrow. About the interview... At the moment I'm reading about tractions, rolling stocks diagramming, train crew diagramming, how to solve, problems when planning and so on. God there's so much to know, I love it. Well, who we'll see ou it goes.

Of course I'll let you know

thanks,

sf