Here are 7 top tips to help you get started

Sometimes it can be a bit of a hurdle trying to figure out where and how to start (or jump-start) your train driver career. So we have provided a step by step overview of the journey you will be making.

1. Don’t miss the Train

Ensure you know when the vacancies come up. Visit Train Companies’ website regularly to find out. Fill up our forms on your right hand side to receive jobs alerts to your email inbox.

2. Learn the role of a train driver

Find more information about the job – what the role entails. Ask a train driver what their typical day is. Read our articles on the role and responsibilities of a train driver.

3. Do you meet the requirements of the role of a train driver?

Read the job advert and make sure you have what they are looking for. Underline or tick the ones you have. Most people meet these requirements so I am sure you too will.

4. Complete the application form

Fill the form properly and accurately. There are a couple of competency based questions you will have to answer.  When answering these emphasise or match your experience to the skill set they have outlined on the advert. Doing well here will get you shortlisted. The ideal way is to pick the three main key skills required and give a very short statement when, where and how you’ve developed these skills. And don’t forget to quantify or qualify the outcomes of actions.

5. Prepare for the assessment

The Train Company will send you preparation booklet to let you know what will happen during the assessment day. This booklet may have some practice examples. Go through them. Over and over again. Speak to Drivers who have gone through the assessment process. Invest in good practise and training materials. Attend one of our ‘How You Can Become A Train Driver’ Courses for more information, techniques, mock tests, role-play interview and good quality feedback.

Buying training materials to prepare yourself for the psychometric tests can be challenging at first. This is because there are a lot of outdated information on the internet. Some of the tests has been discontinued yet some marketers seems to still want to sell materials for it. They take advantage of you if you are ignorant of what is happening in the industry. A lot of aspiring train drivers have fallen prey to these oil snake men. They have been sold something they never used. So be vigilant. A typical sign of these oil snake men is when they try to sell you numerical and verbal reasoning. These tests have never been used in the train driver assessment, yet they still sell it as a testing tool to people who want to become a train driver. Next time you see them trying to sell you these stuff tell them ‘ I have seen you – you can’t fool me’.

Mechanical comprehension and Determine Gerart (aka Reaction Test) has also been discontinued in England and Scotland. The new tests consist of Group Bourdon, Test of Everyday Attention for Occupational Assessment, Trainability for Rules and Procedure Part 1 and 2, WAFV, ATAVT, 2 Hand Coordination Test, and Multimodal Interview.

6. Clear your doubts during the assessment

Before each assessment, the administrator will narrate the instructions for completing the tests.  Also you will get to try two examples before the actual test begins. Getting these examples right is a good starter. If you’re not sure about what you’re being asked, ask the tests administrators to clarify the instructions or repeat the questions. Once you understand follow the Instruction. Also we can provide you practise and training materials to give you head start and outperform your competition.

7. Prepare for the interview

What skills do you need to be a train driver?

Think about them and predict the questions you’re more likely to be asked. Write down two examples for each question. So in case you forget one you may have other one as a backup. Or worse the interviewer tells you that: your example is not good and wants another one. To register for the Interview Skills workshop to get some more advice and practice contact us.

I wish you all the best with your journey. Don’t forget to prepare and practise for each step.

Talk soon.