Online process

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 15 Aug 2018, 13:07

Hi all

Completed online test. All went very well in my view (who knows!) however the job advert stated clearly the interview date and start date.

It's getting very close to the interview date, less than a week. Do they stick to the advertised dates or does this have a habit of changing?

No change on the online status on my account which I check daily. It just says TESTING COMPLETE however what has changed is the date on it to yesterdays date. Even though I did it a week ago. Does this mean they have looked at my application yesterday?

Does the status change if you failed the online test? Just so you are not left hanging!

Thanks all

itinerant · Post by **itinerant** » 16 Aug 2018, 19:48

Hi, I had my interview invite 5 days before the interview date. It is possible interview dates could be changed but I would expect them generally to be as stated (although we are in holiday season).

The status changes to UNSUCCESSFUL if you have failed to progress (I applied a couple of times and the first time I did not progress as far as interview).

Good luck!

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 17 Aug 2018, 09:26

Thanks for your reply. That helps to know. I have had no update, no email, nothing in my spam. Maybe I will find out Monday as interviews are meant to be Tuesday. Cutting it a bit fine I would say!

Getting more concerned as each day goes on

gnuru · Post by **gnuru** » 17 Aug 2018, 14:54

Applied 4 times so-far. First time, I heard well before interview date that I'd been unsuccessful, which I'm guessing was because I failed to finish the Aspects Checking test. 2nd and 3rd attempts, interview dates came-and-went with my status remaining 'testing complete', and changed to 'unsuccessful' a couple of weeks after that. I had emailed and was told that posts had been filled internally or from waiting list and encouraged to keep applying. 4th time, I had an interview 4 days after invite, and currently on waiting list :)

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 17 Aug 2018, 17:44

Had an update. I didn’t get any email but I have been checking my online account every day a few times and I noticed it change this afternoon for interview. No email or anything. So I clicked on the box and I chose an interview slot.

Then I received an email confirming the date/time and it said to refer to the previous email they sent for further info on the interview. I never got one of those?

I have no further information other than what I have read on here which is a relief as I’ve not been told to take any documents to the interview. Unless another email is heading my way!

itinerant · Post by **itinerant** » 17 Aug 2018, 19:20

Congratulations. Not sure if this helps but I still have my email from last year confirming I had reached interview stage (the email you say you have not received). May be worth checking any spam folders on your email. Here is an excerpt from my email:

"Please log into your account and select the My Interview Tab, using the link below, to choose your preferred time slot.

We require you to book your interview within the next 48 hours.

Your interview and document checking session will last approximately 60 minutes.

Please note the dates and times listed are the only ones available. If you subsequently wish to change your interview date or time you may be able to re-schedule by going back into your account and checking whether any alternative slots are free. It should be noted however that once you cancel the interview you cannot re-schedule a slot and that there are no alternative/additional slots to those listed.

In advance of your interview please ensure you read/complete the below documents and information. These documents can be accessed by clicking here.

1) Information Check List - this details the documents you are required to produce at your interview.
Note - The assessors will be unable to photocopy your documents on the day. It is important that you take photocopies of your documents to your interview and also have the original documentation for legislation requirements.

If you are providing your driving licence for either proof of address or for a driving role you MUST provide the card and it must show your current UK address.

2) Royal Mail Health Consent Form - this must be printed, completed, and brought to your interview.

3) Health & Physical Requirements Matrix - Please ensure you read though the matrix, selecting the appropriate role you are applying for as this provides details of health related elements you may need to consider.

IF ANY OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ARE NOT PRODUCED AT INTERVIEW, YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY. PLEASE NOTE YOUR DRIVING LICENCE MUST REFLECT YOUR CURRENT UK ADDRESS.

You will be informed of the outcome of your interview via email."

If you want the link to the documents send me a pm (not sure if it's ok for me to post the link on the forum).

I am making an assumption here that the process now is still the same as it was last summer but in the absence of you having your email or being able to get hold of someone in HR then the above should help.

Good luck!

Dex7 · Post by **Dex7** » 17 Aug 2018, 21:36

I had my interview last month and I had the exact same email as above

Basically, take as much ID with you as you can if you have it (originals and photocopies) just to be safe. I took driving licence (photocopy both sides), proof of address, birth certificate. Actually I dont even think they looked at my originals but you never know.

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 18 Aug 2018, 00:21

Thank you all that is so helpful! I wouldn’t have know n any of this. I have on my online account a contact email for the manager interviewing me. Maybe I can email him stating I don’t have any info sent to me or things to fill in.

If you can send me the link you have that would be such a huge help thank you!

Good job I checked my account today otherwise I could have missed the fact I had an interview. Nothing found in spam!

itinerant · Post by **itinerant** » 18 Aug 2018, 05:48

Wakewaterblue - I have just sent you a pm with the details

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 18 Aug 2018, 17:59

Thank you so much for the PM! So helpful. It's so odd I never got this initial notification email with the details. Slightly worrying but I am so much more prepared than before. I could have just taken my ID documents and fallen short because I wouldn't have the other bits.

I am going to email recruitment and the manager of who is interviewing me so they are aware I never received this email. Just to cover myself if I don't get it completely right on the day!

Any interview tips much appreciated. I have seen quite a few questions people have mentioned but anything you could add would be so amazing. You have been really helpful thank you!

itinerant · Post by **itinerant** » 19 Aug 2018, 06:28

Here are some questions I remember (there may be more but it's all a bit hazy now!)

i)
tell me about yourself and why you want to work for royal mail?

this is your chance to sell yourself against the job - think about active outdoor work in all weathers, serving the public, working as a team and on your own, flexible approach (as part-timers normally cover multiple duties). If you can try and link any previous jobs/experience you have against the role (I had worked in an office for 20+ years but still tried to match my experiences against the attributes I thought they were looking for)

ii)
what do you know about royal mail?

shows you have taken an interest in the organisation rather than just applied for any job. look at royal mail website and wikipedia etc (history of RM, universal service, products offered, privatisation\modernisation etc).

iii)
what van checks would you carry out?

tyre tread depth, tyre pressure, lights/indicators, hand brake, oil level, general bodywork for damage etc

iii)
there was also a 'health and safety' type question. something like "what do you do if you notice a spillage in the office" - i just said to secure the immediate area as it would be a slip hazard and then arrange for it to be cleaned up

iv)
i had to read a car registration plate from a distance to check eyesight

There are 3 possible interview outcomes:
i) You pass the interview and are offered the job

ii) You fail the interview

I think they must point score your responses to questions so you have to reach a certain score. You cannot apply again for a few months (6 i think)

ii) You pass the interview but someone else is selected ahead of you

You are then placed on the waiting list which means you could get a call from HR to offer you another position. You can also apply for any new vacancies using a link they send you which should 'fast track' you as you have already successfully completed tests and interview. This was the way I joined (I got a call 2 weeks after I had been put on the waiting list and offered a job at the same office I had originally interviewed at). The waiting list applies for 3 months if I remember correctly (after that time you would need to go through the full process again if applying for another role)

Good Luck

fiveoclockhero · Post by **fiveoclockhero** » 19 Aug 2018, 20:51

“Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult situation”
“Tell me about a time you worked as a team”
“Tell me about a time you used your own initiative”

These are also questions you may be asked at the interview

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 20 Aug 2018, 10:37

Thanks everyone for all those questions! So helpful!

However I had my interview booked in for tomorrow and just received an email saying its been cancelled?! With no reason on the email. No idea why or if it's to be rescheduled!

Anyone else had this?

Wakewaterblue · Post by **Wakewaterblue** » 20 Aug 2018, 11:03

Oh what a rollercoaster! They re-invited me to another interview date this week, they have changed the dates. There seems to be 6 interview slots so I know how many I am up against but I am sure some people are now unable to do these dates! It is all quite disorganised on their part. It's screwed me over work wise but I have put Royal Mail first because I know I won't be able to reapply any time soon if I cancel? I'm focused on it right now and want this interview over with. I'm not a fan of interviews!

Dex7 · Post by **Dex7** » 20 Aug 2018, 14:27

That sucks but I definitely wouldn't cancel and good luck with the interview. You have a good chance if there are 6 positions up for grabs. I'm like you, I don't really like interviews either but it was probably the most casual interview I've ever had. You will pretty much just be blabbing on about previous work situations and if you like talking then you will be fine. Only things I forced myself to remember were the van safety checks and health and safety scenarios.