NATS interview process
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Applying for ATCO
HammerThrower
I left school after my A-Levels at 18 and was pretty sure I wanted to be an ATCO. I didn't go Uni because I knew I'd come out with at least 15K debt and wasn't really set on any of the courses available to be honest. I got a job when I left school and have been in the same job for two and half years and am now a manager. I applied for NATS over a year ago and failed at Stage 3 - reapplied this year and passed.
I believe the main thing that has helped me pass Stage 3 this time around was confidence in doing group exercises and have I gained life experiences to be able to answer the compentency questions during the interview. I gained this through working where I do, managing a team where you gain real life experience.
Some of the questions at Stage 3 are like 'Give us an example when you have dealt with a difficult situation or difficult person' or 'Give us an example when you have been successful/unsuccessful'
I feel you gain these experiences better in jobs rather than at Uni, I''m not trying to put you off Uni but I've seen some guys come through and struggle to answer these questions because at Uni they haven't been in these type of situations.
I agree with mixmastermike - gain some life experience, get a good job, save some money and enjoy your youth!
S
I left school after my A-Levels at 18 and was pretty sure I wanted to be an ATCO. I didn't go Uni because I knew I'd come out with at least 15K debt and wasn't really set on any of the courses available to be honest. I got a job when I left school and have been in the same job for two and half years and am now a manager. I applied for NATS over a year ago and failed at Stage 3 - reapplied this year and passed.
I believe the main thing that has helped me pass Stage 3 this time around was confidence in doing group exercises and have I gained life experiences to be able to answer the compentency questions during the interview. I gained this through working where I do, managing a team where you gain real life experience.
Some of the questions at Stage 3 are like 'Give us an example when you have dealt with a difficult situation or difficult person' or 'Give us an example when you have been successful/unsuccessful'
I feel you gain these experiences better in jobs rather than at Uni, I''m not trying to put you off Uni but I've seen some guys come through and struggle to answer these questions because at Uni they haven't been in these type of situations.
I agree with mixmastermike - gain some life experience, get a good job, save some money and enjoy your youth!
S
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Selection Tests
Got my Stage 1 coming up tomorrow @ Prestwick, looking forward to getting through there and getting the tests done. Done about as much studying as I'll be able to do, however with the spare time that I have left on my hands I will just read over the ATC booklet we need to know. Cheers for the help guys Good luck to anyone else who has tests soon.
N.B - Anybody else getting tested @ Prestwick tomorrow?
Cheers, Gaz
Good luck to anyone else who has tests soon.N.B - Anybody else getting tested @ Prestwick tomorrow?
Cheers, Gaz
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Hi,
Just wondering how long your eligible for a course date after completing stage 3/medical. For instance you had to see out a contract before you could leave your former job.
Thanks in advance
Just wondering how long your eligible for a course date after completing stage 3/medical. For instance you had to see out a contract before you could leave your former job.
Thanks in advance
Join Date: Feb 2009
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T6mcx
From what I hear, unless you are at or passed stage 3 by now you are unlikely to start this year. The courses are filling up fast as only area courses are available , approach/aerodrome courses are currently on hold. So I would bank on at least 6 to 9 months.
Ignore that just re-read what you asked, I believe you can defer at least one course if you need to finish a contract if it is fixed term. I know they are not keen on continual postponments unless for a good reason. I'm sure they will be accomodating.
Hope that helps
Ignore that just re-read what you asked, I believe you can defer at least one course if you need to finish a contract if it is fixed term. I know they are not keen on continual postponments unless for a good reason. I'm sure they will be accomodating.
Hope that helps
Join Date: Apr 2010
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JIMMY780 -
Yes that's the info I was looking for. I'm still a serving royal marine at the moment I said on my initial aplication I would be available in feb but with recent changes in operational needs it may be nearer June but as you say I'm sure if I explained at stage three they would consider my issues. If not I suppose I'd get a expiration date.
Thanks jimmy
Yes that's the info I was looking for. I'm still a serving royal marine at the moment I said on my initial aplication I would be available in feb but with recent changes in operational needs it may be nearer June but as you say I'm sure if I explained at stage three they would consider my issues. If not I suppose I'd get a expiration date.
Thanks jimmy
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Stage 3
Hi guys,
I've just finished reading through all (well alot) of this thread and found loads of it very informative so I thank you all for that.
My questions are to do with the stage 3 tests. I've read alot that you should go prepared but what exactly does this entail? I know that a visit to a NATS center is a must but what types of questions should I expect? Also how long will the actual interview last?
Any info at all on the stage 3 tests would be very much appreciated.
Cheers
GavDarv
I've just finished reading through all (well alot) of this thread and found loads of it very informative so I thank you all for that.
My questions are to do with the stage 3 tests. I've read alot that you should go prepared but what exactly does this entail? I know that a visit to a NATS center is a must but what types of questions should I expect? Also how long will the actual interview last?
Any info at all on the stage 3 tests would be very much appreciated.
Cheers
GavDarv
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Gavdarv
Are you at stage 3 then ???
Stage 3 consists of a quick group test, takes anout 30 mins in all. You then have an interview with 2 members of HR, this takes approx 1 and1/2 hours to 2 hours, depending on how much you talk. They will ask you a systematic set of questions (approx 60 in all ) 5 to 10 questions on each of the criteria mentioned on their website. The questions are like :- Tell me a situation where you worked well in a group ?? Then you will have leading questions on the back of this e.g What was your role in the group ?? What was the outcome ?? Where you successful ??. They way i believe you should prepare is think of 2 situations for each of the criteria and make bullett points about what happened in that situation. I believe there is nothing stopping you taking notes in, you normally are allowed notes in interviews.
I did stage 3 last year , so my memory may not recall exactly, hopefully someone who has done stage 3 more recently can correct me. I have stage 3 again on 26th May, if you haven't got to stage 3 yet i can report after this.
Good luck
Stage 3 consists of a quick group test, takes anout 30 mins in all. You then have an interview with 2 members of HR, this takes approx 1 and1/2 hours to 2 hours, depending on how much you talk. They will ask you a systematic set of questions (approx 60 in all ) 5 to 10 questions on each of the criteria mentioned on their website. The questions are like :- Tell me a situation where you worked well in a group ?? Then you will have leading questions on the back of this e.g What was your role in the group ?? What was the outcome ?? Where you successful ??. They way i believe you should prepare is think of 2 situations for each of the criteria and make bullett points about what happened in that situation. I believe there is nothing stopping you taking notes in, you normally are allowed notes in interviews.
I did stage 3 last year , so my memory may not recall exactly, hopefully someone who has done stage 3 more recently can correct me. I have stage 3 again on 26th May, if you haven't got to stage 3 yet i can report after this.
Good luck
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Yeah I've got my stage 3 on the 27th.
Thats some great advice there mate I'll take it all on board. Sounds like its quite an intense interview.
All the best for your interview on the 26th
Thats some great advice there mate I'll take it all on board. Sounds like its quite an intense interview.
All the best for your interview on the 26th
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stage 1 tests
Sat my stage one tests at Prestwick on Friday, think I done alright (hope so too)
The ATC and SDT questions were pretty straightforward to be honest. But I now know what people mean when they say the cubes are pretty daunting. First 20 are pretty easy.. but the next 30 questions are pretty .. well lets just say >
However, 14 days or so to wait now to see if I'm through to stage 2 .. good luck to anyone else who was sitting tests and anyone who has tests coming up
Gaz
The ATC and SDT questions were pretty straightforward to be honest. But I now know what people mean when they say the cubes are pretty daunting. First 20 are pretty easy.. but the next 30 questions are pretty .. well lets just say >
However, 14 days or so to wait now to see if I'm through to stage 2 .. good luck to anyone else who was sitting tests and anyone who has tests coming up
Gaz
Join Date: May 2010
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stage 1 tests
Hi,
I sat my stage 1 test at Prestwick on Friday 9 April 2010, and haven't heard anything as yet.
Thats been 3 weeks now, can any of the members who previously got beyond this stage tell me if they experienced the same time frame for a response?
Has anyone who attended on this day heard from HR yet?
Thank you
I sat my stage 1 test at Prestwick on Friday 9 April 2010, and haven't heard anything as yet.
Thats been 3 weeks now, can any of the members who previously got beyond this stage tell me if they experienced the same time frame for a response?
Has anyone who attended on this day heard from HR yet?
Thank you
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stage 2 prep
hi all,
lots of posts here were about "What can I do to prepare for the stage2 tests" and similar things. Well, playing this little game won't kick you directly to the aero/area course, but you can see what kind of tests are waiting for you on the big day.
And it's fun!
Here's the link.
lots of posts here were about "What can I do to prepare for the stage2 tests" and similar things. Well, playing this little game won't kick you directly to the aero/area course, but you can see what kind of tests are waiting for you on the big day.
And it's fun!
Here's the link.
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The Cube thing
Hey OnEsTeP,
Can you help?
I have my stage 1 on friday and I'm still struggling with this cube issue. Can you give me a step by step guide as to how you worked it out please?
Thanks in advance
Can you help?
I have my stage 1 on friday and I'm still struggling with this cube issue. Can you give me a step by step guide as to how you worked it out please?
Thanks in advance
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Stage 3 in Bournemouth
Hi Everybody !
I've just "discovered" this forum and I have to say it's great.
I have gone through the NATS selection process and I have already passed Stage 1 and 2. I have been invited to the Stage 3 and I'm attending it next week in Bournemouth, the 12th.
So, if anyone else goes there the same day we may change some opinions here before we face the team exercise
. I think it would be a good idea to know a bit each other.
Well, I haven't got much time for reading the whole threads, but, for those that are preparing for the Stage 1 and 2, I was recommended a software pretty good. You can find information in SkyTest® - Trainingssoftware für: DLR-Test (Lufthansa, AUA, DFS), Swiss, Air Berlin, FEAST (Eurocontrol), Austro Control, Skyguide
You can practice a lot of things that are very similar to what you are going to find there, specially on the Stage 2. Some of them differs in the way you "play" but it can help you to train some of the skills they want you to have (collission avoidance, relative direction, strip management...). I hope it helps.
I bought it for just 50 euros and I think it worth it (at least, it seems it has helped me to pass the Stage 2).
However, I was not very happy when I ended my test at NATS because they are very tough. Even being trained you find some difficulties doing them, so practice, practice and practice.
If you have any question, I may be able to answer as I have it yet fresh in my mind.
See ya !! and good luck to those who face new tests soon.
I've just "discovered" this forum and I have to say it's great.
I have gone through the NATS selection process and I have already passed Stage 1 and 2. I have been invited to the Stage 3 and I'm attending it next week in Bournemouth, the 12th.
So, if anyone else goes there the same day we may change some opinions here before we face the team exercise
. I think it would be a good idea to know a bit each other.Well, I haven't got much time for reading the whole threads, but, for those that are preparing for the Stage 1 and 2, I was recommended a software pretty good. You can find information in SkyTest® - Trainingssoftware für: DLR-Test (Lufthansa, AUA, DFS), Swiss, Air Berlin, FEAST (Eurocontrol), Austro Control, Skyguide
You can practice a lot of things that are very similar to what you are going to find there, specially on the Stage 2. Some of them differs in the way you "play" but it can help you to train some of the skills they want you to have (collission avoidance, relative direction, strip management...). I hope it helps.
I bought it for just 50 euros and I think it worth it (at least, it seems it has helped me to pass the Stage 2).
However, I was not very happy when I ended my test at NATS because they are very tough. Even being trained you find some difficulties doing them, so practice, practice and practice.
If you have any question, I may be able to answer as I have it yet fresh in my mind.
See ya !! and good luck to those who face new tests soon.