NATS interview process

[sambatc]

Kwagga said;
Sam, Yeah a bit short notice. Have you got the Occupational Personality Questionnaire yet, and have you been on any tower visits?

I emailed NATS earlier asking if I needed to worry about the SHL OPQ...no reply yet but I'm sure it will be ok.

I've managed to book myself a visit at an airport (location secret i'm afraid... ) on Sunday morning, I'm waiting to hear back from another which sounded promising, and I spent two hours this morning in the tower and radar room at the aerodrome I'm lucky enough to work at.

I'm feeling good

(still bricking it though!!)

[JackRalston]

ommony

Thanks very much for the reply, I had been told about the delay until April but I was unaware that it effected applicants who were waiting to do Stage 1 tests. In that case I shall certainly apply this weekend. One mate of mine must of gotten through just in time as he's now currently training on TC North.

Not trying to sound worried but any indication on what you had to do for the online test? Just like to be prepared that's all.

Good luck when you finally get the test dates.

[ommony]

Originally Posted by sambatc

Your figures for the application process (2-4 weeks between stages, 3 months after stage 3 till start date at college) seem very optimistic to me....

This year? Absolutely! Due to the college moving and such things seem to have drawn out even more than usual. The figures I was giving were very much off the top of my head, and really represented the *earliest* I was expecting to possibly be able to start.

The point was just that anybody interested in applying shouldn't delay.

...or, rather, they should delay so I have less competition! haha


JackRalston - The online test was very straight forward and, as far as I'm aware, nobody fails it. I think it's as much about seeing if you can follow instructions and use a computer. Hah. But basically, it's just comparing sets. ie, they say XYZ11234BD or something, then there will be 5 similar looking choices and you've got to pick the one that matches. The hard part is just that you don't have much time. But no worries, when they send you the link to the online test they also let you do as many practice tests as you like before doing the 'real' one.

[kautostar]

Hey ommony, do you get the result of the online test as soon as you sit it do you know? So almost everyone gets through to the first assessment day do they? I've been putting off doing it but will do it this evening I think.
JackRalston have you done yours yet?

[ommony]

Just to clarify, the online test is NOT the first assessment day or 'Stage 1' as its known. The online test is just a quick thing you do before you're even able to schedule the Stage 1 test day.

Basically, this is what I've done so far:

1. Complete online application - received very quickly a reply saying it'd been received and was being considered.

2. Received e-mail saying:
"Congratulations, you have been invited to attend the first part of the Recruitment Process - The Online Selection Tests."

3. Completed online test (15-20 minutes or thereabouts) and then immediately sent an e-mail to HR saying I'd done so.

4. Received e-mail saying:
"You have passed you online tests, I will move you onto the next stage
'invite to tests' but please be aware there will not be any dates
available until April but we will be putting them on the system in
February."

And that's it. All in all took just a few days.

So now I'm just waiting for the April Stage 1 test dates to be made available. But the first part of the process was very quick and painless for me at least.

[sambatc]

so is there anyone else from here going for their Stage 3 on Feb 10th?

[Batfink79]

Your welcome for the link and reply ommony.

The urine test, will be to pick up the class A's but also diabetes which I believe results in failing the medical.

Well done for quitting the fags, have tried and failed 3 times now. Going for another attempt on 14.02.11, as a bonus valentines gift for other half hehehe

[Crazy Voyager]

Sambatc and unrealdream, have you got links to the online SHL test yet?

I got mine today, but I noted one intresting thing:

[...]in order to complete one or more assessments, which should be completed by 31/12/2010.

Well since I hadn't done my stage 2 by that date, I'm guessing it's a typo I'm just intrested to know if your mails had the same error? I think I'll drop HR a note just to let them know though

[unrealdream]

Not got my SHL questionaire/test yet. Even checked my junk just in case, but I'm sure it'll be here within the next few days.

[sambatc]

Crazy - yeah I have the same anomoly... I'm just about to do the questionnaire now in fact, I'm sure it will be fine

[Crazy Voyager]

Ok, well since NATS read PPrune they probably already know but I'll drop them a line and tell them just so they know

I'm to tired to do the test now, I'm planning on doing it tomorrow (it'll just be 34 days after the final date )

[marco888]

Has anyone applied recently (in the last two weeks) and completed the online tests?

Following my previous post after applying on Jan 12th and not hearing anything but the confirmation email for a couple of weeks. I emailed HR as a brief follow up (Jan 25th) and I've again heard nothing.

Now, I understand that there is nothing for stage 1 for a while. But I'm concerned that I've not heard anything at all.

[sambatc]

Managed to sort out a tour of Manchester with just 1 day's notice - got to say I'm impressed with the NATS admin there! I'm off tomorrow afternoon to see my first NATS unit

[unrealdream]

Congrats sambatc, I'm booked into a local airfield at the mo

Going to try and contact Gatwick and Heathrow this weekend.

[ommony]

marco888 - I've been waiting for a couple weeks for some replies to general questions. But nothing yet. I assume they're VERY busy at the moment and/or somebody might be off sick. Plenty of flu and nastiness going 'round at the moment.

Hard to find a nice balance between being proactive and chasing them up, and not being a nuissance...

I suppose it'll take the time it takes, if you know what I mean.

[kautostar]

Thanks for the information ommony. Can you tell me how long it took before you received no.2 after completing no.1? I have completed my app now and just wondering whether it's a few days or a few weeks before I get to sit the online test. Assuming I get invited to do so that is!

[marco888]

Thanks for the reply. I had the impression that they have quite the back log of stage 1 applications right now and are very stretched. In my own experience they have been very good at providing any sort of feedback. Even if it can take a little time they come good. It took me about 6 months to get feedback when I failed my stage 3, but it was very very good feedback and was definitely worth the wait.

"Hard to find a nice balance between being proactive and chasing them up, and not being a nuissance... "

I most definitely agree with this. I will give them plenty more time to get back to me. In the mean time I shall remain patient and will not get overly concerned.

[kwagga]

marco888,

What did you fail your Stage 3 on, if you don`t mind me asking?

[gazb2]

Absolutely delighted Got the e-mail today saying I've passed Stage 1, which was a shocker due to the fact that I thought those cubes were the end of me. Just about to complete the online personality test, and just going to be completely honest with it...

[hatemyjob]

I'm arranging a visit to swanwick/gatwick and I've been reading a few text books. I am also thinking about how experience I have gained in my current job would benefit me in nats as well as answers to potential questions I may be asked on the day. I have also already passed the caa medical but I still feel like I should be doing more to prepare for stage 3.

Any suggestions?