A career as a signaller

[muz379]

Thanks MikeOff, I am overthinking all this again, i feel because i haven't studied for something that has exams etc since leaving school, i am just throwing doubt into my head, that is why i have reached out to you all. Thanks again

I completely understand why this would be a perfectly natural thing to worry about. But you certainly won't be the first person that the trainer has had in the same boat , I know on my course there were a few people that were in a similar situation to yourself and they all passed the course and are now hapilly settled in their locations .

I generally found that the trainers at IST more than happy to put in as much effort helping people as the trainees themselves were willing to put in . So as long as you are keen and eager to put the effort in to learn the workforce development specialist (WDS - official title of the trainers) should put the same effort in helping you .

 

[Job Hunter]

I completely understand why this would be a perfectly natural thing to worry about. But you certainly won't be the first person that the trainer has had in the same boat , I know on my course there were a few people that were in a similar situation to yourself and they all passed the course and are now hapilly settled in their locations .

I generally found that the trainers at IST more than happy to put in as much effort helping people as the trainees themselves were willing to put in . So as long as you are keen and eager to put the effort in to learn the workforce development specialist (WDS - official title of the trainers) should put the same effort in helping you .

I am in same boat as CrossFit. Super excited but super nervous. Start IST in May.

 

[Ghillyz]

Just been notified that I’ve been unsuccessful in my application after attending Assessment Centre last week. Felt that it went really well on the day and not sure what more I could have done. In the email it says I’m unable to apply for another 6 months, is this normal? I was under the impression that my results from previous stages of the interview process would be kept on record. I have also been given zero feedback which is rather frustrating.

 

[vinoboxer]

Has anybody got any advice for a grade 8 interview for a signaller position coming up??

 

[Ducatist4]

Your test results are valid for six months but only if you don’t get as far as assessment/interview. In your case you’ll have to wait six months to reapply and take all the tests again.

 

[CrossfitGuy]

I completely understand why this would be a perfectly natural thing to worry about. But you certainly won't be the first person that the trainer has had in the same boat , I know on my course there were a few people that were in a similar situation to yourself and they all passed the course and are now hapilly settled in their locations .

I generally found that the trainers at IST more than happy to put in as much effort helping people as the trainees themselves were willing to put in . So as long as you are keen and eager to put the effort in to learn the workforce development specialist (WDS - official title of the trainers) should put the same effort in helping you .

Thank you so much for muz379, I am so excited to get this opportunity, i feel lucky i have been considered for a job with network rail as they dont come up often. I will be grabbing this with both hands and will be doing everything in my power to learn what the WDS's teach me. You have calmed my nerves somewhat, thank you again for your comment....

 

[Rusty Pepper]

Morning All,
I just wondered if I could drink from the well of knowledge again!
I just wondered if someone could tell me a few bits:

A) What are the likely roster options for 12 hour shifts (my position is based at EMCC)?

B)How does it work with regards to breaks- ie do people cross-cover each other's panels/workstations (again, I'm to be based in an ROC) or do you just grab a drink/nip to the loo when there's no activity?

C)Is annual leave rostered for all signallers?

D)What do new entrants do about booking leave- ie, I obviously don't have anything booked during IST but am looking at booking something for this summer- I spoke to the recruitment team and they say it's a discussion to be had with my manager when I start.

Very many thanks in anticipation of your help.

Rusty.

 

[chlpwl]

Hi guys, I've been lurking here for a while, and finding it very helpful. I've recently applied for a G7 signaller role in Derby, I've done my online assessment, and just looking for any tips and tricks for the video interview / assessment centre (providing I do well on the video interview). I've been researcing the NTS'I understand there are a few standard/comp questions, just wondering if you have anything else to point me in the right direction for my prep?

Hi guys, I've been lurking here for a while, and finding it very helpful. I've recently applied for a G7 signaller role in Derby, I've done my online assessment, and just looking for any tips and tricks for the video interview / assessment centre (providing I do well on the video interview). I've been researching the NTS's and I understand there are a few standard/comp questions, just wondering if you have anything else to point me in the right direction for my prep?

Maybe my first thing would be to proof read before I post!

 

[ott]

Just been notified that I’ve been unsuccessful in my application after attending Assessment Centre last week. Felt that it went really well on the day and not sure what more I could have done. In the email it says I’m unable to apply for another 6 months, is this normal? I was under the impression that my results from previous stages of the interview process would be kept on record. I have also been given zero feedback which is rather frustrating.

I unfortunately have the same situation. I was under the impression that Feedback would’ve been given to better explain as to why, was it the interview itself? Or maybe the Assessment. Pretty rubbish situation to be in.
Even worse about the 6 month hold. I was going to apply for an apprenticeship but was told I’d likely not be allowed to.
If any of the successful candidates are here, hope you make the most of it and they’ve made the correct choice.

 

[High Dyke]

Morning All,
I just wondered if I could drink from the well of knowledge again!
I just wondered if someone could tell me a few bits:

A) What are the likely roster options for 12 hour shifts (my position is based at EMCC)?

B)How does it work with regards to breaks- ie do people cross-cover each other's panels/workstations (again, I'm to be based in an ROC) or do you just grab a drink/nip to the loo when there's no activity?

C)Is annual leave rostered for all signallers?

D)What do new entrants do about booking leave- ie, I obviously don't have anything booked during IST but am looking at booking something for this summer- I spoke to the recruitment team and they say it's a discussion to be had with my manager when I start.

Very many thanks in anticipation of your help.

Rusty.

Perhaps more knowledgeable people may help. However:

A) I'm sure most workstations are on 12-hours.

B) Most large signalling locations have a meal relief, but how it is applied may vary.

C) Annual leave is allocated as part of the base roster. Days are pro-rata on the base roster hours. That's the same at any signalling location.

D) For Annual leave you accrue leave from the day you start. Rosters or LOM should be able to advise on this.

 

[Locky]

I unfortunately have the same situation. I was under the impression that Feedback would’ve been given to better explain as to why, was it the interview itself? Or maybe the Assessment. Pretty rubbish situation to be in.
Even worse about the 6 month hold. I was going to apply for an apprenticeship but was told I’d likely not be allowed to.
If any of the successful candidates are here, hope you make the most of it and they’ve made the correct choice.

Sorry to hear it ott. Don't let it stop you, I know I won't. Lots of people here have been unsuccessful the first time and ended up succesful. Although that won't make you feel any better now..

Did you find out yesterday? I'm yet to hear back from them at all, and I believe we were interviewed at the same time, for the same role/same interviewers(presumably). I wonder how many people they interviewed...

 

[emma1]

I unfortunately have the same situation. I was under the impression that Feedback would’ve been given to better explain as to why, was it the interview itself? Or maybe the Assessment. Pretty rubbish situation to be in.
Even worse about the 6 month hold. I was going to apply for an apprenticeship but was told I’d likely not be allowed to.
If any of the successful candidates are here, hope you make the most of it and they’ve made the correct choice.

I'm also in the same position. Heard back I was unsuccessful after the interview for G2 Dundee, but no feedback and told I cant apply for 6 months. Gutted to say the least but won't give up!!!

 

[Harby2506]

Heyo me and dazza and harby are

Anyone heard any more about our training? I'm still waiting for pre-employment checks and medical.

 

[feaky4]

Anyone heard any more about our training? I'm still waiting for pre-employment checks and medical.

Doesn’t look like you hear any thing about training until you start 2 weeks before the training, you still haven’t done that yet? Got all my stuff sorted and just waiting for the medical that’s next week

 

[Harby2506]

I gave all the info beginning of Feb so expected that to be complete. Occ health 25th so hopefully by then everything finalised.

Doesn’t look like you hear any thing about training until you start 2 weeks before the training, you still haven’t done that yet? Got all my stuff sorted and just waiting for the medical that’s next week

 

[feaky4]

I gave all the info beginning of Feb so expected that to be complete. Occ health 25th so hopefully by then everything finalised.

Ah yes that’s good then thought you meant you haven’t done that, they will probably contact you after the medical, got mine next Tuesday

 

[Ghillyz]

I unfortunately have the same situation. I was under the impression that Feedback would’ve been given to better explain as to why, was it the interview itself? Or maybe the Assessment. Pretty rubbish situation to be in.
Even worse about the 6 month hold. I was going to apply for an apprenticeship but was told I’d likely not be allowed to.
If any of the successful candidates are here, hope you make the most of it and they’ve made the correct

Agreed, rubbish situation to be in. I have called and asked for feedback and they’ve advised that I email in and ask for my details to be forwarded on to my interviewers who may be able to provide some insight.

 

[signalcat]

Sorry to repeat just wondering if anyone can answer this please?

Thank you

Hello,

I can see this hasn’t been answered so thought I would help.

The WROC is all 12hr shifts 7-7 (but they actually work 6.30-6.30 ‍♀️)

Link structure is Rhyl and Shrewsbury lines (2 workstations)Grade 4
Swansea Grade 5
Cardiff Grade 7 (3 workstations and a crossing box)
Newport Grade 7 (4 workstations)

I’m not sure where the vacancies are. I think they recruit at grade 2 pool then you are expected to apply for internal vacancies as they come up in the WROC.

Hi All,
Received this email today. Disappointing to say the least. I was wondering if anyone has been contacted for assessment centre interview within 6 months after receiving this?
Or, is this a game over email, and I will need to search and wait for another possible location/grade being advertised in future?
I am within the required distance so it must have been due to volume of applications received.
Basically, I am wondering is there any chance they might contact me in future, without me taking further action, or do I need to start again with the search.

I had this email in the summer, a week later I was invited to interview, I’ve now been through IST and am location training. Don’t lose hope.

 

[Ryan15]

Sorry to hear it ott. Don't let it stop you, I know I won't. Lots of people here have been unsuccessful the first time and ended up succesful. Although that won't make you feel any better now..

Did you find out yesterday? I'm yet to hear back from them at all, and I believe we were interviewed at the same time, for the same role/same interviewers(presumably). I wonder how many people they interviewed...

I’m in the same position as yourself Locky. I’ve not heard anything back yet.

 

[ott]

Sorry to hear it ott. Don't let it stop you, I know I won't. Lots of people here have been unsuccessful the first time and ended up succesful. Although that won't make you feel any better now..

Did you find out yesterday? I'm yet to hear back from them at all, and I believe we were interviewed at the same time, for the same role/same interviewers(presumably). I wonder how many people they interviewed...

I got my results on Tuesday at around 3 pm. Agreed that is not really making me feel any better about the situation at the moment, but hopefully at some point in the future it would be good to try again. The only issue is without the feedback (of any sort) it’s hard to know what to improve on or what to change the next time round.

I'm also in the same position. Heard back I was unsuccessful after the interview for G2 Dundee, but no feedback and told I cant apply for 6 months. Gutted to say the least but won't give up!!!

Hopefully next time it comes around, you are successful but definitely gutting that no feedback is given, it’s not even like we can figure out what to work on for next time.

Agreed, rubbish situation to be in. I have called and asked for feedback and they’ve advised that I email in and ask for my details to be forwarded on to my interviewers who may be able to provide

The chances are, they won’t provide feedback due to the large amount of applicants. If you get anywhere anywhere though, please let us know so I can try and do the same thing!

 

[tiptoptaff]

Hello,

I can see this hasn’t been answered so thought I would help.

The WROC is all 12hr shifts 7-7 (but they actually work 6.30-6.30 ‍♀️)

Link structure is Rhyl and Shrewsbury lines (2 workstations)Grade 4
Swansea Grade 5
Cardiff Grade 7 (3 workstations and a crossing box)
Newport Grade 7 (4 workstations)

I’m not sure where the vacancies are. I think they recruit at grade 2 pool then you are expected to apply for internal vacancies as they come up

Hey mate!

Thanks for the info, really appreciate it

 

[CoachB]

I got my results on Tuesday at around 3 pm. Agreed that is not really making me feel any better about the situation at the moment, but hopefully at some point in the future it would be good to try again. The only issue is without the feedback (of any sort) it’s hard to know what to improve on or what to change the next time round.


Hopefully next time it comes around, you are successful but definitely gutting that no feedback is given, it’s not even like we can figure out what to work on for next time.

The chances are, they won’t provide feedback due to the large amount of applicants. If you get anywhere anywhere though, please let us know so I can try and do the same thing!

To be fair the feedback that I got from both my interviews (when NR done everything in house) 2 years back originally I thought was good to learn from but upon making more detailed answers and then getting the feedback from my second interview I found out it was the same word for word. They just used a template with a couple of options for each section to let you know how you done. Which meant even if you improved your answers you could still end up with the same feedback making you question exactly what they're after.

 

[ott]

To be fair the feedback that I got from both my interviews (when NR done everything in house) 2 years back originally I thought was good to learn from but upon making more detailed answers and then getting the feedback from my second interview I found out it was the same word for word. They just used a template with a couple of options for each section to let you know how you done. Which meant even if you improved your answers you could still end up with the same feedback making you question exactly what they're after.

It’s definitely a tricky one because I get that some employers (like NR) like to keep things confidential, but if they don’t provide feedback to applicants, they’re limiting themselves to a really vague market (that market might not even include the people they’re actually looking for). Obviously, I’m just an applicant, and I don’t know everything about the process, but up until the AC, I was given feedback based on my online tests. Fair enough, it was probably auto generated, but it was still something, and it was actually useful to know.

Another point -

Interviews can be stressful and honestly a bit frustrating. You could be the perfect person for the job without even realising it, but then the big day comes, everything goes tits up, and suddenly you’re back to square one, wondering what went wrong and how you can do better.

I just wish employers did more to support people who might not smash an interview but are clearly capable of doing the job. At the end of the day, you’re not going to use interview techniques once you’re actually working, so if someone shows they’re willing to learn and can do the job well, why shouldn’t they get a chance?

 

[UPhi]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know of the likely IST training locations?

Is there a training centre in London? or are they all in the middle of no where? ha

Medical next week and hoping to hear about start dates soon!!

 

[Ducatist4]

They get many hundreds of applicants for each vacancy, they can afford to be choosey I'm afraid. There is enough information contained with in this thread though to give you the edge and be successful.

 

[CoachB]

It’s definitely a tricky one because I get that some employers (like NR) like to keep things confidential, but if they don’t provide feedback to applicants, they’re limiting themselves to a really vague market (that market might not even include the people they’re actually looking for). Obviously, I’m just an applicant, and I don’t know everything about the process, but up until the AC, I was given feedback based on my online tests. Fair enough, it was probably auto generated, but it was still something, and it was actually useful to know.

Another point -

Interviews can be stressful and honestly a bit frustrating. You could be the perfect person for the job without even realising it, but then the big day comes, everything goes tits up, and suddenly you’re back to square one, wondering what went wrong and how you can do better.

I just wish employers did more to support people who might not smash an interview but are clearly capable of doing the job. At the end of the day, you’re not going to use interview techniques once you’re actually working, so if someone shows they’re willing to learn and can do the job well, why shouldn’t they get a chance?

I do believe in getting feedback from interviews as it does give you an idea of what to improve on for next time.

However part of a problem these days are people are trained/coached from school in how to complete job applications and how to pass an interview. Making the whole process harder for those who don't have as much confidence. However this is why NR interviews are a bit more relaxed as they score you on your NTS not necessarily how confident you come across at the interview. You could think you've messed it up but if you've managed to hit their NTS scores then your more likely to get the job or onto the reserve list

 

[MikeOff]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know of the likely IST training locations?

Is there a training centre in London? or are they all in the middle of no where? ha

Medical next week and hoping to hear about start dates soon!!

Depends on what kind of IST you need (AB/TCB) and where there is space on a course. We had people from Kent on our IST in Carlisle but there are training centres across the country.

 

[bouff34]

They get many hundreds of applicants for each vacancy, they can afford to be choosey I'm afraid. There is enough information contained with in this thread though to give you the edge and be successful.

Completely agree. Without wanting to upset people, there are multiple times more applicants than there are vacancies available. If you are a good candidate pretty much every conceivable question has already been answered on this forum and you probably already have a good idea of what is required and a good set of skills and evidence to present! Life is competitive and those that can do the research for themselves will get on and achieve.

Candidates on here are repeatedly asking, "What will the questions be...? Has anyone else applied for this role..? How should I answer this? What would be a good reply for this NTS skill?"

Sorry, but the reality is that if all those answers are openly available on here (they are) offered by helpful posters then every candidate effectively will interview the same and will meet the requirements of the interview!! How does this help? NWR will have to change the interview to some other method of assessment - then we go round in circles chasing whatever the new interview model might be.

My personal view would be that those that find this forum should spend a decent amount of time going through the whole thread and then filter this down to the most relevant information (and eliminate all the irrelevant or possibly well intentioned but questionable advice). Put the good stuff onto a single word document and then go from there. All the questions are already answered in 99.9% of cases - you just have to read the thread or use the search function. Yes, this is a friendly and helpful group but just bear in mind you are all competing for the same job - so what relevance is there in asking who else has applied for a particular role? I don't care who else has applied as my focus should be on my application and no one else's. I'll be polite but I'm not minded to be giving you an advantage by offering up what I was asked if I had my interview first!!

Not meaning to offend anyone and for the record I have been a signaller for several years now and was very grateful for the masses of information that was on this thread at the time of my application and interview process. If you come across in interview as confident and present your genuine life skill evidence well I suspect you have a far better chance than 9 other interviewees that have all been coached and are regurgitating what they gather is the perfect set of interview answers from asking on here??

 

[kenny01]

Completely agree. Without wanting to upset people, there are multiple times more applicants than there are vacancies available. If you are a good candidate pretty much every conceivable question has already been answered on this forum and you probably already have a good idea of what is required and a good set of skills and evidence to present! Life is competitive and those that can do the research for themselves will get on and achieve.

Candidates on here are repeatedly asking, "What will the questions be...? Has anyone else applied for this role..? How should I answer this? What would be a good reply for this NTS skill?"

Sorry, but the reality is that if all those answers are openly available on here (they are) offered by helpful posters then every candidate effectively will interview the same and will meet the requirements of the interview!! How does this help? NWR will have to change the interview to some other method of assessment - then we go round in circles chasing whatever the new interview model might be.

My personal view would be that those that find this forum should spend a decent amount of time going through the whole thread and then filter this down to the most relevant information (and eliminate all the irrelevant or possibly well intentioned but questionable advice). Put the good stuff onto a single word document and then go from there. All the questions are already answered in 99.9% of cases - you just have to read the thread or use the search function. Yes, this is a friendly and helpful group but just bear in mind you are all competing for the same job - so what relevance is there in asking who else has applied for a particular role? I don't care who else has applied as my focus should be on my application and no one else's. I'll be polite but I'm not minded to be giving you an advantage by offering up what I was asked if I had my interview first!!

Not meaning to offend anyone and for the record I have been a signaller for several years now and was very grateful for the masses of information that was on this thread at the time of my application and interview process. If you come across in interview as confident and present your genuine life skill evidence well I suspect you have a far better chance than 9 other interviewees that have all been coached and are regurgitating what they gather is the perfect set of interview answers from asking on here??

As a signaller for a short time now, this has been the best post for a while. Do your research, and get your NTS answers as perfect as you can get them. By doing this you’ll feel confident in your interview and this will come across as such. All the questions you have, have been previously answered, so it’s just a case of going back through the forum.

As for IST, if you’ve been good enough to get through the application process, you’ll be good enough to pass the course. I really enjoyed it, tough at times with a lot of information but I had a great class and we all worked together.

Good luck!

 

[RailwayRookie]

As for IST, if you’ve been good enough to get through the application process, you’ll be good enough to pass the course.

This is not necessarily true, while classes do get 100% success rates. Just being there and rigorously applying yourself is no guarantee of passing.

It's in the company's best interest to pass people from an investment point of view if they got that far, but people can and do strike out.

It's very dependent on the individual.