| home |
|
| news |
|
| discussions |
|
| content |
|
| site |
|
|
| technical support | Need Help? Lodge a support ticket!
Note: This is for technical support only. General questions about railways should be posted to the Forums.donation 
Please Donate!photo comp Have YOU voted yet on Photo of the Month?
Click Here!
Voting Closes 31/12search |
| |
| Author |
Message |
Mark_SA
Train Controller
Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Sydney!
contact
|
post
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:34 pm
|
| Yagoona_boy wrote: | I have applied for this position.
Any more tips for the info & testing session would be most appreciated. |
The best advice I can give you is to seek out comprehension tests on the net or at bookstores. You need to do well in the very first comprehension test to get anywhere! Look for tests where you read a passage then have to answer questions about that passage. You have to be fast and accurate.
The other tests you cant really practise for, just get a good nights sleep!
|
|
 |
craigd
Train Controller
Joined: Mar 23, 2005
Last Visited: Nov 15, 2008
Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:04 am
|
| Yagoona_boy wrote: | I have applied for this position.
Any more tips for the info & testing session would be most appreciated. |
Just be honest when asked questions and go in with an open-minded approach. The process used by CityRail and a lot of other service-driven organisations is very different to traditional interviewing methods.
Craig.
|
|
|
tsgsjm
Junior Train Controller
Joined: Feb 26, 2007
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
Location: Sydney
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:28 am
|
|
One thing which really surprised me, was there is no sit down interview infront of a panel. Your interview is the roll playing session. It's pretty nerve racking at first, but once you get going you settle down. Just dont try and take control of the group session and also dont just sit back and not get involved.
|
|
|
mattd
Beginner
Joined: Jun 19, 2008
Last Visited: Jun 19, 2008
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:55 pm
|
|
Hi, first time poster, just wondering if you guys could help me out. I applied for the trainee driver position and had my phone interview, now I have the info session/tests on saturday. On the application it says that I need 3 work referees, but that's a bit of a problem, since 2 of my previous employers have shut down, which means I can only provide one referee. Will this seriously harm my chances of getting through? Would Rail Corp be likely to understand if I explain to them, or will I just get canned straight away for not having the three referees?
|
|
|
tsgsjm
Junior Train Controller
Joined: Feb 26, 2007
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
Location: Sydney
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:38 pm
|
| mattd wrote: | | Hi, first time poster, just wondering if you guys could help me out. I applied for the trainee driver position and had my phone interview, now I have the info session/tests on saturday. On the application it says that I need 3 work referees, but that's a bit of a problem, since 2 of my previous employers have shut down, which means I can only provide one referee. Will this seriously harm my chances of getting through? Would Rail Corp be likely to understand if I explain to them, or will I just get canned straight away for not having the three referees? |
The only people that could answer that is HR, give them a ring and have a chat with them. My reference checks were done after the role playing session, so you have a while to go yet.
|
|
|
Mark_SA
Train Controller
Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Sydney!
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:33 pm
|
| mattd wrote: | | Hi, first time poster, just wondering if you guys could help me out. I applied for the trainee driver position and had my phone interview, now I have the info session/tests on saturday. On the application it says that I need 3 work referees, but that's a bit of a problem, since 2 of my previous employers have shut down, which means I can only provide one referee. Will this seriously harm my chances of getting through? Would Rail Corp be likely to understand if I explain to them, or will I just get canned straight away for not having the three referees? |
Mate from my experience they treat the referees pretty seriously. I know my referee told me he got asked a hell of a lot of questions! So really try hard to track down some really good reliable referees. Every little bit helps you stand out from the crowd, give it your best shot.
|
|
|
BULLDOGSFAN
Beginner
Joined: Jun 21, 2008
Last Visited: Jun 22, 2008
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:55 pm
|
Hi guys.
Just joined today.Great website.I just wish I knew about this site earlier.
Now,I was one of those souls who attended the Railcorp assessment today
in Castlereagh Street.There would have been about 150 people.So i suppose having been asked to come in for the assessment,I did well,as I would imagine there would have been 1000's of people applying for the Trainee Train Driver position.And,as I have been reading some of the posts from fellow members and train enthusiasts,I found out the hard way in that I did not pass the first Applied Reading Test.My score was 51%,yet I needed to be better than 60% of previous applicants.
Now,the first point that I would like to make is:my score was NOT based solely on today's applicants,but on all applicants who have applied for this position over the last 12 months.I noticed that there were about 13 applicants who went to another room to conduct the other 2 tests while the others,including myself,were doing the first Reading Test concurrently in another room.My question:Because I cant apply for this position for 12 months from today,were the other 13 people that did the other 2 tests asked to come in BEFORE their 12 months were expired as their percentage over 'their' 12 month period was over 60%?? If this is the case,is there a possibility that I would be asked to attend an assessment before the 12 months is up to do the other 2 tests,depending if future assessment classes arent as 'strong'?? Does it work like a IQ test,where results are normalised??
My second point.Judging by the other posts,it is going to be extremely difficult to get a lookin for this position.Who knows.I might be a pensioner by the time I am given a chance.  So i was wondering,are there other avenues in which to be trained as a train driver,without the stringent testing that Railcorp put their candidates through??I have been reading that freight train companies are always on the lookout to train people up.Also,are there any training schools in the Sydney area,and do these schools have contacts with train companies with regards to recruiting??
And by the way,since Railcorp introduced these 'psychometric' tests after the Glenbrook rail disaster in 2004,are Railcorp drivers and guards who have been employed before 2004 made to undertake these tests?? I bet they don't.
It just pisses me off when I see that to become a train driver is harder than becoming a brain surgeon,or even the Head Dean for the Medicine Faculty at Sydney Uni.
Any answers to the above questions would be great.
And by the way,I am 36 years of age,so unlike what I said earlier,I just hope that I am not 60 before I get my chance.
Cheer me up guys.
|
|
|
whatajoke
Beginner
Joined: Sep 28, 2007
Last Visited: Nov 2, 2008
Location: Central Coast
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:06 pm
|
I applied for the Trainee Train driver last year. Made it through the phone interview, got invited to the next stage testing day, got through the first part of the testing. The part when they cull the group down, on their test scores. Did the second testing stage and im pretty sure i stuffed up on the Scart test, i know i made some mistakes in it. Got the thanks but no thanks letter, try again in 12 months.
So i will be waiting the 12 months and applying again. I was disappointed, but i know if i keep applying i will get in at some stage. bulldogsfan, becoming a trainee train driver is a lot easier than becoming a Fire Fighter as i have applied 3 times for that so far, and the testing each time is a nightmare!
|
|
|
Mark_SA
Train Controller
Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Sydney!
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:27 pm
|
| BULLDOGSFAN wrote: | Hi guys.
Just joined today.Great website.I just wish I knew about this site earlier.
Now,I was one of those souls who attended the Railcorp assessment today
in Castlereagh Street.There would have been about 150 people.So i suppose having been asked to come in for the assessment,I did well,as I would imagine there would have been 1000's of people applying for the Trainee Train Driver position.And,as I have been reading some of the posts from fellow members and train enthusiasts,I found out the hard way in that I did not pass the first Applied Reading Test.My score was 51%,yet I needed to be better than 60% of previous applicants.
Now,the first point that I would like to make is:my score was NOT based solely on today's applicants,but on all applicants who have applied for this position over the last 12 months.I noticed that there were about 13 applicants who went to another room to conduct the other 2 tests while the others,including myself,were doing the first Reading Test concurrently in another room.My question:Because I cant apply for this position for 12 months from today,were the other 13 people that did the other 2 tests asked to come in BEFORE their 12 months were expired as their percentage over 'their' 12 month period was over 60%?? If this is the case,is there a possibility that I would be asked to attend an assessment before the 12 months is up to do the other 2 tests,depending if future assessment classes arent as 'strong'?? Does it work like a IQ test,where results are normalised??
My second point.Judging by the other posts,it is going to be extremely difficult to get a lookin for this position.Who knows.I might be a pensioner by the time I am given a chance. So i was wondering,are there other avenues in which to be trained as a train driver,without the stringent testing that Railcorp put their candidates through??I have been reading that freight train companies are always on the lookout to train people up.Also,are there any training schools in the Sydney area,and do these schools have contacts with train companies with regards to recruiting??
And by the way,since Railcorp introduced these 'psychometric' tests after the Glenbrook rail disaster in 2004,are Railcorp drivers and guards who have been employed before 2004 made to undertake these tests?? I bet they don't.
It just pisses me off when I see that to become a train driver is harder than becoming a brain surgeon,or even the Head Dean for the Medicine Faculty at Sydney Uni.
Any answers to the above questions would be great.
And by the way,I am 36 years of age,so unlike what I said earlier,I just hope that I am not 60 before I get my chance.
Cheer me up guys. |
Sorry to hear that mate. Those lucky people going to the other room would have completed that first test within 12 months at the required standard. So they were probly internals doing other jobs. Thats what happened for me 8 months ago. I had sat for a CSA testing a few months before I applied for trainee driver. I was lucky that I had a high enough score from that day. I had other CSA friends that were told there score was not high enough for driver or guard and had to wait the 12 months to resit. I can tell you I am no brain surgeon! I left school after year 10 and Im 29 now. If you are going to wait the 12 months at least you know what to expect for next time and can get some practise in. Otherwise you can look at doing a safeworking course. (approx $2500) All I can say is dont give up if you really want it, I know of a couple of trainees that are around the 49-50 year old mark. So age is no barrier, just determination.
All the best,
Mark
|
|
|
Mark_SA
Train Controller
Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Sydney!
contact
|
post
|
|
|
|
doridori
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Sep 21, 2005
Last Visited: Nov 28, 2008
contact
|
post
|
|
|
|
Yagoona_boy
Assistant Commissioner
Joined: Sep 29, 2006
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:39 pm
|
|
I attended the session today and am now awaiting a call in the next 2 weeks to see if I am successful.
|
|
|
aaron_s2
Beginner
Joined: Apr 30, 2008
Last Visited: Jul 1, 2008
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:15 pm
|
i went on Saturday, the tests where really easy, except for that last test, a strain on the eyes!
a question to current drivers - if i work out of Central Depot, and I live in say otford or hawkesbury river or something - am I able to commute in the cab with the driver at 3 in the morning (or any time before a shift starts) from that place, to central? is there some sort of system they have for drivers that live a way beyond the depot they work at? any info would be appreciated..
|
|
|
KRviator
Moderator
Joined: Apr 23, 2005
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
Location: Cab of a 90 Class
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:29 am
|
| aaron wrote: | | am I able to commute in the cab with the driver at 3 in the morning |
Yes. Supposedly the practice is discouraged, but once you identify yourself as another Driver, few and far between are the people who'd refuse you entry to their cab. But be aware you can get knocked back.
Trainee Driver, Pacific National
Comments made are strictly the opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the ADF, Pacific National, Freight Australia or the Boy Scouts of Antartica.
My fotopic gallery: http://KRviator.fotopic.net |
|
|
SniperBob
Station Staff
Joined: Dec 09, 2003
Last Visited: Oct 27, 2008
contact
|
post
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:05 am
|
My mate received a phone call yesterday (Tuesday 25 June 2008) saying he made it through to the next round of interviews is to attend the 2nd assessment at Castlereagh street on Monday 7 July 2008.
---
SniperBob
|
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT + 10 Hours
|
You cannot post new threads in this forum
You cannot reply to threads in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB 2.0.6 © 2001 phpBB Group
Theme images and concept © 2004 by Michael Greenhill and Railpage, All Rights Reserved.
Version 2.0.6 of PHP-Nuke Port by Tom Nitzschner © 2002 www.toms-home.com
|
|
Does that involve a mental math part