Irish Rail Jobs Discussion

Ais123

khaldrogo wrote: »

Did anyone get confirmation of the time they selected for phase 2

Not yet and they were starting them at 8 this morning weren’t they?

blueband

Rootsblower wrote: »

Not in mine

Ais123 wrote: »

Perfect, thankfully then it mustn’t be a requirement in Ireland.

Rootsblower wrote: »

That doesnt mean it won’t be in new contracts

I was wondering why we had to bring proof of address, as I couldn't see the relevance since we hadn't been required to provide that in the online application that I recall.

When I saw the mention of it here about the 1hour commute limit it made me wonder was it connected. Surely then, based on your home address they would exclude people outside the limit from further participation. Hmm.

I would be a touch over the hour in low traffic, and up to two hours in the height of rush hour,. but then most people driving would be considering the heavy traffic in the Inchicore area during rush hour.

Eddie Ere

blueband wrote: »

I was wondering why we had to bring proof of address, as I couldn't see the relevance since we hadn't been required to provide that in the online application that I recall.

When I saw the mention of it here about the 1hour commute limit it made me wonder was it connected. Surely then, based on your home address they would exclude people outside the limit from further participation. Hmm.

I would be a touch over the hour in low traffic, and up to two hours in the height of rush hour,. but then most people driving would be considering the heavy traffic in the Inchicore area during rush hour.

I sincerly hope not. I'm based in Galway and want to move to Dublin for the job alone.

Jamie2k9

blueband wrote: »

I was wondering why we had to bring proof of address, as I couldn't see the relevance since we hadn't been required to provide that in the online application that I recall.

When I saw the mention of it here about the 1hour commute limit it made me wonder was it connected. Surely then, based on your home address they would exclude people outside the limit from further participation. Hmm.

I would be a touch over the hour in low traffic, and up to two hours in the height of rush hour,. but then most people driving would be considering the heavy traffic in the Inchicore area during rush hour.

They likely want you to be available reasonably quick if on standby or there equivalent, able to get to work in all weather types etc.

If the whole depot lived 2+ hours away then I suspect where you live could be a major factor plus the companies ability to provide a reliable service would force the issue. Starting a shift at 5am, nobody wants a commute of 1.5 hours.

bikeman1

Guys, plenty of drivers are currently driving from over an hour away to the Dublin depots. Maybe off peak they could get there in about an hour, but not at peak time. Most shifts are early morning, and late evening but plenty requiring you to be there at rush hour as well.

I've heard 175 went for assessment over the two days in Inchicore. About 1800 were asked forward to the "second" online testing. So don't panic if you haven't heard back. If you got the wait 4 weeks email I would guess you are ahead of the group, certainly not out.

Many of the other stages will knock more of the 175 out as discussed in detail here. The medical should not be overlooked. It is quite stringent, you will be in charge of a train doing 100mph with 250 pax behind you or a busy commuter train with 800+ all on your own. You have to climb up to the cab from track side, change ends, find faults etc. Being overweight and unfit will not fair well as well as a history of depression. It may seem harsh but they need the best folks at the front of their trains.

blueband

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

They likely want you to be available reasonably quick if on standby or there equivalent, able to get to work in all weather types etc.

If the whole depot lived 2+ hours away then I suspect where you live could be a major factor plus the companies ability to provide a reliable service would force the issue. Starting a shift at 5am, nobody wants a commute of 1.5 hours.

I get that, but I know someone who's a bus driver and my understanding is that they have people on "spare" who are in the depot in case someone doesn't come in, so it's not that they call people in, they have them there anyway. They do it on a rota basis. Now it might be different in IR but possibly not.

They may also ensure that there are a proportion of all drivers who are within a certain distance rather than everyone.
Unless someone here is already working as a driver, I suppose we're only speculating

Rootsblower

I am gonna put this 1 hr living from depot stuff to bed.

There is nothing in writing to say how far from a depot you must live. Obviously they don’t want you commuting from home 3 hrs each way.

There are no jobs in any depot “on call” as such and that you have to be in work within a certain length of time. Each day you will have a starting time it’s up to you to be there.

Also Irish Rail isn’t Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann or a U.K. train operating company so what happens to your mate in those companies may not happen in Irish Rail. There are a few Train Drivers posting in this thread I suggest if you want to know something,ask, don’t speculate

noveli

To the drivers on here.
Do ye work many weekends? What does a typical week look like, hours wise.

Rootsblower

noveli wrote: »

To the drivers on here.
Do ye work many weekends? What does a typical week look like, hours wise.

I work nearly every Saturday but only every third Sunday

No such thing as a typical week. Every week is different. Every depot has different roster structures too. It’s quite complex, far too complex to even begin to explain. Let’s just say that if you value a lot of your weekends and bank holidays off, your going to the wrong job

Daz_

Rootsblower wrote: »

I am gonna put this 1 hr living from depot stuff to bed.

There is nothing in writing to say how far from a depot you must live. Obviously they don’t want you commuting from home 3 hrs each way.

There are no jobs in any depot “on call” as such and that you have to be in work within a certain length of time. Each day you will have a starting time it’s up to you to be there.

Also Irish Rail isn’t Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann or a U.K. train operating company so what happens to your mate in those companies may not happen in Irish Rail. There are a few Train Drivers posting in this thread I suggest if you want to know something,ask, don’t speculate

Thanks for that , I thought the one hour thing sounded off to say the least

noveli

Rootsblower wrote: »

I work nearly every Saturday but only every third Sunday

No such thing as a typical week. Every week is different. Every depot has different roster structures too. It’s quite complex, far too complex to even begin to explain. Let’s just say that if you value a lot of your weekends and bank holidays off, your going to the wrong job

In your case, is there an average hours per week or does this vary greatly also?
Thanks again.

Rootsblower

noveli wrote: »

In your case, is there an average hours per week or does this vary greatly also?
Thanks again.

Varies week to week.

AssaultedPeanut

Just got an email to say they've confirmed my time slot for Monday.

Is anyone doing theirs today or tomorrow? Good luck if so

Ais123

AssaultedPeanut wrote: »

Just got an email to say they've confirmed my time slot for Monday.

Is anyone doing theirs today or tomorrow? Good luck if so

I’m doing mine tomorrow and thank you. Good luck to you also.

khaldrogo

I was looking again at the email inviting me to the Phase 2 tests. It says there will be the following tests

VSE
IE LD SJT verification
SCAAT
Interview
16pf

It's says nothing about a computer test like was suggested on here and a YouTube video shown to illustrate it.
Will there be a computer test like this or not?

It also says to refer back to the practice documents that we got before phase 1. There's nothing in these docs to suggest a computer test.

Gorillafiedwar

I applied to do my phase 2 tests tomorrow, and they just emailed me 45 minutes ago saying my slot wasn’t available so will need to be changed. I’m glad I didn’t take time off work for this or I wouldn’t be too happy about the late notice. Their communication up to this point has left a lot to be desired in all honesty.

I think maybe they were overwhelmed by the amount of people who applied. The girl did mention in the first phase I went to that they weren’t expecting such a high level of interest so maybe they were caught off guard and weren’t really prepared to be having so many people to reach out to, which may explain it.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

khaldrogo wrote: »

I was looking again at the email inviting me to the Phase 2 tests. It says there will be the following tests

VSE
IE LD SJT verification
SCAAT
Interview
16pf

It's says nothing about a computer test like was suggested on here and a YouTube video shown to illustrate it.
Will there be a computer test like this or not?

It also says to refer back to the practice documents that we got before phase 1. There's nothing in these docs to suggest a computer test.

That test wasn't on today on the computer in the form that was shown in the youtube video.

but there is a different type of reaction test that you take that hasn't been shown in any previous practice documents

did them today, will find an answer tomorrow if i got through or not. im not hopeful

was told there are medicals taking place on Monday for those successful today or possibly candidates tomorrow (unsure about that)

Good luck to the rest of you

khaldrogo

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote:

but there is a different type of reaction test that you take that hasn't been shown in any previous practice documents

What kind of test is it?

mario84s

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

That test wasn't on today on the computer in the form that was shown in the youtube video.

but there is a different type of reaction test that you take that hasn't been shown in any previous practice documents

did them today, will find an answer tomorrow if i got through or not. im not hopeful

was told there are medicals taking place on Monday for those successful today or possibly candidates tomorrow (unsure about that)

Good luck to the rest of you

just thinking, maybe i shouldn't have left it until wednesday to do mine, they might fill the spaces from people who done well today and tomorrow...

GM228

Not sure what videos have been shown previously (may have missed them), but there are two computer tests usually required, the Computer Group Bourdon/Concentration test similar to this:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV6xYX3BIIQ

Note, the computer based Group Bordon test can be substituted by the paper Group Bourdon or the Test of Everyday Attention-Occupational (TEA-Occ).

And the CDG test similar to this:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFDsn6YEntw

If anyone wants to try a sample CDG try this programme.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

GM228 wrote: »

Not sure what videos have been shown previously (may have missed them), but there are two computer tests usually required, the Computer Group Bourdon/Concentration test similar to this:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Note, the computer based test may be substituted by the Paper Group Bourdon and Test of Everyday Attention-Occupational (TEA-Occ).

And the CDG test similar to this:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

If anyone wants to try a sample CDG try this programme.

Neither of these came up today.

The reaction test was done on OPC portal.


got a medical date by way.

Ais123

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

That test wasn't on today on the computer in the form that was shown in the youtube video.

but there is a different type of reaction test that you take that hasn't been shown in any previous practice documents

did them today, will find an answer tomorrow if i got through or not. im not hopeful

was told there are medicals taking place on Monday for those successful today or possibly candidates tomorrow (unsure about that)

Good luck to the rest of you

You took it today and find your results tomorrow? That’s fast. Good luck, don’t be so hard on yourself you might of done better than you thought.

GM228

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Neither of these came up today.

The reaction test was done on OPC portal.


got a medical date by way.

The only other test is what is known as the AART test where you are given pictures etc.

Similar to this:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeQzxkPvgP0

Such concentration and perception tests are a legal requirement.

mario84s

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

got a medical date by way.

that's great! fair play! when's the medical?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

mario84s wrote: »

that's great! fair play! when's the medical?

Monday !

but not promise of job if passed as the interview has to be done. but it does eliminate one process if successful

sabrina99

Has anybody who selected next week heard back yet as to whether they got their slot. ? Haven’t heard anything here yet . I selected Monday

mario84s

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Monday !

but not promise of job if passed as the interview has to be done. but it does eliminate one process if successful

that's great, i'll know what both processes are even before i do them... worried about medical (if lucky to get to that stage). BMI, although i'm not "obese", there is a belly but i can run a few miles and pull my weight...
technically a bodybuilder is morbidly obese by BMI standard

mario84s

sabrina99 wrote: »

Has anybody who selected next week heard back yet as to whether they got their slot. ? Haven’t heard anything here yet . I selected Monday

i got an email saying wednesday is confirmed. i think someone was told no space either today or tomorrow. i wouldn't worry about it unless its tomorrow!

khaldrogo

sabrina99 wrote:

Has anybody who selected next week heard back yet as to whether they got their slot. ? Haven’t heard anything here yet . I selected Monday

I heard back for monday around 4pm

CiboC

I chose Monday and got an email confirming it earlier today

jenjenHarley

sabrina99 wrote: »

Has anybody who selected next week heard back yet as to whether they got their slot. ? Haven’t heard anything here yet . I selected Monday

I heard back, also selected Monday. Mine was confirmed.

jenjenHarley

Rootsblower wrote: »

Varies week to week.

Unrelated to what you were saying about rosters..I'm wondering about the medical.

What exactly is involved in the medical? Is there a big emphasis on BMI? I.e. if you're not in the BMI healthy range, are you automatically out?

What does the fitness test consist of?

It wasnt me

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Monday !

but not promise of job if passed as the interview has to be done. but it does eliminate one process if successful

Thats a quick response
Did you sit your further tests today?

If so then they're not hanging around
Congrats and well done for getting this far btw

Clodiagh87

GM228 wrote: »

The only other test is what is known as the AART test where you are given pictures etc.

Similar to this:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeQzxkPvgP0

Such concentration and perception tests are a legal requirement.

Yikes, that looks all but impossible to get each answer correct.

Doghouses

Today was very easy I actually completed all the scaat
Can’t wait for medical will breeze it

tobey

Doghouses wrote: »

Today was very easy I actually completed all the scaat
Can’t wait for medical will breeze it

Is this all Dublin based lads. Any waterford news?

Doghouses

25 called for medicals today think if any chose date next week may just forget about it and stay home

tobey

Doghouses wrote: »

25 called for medicals today think if any chose date next week may just forget about it and stay home

In Dublin?

Doghouses

All Dublin anyone that got above a certain level. They seem in hurry get training started. 18th February first day in class

tobey

Doghouses wrote: »

All Dublin anyone that got above a certain level. They seem in hurry get training started. 18th February first day in class

Jesus they must be really stuck up there

Gorillafiedwar

Doghouses wrote: »

All Dublin anyone that got above a certain level. They seem in hurry get training started. 18th February first day in class

How is that supposed to work? Surely anyone who currently has a job won't be able to just up and leave to start training without giving a month's notice?

It wasnt me

Doghouses wrote: »

25 called for medicals today think if any chose date next week may just forget about it and stay home

Thats quick and this has to be your in after the medical and formalities of the interview
Those medicals are pretty expensive and cant see them forking out over 3k willy nilly.

Any ideas of numbers left in the 4-6 email list

tobey

Gorillafiedwar wrote: »

How is that supposed to work? Surely anyone who currently has a job won't be able to just up and leave to start training without giving a month's notice?

Notice period is a week if your paid weekly im sure.

Doghouses

I know I’m supposed give a week notice to take a day off. They not seem to mind too much about that either.
What’s the 4-6 email

It wasnt me

Doghouses wrote: »

I know I’m supposed give a week notice to take a day off. They not seem to mind too much about that either.
What’s the 4-6 email

Sorry that should have been 4-6 week group that recieved that email from opc saying they'll be in touch around that time

Doghouses

They just standby probably won’t be used unless everyone fails medical

Jamie2k9

Doghouses wrote: »

They just standby probably won’t be used unless everyone fails medical

Or the interviews....

Jamie2k9

tobey wrote: »

Notice period is a week if your paid weekly im sure.

Typical notice is 4-8 weeks unless your in a service type job. Reality is if you left sooner not many employers would take action.

Doghouses

Yes medical and interview are key
These tests anyone can do. Once you get to a certain level they are happy
They aren’t interested in massive high scores because they know the only difference is that person just practiced loads

blueband

Doghouses wrote: »

25 called for medicals today think if any chose date next week may just forget about it and stay home

Trying to cut down the amount of competitors? Anyone called should go if they're interested in the job, simple as

Doghouses wrote: »

Yes medical and interview are key
These tests anyone can do. Once you get to a certain level they are happy
They aren’t interested in massive high scores because they know the only difference is that person just practiced loads

They're called aptitude tests for a reason, "anyone" can't do them. You'll either be great at them, good at them, or poor at them or some combination of that. Practicing them can only do so much and is more about getting people comfortable and knowing what they're facing to reduce nerves than increasing ability. You don't really know what "they" are or aren't interested in. These tests are carefully designed to find specific traits that are needed, there is no guarantee that what you or anyone feels is a great test score is what is being sought.

I think anyone reading this thread should not be put off or disheartened by any info being presented by a lot of posters, if you're called go and do your best. If you're suitable to the job you will progress until such point as you either get it or they find others are more suitable. Nobody will know that for sure until they're told they were or weren't successful.

And remember, the interview is probably going to be the crunch. Any recruiter will tell you, it's about 20% ability and 80% personality and how the recruiters feel you will "fit" with their workplace. Admittedly for this they look a lot more into having the ability, due to the nature of the job, but they also have a 6 month training program for a reason. Personality tests were also listed as part of the process in the documents, so I think that reinforces my point

Good luck to everyone who goes along. I'm on next week and I see no reason from any comments already made as to why I shouldn't attend