NATS interview process
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To make my post more interesting I am going to do it in the style of a TV show. The Important bit will be after the italics.
Previously on this Forum:
Dr_pie asked what to happens if an application is sent off to the medical department when submitted, only to have them say everything was a-ok. So dr_pie then asked what at stage 2 because of the contradicting information regarding an interview at that stage. Dr_pie then went to Stage 2 and cocked up the FEAST test (is that like PIN number or ATM machine) only to be told he HAD made it to Stage 3.
And now on this forum:
A lot of things are repeated on this forum alot. Mostly they are to do with Stage 1 as thats the stage everyone does. So a common question about Stage 3 is my reason behid this post:
What should I do to prepare for Stage 3?
Should I organsise a trip to A tower orr Swanwick? How? Will I be disadvantaged if i don't?
Should I buy a book on ATC? Should it be the one everyone is suggesting or is there a different one?
Should I be worried about my lack of previous employment?
Previously on this Forum:
Dr_pie asked what to happens if an application is sent off to the medical department when submitted, only to have them say everything was a-ok. So dr_pie then asked what at stage 2 because of the contradicting information regarding an interview at that stage. Dr_pie then went to Stage 2 and cocked up the FEAST test (is that like PIN number or ATM machine) only to be told he HAD made it to Stage 3.
And now on this forum:
A lot of things are repeated on this forum alot. Mostly they are to do with Stage 1 as thats the stage everyone does. So a common question about Stage 3 is my reason behid this post:
What should I do to prepare for Stage 3?
Should I organsise a trip to A tower orr Swanwick? How? Will I be disadvantaged if i don't?
Should I buy a book on ATC? Should it be the one everyone is suggesting or is there a different one?
Should I be worried about my lack of previous employment?
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Stage 3 Interview
Hi! I also have my stage 3 interview on the 6th July! I'm busy trying to prepare lots of examples. I'm hoping its not going to be too bad as its HR stuff isn't it? i.e. team working?
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Does anybody have any feedback who has recently completed stage 3? I have been through the selection before but I'm quite curious what the interview will be like with just HR. If anything the exclusion of acto's from this process has made me even more nervous.
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After the medical?
I'm through stage 3 and going to gatwick on monday to get my official medical certificate.
Can anyone give me a rough idea of what happens after that?
Not time scales because they probably vary..
But I read on here something about contracts and stuff and being asked about area or aero..
What's the general order so I know what to be waiting for?
Helen
Can anyone give me a rough idea of what happens after that?
Not time scales because they probably vary..
But I read on here something about contracts and stuff and being asked about area or aero..
What's the general order so I know what to be waiting for?
Helen
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Helen/HP20,
I was asked my preference for Aero/Area when they called to say I'd passed Stage 3. At that time I asked about courses and was told which one they thought I'd be on and the estimated start date.
A while after that, I received my PIN for the 'Departure Lounge' - a part of the NATS careers website with forums, accommodation info, etc for TATCs-to-be - this also contains *some* of the distance learning material.
About 6 weeks before my college start date, I received my contract.
About 4 weeks before my college start date, I received the remainder of the Distance Learning material and some other stuff to help prepare for starting at Hurn.
Hope that helps - if you want timescales, just ask.
I was asked my preference for Aero/Area when they called to say I'd passed Stage 3. At that time I asked about courses and was told which one they thought I'd be on and the estimated start date.
A while after that, I received my PIN for the 'Departure Lounge' - a part of the NATS careers website with forums, accommodation info, etc for TATCs-to-be - this also contains *some* of the distance learning material.
About 6 weeks before my college start date, I received my contract.
About 4 weeks before my college start date, I received the remainder of the Distance Learning material and some other stuff to help prepare for starting at Hurn.
Hope that helps - if you want timescales, just ask.
Join Date: Dec 2008
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WoooooooooooooooooooHooooooooooooooooooo!
I just found out that I have passed Stage 3! I cant really beleive it still, its taken me an hour to calm down and about a dozen re-reads of the email to double check but it hasn't changed.
This is pretty life changing for me, at 30 it means leaving a very good (and well paid) career to do something that I am passionate about. I am dead chuffed, and heading to the pub for a beer!!!
This is pretty life changing for me, at 30 it means leaving a very good (and well paid) career to do something that I am passionate about. I am dead chuffed, and heading to the pub for a beer!!!
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Can everyone climb down from their moral high horse please.
WannabeAtco makes a perfectly valid point in his original post- if HR want people to prep for stage 1 then at least point them in the RIGHT direction- don't tell them to do one thing and then test them on another. its very very unprofessional in an industry that prides itself on the highest standards of profeesionalism.
Furthermore, what is said on internet forums can often be misconstrued, as such it is accepted wisdom to give posts the benefit of the doubt- having read WannbeAtco initial posts he seemed to be making a valid complaint, which some people, who seem to be suffering from inflated ego problems themselves, took humbrage to and shot him down in flames.
There is one rule on the internet- if you won't say it to someone's face then don't say it all.
I suggest everyone takes a long look at what they have written recently and apply this rule to their posts.
It is also of some surprise to see the competitiveness that often comes across on this forum- ATC strikes me as far from competitive- you are ONLY competing with yourself.NATS will clearly take anyone they can get, and so the only person you have to beat is yourself. Personally i am all up for helping as many people as possible- in any way possible. I'd love to see everyone on here employed in such a rewarding job as ATCO!
However those that have passed stage 2 and 3 often come across as being "better" than others.
treat each other with respect
The only reason I made my post after his was because of the cheek of it. NATS owes this guy nothing yet he quite happily showed 'disgust' and blame towards them when it's only HIM that can control the outcome of the process he is going through. Everyone in the past has been in the same boat as him but I have never come across a post like that - ever!
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I just had my CAA class one medical at Gatwick (deffinately plan how your going to get there as its not exactly easy to find from the airport station).
I passed, have my certificate to hand and faxed it over to the NATS medical department today. They called through to say they will be letting HR know i have the all clear to start and that HR should be contacting me soon (i was also told to make sure i dont leave it to long as HR aren't the best at getting back to people...as i've learnt).
Can't wait to get a start date and get the details for the dep louge online so i can start looking at accomadation. I'm currently hoping to rent a flat.
I'm hoping to be on the October course, anyone have any idea if thats a possibility.
I'm not sure why HR have told people about starting dates etc before a medical, from my experiance that couldnt have happened to me as my offer was conditional on passing the medical...so why give me a start date and course info if i then went on to fail my medical. But then again HR are inconsistant and also things with HR have had an overhaul recently so who knows what the standard practice for finding out course dates etc is.
I passed, have my certificate to hand and faxed it over to the NATS medical department today. They called through to say they will be letting HR know i have the all clear to start and that HR should be contacting me soon (i was also told to make sure i dont leave it to long as HR aren't the best at getting back to people...as i've learnt).
Can't wait to get a start date and get the details for the dep louge online so i can start looking at accomadation. I'm currently hoping to rent a flat.
I'm hoping to be on the October course, anyone have any idea if thats a possibility.
I'm not sure why HR have told people about starting dates etc before a medical, from my experiance that couldnt have happened to me as my offer was conditional on passing the medical...so why give me a start date and course info if i then went on to fail my medical. But then again HR are inconsistant and also things with HR have had an overhaul recently so who knows what the standard practice for finding out course dates etc is.
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roar00,
Accommodation - the accommodation list that's currently being sent out is pretty out of date and most of the people on course 220 (July/August) who are planning on renting somewhere have just looked on rightmove.co.uk/spareroom.co.uk, etc to find places. If you're looking for a flatshare with other TATCs, the departure lounge will help you to make contact with other people looking to share, but facebook is just as good.
Start dates - I've always been under the impression that NATS expect most of their candidates to pass the medicals (I have no idea of stats though) which is why I think they try to give as much info as possible when asked about the next course that has available places, etc etc (on the assumption that you'll pass). I have a 6 month notice period, so if I'd waited until I'd had my medical before they told me anything about courses, I wouldn't have been able to start in July. Also, I got asked at Stage 3 if I knew of any reason why I might not pass a medical - maybe that's a factor too?
Finally, when you get your contract, you'll find that even at that stage, your offer for employment is still conditional - this time on security clearance etc - I know my referee still hasn't been approached so I'm obviously not yet cleared...
Accommodation - the accommodation list that's currently being sent out is pretty out of date and most of the people on course 220 (July/August) who are planning on renting somewhere have just looked on rightmove.co.uk/spareroom.co.uk, etc to find places. If you're looking for a flatshare with other TATCs, the departure lounge will help you to make contact with other people looking to share, but facebook is just as good.
Start dates - I've always been under the impression that NATS expect most of their candidates to pass the medicals (I have no idea of stats though) which is why I think they try to give as much info as possible when asked about the next course that has available places, etc etc (on the assumption that you'll pass). I have a 6 month notice period, so if I'd waited until I'd had my medical before they told me anything about courses, I wouldn't have been able to start in July. Also, I got asked at Stage 3 if I knew of any reason why I might not pass a medical - maybe that's a factor too?
Finally, when you get your contract, you'll find that even at that stage, your offer for employment is still conditional - this time on security clearance etc - I know my referee still hasn't been approached so I'm obviously not yet cleared...
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Thanks paperclip, how long before the start of your course did you get the call to say you were in? Because I wasn't asked, so I was thinking maybe my start date won't be too near.. Or I won't really have a choice which one I do..
Pugwash, yeah it was pretty recent.
When we arrived we were given security forms to fill out and left to chat for a bit. We were then almost immediately taken to a room to do the group interview. I don't actually remember how long it took, maybe an hour? They tell you at the start.. Then we were taken out of the room to our small waiting area. About 20 minutes later they take you off 2 at a time to have interviews. Mine only lasted just over an hour but other people on my day had a 2 hour one. It's 2 people interviewing you and they both take loooaaaads of notes and swap who asks the questions half way through. You also get lunch, and we got to look in the control rooms, even though most had done so already.. You stay til about 3 i think, depends if everyone turns up to the interview.
Also in the afternoon me and one other guy got taken off to do some of the stage 2 tests on these new laptops. It's apparently to check that people get the same results on the laptops as they do on the computer.. so they can switch to laptops. But i don't think everyone does that.
Hope that helps..?
Helen
Pugwash, yeah it was pretty recent.
When we arrived we were given security forms to fill out and left to chat for a bit. We were then almost immediately taken to a room to do the group interview. I don't actually remember how long it took, maybe an hour? They tell you at the start.. Then we were taken out of the room to our small waiting area. About 20 minutes later they take you off 2 at a time to have interviews. Mine only lasted just over an hour but other people on my day had a 2 hour one. It's 2 people interviewing you and they both take loooaaaads of notes and swap who asks the questions half way through. You also get lunch, and we got to look in the control rooms, even though most had done so already.. You stay til about 3 i think, depends if everyone turns up to the interview.
Also in the afternoon me and one other guy got taken off to do some of the stage 2 tests on these new laptops. It's apparently to check that people get the same results on the laptops as they do on the computer.. so they can switch to laptops. But i don't think everyone does that.
Hope that helps..?
Helen
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HP20,
I passed Stage 3 in the middle of January, and was told they were allocating spaces at that time for Course 219 (April start) but I'd be on 220 due to my notice period. After my CAA medical (early March) I gave HR a quick call to check I was still on 220 and everything was ok - it was. In May we found out the course date had been changed a bit, but apart from that, I've been pencilled in for 220 Aerodrome since I passed really!
My best tip is to give Nikki a call at HR - she can tell you which course they're filling up places on now, and note down what you want and when you'd like to start.
I passed Stage 3 in the middle of January, and was told they were allocating spaces at that time for Course 219 (April start) but I'd be on 220 due to my notice period. After my CAA medical (early March) I gave HR a quick call to check I was still on 220 and everything was ok - it was. In May we found out the course date had been changed a bit, but apart from that, I've been pencilled in for 220 Aerodrome since I passed really!
My best tip is to give Nikki a call at HR - she can tell you which course they're filling up places on now, and note down what you want and when you'd like to start.
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Stage 2 3rd July
Hey, I'm a newbie to this colossal forum so be nice
Does anybody else on here have their Stage 2 on Friday 3rd July? Also was anyone on here at the 8th June 11am Stage 1? Did you guys pass and make it through to Stage 2?
Getting slightly nervous now, although quietly confident (probably not a good thing though!)
Does anybody else on here have their Stage 2 on Friday 3rd July? Also was anyone on here at the 8th June 11am Stage 1? Did you guys pass and make it through to Stage 2?
Getting slightly nervous now, although quietly confident (probably not a good thing though!)