Hello there, and welcome to How to Pass the Train Driver Application.
My name is Richard McMunn, and for the duration
of this short presentation I'm going to give you some important tips that
will allow you to successfully pass the first stage of the UK train driver
selection process.
It's no secret that becoming a train driver is quite
difficult.
On average there are over 400 people for every one single job
advertisement.
Therefore the competition is fierce, and you're going to
have to make sure that you're at your best and you submit a comprehensive and
relevant application form.
During the presentation, I'm going to talk about the qualities of a train
driver.
They are extremely important to know, so make sure you know them.
You will be assessed, in part, against the qualities of a train driver
during the application form, so the first stage before you actually get an
application form is to find out what the qualities are.
If you understand the qualities and attributes of a train driver
then you are far more likely to be able to submit a successful application.
I recommend what you do is when you do apply to become a train driver;
you get a copy of the person specification and also the job description
for the role that you are applying for.
Generally, when a train operating company creates a position such as a
trainee train driver, they will set out a number of essential and desirable
criteria, and these can be found on both the person specification and the
job description.
For example, on the person spec it might say, "As part of
the role, you have to be able to concentrate for long periods of time."
Therefore you will have to demonstrate and provide evidence on the
application form of where you have already previously been able to
concentrate for long periods of time.
Let's face it.
Anybody can put down on an application form, 'Yes.
I am able to concentrate for long periods of time.'
Anybody can put that down, but actually backing it up with evidence is another
matter.
Make sure that you get a copy of the person specification and
also the job description.
Let's take a quick look at the role of a train driver.
I've highlighted a number of key qualities in here.
As well as driving the train, you'll have a
number of customer service responsibilities.
Addressing passengers using the on board PA, that's public address system.
Keeping them informed and helping to develop good passenger relations.
You'll also make sure their safety is paramount at all times.
Reacting quickly and calmly in emergency situations and reporting incidents wherever
necessary.
Train drivers need to be able to maintain exceptional levels of
concentration.
After all, this is a high pressure role calling for you to
be cool, calm and responsible.
You'll also be a strong communicator and be capable of working on your own initiative.
Flexibility is also essential since trains operate 24 hours a day all year
round.
That means your shift lengths and patterns will vary including early
starts, late finishes, weekends and bank holidays.
The reason why I've highlighted those key qualities is because they are
essential to the role of a train driver.
You need to be able to provide a high level of customer service because even
though you are driving the trains, the train operating companies are
extremely passionate and also obsessive about delivering high quality levels
of service.
They don't always get it right, I admit, but they are
passionate about it and therefore, as a train driver, you must have
good customer service skills and responsibilities.
Basically, you're going to be a role model for that
train operating company.
You need to be able to relate to the passengers as
well.
Making sure safety's paramount, and safety's a massive thing during the
train driver application form.
Not just on the form, but also at every other stage of the process when you go through
the psychometric testing assessment and also both sets of interviews.
You need some, actually that you can demonstrate that you are a safe person,
and you understand the importance of safety.
Not safety of yourself, but safety of the staff that
you're driving, the safety of other crew members and also the safety of the
passengers.
You have to be able to react quickly and calmly, and on the application
form you may have to provide evidence of where you have already done this.
My background personally is in the fire service.
I've got bags of experience of where I have reacted quickly
and calmly in stressful situations.
You'll have to think carefully about types of situations that
you have already been in.
Says that "Train drivers need to be able to maintain exceptional levels of concentration".
Then, you will be assessed against your concentration skills, join the
group of board and testing stage, which is at the second level of the
application process.
You'll need to demonstrate where you've concentrated for
long periods of time.
Obviously it's a high pressure role.
You need to be cool, calm and responsible and also be a strong communicator.
You're going to have to communicate with your passengers on the PA
system, also within the control center to make them aware of any emergencies.
You need to be able to work on your own.
Obviously, you need to be flexible.
Let's say you're at home on a Saturday night, you're not due to be at work, so you
set around with the family watching the television.
The phone rings.
It's the station manager asking can you come in because another train driver's
gone off sick.
You might think, there's no chance I'm going in because
this is a Saturday night, and it's my time.
What they're looking for is people who are flexible, and you
could go, hopefully, "Yes."
If you haven't been drinking alcohol.
"No problem.
I'll get myself in and I'll help out."
That's the kind of person they are looking for.
The key qualities summarized, have excellent customer service skills.
Be able to demonstrate good passenger relations.
Be safety conscious.
Be able to react quickly and calmly.
Maintain exceptional levels of concentration.
Be capable of working under pressure.
Stay cool, calm and responsible.
Be a strong communicator.
Work on your own, unsupervised and be very flexible.
Demonstrate these key qualities during every stage of the selection
process.
In particular, during the application form, you will have to
provide evidence of where you meet each of these individual areas.
I say that word pronounced, "evidence."
Don't just put down, "Yes.
I can do XY and Z." Make sure you give examples of where
you have already done this in a previous role.
What I'd like you to do is to visit my website, www.traindriverapplication.co.uk for more
insider tips on how to submit a successful train driver application.
Thank you very much for watching.