Application and Interview - Bristol

[RedLeicester]

Hello,

Im 31 and have wanted to work for the Royal Mail as a Postman since I was a boy, After years of jobs I've fallen into and hated and in particular being with my last job for 9 years I knew it was time to get out and do what I've always wanted to do, become a Postman in my local area of Bristol.

I've recently got married and my wife was a great driving force in me quitting my dull office job to look for something I wanted to do, to get some self worth and most importantly job satisfaction. I feel I'm very personable and easy to talk to, i genially have a passion for the Royal Mail and couldn't wait to be that trusted member of society, feeling like I have a purpose and a smile on my face.

I applied for a Job in East Bristol as it was one of the few postings and even though i live in North bristol I didn't see this as any problem with driving to work etc. I'd passed my online test which was a few questions on how I would rate different statements from "Most like me to" to "Least like me" followed by a 5 min assessment on comparing two different sets of numbers to check if they were different or the same.

I was lucky enough to get an interview which I went to suited and booted and with all the correct documentation. The interview was in a relaxed atmosphere with the manager. He was a nice guy and he seemed happy with my answers. He asked for the checks I'd make on a vehicle (of which I got them all) and when I'd worked under a lot of stress. We spoke as if i already had the job and walked out into the post room to have a look around, I loved seeing what was going on and really felt I could work in a place like this. I asked a few questions as we went around and we both made the odd joke.

For the final part we walked outside and he asked me to read two number plates which I did all ok and he said I'd be contacted by phone if I've got it and email if i didn't with in 10 days. All seemed to be fine and i walked away in great spirits thinking I've finally got myself sorted with the job I've always wanted. I'd also read online that if i didn't get the job they put you on a waiting list until another comes along which I felt happy with also.

I waited a week without hearing anything as I was waiting for the call/email. My wife suggested I check my online profile which I did and I couldn't believe that under Job Management and status it simply said "Unsuccessful". Nothing else, no email to explain how i was unsuccessful or that I'd been put on a waiting list. I couldn't believe it and as i previously said i thought the whole process has gone so well. I tried contacting Royal Mail to confirm this meant I had been unsuccessful in my application and they said i'd receive and email and that they don't give feedback. Then within 10 mins I'd had an email saying i'd been unsuccessful and couldn't apply again for 6 months.

It really hit me for 6 that I couldn't apply for another 6 months but i presumed surely that it meant I couldn't apply for a role in this delivery office for another 6 months and i was free to apply for the different area of Bristol as this would be extremely harsh to say I can't apply for ANY roles for 6 months especially as I was never told why I'd failed.

Well, I waited a week and applied for the next role that came up in Bristol, This was for Bristol South East and a different delivery office. I filled out all the same online questions and tests and crossed my fingers. In fact I actually applied for another 5 roles in the Bristol area as I thought this was more likely to get me the job I've always wanted and I really didn't mind how far I had to travel to get it.

I've now received an email stating I have been unsuccessful in this application for a different delivery office and can't apply for 6 months as i failed in a similar application. I just couldn't believe it, So this means I now have to wait 6 months before I can re apply and even then as they don't give feedback I don't know what I have to do to improve myself to get the position so this could all happen again.

I guess I am not waiting for 4 more emails to come in over the next few weeks to inform me of the same thing.

It's been difficult to deal with this and now I think I have to look at roles elsewhere. This is all I've ever wanted to do.

[AceMark]

Sorry to hear this, I failed the interview the first time I applied for Royal Mail and couldn't apply again for 6 months also, the last time I applied I was successful in the interview and put on the waiting list. Within a week I was offered the job I applied for. The important thing is to keep at it.

Personally, I don't quite understand why the hiring process is made so complicated at Royal Mail. Everywhere else you either get a job or you don't. Pending security checks of course.

The only advice I can offer is to get more experience in the delivery sector, Parcel delivery companies and especially the supermarkets are always looking for staff for online grocery drivers. The wages aren't that great, but this would give you something to relate to next time you go for an interview, The changes that are happening in Royal Mail, seems to be concentrating on parcel delivery as the letters continually decline. So the job that you imagined Royal Mail to be might turn out to be more different than you expected.

So far, I'm loving working for Royal Mail, but I knew what to expect when I started and I was working in a similar industry. Everyone that's been there 10 and 20 years+ tell me they hate the job. But they haven't seen what's outside Royal Mail in a long time even if at all.

Keep at it and Good luck on you interview next time.