Advice on trainee train driver application

[jakey05]

Ive applied twice now and got

“Application on hold but under consideration” then awhile later been told not going further etc.


I was just wondering is there any course i could do etc in relation to the job which would help on CV/application?

Any advice at all would be helpful thank you.

 

[12LDA28C]

Ive applied twice now and got

“Application on hold but under consideration” then awhile later been told not going further etc.


I was just wondering is there any course i could do etc in relation to the job which would help on CV/application?

Any advice at all would be helpful thank you.

A course in relation to CV or job application writing? You don't say how far along the application process you've reached on those two occasions, but if it's literally right at the start then maybe you haven't fulfilled all of the basic criteria such as living within a certain distance of your chosen depot, reaching the minimum age requirement and so on.

 

[RossMc]

What are your current circumstances, job, age, experience etc?

First time i applied I didn't get passed initial sift. This time, with no change in circumstances other than age, I'm through to the assessment stage.

 

[jakey05]

A course in relation to CV or job application writing? You don't say how far along the application process you've reached on those two occasions, but if it's literally right at the start then maybe you haven't fulfilled all of the basic criteria such as living within a certain distance of your chosen depot, reaching the minimum age requirement and so on.

I live roughly 35minutes car journey from the depo, 30 years old, and in both applications filled in the form got an email back application on hold but under further consideration then a monthish later been told being rejected at this time etc

What are your current circumstances, job, age, experience etc?

First time i applied I didn't get passed initial sift. This time, with no change in circumstances other than age, I'm through to the assessment stage.

Jobs had multiple and currently in long term employment just wanting to have a fresh start in something. age 30, no experience in any past jobs that would relate to traine train driver in the sense of the job itself

A course in relation to CV or job application writing? You don't say how far along the application process you've reached on those two occasions, but if it's literally right at the start then maybe you haven't fulfilled all of the basic criteria such as living within a certain distance of your chosen depot, reaching the minimum age requirement and so on.

Also a course in relation to the job itself which i could put down on my cv when applying for the job role which would help my chances

 

[Eebbs1912]

Have you thought about going the otm route for your licence then switch to pass or freight later? Much less competitive.

 

[RossMc]

Having no experience in jobs which would give you transferable skills for driving trains can't be helping I'd imagine.

I've been a traffic cop for 18 years with numerous transferable skills which I think would be ideal for the job, and I was rejected at the initial sift on my first application.

With such sought after positions and so many applications, I can only assume that the recruitment team use any number of reasons to reduce numbers. A lack of transferable skills must surely be one of those reasons.

Hopefully with persistence you will succeed in time. I wish you the best.

 

[CalumMunro123]

Ive applied twice now and got

“Application on hold but under consideration” then awhile later been told not going further etc.


I was just wondering is there any course i could do etc in relation to the job which would help on CV/application?

Any advice at all would be helpful thank you.

Hi

I applied for a trainee train driver job with Scotrail back in December 2022 I only heard back this week about getting to the next stage. I think it’s just a patiences game unfortunately. I was emailed asking if I was still interested and if I could send them an updated CV.

 

[12LDA28C]

Also a course in relation to the job itself which i could put down on my cv when applying for the job role which would help my chances

I don't think there's any course you could take in relation to train driving, although you could consider volunteering at a heritage railway if you have one near you, to learn some basic skills and railway-specific knowledge. That might help, if you have no other transferable skills.

Transferable skills might be working in accordance with rules and procedures, having to concentrate for long periods, working alone or as part of a team, communication skills, dealing with changing shift patterns, positive attitude to safety, attention to detail etc.

 

[Smelliott]

Have a good think about transferrable skills you may have gained relating to safety and following rules & procedures, it's an absolute must. These can be completely unrelated to the railway. If you genuinely can't think of anything, then think: How can I get this experience? That's exactly what I did. It's worth doing.

 

[CJBX]

I think, as with most papersift procedures, initial decisions are made based purely on how and IF you answer the questions they ask.

As for the CV, there are plenty of companies who will, for a fee, prepare your CV for you in a way that is most likely to hit the current 'buzzwords' relative to the role you are applying for. For example with railway work I would imagine these are surrounding safety, regulations, concentration, decision making etc. This is important as although you may not have any obvious experience that aligns with the requirements of a train driver, an impartial set of eyes may likely find that you do, even if only in a corporate capacity and not a practical one.

I know first hand from assessors that one of the first things they look for, when assessing answers to questions is 'have they actually answered the question'. Keep that in mind as it's easy to go off on a tangent.

Spending time researching and practising the STAR answering method will not be wasted.

 

[Neatro]

I live roughly 35minutes car journey from the depo, 30 years old, and in both applications filled in the form got an email back application on hold but under further consideration then a monthish later been told being rejected at this time etc


Jobs had multiple and currently in long term employment just wanting to have a fresh start in something. age 30, no experience in any past jobs that would relate to traine train driver in the sense of the job itself


Also a course in relation to the job itself which i could put down on my cv when applying for the job role which would help my chances

Every job has at least a couple transferable skills to train driving; concentration, following rules and procedures, safe working practices, customer service etc.

It may be in your CV that you're not showing casing the relevant skills for the job you're applying for.

I found with applications that I redid my CV to be a lot shorter with all the keywords you're trying to get across being prominent and in some cases even bullet pointed.

No one likes reading really long CV's having to search through to what they're looking for, and in regards to any questionnaires that pop you have to mostly think about safety when answering as it's the top point they're looking for.

 

[12LDA28C]

I think, as with most papersift procedures, initial decisions are made based purely on how and IF you answer the questions they ask.

Indeed. If you missed out a question, put 'don't know' as an answer or didn't answer the specific question asked then you'd probably be discarded instantly.

 

[jakey05]

A course in relation to CV or job application writing? You don't say how far along the application process you've reached on those two occasions, but if it's literally right at the start then maybe you haven't fulfilled all of the basic criteria such as living within a certain distance of your chosen depot, reaching the minimum age requirement and so on.

I live roughly 35minutes car journey from the depo, 30 years old, and in both applications filled in the form

Have you thought about going the otm route for your licence then switch to pass or freight later? Much less competitive.

Indeed. If you missed out a question, put 'don't know' as an answer or didn't answer the specific question asked then you'd probably be discarded instantly.

i did answer them all in full to be fair

 

[12LDA28C]

i did answer them all in full to be fair

I'm sure you did. That wasn't aimed at you but was more of a warning to anyone thinking of applying for a driver's job at any TOC/FOC.

 

[Horizon22]

Trainee driver vacancies can be incredibly competitive with potentially hundreds of applicants for every 1 position. You really have to tailor your CV to the job description, ensuring your skills & experiences are relevant for the role by thoroughly checking through the advert. I don't think there's going to be any courses particularly relevant, although you may wish to apply (don't have to) for a more 'junior' and less competitive position such as platform staff or guard/conductor.

There is a whole host of information here as well - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/a-career-as-a-train-driver.17674/

Best of luck.