NATS interview process

[Novas]

Thank you for the quick reply. I've read all 41pages on this thread since I last posted, and yes in retrospect I jumped the gun a little and should have read it before posting.

I've put together a massive word document of notes, posts and a 'to do' list, will narrow it all down this evening and be back on here with any outstanding querys.

[Arrows2100]

Glasgow

The 7th of March 2008... 0830 hours...

The world awakens to a nice bright new day, however one man has more than likely just filled his pants...

Yeah, by some miricle I got through my Stage 2 assessment, at which I am over the moon at. However, I shall not be resting on my laurels. Not a chance.

I have my Stage 3 in a fortnight!!

I was going to leave it until maybe some more suitable dates came up, however I didn't want them to look back at my dates and think I was not very enthusiastic

The problem is, 13 days to prepare isn't enough.. is it? Sure, I'll try and cram as much in as possible, however I doubt I could get some of the big motivation proofs like visiting Prestwick or the towers at Glasgow or Edinburgh etc etc...

I have read through this thread, and theres a lot of info on Stage 1/2, and a whole lot of complaining about that pesky personality quiz, however I can't find too much on Stage 3 and what to expect.

So far, I can expect a board game and a chat with an ATCO. I read somewhere that this could last 8 hours

Anyone with a good review of their Stage 3, please come forward

I don't so much need walked through, I like to be creative and original with my responses. However, I'd really like a wee idea as to what I will be subjected to

Cheers everyone,
Andy

[stu_h]

Andy - Check your PM's.

[rzaruwa]

stage 2

hi!
I have passed the tests at stage 1 and now waiting for the date of stage 2. I am very proud of myself because I am from Poland and english is not my first language. This recruitment process is the biggest challenge in my life. I am affraid of being asked the question that I may not understand and wondering if the HR people show enough tollerance to explain it to me??
What advice would you give me?

Wish me luck!!!

[vivpom]

NATS Stage 2

Thanks Ricky,

Very helpful indeed. Am waiting for my stage 2 date and then I will be staying indoors for some serious studying. As for the computer tests you said there is no way of studying?? Im a little scared. With regards to the interview did you manage to visit a control centre and was that what the HR questions were based on. Any tips or motivation??? Well hope training is going well good luck with everything.

[prowle4763]

Time periods

Hi All,

Quick question to any people at the college/about to start.

Anyone know roughly how long you are looking at from first applying to NATS to starting at Bournemouth?
Assuming of course you pass the Stage 1-3 tests and the medical with no problem (which may be a lot to ask I realise)!
6 months, 12 months, 18 months, etc.

Cheers

[watch_the_birdie]

I sent off my application on 17th August, did the 3 stages over the next few months, and passed my medical on 23rd November. However, I'm not starting til July. I would say 9-10months, possibly longer, maybe shorter.

It all depends on how quickly you can get through the stages (i.e. there are only specific dates for each of the stages, it all depends whether you can get time off for them, or have to wait for another month...). Also depends if you have a medical deferral (like a friend of mine did for eyes).

[aerotech07]

Don't think there are any set rules on applying to starting timesclaes, it all depends how quick you can get through stages, and also how many people are holding, which in turn depends on how many people the college is currently taking in each course.

I applied last April, and took the stages at a fairly steady pace (due to other commitments), I was told i was succesful in August, and at the time was offered September course, although I chose the January course.

I was then deffered from the January course onto April, due to the college cutting back on the January intake. So when i start in April it will be almost a year.

That said, I'm sure way back in this thread there was someone that did it in something like under 3 months!!

[NeoDude]

I applied in October 2006!

Passed my stage 3 in April 2007. Had major issues with my medical which took around 6 months to clear up and I'm finally starting in April 2008.

[AJ7]

applied end of april 2007, took stage 3 on june 4th, asked there and then if i could start june 25th!!! said sep was best so thats what happened, it appears my case was the exception rather than the rule though...

[kevpem]

Eyesight requirements for the medical

Hi,
I have the below prescription, I only wear glasses when driving. Will this pass the class 1 medical?

Left eye Right eye
Sphere -0.75 Sphere -0.75
Cyle N/A Cyle -0.5
Axis N/A Axis 180

Uncorrected visual acuity
6/12 6/15

Corrected visual acuity
dist 6/6 near N5 dist 6/6 near N5


Thanks,

Kevin

[timelapse]

Yes - the minima are on the CAA site if you want to check for sure.

[1967kev]

Hi,

Just a quick question for anyone who has recently undergone the medical examination. If you ace NATS medical, will they still write to your GP for a medical history?

There is no problem!!! I would just like to know so that I can let him know to expect it. He seems to have a habit of forgetting about appointments so I can just imagine what he would do with a medical questionnaire!!!!

Cheers

Kev

[lincoln3346]

NATS Stage 3 INterview

I have recently had the rather terrible news that I did not make it throuh stage 3 of the NATS interview process and to be honest I am completely gutted, however it has made me more determined to try again. It would be great to have some advice from anyone else out there who has failed the stage 3, re-applied and made it through the second or third time, just to see if it is actually possible (I did all of the usual stuff, visiting units, researching the motivation material).
Any advice regarding preparation for stage 3 would be gratefully received, as I now have 12 months to swat up before the next application.

[petedavis]

Hi,

I have got my stage 3 approaching shortly and would be interested to know what sort of questions were asked, if any questions threw you a bit, and what areas that were difficult?

As for reapplying, from reading all the other threads it seems the majority get through second or third time.

[non-stop]

hi there lincoln sorry to hear that you never got through i have my stage 3 just coming up and like you have done visits gone through all the relevant material and investigated anything else i can think of, looking for some advice as to what sort of questions to expect at the interview from either the hr or atco part
would appreciate it if you could give me any advice from what you ve learned

thanks

[non-stop]

hi there

congrats on getting through, i ve got my stage 3 coming up soon i was just wondering if you had any info on what sort of questions to expect from either the hr or atco on the day

thanks

[prowle4763]

Cheers for all the responses on time periods guys, helped a lot.

[RO13ERTS]

A word of caution (ref: eyesight limits), The CAA requirements are not the same as the NATS requirements for employment, NATS' are more stringent.

[lincoln3346]

Stage 3

Pete - the scary thing is I thought I had done really well, all three interviewers were completely pocker faced though! I don't think my advice would be much good to you as I did not get through, however questions tended to cover your personality, ie strengths and weaknesses, decision making abilities, believe it or not there was barely any technical content, which was not what I was expecting at all. Make sure you get as many visits to a unit in as possible, one visit in my opinion isn't enough. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of where you want to go in NATS and why. Oh and make sure you know all about NATS the company, ie PPP, services provided etc.

hope this helps, hope you have better luck than I did...Good Luck!
Let me know how you get on and if you make it through maybe you can give me some hints and tips!