Hey gazza8.
Cheers for the inside knowledge but I for sure understand it doesn't say or guarantee a job.
I feel what it does is show we have what it takes and could possibly be a good candidate for future employment with the company. To get to the stage we are at isn't a easy feet and feel we have done well to get to this stage but I'm also fully aware on how hard it is for external candidates to get the chance in front of internal. Unfortunately for us external, internal will always get looked at ahead due to there knowledge of the rail industry and company.
All that are on hold just have to wait and see what happens in the future and if nothing under the 6 month we just try again. having passed everything the only thing we may need to do again is the DM interview this was told to me from HR.. and that is only if the DM feels we need the interview again. stay positive all our time will come.
Only thing i disagree with is the internal candidate having the better chance isnt exactly true, it opens up another debate for another topic, where it is said, due to government funding and cost effectiveness the external candidate in the last several years been favoured, although as you say internal candidates have a much better knowledge of all things railway.