NATS interview process
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Hello,
Sorry if this has been covered...
Just about to go to 3rd round interview next week in Glasgow. Things have been moving quite fast with all this, and initially in my application I said a notice period of 1 month, but things have changed a bit (like I need about 2 months), and if things continue this way, and if I pass, am I really going to be made to start in December?
March now is a much better idea.
Anyone know how pushy they are in putting you in a certain slot? Bit concerned now! hehe
Thanks
Sorry if this has been covered...
Just about to go to 3rd round interview next week in Glasgow. Things have been moving quite fast with all this, and initially in my application I said a notice period of 1 month, but things have changed a bit (like I need about 2 months), and if things continue this way, and if I pass, am I really going to be made to start in December?
March now is a much better idea.
Anyone know how pushy they are in putting you in a certain slot? Bit concerned now! hehe
Thanks
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Even if Neodude is incorrect about the January course, fear not...HR will not force you to join a course which is not appropriate. I had not finished uni when I was offered last January's course and, as such, deferred until June.
Best of luck with the third stage,
Ricky.
Best of luck with the third stage,
Ricky.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Phew! ok...thanks for that. March/April it probably will be then (if all goes well). I'm looking forward to next week now. I was shocked to find out only something like 5% or so get through the first round. I was expecting more than 3 people at my stage 2 last week! At this rate, will there be anyone to play the "air traffic board game" with, or will I be on my own?! (just kidding)
Anyhow, I feel as prepared as I'll ever be, so bring it on!
Anyhow, I feel as prepared as I'll ever be, so bring it on!
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Is that true? Only 5% make it through stage one?! 
That makes me feel better about not making it through stage one, but more scared about when I come to do it again!
So a computer decides the fate of so many wannabe ATCs eh....
That makes me feel better about not making it through stage one, but more scared about when I come to do it again!
So a computer decides the fate of so many wannabe ATCs eh....
Join Date: Oct 2007
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I don't know if it's true - I'm just quoting the nice HR lady that was at Fareham last week for stage 2. She could have just been making us all feel special... The 3 of us were all from the same Glasgow stage 1 day, and the lady said it was only us who got through from that day (from about 60-70 people in total). So either us Scots are really thick, or it was just a bad day!
Join Date: Sep 2006
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So either us Scots are really thick, or it was just a bad day!
Anyway, majority on next course are from Scotland so, yeah it must have been a bad day
good luck
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Tower/Area Centre Visit
Hi all,
Sorry if this has been answered previously - I have trawled through all the posts but there are a lot!
I have progressed to the 3rd and final stage of the process (havent booked it yet but have an email confirming I have mde it!
)
I have seen a lot of people mention tower/area Centre visits - is this somethign that I am supposed to be doing? Nothign has been mentioned to me about it or is this something that I am supposed to have worked out for myslef/shows motivation?!
any help/advice would be great!
Thanks.
Sorry if this has been answered previously - I have trawled through all the posts but there are a lot!
I have progressed to the 3rd and final stage of the process (havent booked it yet but have an email confirming I have mde it!
)I have seen a lot of people mention tower/area Centre visits - is this somethign that I am supposed to be doing? Nothign has been mentioned to me about it or is this something that I am supposed to have worked out for myslef/shows motivation?!
any help/advice would be great!Thanks.
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Sometimes I get really depressed.
Atcowannabe, although I've replied to your post, this is not aimed by any means at just you....
To anyone out there who is going through the process or will apply.
How do you know if you really want to be an ATCO if you've not been for a visit to see what an ATCO does, and spoken with a few current ATCOs?
How would you expect to answer questions about ATC at an interview if you don't know what equipment an ATCO uses, and what they use it for?
This is a career, very rare in the contemporary job market, in which you might stay for the rest of your working life......perhaps you ought to do some research both to enhance your chances of being selected, and also to discover if it's what you think it is and if it's still attractive to you.
Can anyone think of any reason not to at least try to visit an ATC facility if you're applying to become an ATCO?
/rant on.
One (obvious) word, people.
Preparation.
It continually amazes and crushes my spirit in equal measure when I interview to find many candidates don't know anything about the job, the company, the industry etc.
My first question is usually "so, what have you done to prepare for today?..." it is usually met by a very short answer.
This is not A Good Thing.
/rant off
Atcowannabe, although I've replied to your post, this is not aimed by any means at just you....
To anyone out there who is going through the process or will apply.
How do you know if you really want to be an ATCO if you've not been for a visit to see what an ATCO does, and spoken with a few current ATCOs?
How would you expect to answer questions about ATC at an interview if you don't know what equipment an ATCO uses, and what they use it for?
This is a career, very rare in the contemporary job market, in which you might stay for the rest of your working life......perhaps you ought to do some research both to enhance your chances of being selected, and also to discover if it's what you think it is and if it's still attractive to you.
Can anyone think of any reason not to at least try to visit an ATC facility if you're applying to become an ATCO?
/rant on.
One (obvious) word, people.
Preparation.
It continually amazes and crushes my spirit in equal measure when I interview to find many candidates don't know anything about the job, the company, the industry etc.
My first question is usually "so, what have you done to prepare for today?..." it is usually met by a very short answer.
This is not A Good Thing.
/rant off
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Hi Gonzo,
Thanks for your input, I understand your post was not just aimed at me but in resposne in relation to me personally:
I understand where you are coming from but me not attending a visit doesnt reflect on my motivation or preperation, it is more to do with me simply not considering that a visit was an option. Post Sept 11th etc etc I hadnt considered that NATS would allow (and even if they did, 'want') someone wandering around thier security conscious buildings - but clearly I was wrong in that respect.
What have I done to prepare/how do I know that I really want to be an ATCO?
1) I have trawled the internet for as much relevant information that I can on what an ATCO does, what NATS does, what organisations are above NATS, what technologies are used, how the technologies work etc etc.
2) I have tried to find as much other information as possible that contains information about how ATCOs work and what the job entails (for instance this months 'airports of world' magazine contains a good article on UK airspace and 'airliners' magazine an article on the history of air traffic control.
3) I have spent the last year and a half getting myself in a financial position to be able to go through the college year and although being offered to join a round the world trip and a share in a house I stuck to my plan
So all in all I feel I have (and am continuing to) prepare as much as I can, I simply didnt realise that a visit was an option (which I accept may have been short sighted on my part
). Now that I am aware that it is an option I agree 100% that it will be extermely valuable and will certainly be looking into it today.
So hopefully when I am asked 'how did you prepare for today' I will be able to give more than a 5 word answer
Thanks for your input, I understand your post was not just aimed at me but in resposne in relation to me personally:
I understand where you are coming from but me not attending a visit doesnt reflect on my motivation or preperation, it is more to do with me simply not considering that a visit was an option. Post Sept 11th etc etc I hadnt considered that NATS would allow (and even if they did, 'want') someone wandering around thier security conscious buildings - but clearly I was wrong in that respect.
What have I done to prepare/how do I know that I really want to be an ATCO?
1) I have trawled the internet for as much relevant information that I can on what an ATCO does, what NATS does, what organisations are above NATS, what technologies are used, how the technologies work etc etc.
2) I have tried to find as much other information as possible that contains information about how ATCOs work and what the job entails (for instance this months 'airports of world' magazine contains a good article on UK airspace and 'airliners' magazine an article on the history of air traffic control.
3) I have spent the last year and a half getting myself in a financial position to be able to go through the college year and although being offered to join a round the world trip and a share in a house I stuck to my plan
So all in all I feel I have (and am continuing to) prepare as much as I can, I simply didnt realise that a visit was an option (which I accept may have been short sighted on my part
). Now that I am aware that it is an option I agree 100% that it will be extermely valuable and will certainly be looking into it today.So hopefully when I am asked 'how did you prepare for today' I will be able to give more than a 5 word answer
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I word of caution about your financial planning atcowannabe.There are people who has been at the college for over 2 years!! 18 months is not uncommon at the moment. A pretty small percentage sail through all the courses 1st time (i'd guess at about 15-20% including all 3 disciplines) and if you are offered a recourse there is no guarantee it will be straight onto the next one as it may be full. One of the guys who started basic back in March will be starting his recourse in january!!!! Hopefully with smaller basic courses now it will be less likely that people have to wait for recourses.
Anyway, I know that's all a bit in the future but thought I'd mention it.
Lots of luck for your stage 3 - sounds like you've been putting in a lot of work
Anyway, I know that's all a bit in the future but thought I'd mention it.
Lots of luck for your stage 3 - sounds like you've been putting in a lot of work
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Thanks for the advice smellysnelly!
If I do get into the college then my girlfriend will move down with me - she is a primary school teacher so will be able to get a job no problems, so money wont be TOO much of an issue for me. I just had to get rid of the credit card and motorbike loan that was hanging over my head
If I do get into the college then my girlfriend will move down with me - she is a primary school teacher so will be able to get a job no problems, so money wont be TOO much of an issue for me. I just had to get rid of the credit card and motorbike loan that was hanging over my head
Join Date: Jan 2006
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The visit.
atcowannabe,
The visit will really help you click things into place that you have read and researched etc.
I visited the tower at Glasgow and the centre at Prestwick and thought they were fantastic, especially Prestwick. Thanks to those with whom I was plugged in and listened for a while. It really 'wet my appetite' and thankfully I will be going to Bournemouth in January.
Although I would add, during the interview, I didn't actually get round to mentioning that I had been to the units. Not sure why, they never asked, I guess I was waiting for a good time to bring it up, and before I knew it, the interview was over. Of course I should have told the interviewers, even when they said thats us finished, I should have said "I didn't get to mention that I have ...........", so please be sure and tell them all.
Best of luck.
The visit will really help you click things into place that you have read and researched etc.
I visited the tower at Glasgow and the centre at Prestwick and thought they were fantastic, especially Prestwick. Thanks to those with whom I was plugged in and listened for a while. It really 'wet my appetite' and thankfully I will be going to Bournemouth in January.
Although I would add, during the interview, I didn't actually get round to mentioning that I had been to the units. Not sure why, they never asked, I guess I was waiting for a good time to bring it up, and before I knew it, the interview was over. Of course I should have told the interviewers, even when they said thats us finished, I should have said "I didn't get to mention that I have ...........", so please be sure and tell them all.
Best of luck.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Visit to Swanwick
Sorry to be repetitive!
I'm nearly 17, hoping to join NATS at 18. Would be grateful of a chance of perhaps organising a few hours at Swanwick if its possible? I have tried calling direct but I get passed from one line to another
I have heard West Drayton is moving to Swanwick imminently?
Thank you
PM if necessary, cheers.
I'm nearly 17, hoping to join NATS at 18. Would be grateful of a chance of perhaps organising a few hours at Swanwick if its possible? I have tried calling direct but I get passed from one line to another
I have heard West Drayton is moving to Swanwick imminently?
Thank you
PM if necessary, cheers.