NATS interview process
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Dim Sum - imho Swanwick should be done, as well as a tower visit.
You may well expect/hope/wish to get onto the aerodrome course, but given that, very roughly, 60-70% of people on each intake get posted onto the Area course, (of the current course just started/starting the % is even higher), it'd be worth seeing where you may spend the next 20-odd years working.
The outlay now will more than be recouped(!) if you manage to get through the maze of writtens, oral boards, summatives, heat, validation courses etc etc that are to come.
You may well expect/hope/wish to get onto the aerodrome course, but given that, very roughly, 60-70% of people on each intake get posted onto the Area course, (of the current course just started/starting the % is even higher), it'd be worth seeing where you may spend the next 20-odd years working.
The outlay now will more than be recouped(!) if you manage to get through the maze of writtens, oral boards, summatives, heat, validation courses etc etc that are to come.
Join Date: Apr 2009
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It was suggested by HR in my Stage 2 that there wouldn't be technical questions. I think they said that it didn't actually help them that much in gauging who would be good or not. That was the impression I got anyway, but it was a long day so there might've been another reason. I'm still gonna prepare for some though.
Having similar problems trying to organise a trip to Heathrow (or another London terminal for that matter). HR took my details because recruitment was out and I was told I would be rung back concerning it; I wasn't, so I'll try again on Monday morning. Again, if anyone can help us it will be much appreciated, especially if there's any of the current crop who've managed it in the last few days. Sorry if it seems like there's a tonne of us asking this, I guess it's just that we're all in the same boat and having the same problems.
Having similar problems trying to organise a trip to Heathrow (or another London terminal for that matter). HR took my details because recruitment was out and I was told I would be rung back concerning it; I wasn't, so I'll try again on Monday morning. Again, if anyone can help us it will be much appreciated, especially if there's any of the current crop who've managed it in the last few days. Sorry if it seems like there's a tonne of us asking this, I guess it's just that we're all in the same boat and having the same problems.
Last edited by s_warnock17; 25th Apr 2009 at 13:49.
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Medical
A couple of people have asked on the previous few pages about dress code for the medical.
Well I had my medical yesterday and I can confirm that jeans / trainers are absolutely fine. Indeed the lady who did the first half of my tests was wearing jeans and trainers herself. Also just about the first thing they tell you to do is to take off your clothes anyway, and you spend 95% of your time there in a bathrobe. Or less.
So yeah, don't bother dressing up. There's no point and it's not expected of you in the slightest. Wear nice underwear though.
And can I just say that the hearing test is EVIL. The beeping noises that you're supposed to listen to are so quiet that you can barely hear them. I kept wondering if the test had actually started or if the beeps I was responding to were a figment of my imagination. I'll put it this way: I was in a soundproof room with headphone cans on and I could still hear the lady outside turning over a sheet of paper louder than I could hear the 'beeps'.
Well I had my medical yesterday and I can confirm that jeans / trainers are absolutely fine. Indeed the lady who did the first half of my tests was wearing jeans and trainers herself. Also just about the first thing they tell you to do is to take off your clothes anyway, and you spend 95% of your time there in a bathrobe. Or less.
So yeah, don't bother dressing up. There's no point and it's not expected of you in the slightest. Wear nice underwear though.
And can I just say that the hearing test is EVIL. The beeping noises that you're supposed to listen to are so quiet that you can barely hear them. I kept wondering if the test had actually started or if the beeps I was responding to were a figment of my imagination. I'll put it this way: I was in a soundproof room with headphone cans on and I could still hear the lady outside turning over a sheet of paper louder than I could hear the 'beeps'.
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I concur about the hearing test. When I did my initial medical I had to do it again as I didn't know it had begun! Nowadays, when I go for my medical renewal the hearing test is the one bit I loathe. Hearing seems to be good enough though and I can certainly always hear pilots moaning.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Everyone seems to be a little upset with the implications that I had nothing technical in my interview.
I had my stage 3 on the 8th April this year. I had done a massive amount of preparation for technical questions and I had visited Swanwick. There was 1 very brief technical question when I mentioned I'd visited Swanwick and there was no detail wanted. Simply a question on the bananas in Area. Probably just to see if I was making it up.
There was not an ATCo present and when I asked if there would be a technical side they made no implication that anything technical was planned.
Perhaps this was down to them not being able to get an ATCo on the day and that is all. It seems that HR are not completely sure themselves but with the HR interview being removed from stage 2 perhaps the technical side of the interview is being removed completely.
I had my stage 3 on the 8th April this year. I had done a massive amount of preparation for technical questions and I had visited Swanwick. There was 1 very brief technical question when I mentioned I'd visited Swanwick and there was no detail wanted. Simply a question on the bananas in Area. Probably just to see if I was making it up.
There was not an ATCo present and when I asked if there would be a technical side they made no implication that anything technical was planned.
Perhaps this was down to them not being able to get an ATCo on the day and that is all. It seems that HR are not completely sure themselves but with the HR interview being removed from stage 2 perhaps the technical side of the interview is being removed completely.
Still, HR know best eh?.....
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Why would you want an ATCO to interview somebody for the job of an ATCO??
Maybe because an ATCO can weedle out an applicants' motivation more than an HR 'person'.
God know's how motivation is being gauged now, if as marco888 says, they seem completely indifferent to visits to units!!
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Maybe because an ATCO may see the qualities required in future trainees better than HR?
Maybe because an ATCO can weedle out an applicants' motivation more than an HR 'person'.
God know's how motivation is being gauged now, if as marco888 says, they seem completely indifferent to visits to units!!
Maybe because an ATCO can weedle out an applicants' motivation more than an HR 'person'.
God know's how motivation is being gauged now, if as marco888 says, they seem completely indifferent to visits to units!!
Take the time to read all of my post (and note the smilies) and you will realise that it was made a tad tongue in cheek.
Of course it makes sense for ATCO's to be involved in the recruitment of other ATCO's, it's just that NATS don't see it that way!!
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I concur about the hearing test. When I did my initial medical I had to do it again as I didn't know it had begun! Nowadays, when I go for my medical renewal the hearing test is the one bit I loathe. Hearing seems to be good enough though and I can certainly always hear pilots moaning.
Like you, I initially wasn't sure the test had started.
Despite all this, the lady doing the test said when viewing the results that my hearing was "extremely good" which was pleasing, but if that's the case then I feel for anyone with normal or sub-normal hearing as they won't hear a thing on that test.
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just because an ATCO may not be present at an interview doesn't mean that they have not been involved. i have been told that ATCO's across the whole of the compnay in both disciplines were used to design the new competancy based interview.
the best advice to prepare for any interview is think of good work & personal examples that can be adapted to the Q's being asked of you. i rang HR for advice on what to expect and they were very helpful - make sure that you are speaking to someone in the TATC recruitment team for the correct advice though.
i agree with a previous post that you should remember that this is a RUMOUR network and not to take everything you read as the truth. if you are in any doubt speak to the professionals. i always contacted them by replying to the "invite/confirmation" emails and they always got back to me within 2 days.
the best advice to prepare for any interview is think of good work & personal examples that can be adapted to the Q's being asked of you. i rang HR for advice on what to expect and they were very helpful - make sure that you are speaking to someone in the TATC recruitment team for the correct advice though.
i agree with a previous post that you should remember that this is a RUMOUR network and not to take everything you read as the truth. if you are in any doubt speak to the professionals. i always contacted them by replying to the "invite/confirmation" emails and they always got back to me within 2 days.
Join Date: Apr 2009
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I did my S3 on the same day as Marco (8th April) and had the same experience. There was one question about what efforts I had made to explore what a career in ATC would be like, whether I had visited a control centre but absolutely nothing to do with identifying planes, ATC procedures or anything like that. It was suggested to us at lunch by one of the interview panel (I think it was the head of ATC training) that the technical side of the interview had been removed because it was covered at S1 and S2 and it wasn't necessary to learn anything before college anyway as everything would be taught thoroughly there. That said, with the motivational section removed from S2 they may bring it back in some form in S3.
Also, I don't suppose any of the other guys who did S3 on the 8th still haven't heard? My nerves are getting a little shot.
Edit: Just logged into the NATS website where it says my application has been unsuccessful, yet I haven't had a call or an email. I'll ring them first thing Monday but does anyone know if this is definate or just something that goes up when an application is pending?
Also, I don't suppose any of the other guys who did S3 on the 8th still haven't heard? My nerves are getting a little shot.
Edit: Just logged into the NATS website where it says my application has been unsuccessful, yet I haven't had a call or an email. I'll ring them first thing Monday but does anyone know if this is definate or just something that goes up when an application is pending?
Join Date: Feb 2009
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Hey Pete! I remember seeing you at the Stage 3. My online application was updated the day after the interview. Couldn't believe how quick they were to decide I was unsuccessful and they still haven't confirmed it.
I've already accepted that I was unsuccessful but it would have been nice to have been told properly. I tried the message centre but that was ignored. Feedback could be a pain to get.
I've already accepted that I was unsuccessful but it would have been nice to have been told properly. I tried the message centre but that was ignored. Feedback could be a pain to get.
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Hmmm. Just off the phone with HR and apparently an email was sent out on the 9th, but I definately never recieved one. Maybe it was a bit stupid of me not to check my online application until now but I was giving it the whole 15 working days. Pretty gutted.
Oh well, there's always next year.
Oh well, there's always next year.
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Hi Pete/Marco,
That's pretty gutting for both of you. Did HR give you any feedback about why you didnt pass? I would have thought S3 should be better than S2 and S1 because its more about you and less about just your brain.
That's pretty gutting for both of you. Did HR give you any feedback about why you didnt pass? I would have thought S3 should be better than S2 and S1 because its more about you and less about just your brain.
Last edited by whitelighter; 27th Apr 2009 at 14:48.
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Stage 2 testing
Hi
I've just been invited to the stage 2 testing
Could anyone tell me of the nearest hotel to the Nats Headquarters and the best airports/airlines to use from glasgow (prestwick/glasgow) etc
The dates are all in June so I've got a month to wait, would rather just get it over and done with!!
Thanks
I've just been invited to the stage 2 testing
Could anyone tell me of the nearest hotel to the Nats Headquarters and the best airports/airlines to use from glasgow (prestwick/glasgow) etc
The dates are all in June so I've got a month to wait, would rather just get it over and done with!!
Thanks
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Moravcik25
Surely in the time you've been waiting to get a reply from someone to your questions above, you could have easily found the answer yourself on Google or indeed on the search facility on these forums? 
It surprises me somewhat that you are applying to be an ATCO, yet you don't know what airline would operate between Glasgow and the south coast (easyJet/Flybe/BA). These kind of details are included in the stage 1 motivation paper so its even more surprising!
On a rather different note, is it me or is the new format for stage 3 sound like they couldn't care less about your motivation in applying &wanting to join NATS, ie. Marco888's post stating the HR couldn't really find his visit to a NATS unit very valuable/useful.
How exactly are HR finding our motivation now? There's no motivation paper further than stage 1, no technical knowledge required, as at stage 3 they're interested in 'you'?!?
So a person who knows the right words and stuff to say could wing the interview and have no interest or motivation........
Could anyone tell me of the nearest hotel to the Nats Headquarters and the best airports/airlines to use from glasgow
It surprises me somewhat that you are applying to be an ATCO, yet you don't know what airline would operate between Glasgow and the south coast (easyJet/Flybe/BA). These kind of details are included in the stage 1 motivation paper so its even more surprising!
On a rather different note, is it me or is the new format for stage 3 sound like they couldn't care less about your motivation in applying &wanting to join NATS, ie. Marco888's post stating the HR couldn't really find his visit to a NATS unit very valuable/useful.
How exactly are HR finding our motivation now? There's no motivation paper further than stage 1, no technical knowledge required, as at stage 3 they're interested in 'you'?!?
So a person who knows the right words and stuff to say could wing the interview and have no interest or motivation........
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Motivated?
I dont know about HR, but just for personal reasons I want to visit the NATS control rooms (i.e. I want to experience what goes on). I had a great visit to Heathrow tower yesterday and that really cemented the fact that this is what I want to do. Spent a total of 7 hours there and frankly would have happily stayed longer.
Down to Swanwick next week and hopefully Farnborough and Prestwick at some point to. I dont know if its required or not, but at least I will have an idea of what & where etc etc. Plus it has made me (so far) more determined than ever.
Down to Swanwick next week and hopefully Farnborough and Prestwick at some point to. I dont know if its required or not, but at least I will have an idea of what & where etc etc. Plus it has made me (so far) more determined than ever.
Join Date: Jul 2008
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New Stages
I apologise in advance if I am being dumb but could someone please run through what is expected at each stage of the application process?
I keep seeing references to the 'new stage 2' or 'new stage 3' and am wondering what to expect. I applied last year and passed the initial selection tests but failed at the next stage and have re-applied this year with my initial tests being this Thursday 30 Apr. I am slightly confused about the motivation paper aspect as last year this was done on the same day as the initial psychometric tests and this year they have explaiend the same in my confirmation email with a link to the document but I see that others haven't and are mentioning the motivation section at a later stage. I am now slightly anxious as I want to be as prepared as I can be for what lies ahead.
I keep seeing references to the 'new stage 2' or 'new stage 3' and am wondering what to expect. I applied last year and passed the initial selection tests but failed at the next stage and have re-applied this year with my initial tests being this Thursday 30 Apr. I am slightly confused about the motivation paper aspect as last year this was done on the same day as the initial psychometric tests and this year they have explaiend the same in my confirmation email with a link to the document but I see that others haven't and are mentioning the motivation section at a later stage. I am now slightly anxious as I want to be as prepared as I can be for what lies ahead.
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Stage 1 will be the same as you had last year.
Stage 2 is now a day of computer tests, rather than the Motivation/Interview/Computer Tests you experienced last year.
Learn the booklet upside down and backwards for stage 1 again
Stage 2 is now a day of computer tests, rather than the Motivation/Interview/Computer Tests you experienced last year.
Learn the booklet upside down and backwards for stage 1 again
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Was wondering if anyone has contact details for someone at heathrow who i could get in touch with with regards to arranging a tower visit.
Currently i've filled in the vistor request form for swanwick and i've emailed a contact a gatwick, yet as i've got no firm visits.
any help would be much appreciated.
Currently i've filled in the vistor request form for swanwick and i've emailed a contact a gatwick, yet as i've got no firm visits.
any help would be much appreciated.
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Hey DaleyDFC / Avestrux
I've got my stage 2 on the 18th of May. Managed to get booked into the Premier Inn in Fareham. Looks like it's only a couple of miles from the test centre. If either of you end up staying there, give me a shout and I can drive us to the test centre on the Monday morning.
I've got my stage 2 on the 18th of May. Managed to get booked into the Premier Inn in Fareham. Looks like it's only a couple of miles from the test centre. If either of you end up staying there, give me a shout and I can drive us to the test centre on the Monday morning.