Passing the online test

[mw98]

Hi there!

I'm currently applying for a position at Royal Mail. I've applied before and failed to get past the testing stage. I'm really keen for the role - it really would suit me down to the ground - but I can't express that to anyone until I get past the online assessments. I've tried going down to the DO to speak to a manager but apparently they won't come down as they're too busy. They told me they're desparate for staff as people don't stick it out, so it seems ridiculous that they wouldn't take me on as I know what hard work is like and I'd be in it for the long haul!

Anyone have any help regarding passing the online assessment? I've worked as a delivery driver before and have a degree - you don't get feedback on the tests so I can't really see where I'm going wrong. It seems madness to me that I can't get in as it would suit me so well and I'd be committed to the job. But seemingly it's impossible to speak to anyone until I get past those bloody tests!

Thanks for your help.

[Basildon Bond]

What kind of tests/assessments or questions do they ask? And how did you answer the questions? If we know then maybe someone on here can help.

Otherwise: Try getting in via an agency. Probably many agencies available. Example: https://www.manpower.co.uk/minisites/royal-mail/jobs/

Get on their books. Offer to work in surrounding delivery offices. Once you're working you can see if it really suits. Once you're working in an office you like you can ask about being taken on.

[ted_e_bear]

"I've tried going down to the DO to speak to a manager but apparently they won't come down as they're too busy"

What a shower of w*****s, I can absolutely guarantee no they aren't too busy, they can't even be arsed to come and talk to someone who wants a job, it's no wonder most issues in delivery offices are caused by pr**s like these running the place.

[yellowbelly]

What kind of tests/assessments or questions do they ask? And how did you answer the questions? If we know then maybe someone on here can help.

About 8/9 years ago when I did it, there was reading postcodes (can't remember exactly what you did - compare them against another postcode or something?), and then there were questions about preferring to work alone or in a team and that sort of malarkey. Be interesting to hear from someone who has done it recently.

[Barnacle]

What kind of tests/assessments or questions do they ask? And how did you answer the questions? If we know then maybe someone on here can help.

About 8/9 years ago when I did it, there was reading postcodes (can't remember exactly what you did - compare them against another postcode or something?), and then there were questions about preferring to work alone or in a team and that sort of malarkey. Be interesting to hear from someone who has done it recently.

I remember those tests and also rows and rows of numbers where you were timed spotting the one that was wrong or something like that

I recently did the online tests for another thing I was applying for and there were loads of questions aimed at finding out whether you thought constant change was great. Most normal people don’t think that constant change is great, but you can’t say that to RM who are obsessed with constant change.

So to the OP, if you answer all the questions about change, in a positive way, that will help.

[mw98]

What kind of tests/assessments or questions do they ask? And how did you answer the questions? If we know then maybe someone on here can help.

It's a personality test, questions such as 'working outside is gruelling - agree/disagree', 'leadership's orders should be followed at all times to avoid compromise - agree/disagree'.

Then there's a hazard awareness test for the driving, and then a situational judgement test with scenarios like 'You have a parcel for a house that has been out for their last 4 deliveries, what do you do?'

It's madness because these are things that I would pick up very quickly on the job - that's what training is for! I'd be great at the job it's perfect for me but they want me to be fully trained already apparently!

I've applied for an agency position as a last resort. Bit gutting as I currently work freelance and the appeal of the RM job was the contracted hours and stability. Rather deflating, oh well...

[mw98]

What kind of tests/assessments or questions do they ask? And how did you answer the questions? If we know then maybe someone on here can help.

About 8/9 years ago when I did it, there was reading postcodes (can't remember exactly what you did - compare them against another postcode or something?), and then there were questions about preferring to work alone or in a team and that sort of malarkey. Be interesting to hear from someone who has done it recently.

I remember those tests and also rows and rows of numbers where you were timed spotting the one that was wrong or something like that

I recently did the online tests for another thing I was applying for and there were loads of questions aimed at finding out whether you thought constant change was great. Most normal people don’t think that constant change is great, but you can’t say that to RM who are obsessed with constant change.

So to the OP, if you answer all the questions about change, in a positive way, that will help.

I've tried to answer everything in a way they'd like, but no luck... No wonder staff turnover is so high when their application process is so flawed.

[mw98]

"I've tried going down to the DO to speak to a manager but apparently they won't come down as they're too busy"

What a shower of w*****s, I can absolutely guarantee no they aren't too busy, they can't even be arsed to come and talk to someone who wants a job, it's no wonder most issues in delivery offices are caused by pr**s like these running the place.

It's shocking. No wonder they have staff turnover when they can't even give the time of day to someone who's going to extra lengths to get the job.

[Barnacle]

What kind of tests/assessments or questions do they ask? And how did you answer the questions? If we know then maybe someone on here can help.

About 8/9 years ago when I did it, there was reading postcodes (can't remember exactly what you did - compare them against another postcode or something?), and then there were questions about preferring to work alone or in a team and that sort of malarkey. Be interesting to hear from someone who has done it recently.

I remember those tests and also rows and rows of numbers where you were timed spotting the one that was wrong or something like that

I recently did the online tests for another thing I was applying for and there were loads of questions aimed at finding out whether you thought constant change was great. Most normal people don’t think that constant change is great, but you can’t say that to RM who are obsessed with constant change.

So to the OP, if you answer all the questions about change, in a positive way, that will help.

I've tried to answer everything in a way they'd like, but no luck... No wonder staff turnover is so high when their application process is so flawed.

That’s so ridiculous. The test is ridiculous. It IS a flawed process. The test doesn’t ask anything that would be relevant.

[mw98]

What kind of tests/assessments or questions do they ask? And how did you answer the questions? If we know then maybe someone on here can help.

About 8/9 years ago when I did it, there was reading postcodes (can't remember exactly what you did - compare them against another postcode or something?), and then there were questions about preferring to work alone or in a team and that sort of malarkey. Be interesting to hear from someone who has done it recently.

I remember those tests and also rows and rows of numbers where you were timed spotting the one that was wrong or something like that

I recently did the online tests for another thing I was applying for and there were loads of questions aimed at finding out whether you thought constant change was great. Most normal people don’t think that constant change is great, but you can’t say that to RM who are obsessed with constant change.

So to the OP, if you answer all the questions about change, in a positive way, that will help.

I've tried to answer everything in a way they'd like, but no luck... No wonder staff turnover is so high when their application process is so flawed.

That’s so ridiculous. The test is ridiculous. It IS a flawed process. The test doesn’t ask anything that would be relevant.

And it's nothing you can't learn on the job! Anything I'm getting wrong on situational judgement will be easily ironed out after a shift or two. So frustrating, I really want this bloody job

[Barnacle]

What kind of tests/assessments or questions do they ask? And how did you answer the questions? If we know then maybe someone on here can help.

About 8/9 years ago when I did it, there was reading postcodes (can't remember exactly what you did - compare them against another postcode or something?), and then there were questions about preferring to work alone or in a team and that sort of malarkey. Be interesting to hear from someone who has done it recently.

I remember those tests and also rows and rows of numbers where you were timed spotting the one that was wrong or something like that

I recently did the online tests for another thing I was applying for and there were loads of questions aimed at finding out whether you thought constant change was great. Most normal people don’t think that constant change is great, but you can’t say that to RM who are obsessed with constant change.

So to the OP, if you answer all the questions about change, in a positive way, that will help.

I've tried to answer everything in a way they'd like, but no luck... No wonder staff turnover is so high when their application process is so flawed.

That’s so ridiculous. The test is ridiculous. It IS a flawed process. The test doesn’t ask anything that would be relevant.

And it's nothing you can't learn on the job! Anything I'm getting wrong on situational judgement will be easily ironed out after a shift or two. So frustrating, I really want this bloody job

Exactly! There’s no comparison between the tests and the actual job

[Tman]

It's not supposed to be a test of anything on the job, but an indication of how you react to unusual situations without explicit instructions.
Having said that, it's RM, so probably the cheapest generic test they could find but with a few words like "letters" "parcels" and addresses" then included by RM.

[Barnacle]

It's not supposed to be a test of anything on the job, but an indication of how you react to unusual situations without explicit instructions.
Having said that, it's RM, so probably the cheapest generic test they could find but with a few words like "letters" "parcels" and addresses" then included by RM.

None of the questions contain ‘letters’ ‘parcels’ or ‘addresses’. But lots of the questions ask about ‘change’ over and over again in different ways.

[mw98]

It's not supposed to be a test of anything on the job, but an indication of how you react to unusual situations without explicit instructions.
Having said that, it's RM, so probably the cheapest generic test they could find but with a few words like "letters" "parcels" and addresses" then included by RM.

How am I supposed to know how RM expect people to act in unusual situations until I get some training though? I'd be good at the job and know what it entails. I've been a good employee everywhere including in a delivery role before. Seems mad that at my local DO in particular they are desparate for staff but are barring entry for good potential employees based on a fairly redundant set of scenarios. Really getting me down to be honest have wanted to be a postie for a long time. I've signed up for Angard, anyone know if agency staff every get the opportunity to move onto permanent contracts?

[Barnacle]

It's not supposed to be a test of anything on the job, but an indication of how you react to unusual situations without explicit instructions.
Having said that, it's RM, so probably the cheapest generic test they could find but with a few words like "letters" "parcels" and addresses" then included by RM.

How am I supposed to know how RM expect people to act in unusual situations until I get some training though? I'd be good at the job and know what it entails. I've been a good employee everywhere including in a delivery role before. Seems mad that at my local DO in particular they are desparate for staff but are barring entry for good potential employees based on a fairly redundant set of scenarios. Really getting me down to be honest have wanted to be a postie for a long time. I've signed up for Angard, anyone know if agency staff every get the opportunity to move onto permanent contracts?

Angard: yes absolutely. That’s a common route into the job. You would start off doing random things then at some point start covering walks and then Christmas is fast approaching and that’s when agency staff end up being offered a permanent position.