NATS Interviews
Guest
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Thers is no binding clause to NATS - which I think is pretty damn stupid of them, considering the amount of money they spend on getting someone valid. Most airlines make pilots pay for their own training and then bind them to the company - how sly is that?
NATS recruit about 4 times a year so you don't have to rush to get your application in. Anyway it can take them so long to process it sometimes!
Anyone got any good stories about personnel dept?? With about 2 weeks to go I was asked if I would hold for a later course. I refused, and when I got to Highfield met a few people who were drafted into my course from the one behind, because they had trouble filling it!
Also got to Area 1 Course and received a letter from personnel saying congratulations on my success at the interviews and they were pleased to offer me a place at CATC. Chap at the other end of the phone was surprised to hear that after all the selection process I didn't want the job!!
NATS recruit about 4 times a year so you don't have to rush to get your application in. Anyway it can take them so long to process it sometimes!
Anyone got any good stories about personnel dept?? With about 2 weeks to go I was asked if I would hold for a later course. I refused, and when I got to Highfield met a few people who were drafted into my course from the one behind, because they had trouble filling it!
Also got to Area 1 Course and received a letter from personnel saying congratulations on my success at the interviews and they were pleased to offer me a place at CATC. Chap at the other end of the phone was surprised to hear that after all the selection process I didn't want the job!!
Guest
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Joining this one a little late, but the only thing I would add is don't fall into the trap of throwing little snippets in to show how much you know if you aren't prepared to be questioned about them. (E.g. If you have heard about RVSM but don't really know what it involves, when it will start, potential problems etc, then don't start digging the hole!)
Early comments about the computer tests are spot on: Use ALL the available practice time (I did on the crashing numbers until it told me to get on with it!!) and then concentrate on stopping them crashing. If you manage to get a few of the sums done at the same time then all well and good. There's no point in killing 400 people while you're concentrating on the latest banter in the Ops room...
Above all: Be yourself. If you're preending to be something else, you'll never keep it up. The system will catch you sooner or later.
Best of luck.
Early comments about the computer tests are spot on: Use ALL the available practice time (I did on the crashing numbers until it told me to get on with it!!) and then concentrate on stopping them crashing. If you manage to get a few of the sums done at the same time then all well and good. There's no point in killing 400 people while you're concentrating on the latest banter in the Ops room...
Above all: Be yourself. If you're preending to be something else, you'll never keep it up. The system will catch you sooner or later.
Best of luck.
Guest
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dont worry about the spacial awareness flattened box tests. everybody has problems with those. Be truthful with your answers, don't try to pretend to be someone you think they want, be yourself. In the interviews in any practical situations they give you,just try to think of safety first. As you will get to know its the SAFE , orderly and Expeditious flow of traffic
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MCH2K
Have finally had a reply from NATS about my interviews.
I passed the computer tests and personell tests without a problem, but was let down by being slightly indecisive and was fairly easily swayed into making a decision. Very annoying.
You know what to do - go in there, give the controller your answers and give lots of reasons why they are the best - and don't be put off by his/her "better" suggestions.
Anyway, good luck. I'm sure your interview must be fairly soon.
Let us know how it went
NKOTB
Have finally had a reply from NATS about my interviews.
I passed the computer tests and personell tests without a problem, but was let down by being slightly indecisive and was fairly easily swayed into making a decision. Very annoying.
You know what to do - go in there, give the controller your answers and give lots of reasons why they are the best - and don't be put off by his/her "better" suggestions.
Anyway, good luck. I'm sure your interview must be fairly soon.
Let us know how it went
NKOTB
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TECHNICAL INTERVIEW :-(
==================== ====
ARE THE QUESTIONS SPECIFIC OR GENERAL/
EG/ DO YOU GET ASKED TO TELL THEM ABOUT SOMETHING OR WILL THEY ASK YOU SOMETHING SPECIFIC ABOUT IT?
DOES ANYONE HAVE A QUESTION LIST/GUIDE FOR THE TECH INTERVIEW??
NKOTB. . . . YES, V. ANNOYING! THEY SEEM TO BE VERY PICKY, EVEN THOUGH I DONT THINK THEY CAN AFFORD TO BE!
ANY LAST MINUTE ADVICE???
MCH2K
==================== ====
ARE THE QUESTIONS SPECIFIC OR GENERAL/
EG/ DO YOU GET ASKED TO TELL THEM ABOUT SOMETHING OR WILL THEY ASK YOU SOMETHING SPECIFIC ABOUT IT?
DOES ANYONE HAVE A QUESTION LIST/GUIDE FOR THE TECH INTERVIEW??
NKOTB. . . . YES, V. ANNOYING! THEY SEEM TO BE VERY PICKY, EVEN THOUGH I DONT THINK THEY CAN AFFORD TO BE!
ANY LAST MINUTE ADVICE???
MCH2K
Guest
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Ohmigod!
Well, I got through the tests, I have 3.5 weeks to my interviews (thanks for the notice) and NKOTB has just scared the living sh*t out of me with the description of why he/she failed the interviews.
How do they expect you not to be swayed into a better answer when the person opposite you is quite clearly far more knowledgeable???
And if you are confident, will you then be struck off as too bolshy?
Could somebody on the inside please describe themselves for us so that we have a vague idea of who on earth gets through this process???
Well, I got through the tests, I have 3.5 weeks to my interviews (thanks for the notice) and NKOTB has just scared the living sh*t out of me with the description of why he/she failed the interviews.
How do they expect you not to be swayed into a better answer when the person opposite you is quite clearly far more knowledgeable???
And if you are confident, will you then be struck off as too bolshy?
Could somebody on the inside please describe themselves for us so that we have a vague idea of who on earth gets through this process???
Guest
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The interviewer is just an ordinary guy so don't feel in awe...it isn't necessary.
If you start changing your answers because the interviewer doesn't agree with you then you're not suitable. If you believe that your answer is correct hold your ground and explain why.
If you give a stupid answer expect to be led up the garden path. And if you realise that this is happening ' stop it by admitting that your earlier answer was wrong. Using candour may earn you a brownie point.
You aren't expected to answer everything correctly. Just be honest , open , candid and above all single minded.
If you start changing your answers because the interviewer doesn't agree with you then you're not suitable. If you believe that your answer is correct hold your ground and explain why.
If you give a stupid answer expect to be led up the garden path. And if you realise that this is happening ' stop it by admitting that your earlier answer was wrong. Using candour may earn you a brownie point.
You aren't expected to answer everything correctly. Just be honest , open , candid and above all single minded.
Guest
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G-OP
The advice I was given before I went for my tests was to be flexible in your answers. The interviewer is looking for decisiveness on your part, but the ability and flexibility to change your mind if you are presented with some new information. Give your answer and expect to be then given some more information by the interviewer. You then need to decide whether the new bit of info is crap or actually quite useful. Don't change your mind for the sake of it, but, equally, don't hang on for grim death when it becomes obvious your first answer was wrong. Be prepared to change your mind, but equally be prepared to justify the change. There is no right or wrong answer as long as you can justify your actions.
View it as a privelege - the ATCO in front of you is inviting you to tell him (or her) everything you know about your favourite subject. If you don't know the answer admit it. Don't try and bluff your way through because you won't. But, above all, try and enjoy it. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the whole afternoon - even the dreaded computer tests weren't as bad as I had been led to believe. Make sure you do not fail yourself before you have even stepped through the door.
Incidentally, your name sake keeps passing through the radar sector next to me and was parked outside our tower last week.
The advice I was given before I went for my tests was to be flexible in your answers. The interviewer is looking for decisiveness on your part, but the ability and flexibility to change your mind if you are presented with some new information. Give your answer and expect to be then given some more information by the interviewer. You then need to decide whether the new bit of info is crap or actually quite useful. Don't change your mind for the sake of it, but, equally, don't hang on for grim death when it becomes obvious your first answer was wrong. Be prepared to change your mind, but equally be prepared to justify the change. There is no right or wrong answer as long as you can justify your actions.
View it as a privelege - the ATCO in front of you is inviting you to tell him (or her) everything you know about your favourite subject. If you don't know the answer admit it. Don't try and bluff your way through because you won't. But, above all, try and enjoy it. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the whole afternoon - even the dreaded computer tests weren't as bad as I had been led to believe. Make sure you do not fail yourself before you have even stepped through the door.
Incidentally, your name sake keeps passing through the radar sector next to me and was parked outside our tower last week.
Guest
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Thanks to everyone for the advice.
It helped lots for the pers. interview, but i had a really strange tech. interview.
I spent 8 weeks learning the books etc., and none of it was asked!
The only thing remotely technical was:
"WHAT DOES VOR STAND FOR?!"
Other than this, I got a trick question (which I fell for), and others where I didn't quite understand first time what he was looking for.
The pers. interview went well I thought but the computer tests were a nightmare!
I think that if the tech. interview was as technical as I though it was going to be, I'd have done OK, but it was just a strange setup, and very 'untechnical'. Oh, and I got a maths question, Speed, Distance, Time, which wasn't too bad.
Good luck to everyone doing interviews.
I find out if im in after about 10 days, but I wont hold out much hope! Never Mind!
mch2k.
It helped lots for the pers. interview, but i had a really strange tech. interview.
I spent 8 weeks learning the books etc., and none of it was asked!
The only thing remotely technical was:
"WHAT DOES VOR STAND FOR?!"
Other than this, I got a trick question (which I fell for), and others where I didn't quite understand first time what he was looking for.
The pers. interview went well I thought but the computer tests were a nightmare!
I think that if the tech. interview was as technical as I though it was going to be, I'd have done OK, but it was just a strange setup, and very 'untechnical'. Oh, and I got a maths question, Speed, Distance, Time, which wasn't too bad.
Good luck to everyone doing interviews.
I find out if im in after about 10 days, but I wont hold out much hope! Never Mind!
mch2k.
Guest
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I'm posting this so it is on this thread for future applicants.........
I spent months studying and visiting airports and a centre, as most will do, it was 101% effort, balls out - apologies to the women! I wasn't going to fail because I wasn't prepared, after the interview as I was leaving the room I thought "No I didn't do all that studying and visiting for nothing" and turned to the interviewer showing him a large ring binder FULL of ATC info culled from books, visits and flights. I told him I had learned it all and he could ask me anything out of it, in a polite way of course. He seemed impressed, I'm not sure if that swung it for me, but I showed him what I had learned, which is better than him finding out what you haven't! It's all or nothing I'm afraid, you may not understand why you will get turned down one year, and accepted the next, who knows their reasoning. But after that well you only have the college to worry about! Then after that well you're home and dry with just your initial validation to sail through! It's a tough procedure but it has to be, and it should remain so, once you get your yellow book with a certificate of competence you'll forget all that BS you had to put up with to get there. I like my job and that's more than most can say.
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RogerOut
I Keep Mine Hidden
I spent months studying and visiting airports and a centre, as most will do, it was 101% effort, balls out - apologies to the women! I wasn't going to fail because I wasn't prepared, after the interview as I was leaving the room I thought "No I didn't do all that studying and visiting for nothing" and turned to the interviewer showing him a large ring binder FULL of ATC info culled from books, visits and flights. I told him I had learned it all and he could ask me anything out of it, in a polite way of course. He seemed impressed, I'm not sure if that swung it for me, but I showed him what I had learned, which is better than him finding out what you haven't! It's all or nothing I'm afraid, you may not understand why you will get turned down one year, and accepted the next, who knows their reasoning. But after that well you only have the college to worry about! Then after that well you're home and dry with just your initial validation to sail through! It's a tough procedure but it has to be, and it should remain so, once you get your yellow book with a certificate of competence you'll forget all that BS you had to put up with to get there. I like my job and that's more than most can say.
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RogerOut
I Keep Mine Hidden
Guest
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G-OP
There are a few of us out here, I tend not to get stuck in with "advice" as it may seem unethical, however I will commend/correct stuff here on PPRUNE.
Odi's first para in the above post is some of the best advice around.
By all means do your background work, but don't think like MCH2000 that you're going to be asked a long list of "technical" questions with right and wrong answers. That's called a test, and doesn't require an interviewer. You're doing an interview, which is a two way thing, an exchange of views in which you don't just sit there and respond to questions, you ask for more info if required, you debate options, and show your ability.
MCH2000, I'm not having a go, I just don't want someone focusing on learning tons of info, and subsequently not "selling" themselves in interview.
Good luck to all those currently in the process.
Regards
Father Jack
"mind the gap"
There are a few of us out here, I tend not to get stuck in with "advice" as it may seem unethical, however I will commend/correct stuff here on PPRUNE.
Odi's first para in the above post is some of the best advice around.
By all means do your background work, but don't think like MCH2000 that you're going to be asked a long list of "technical" questions with right and wrong answers. That's called a test, and doesn't require an interviewer. You're doing an interview, which is a two way thing, an exchange of views in which you don't just sit there and respond to questions, you ask for more info if required, you debate options, and show your ability.
MCH2000, I'm not having a go, I just don't want someone focusing on learning tons of info, and subsequently not "selling" themselves in interview.
Good luck to all those currently in the process.
Regards
Father Jack
"mind the gap"
Guest
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How long does the initial process take? I left my name and add on the answering machine last week and I havent received the application form? Is this the best way to apply? Or should I download the form from the internet? As regards the training, do you live on site in the college?
Guest
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Hi jet.
Try looking for one of my posts back in January called 'NATS initial tests'.
I submitted my form by email directly from getting the form off the internet and it didn't do me any harm.
I got the invitation to the first tests in November last year, sat them on Feb 9th, have my next interview on March 16th and, if successful, would be starting training in July.
There is no accommodation in the college from what I've heard, but loads of digs in the area.
Good luck!
G-BJOP
Try looking for one of my posts back in January called 'NATS initial tests'.
I submitted my form by email directly from getting the form off the internet and it didn't do me any harm.
I got the invitation to the first tests in November last year, sat them on Feb 9th, have my next interview on March 16th and, if successful, would be starting training in July.
There is no accommodation in the college from what I've heard, but loads of digs in the area.
Good luck!
G-BJOP
Guest
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Jet - just to re-iterate G-OP's comment - there is no accommodation on site at the College - but plenty of B&B's in Bournemouth a few miles away, as well as accommodation for short term let.
I believe that the College issue an accomodation list to new joiners.
I believe that the College issue an accomodation list to new joiners.