Paying for private assessment

[neilbsg]

Hi, I am aware that there has been a lot of discussion regarding this but my situation is a bit different.
I failed an assessment in 2003 (concentration test) as I was ill on the day and would not have been refunded the money I had payed so decided to try (wrong decision!).
I now work as a paramedic and thought I answered First Groups application for trainee driver very well with good examples for all questions, however I was not shortlisted.
I did have to disclose my previous attendance and failure at an assessment centre and am wondering whether this counted against me, and if it would be worth my while to pay to do the test to prove I can pass it.

 

[TDK]

Hi, I am aware that there has been a lot of discussion regarding this but my situation is a bit different.
I failed an assessment in 2003 (concentration test) as I was ill on the day and would not have been refunded the money I had payed so decided to try (wrong decision!).
I now work as a paramedic and thought I answered First Groups application for trainee driver very well with good examples for all questions, however I was not shortlisted.
I did have to disclose my previous attendance and failure at an assessment centre and am wondering whether this counted against me, and if it would be worth my while to pay to do the test to prove I can pass it.

The failure of your first attempt I doubt was the reason you were not shorlisted, there are hundreds of reasons why someone is unsuccesful with the sift the most common being the form is not correctly completed. To take this at your own cost is your decision but I wouldn't do this on the backlash of not making the shortlisting.

 

[neilbsg]

Thanks TDK. I was very thorough with the form and made sure there were no mistakes, that each question was answered with relevant information and felt I submitted a really strong application, which is why I'm really disheartened as I know I have the skills and ability to do the job. I do live 300 miles away from the position I applied for, however the HR department informed me this had nothing to do with why I was not shortlisted.
Without knowing where I went wrong I'm going to make the same mistakes again, which is very frustrating! I`m even contemplating taking a pay cut and applying for a conductors job to get a foot in the door, however its not something I really want to do as I enjoy my current job and feel i've gained skills and experience in relevant areas which can be transfered straight accross to the train driver role.

 

[TDK]

Thanks TDK. I was very thorough with the form and made sure there were no mistakes, that each question was answered with relevant information and felt I submitted a really strong application, which is why I'm really disheartened as I know I have the skills and ability to do the job. I do live 300 miles away from the position I applied for, however the HR department informed me this had nothing to do with why I was not shortlisted.
Without knowing where I went wrong I'm going to make the same mistakes again, which is very frustrating! I'm even contemplating taking a pay cut and applying for a conductors job to get a foot in the door, however its not something I really want to do as I enjoy my current job and feel i've gained skills and experience in relevant areas which can be transfered straight accross to the train driver role.

I think HR have sent you off on a tangent there, the new European fatigue index laws that will be coming in over the near future will not allow drivers to be more than 45 mins from their home depot, if you are willing or have evidence that you will reloctae I would clearly state this with any other applications you may complete.

 

[Mrt1886]

Hi Neil, how did you hear you were unsuccessful? I filled in an online application form and slightly worried that the answers I gave were not to the standards I could have given. I'm expecting a similar reply to yours and was wondering what the wait is before hearing back because its been a few weeks now.

 

[neilbsg]

I kept checking my application status on Firsts website and after a week or so it stated I was not shortlisted. Good luck with your application!