Freightliner Various Trainee Drivers

[WirralWanderer]

Yeah that’s right. Just hope it isnt too long a wait for a course now.

Have they booked your medical? Mines next Friday.

 

[Jay_t]

Crewe, IM I hope. That’s my preference

Im crewe also, sat my stage 2 on the 7th sept but been put into the pool until the sort courses out..

 

[Mike121]

Wow! Well done guys! Hope I can be joining you. I wonder how many assessment days they have coming up, mines not until the end of October! Hope all the positions haven’t gone by then lol. Was it freightliner that emailed you or the OPC? I am guessing freightliner!

 

[Paull]

No medical booked yet but there was a mention of it in the email. It was directly from Freightliner.

 

[WirralWanderer]

Wow! Well done guys! Hope I can be joining you. I wonder how many assessment days they have coming up, mines not until the end of October! Hope all the positions haven’t gone by then lol. Was it freightliner that emailed you or the OPC? I am guessing freightliner!

They said the assessments are potentially into the new year. I’ve heard from a number of people within the railway that a lot of drivers are coming up to retirement in the next year, more than normal.

 

[Mike121]

They said the assessments are potentially into the new year. I’ve heard from a number of people within the railway that a lot of drivers are coming up to retirement in the next year, more than normal.

Into the new year for Crewe? Or just in general. I applied for Crewe too

 

[WirralWanderer]

Into the new year for Crewe? Or just in general. I applied for Crewe too

That was implied. They also said they could only do 2/3 training groups at 1 time. So gives them time to assess and interview the next intake.

 

[Cheggers]

I don't know what everyone else thinks but I find it so refreshing how Freightliner are going about this recruitment campaign. They're getting people through testing and medical's in no time, and even if you're put in the talent pool, it sounds like it means you're almost certain of getting on a course. A talent pool on most other Tocs means you're on hold for a few years then if you don't get a course you have to start all over again. I just find it such a positive way of doing things that other companies could learn from. Rant over.

 

[Stanstaff]

Just a quick question for all the people that have got through stage 2 are the mmi 6 questions or 5? Are they the questions that can be found on other forums?

 

[delticdeano74]

Thanks buddy much appreciated, I just had to sit the SJE and MMI, I had an email this morning to say that I passed the DMI and am now in a candidate pool awaiting a medical for when a course becomes available for the depot I selected, am ecstatic to say the least!

Brilliant news pal, well done.

 

[SP Man]

With regards to Crewe do you know the difference between HH and Intermodal. If you need any advice on them just ask as I can explain if needed.

 

[WirralWanderer]

Just a quick question for all the people that have got through stage 2 are the mmi 6 questions or 5? Are they the questions that can be found on other forums?

Does it sound really bad that I can’t remember if it was 5 or 6. The questions themselves were very similar to those mentioned on here before. A couple of the questions mentioned before didn’t come up in the MMI but I did get asked them in the DMI.

I think the safest thing to do is be honest, have good examples for each sort of question, structure as best as you can in the STAR format and don’t worry if you want to use the same example for two questions.

Finally I don’t have a Railway background and it would be easy to think that doesn’t help. However whatever experiences you have can give you great examples.

 

[Stanstaff]

Does it sound really bad that I can’t remember if it was 5 or 6. The questions themselves were very similar to those mentioned on here before. A couple of the questions mentioned before didn’t come up in the MMI but I did get asked them in the DMI.

I think the safest thing to do is be honest, have good examples for each sort of question, structure as best as you can in the STAR format and don’t worry if you want to use the same example for two questions.

Finally I don’t have a Railway background and it would be easy to think that doesn’t help. However whatever experiences you have can give you great examples.

Thank you for the reply,I have come up with answers that was on here for the questions but if there is ones that I haven’t read it might throw me.

 

[4F89]

Really dont worry about it. If what you say isn't suitable, they have other questions to ask anyway. If they want to throw you, they will. It's basic situation explanation. Stop worrying!

 

[Stanstaff]

Really dont worry about it. If what you say isn't suitable, they have other questions to ask anyway. If they want to throw you, they will. It's basic situation explanation. Stop worrying!

Thanks for the reassurance yeah your right I think I am worrying too much about it.

 

[GJ_DAN]

I think the mmi is the most daunting as you worry if your examples are good enough. Like what’s been said, it’s about keywords and detail I guess. I’ve got plenty time to practice as mines not til December. Hate the wait though!

 

[karlos]

Hello, newbie here with my first post.

Congratulations to everyone who have progressed so far. I've only recently started considering a career as a driver so I missed this round of recruitment. So my question is does anyone know when the next one is likey to be? Would be looking to be based in Crewe.

 

[Stigy]

Oh, nice one. Is that to start or to go into a pool?

I believe if they give you a medical that's just prior to being given a start date. I don't think the would give a medical date if you're going to be put in a pool. Congrats to those who've managed it up until now and best of luck to everybody else too!

 

[Stigy]

I don't know what everyone else thinks but I find it so refreshing how Freightliner are going about this recruitment campaign. They're getting people through testing and medical's in no time, and even if you're put in the talent pool, it sounds like it means you're almost certain of getting on a course. A talent pool on most other Tocs means you're on hold for a few years then if you don't get a course you have to start all over again. I just find it such a positive way of doing things that other companies could learn from. Rant over.

I agree. I also really like how they have gone about things from the word go. For example, not having to fill out a full competency based application form, along with giving all employment history. This means people are being progressed through the stages based solely on aptitude in the assessments, rather than being blinded by somebody'd vast railway background and/or knowledge. A lot of company's wouldn't paper sift candidates to assessment stage unless they tick all the right boxes in terms of experience and background. This way, you have a real chance to prove yourself in person if you pass the assessments etc. I think this makes sense?

 

[martin2345uk]

I agree. I also really like how they have gone about things from the word go. For example, not having to fill out a full competency based application form, along with giving all employment history. This means people are being progressed through the stages based solely on aptitude in the assessments, rather than being blinded by somebody'd vast railway background and/or knowledge. A lot of company's wouldn't paper sift candidates to assessment stage unless they tick all the right boxes in terms of experience and background. This way, you have a real chance to prove yourself in person if you pass the assessments etc. I think this makes sense?

It does; and I firmly believe it's why this is my first application where I've made it to assessment centre stage,

 

[Pete C]

For those who have completed the MMI - do they ask you any generic TOC train driver questions where they're looking to see what your customer service / passenger related skills are like, or have they actually tailored it to a FOC? Just wondering as obviously the MMI is conducted by the OPC and is presumably the same for Freightliner as it is for VTWC, for example.

 

[Stigy]

So as with no doubt countless others here, I’m preparing for the MMI/DMI. Just wondered how everyone who’s done these interviews undertook them on the day? I’ve attended my fair share of interviews, as well as conducted a few too, but I do have a tendency to go ‘blank’ sometimes. I don’t usually come across as nervous, but obviously going blank isn’t a great trait to have

With regard to interview prep, has anyone here taken notes in with them, and is this acceptable? To be honest, it would help me a lot but I don’t want to risk this approach if it’s not deemed the norm if that makes sense?

 

[WirralWanderer]

In all honesty don’t overthink, the MMI is looking to identify your decision making. How you feel about rules & regs, how you cope in stressful situations and under pressure.
My DMI was actually really relaxed. I felt more like I was at an open day with experienced colleagues and getting to ask them as much as they asked me.

I agree with some of the early comments, the way this has been conducted has been great. At no point did I feel I was at a disadvantage because I had never worked on the railways (not for trying). If you have made it to the DMI then you have got through all the hard stuff.

 

[mumrar]

Does anybody have a contact number or email for someone at either the OPC or Freightliner they could PM me. I have contacted the OPC admin address, as it is all I have, as I have been waiting for 3 weeks to receive a date for the DMI. I've used all my patience up, but I am really feeling nervous about missing out.

Thanks if anyone is able to assist.

 

[4F89]

Google is your friend! Just type in OPC and it comes up

 

[Mike121]

Does anybody have a contact number or email for someone at either the OPC or Freightliner they could PM me. I have contacted the OPC admin address, as it is all I have, as I have been waiting for 3 weeks to receive a date for the DMI. I've used all my patience up, but I am really feeling nervous about missing out.

Thanks if anyone is able to assist.

Let us know if you get anywhere with contacting them!

 

[Stigy]

In all honesty don’t overthink, the MMI is looking to identify your decision making. How you feel about rules & regs, how you cope in stressful situations and under pressure.
My DMI was actually really relaxed. I felt more like I was at an open day with experienced colleagues and getting to ask them as much as they asked me.

I agree with some of the early comments, the way this has been conducted has been great. At no point did I feel I was at a disadvantage because I had never worked on the railways (not for trying). If you have made it to the DMI then you have got through all the hard stuff.

Thanks for all the info, my appreciated. That’s one of my more negative traits haha (overthinking).

 

[Stanstaff]

Anyone got any tips on the computer tests? Is the two hand all about how fast you do it I appreciate you won’t always stay in the shape just wondering what it was like?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Stigy]

Anyone got any tips on the computer tests? Is the two hand all about how fast you do it I appreciate you won’t always stay in the shape just wondering what it was like?
Thanks in advance.

From memory the hand coordination one is speed and accuracy (the common theme with these tests to be honest). Don’t worry about straying outside the lines but get back in as soon and as accurately as possible. It was a while ago I did these but they haven’t changed so the principle is the same. I strayed a few times but passed.

 

[mumrar]

I called and spoke to Jo at The OPC just now. She is chasing FL to find out why they are yet to contact me to give me an interview date - small comfort as it just means I still have no real answer as to when it will be and time continues to march on.