NATS Interview prep'

[JimboUK2004]

Hi there people!

I managed to get through the assessment stage last month in Manchester! Yaaay BUT, reality bekons and I'm now revising hard for my interviews.

So, my question is: What fundamentals of ATC would you say is most important for me to revise?

Thanks
JIM

[Fidgell]

If you visit a unit or two and chat to the ATCOs on duty, theyll steer you in the right direction. You need to proove a general interest and understanding of what goes on at a Unit, plus show you have the right qualities needed to make an ATCO. Apart from that any knowledge is good, just dont bulls**t or theyll let you dig an even bigger hole to jump into. Be calm and concise in your answers and dont dither. ATCOs should be alert, able to handle any pressure situation, decisive and responsible. (although maybe I slipped through the net there!!!)

Good Luck

[JimboUK2004]

Thanks for that, I really appreciate you taking time out to answer that question, I had a feeling it was one of those questions that gets asked all the time.
Got a really good idea of what goes on in an ATC tower already (been to London City airport), and had a nosey around CATC in Bouremouth so I should think the next step is to see if I can get in to an Area Control Centre and an Approach Control Centre.
Thanks again,
Jim

[tired-flyboy]

The only advice i would give is that if you make a decision don't be afraid to stick to it rigidly (as long as you can explain why) - cause after all there are soooo many ways to skin a cat (poor cat but its a saying)

they tried this with me in the technical interview but i had my way and could explain why i was doing it MY way etc

Stick to your guns when you make a decision after all nobody will hold your hand when your doing the job for real!

Good luck

[JimboUK2004]

Thanks thats excellent advice. I'll make sure I know what Im talking about and just read up on as much as possible. Have a great week end, I'm off back home now to get out of ****tly London, no offence people who like London, personal thing!!!!
Jim

[I'm not joking sir]

The only advice i would give is that if you make a decision don't be afraid to stick to it rigidly

Stick to your guns when you make a decision after all nobody will hold your hand when your doing the job for real!

I don't want to confuse you but the advice I got was contradictory to this. I was told to be flexible and demonstrate the ability to listen to another's point of view, take said information on board and if necessary change my decision. Comes down to a judgement call on the day. Remember, with the scenarios in the interview there probably isn't a definitive right answer.

I was told that the interviewers see too many people who have got it into their heads that they must stick to their opinion at all costs. I was given an example to illustrate how this could be your undoing:

Landing aircraft burts into flames and blocks the runway in the stop end. You manage to miss this and clear the next aircraft to land/take off. Someone standing behind you, (ATCO/ATSA/whoever) points out your error. Do you stick rigidly to your decision now?

As I said earlier, I don't want to confuse you. I'm not saying agree blindly with absolutely everything the interviewer says, just be flexible. Everyone will have a different perspective on how to get through - tired-flyboy and myself obviously had different approaches but the same outcome. Just listen to all advice and weigh it up - you'll know what's best for you.

Good luck.

[Smoggie]

I'd have to agree with I'm not joking sir. The first time I went through the interviews I flunked it on the tech interview because I was too rigid in my decision making. The interviewer will keep giving you extra information on the situation, some of it relevant, some of it not, apparently to see how you make your decisions. So if they give you information that would make you change your mind, go for it and just explain why, but don't change your mind just because you think that's what the interviewer wants to hear - sounds tricky, I know! Thats what I did this time round and I've just heard I've got through.

Good luck!

[Inverted81]

smoggie,
Hi where did you have your interview and when?? (i'm still waiting for result!!) I was in london on 23/3. Saw you were from gatwick.... so just assuming!
C

[Smoggie]

It was at London on 17/3. Got results on 26th, so didn't take too long, but still felt like ages! Haven't had a course date yet or anything about medicals or security, but been told it will probably be in 2005.

Hope you get that A4 envelope through soon!