A career as a signaller

[trainfan77]

Hi, where have you applied for?

I had mine recently and there wasn't any exercises. Was Purely an interview, with 2 people. 1 was asking questions, whilst the other took notes. 11:00 to 12:15. Was meant to be an hour.

Cheers,
Aidan

Hi Aidan,
I applied for carmarthen and interview is in port talbot (South wales). Seems to be the case then that it's just an interview and nothing more.

Thanks for your help!

 

[feaky4]

I had an interview with a panel of 2 then had to wait a bit longer for the group exercise you should get an email saying what your expecting to do on the day

 

[Signallwr]

Online Video Assessment completed. First scenario was terrible, took abit to get the hang of it, and getting the information across into the camera wasn't easy to begin with.

Face to face Interview in a couple of weeks, time to prepare! Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers!!

hiya, I've sent you a pm

 

[Fennel]

what is the difference between relief and resident signaller. Thanks

 

[muz379]

what is the difference between relief and resident signaller. Thanks

Residents cover one location will work to their roster in that location , generally you know your shifts , and days off forever as the roster just rotates - obviously unless the roster changes .

Then you have different types of Relief but generally a relief signaller will cover more than one location , or more than one workstation / panel in a multi staffed location . They will have either none or only a small proportion of their shifts pre rostered so they wont know what they are working in advance (they will know their rest day pattern but not what shifts or locations they are working ) . But they will according to mileage be paid a relief premium which could be upto 32% of the basic salary for this flexibility .

 

[Asp112233]

Afternoon all,

I'm currently waiting to hear back about if I was successful or not at my interview. The role was for a G6 at Manchester ROC. I do have a couple of questions....

- Firstly, am I right in thinking it's a couple of weeks of days then a couple of weeks on nights?

- Usually how many weekends would I be expected to work per month?

- I also have a 1 year old little boy so was wandering peoples opinions regarding work/life balance doing this sort of shift?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Trothy]

Afternoon all,

I'm currently waiting to hear back about if I was successful or not at my interview. The role was for a G6 at Manchester ROC. I do have a couple of questions....

- Firstly, am I right in thinking it's a couple of weeks of days then a couple of weeks on nights?

- Usually how many weekends would I be expected to work per month?

- I also have a 1 year old little boy so was wandering peoples opinions regarding work/life balance doing this sort of shift?

Thanks in advance.

1. The roster pattern switches between days/nights each week.

2. You get a full weekend off every month, you work a weekend which is nights Sat and Sun. You have a weekend which is Sat day shift, and Sun off and a final weekend which is Sat off and Sun day shift.

3. I dont have kids but if both parents are working it can be pretty tough, i'd imagine it's a little easier if your other half is at home with the kids fulltime.

 

[RailNoob]

Correct understaffed from what I've heard.
I know someone on reserve list for a G9 in Edinburgh, so not sure why they would advertise if they have reserve pool candidates.

I'd imagine this is because of potentially filling roster gaps quickly grade 9 means a very busy location and someone of the street has to go through IST before they can even start there training in the box itself and being fresh from school it would most of the time (not always) take abit longer than a signaller who's got some experience behind them from previous locations etc !

 

[JustG]

Hi, are those that have passed IST and have interviewed for a box able to say what the interview was like? Was it similar sort of NTS questions as the original interview? Can you use the same examples or need to think up new ones? Thanks in advance

 

[Open_G]

Hi, are those that have passed IST and have interviewed for a box able to say what the interview was like? Was it similar sort of NTS questions as the original interview? Can you use the same examples or need to think up new ones? Thanks in advance

Pretty basic. There’s a few more technical questions than those as an external candidate. For example I seem to remember going through the process for a line blockage in one question. Also prep an answer for “why that box?” If you’ve not already seen it. Visit the box too.

 

[Jordan4321]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had information on what the relief shift pattern looked like in the ROCs

 

[Fennel]

Residents cover one location will work to their roster in that location , generally you know your shifts , and days off forever as the roster just rotates - obviously unless the roster changes .

Then you have different types of Relief but generally a relief signaller will cover more than one location , or more than one workstation / panel in a multi staffed location . They will have either none or only a small proportion of their shifts pre rostered so they wont know what they are working in advance (they will know their rest day pattern but not what shifts or locations they are working ) . But they will according to mileage be paid a relief premium which could be upto 32% of the basic salary for this flexibility .

Thanks for explaining this so easy, so if it is Grade 3 relief ,they would be paid grade 3 salary plus whatever allowance on top,

 

[Sunset route]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had information on what the relief shift pattern looked like in the ROCs

As all rosters are subject to local negotiation, so they will be different from ROC to ROC and indeed different within the ROCs for each link.

 

[Jordan4321]

As all rosters are subject to local negotiation, so they will be different from ROC to ROC and indeed different within the ROCs for each link.

Thanks for the info

 

[muz379]

Thanks for explaining this so easy, so if it is Grade 3 relief ,they would be paid grade 3 salary plus whatever allowance on top,

Yeah so youll be paid the Grade 3 salary , plus whatever relief premium , multi location premiums start at 12% afaik .

 

[PTGRail]

Can someone please give me information about London Liverpool St Signal box.

I am aware they have both G8 and G9 workstation.

Need to know the area of control by both grades and which TOC's operate within that area.

Roster pattern if possible. I believe it's 12hrs

Thanks.

I’m not sure of the exact roster pattern, but they are on 12 hour shifts.

Grade 8 covers the West Anglia link, and Grade 9 covers the Great Eastern link. The primary TOC is Greater Anglia.

 

[Asp112233]

Afternoon all,

So I've had the phone call confirming that I passed the interview for G6 signaller.... Fantastic. But the girl on the phone said they can only offer me a G2 told as they have to go internal for the G6 first or something. Seems abit unfair considering the G6 is what I applied for and the wage is considerably lower. Has anyone had this happen? I'm not sure what to do now

Thanks

 

[Lpf93]

Afternoon all,

So I've had the phone call confirming that I passed the interview for G6 signaller.... Fantastic. But the girl on the phone said they can only offer me a G2 told as they have to go internal for the G6 first or something. Seems abit unfair considering the G6 is what I applied for and the wage is considerably lower. Has anyone had this happen? I'm not sure what to do now

Thanks

That doesn’t seem right to me.
It would be G2 whilst at IST and then G4 when you start training then G6 once you’re passed as competent at location?
I’d seek clarity from recruitment team and I’m fairly confident you can’t be put into a job you’ve not applied for as that would be unfair on the people that have applied for the other role,

 

[Ducatist4]

She might have meant that you passed the interview but didn't score highly enough for the G6 role but they have a G2 role available, would you like that?
I've heard of that happening quite often.

 

[Asp112233]

That doesn’t seem right to me.
It would be G2 whilst at IST and then G4 when you start training then G6 once you’re passed as competent at location?
I’d seek clarity from recruitment team and I’m fairly confident you can’t be put into a job you’ve not applied for as that would be unfair on the people that have applied for the other role,

Nope, she specifically said you've passed the interview and the feedback was very positive from the interviewers. But we can only offer you a G2 as internal applicants get priority over G6. Definitely doesn't seem right

She might have meant that you passed the interview but didn't score highly enough for the G6 role but they have a G2 role available, would you like that?
I've heard of that happening quite often.

That's not how it came across mate, she said the interview went really went and they was impressed. It would be a big wage drop for me and one I couldn't really afford hence why I've been waiting for a G6

 

[PTGRail]

Just curious as they were advertising on the internal vacancy list recently, does anyone know the future plans for Marylebone signal box? I was reading it was scheduled for closure in 2025 to move to a ROC, but I know a lot of these plans are currently on hold.

 

[endofthetunnel]

Nope, she specifically said you've passed the interview and the feedback was very positive from the interviewers. But we can only offer you a G2 as internal applicants get priority over G6. Definitely doesn't seem right

It’s common for external candidates to interview for a position but be offered a different one. It sounds like it was badly worded by whoever you spoke to but it’s nothing personal and it is sensible recruitment if two candidates have equal scores to give the job to an already proven signaller even if you don’t like the outcome. You will take a long time to be ‘productive’ with IST etc whereas they can be straight into the job.

It’s up to you whether to take a foot in the door on a lower grade job and move internally or wait it out for a higher grade but harder to get one.

 

[Lpf93]

Nope, she specifically said you've passed the interview and the feedback was very positive from the interviewers. But we can only offer you a G2 as internal applicants get priority over G6. Definitely doesn't seem right


That's not how it came across mate, she said the interview went really went and they was impressed. It would be a big wage drop for me and one I couldn't really afford hence why I've been waiting for a G6

Odd.
Might be worth taking the g2 job anyway. With Sundays and night premiums if it’s a 24/7 box you’ll still take home 40k

 

[Ducatist4]

I've heard of people off the street getting G9 positions. I'd be tempted to take the cash hit, go for the G2, do signalling school then you'll have access to the internal job list. You might actually be grateful you didn't get the G6 role once you have a better understanding of what's involved.

 

[kneems]

Afternoon all,

So I've had the phone call confirming that I passed the interview for G6 signaller.... Fantastic. But the girl on the phone said they can only offer me a G2 told as they have to go internal for the G6 first or something. Seems abit unfair considering the G6 is what I applied for and the wage is considerably lower. Has anyone had this happen? I'm not sure what to do now

Thanks

The exact same thing has happened to me - I've also been offered a G2 (instead of G6) relief role for Greater Manchester. As others have said this is a great opportunity, so think I'll take it. Does anyone know how IST schools are allocated? Hopefully it starts August / September time.

 

[sm1234]

Looking to see if anyone has any advice from anyone who has been through the process.

I have an interview in the coming weeks

1st thing I need to do is a “Pre interview assessment” - Can anyone advise what this involves?

2nd thing is the interview itself- Has anyone got any advice on questions asked or what to prepare etc?

Thanks

 

[Ducatist4]

If only there was a 639 page thread on this very forum that's answered all those questions multiple times

 

[sm1234]

If only there was a 639 page thread on this very forum that's answered all those questions multiple times

From reading them, I have seen a lot of conflicting information so was just looking for some more up to date responses and for a bit of clarity

 

[Ferretrugby]

Hi all,

I am am scheduled to complete a grade 4 interview for Kilmarnock in the coming week.

I am looking to see what questions you may be asked, and what sort of studying you undertook.

I am studying up around Absolute Blocks and track Circuit Blocks as these related to Kilmarnock, what is new and upcoming in respect of the digital railway and how that impacts on Signalling. I have looked into the GSM-R communication aswell as ETCS, I am unsure if I am going to in depth.

I have read on other forums that the STAR model is used for questions. Being an external candidate I presume these will be generic ones such as tell me a time you have done XYZ along with why you want to join network rail, what is involved in role of a signaller etc.

Thanks

 

[The Puddock]

I am studying up around Absolute Blocks and track Circuit Blocks as these related to Kilmarnock, what is new and upcoming in respect of the digital railway and how that impacts on Signalling. I have looked into the GSM-R communication aswell as ETCS, I am unsure if I am going to in depth.

You don’t need to know anything about those things for an external interview - it’s unlikely they’ll ask anything beyond the broadest ‘what do you think a signaller does?‘ type generic questions. You do not require any specialist knowledge of signalling systems or technology.

I have read on other forums that the STAR model is used for questions. Being an external candidate I presume these will be generic ones such as tell me a time you have done XYZ along with why you want to join network rail, what is involved in role of a signaller etc.

Yes, you’ll be asked generic competence based questions covering some of the non-technical skills.