NATS interview process
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Southend-On-Sea
Can someone take me through the up to date process please?! I keep visiting the tower and learning some basic info from them at my workplace but they all went through the process 10 + years ago barring 2 and they had different processes to what I've currently been through.
What was the interview process like? I know we have to resit the online tests which I thought I had done terribly on but apparently not as my assessment centre is in a few months.
I'm losing my head
What was the interview process like? I know we have to resit the online tests which I thought I had done terribly on but apparently not as my assessment centre is in a few months.
I'm losing my head
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: West
Can someone take me through the up to date process please?! I keep visiting the tower and learning some basic info from them at my workplace but they all went through the process 10 + years ago barring 2 and they had different processes to what I've currently been through.
What was the interview process like? I know we have to resit the online tests which I thought I had done terribly on but apparently not as my assessment centre is in a few months.
I'm losing my head
What was the interview process like? I know we have to resit the online tests which I thought I had done terribly on but apparently not as my assessment centre is in a few months.
I'm losing my head
At the assessment centre depending on how big the group is you may be split. My group did the tests first of which there were no surprises; identical to the ones you did at home but they are on an iPad. The multiple choice test on the reading material you are provided with is in this sitting. Revision of the entire booklet is necessary.
Personal interview which is entirely competency based, there was little to no interest in 'why you want to be a controller' and 'what you know about NATS' it's 90+ minutes of scenario based competency questions - 'How do you respond in x scenario', 'Give us an example of when you have been in x situation'. It is very important that you relate back to the situational judgement test you would of done at home in your answers as this is what it is referenced from (not the questions, your responses).
Q&A with a NATS controller
A timed group discussion, 4 of us centre room with 8-10 assessors (HR and NATS employees) sat around taking notes. This is again scenario based and you are expected to role play. It is important that you relate back to your situational judgement test and your interview responses when conducting yourself. It is not surprising that given the pool of applicants and their personalities you will be drawn into the various scenarios that are reminiscent of the scenario based questions. You will get found out if you claim to be a introvert but then engage in heated exchanges with the rest of the group. Basically be yourself, I can't imagine anyone can keep up an alter ego all day in such a demanding environment.
Day concludes.
It's very difficult to prepare for the assessment centre as a whole, the aptitude testing is just that which cannot be revised and the interview had so many question it would be impossible to have a loaded answer for every single one, you have either experienced what they are referring to or you haven't there were times where I hadn't and responded with 'I've never dealt with x but if I had I would x'
Hope this helps and good luck.
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Reading
Hi, I've finally got my stage 3 booked for the 21st Jan 2020!
When I selected this date back in November I was told that the dress code for the day was to be formal/business dress, and I was wondering how many people actually planned to turn up in a suit etc. or would that be too extreme?
Also it says to get there for 8am but doesn't give too much indication as to what time the day will end, so I've been struggling to find the correct train times to book. If anyone could offer some advice on anything I've missed that would be amazing!
Good luck to everyone still in the process too
When I selected this date back in November I was told that the dress code for the day was to be formal/business dress, and I was wondering how many people actually planned to turn up in a suit etc. or would that be too extreme?
Also it says to get there for 8am but doesn't give too much indication as to what time the day will end, so I've been struggling to find the correct train times to book. If anyone could offer some advice on anything I've missed that would be amazing!
Good luck to everyone still in the process too
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Coventry
This is based on my experience from July.
Personal interview which is entirely competency based, there was little to no interest in 'why you want to be a controller' and 'what you know about NATS' it's 90+ minutes of scenario based competency questions - 'How do you respond in x scenario', 'Give us an example of when you have been in x situation'. It is very important that you relate back to the situational judgement test you would of done at home in your answers as this is what it is referenced from (not the questions, your responses).
Q&A with a NATS controller
A timed group discussion, 4 of us centre room with 8-10 assessors (HR and NATS employees) sat around taking notes. This is again scenario based and you are expected to role play. It is important that you relate back to your situational judgement test and your interview responses when conducting yourself.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Personal interview which is entirely competency based, there was little to no interest in 'why you want to be a controller' and 'what you know about NATS' it's 90+ minutes of scenario based competency questions - 'How do you respond in x scenario', 'Give us an example of when you have been in x situation'. It is very important that you relate back to the situational judgement test you would of done at home in your answers as this is what it is referenced from (not the questions, your responses).
Q&A with a NATS controller
A timed group discussion, 4 of us centre room with 8-10 assessors (HR and NATS employees) sat around taking notes. This is again scenario based and you are expected to role play. It is important that you relate back to your situational judgement test and your interview responses when conducting yourself.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: UK
I've got mine booked on the same day - travelling down the night before!
I'm going to be wearing a full suit with tie, you can never go wrong interviewing in a full suit.
As for booking a return train, obviously the best thing to do would be to book an open return, but if you can't do that, I'd personally play it safe and book beyond 6pm - it's "expected" to finish at 4pm but I think leaving a 2+ hour window would be smart.
I really don't know how to prepare for the competence tests, all I've been doing to prepare is reading that 26-page document every day... still haven't memorised any of the aircraft info on the last few pages yet!
I'm going to be wearing a full suit with tie, you can never go wrong interviewing in a full suit.
As for booking a return train, obviously the best thing to do would be to book an open return, but if you can't do that, I'd personally play it safe and book beyond 6pm - it's "expected" to finish at 4pm but I think leaving a 2+ hour window would be smart.
I really don't know how to prepare for the competence tests, all I've been doing to prepare is reading that 26-page document every day... still haven't memorised any of the aircraft info on the last few pages yet!
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: UK
I'm honestly not preparing for the group discussion or interview phase, I'm solely revising the 26-page document as I don't really think you can do much else!
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: England
You really can't prepare for the group exercise, just be yourself and try to have fun with it. For the interview, make sure to think of a number of scenarios where you've demonstrated different skills (just as you would for any other interview). And of course, as absolutely is doing, make sure to read through and learn the information pack that you have been given. Good luck all!!!
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: London
Hi everyone!
I am attending the Stage 3 interview next Wednesday 14th Jan. Anyone else?
I had already apply for ATC with NATS two years ago, but did not manage to pass the DART test.
So the booklet test should not be too difficult but I am very curious about the interview and group discussion.
Anyone that has attended can give any example of the questions they may ask?
Also, English is not my first language so Im worried any language barrier might be an issue and not being able to communicate as much as I want to.
Please, any advice?
Btw, Im planning to attend also on suit and tie
Thank you!
I am attending the Stage 3 interview next Wednesday 14th Jan. Anyone else?
I had already apply for ATC with NATS two years ago, but did not manage to pass the DART test.
So the booklet test should not be too difficult but I am very curious about the interview and group discussion.
Anyone that has attended can give any example of the questions they may ask?
Also, English is not my first language so Im worried any language barrier might be an issue and not being able to communicate as much as I want to.
Please, any advice?
Btw, Im planning to attend also on suit and tie
Thank you!
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: West
What I was trying to get at is there's no use in free styling answers in the interview and group discussion. It needs to remain fairly pragmatic and in line with how you would actually respond, which in turn should tie in with your SJT and personality questionnaire.
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: London
Hi how did your stage 3 go ? I Have mine in March, do you have any tips ?
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow
Is there anyone starting at Jerez in March 2020 that's still browsing this forum? I know there is only a handful of us on the course but it would be nice to get acquainted before it all kicks off, and I haven't been able to get in contact with anyone else yet.
Cheers and good luck for folks in the application process, it can be a headache but just be yourself and if its meant to be then it will be.
Cheers and good luck for folks in the application process, it can be a headache but just be yourself and if its meant to be then it will be.
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: UK
Is there anyone starting at Jerez in March 2020 that's still browsing this forum? I know there is only a handful of us on the course but it would be nice to get acquainted before it all kicks off, and I haven't been able to get in contact with anyone else yet.
Cheers and good luck for folks in the application process, it can be a headache but just be yourself and if its meant to be then it will be.
Cheers and good luck for folks in the application process, it can be a headache but just be yourself and if its meant to be then it will be.
Have they reached out to you at all prior to starting in March? Formal offer, further details etc?
Thanks in advance and hope you manage to find course contacts prior to starting!
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: UK
Hey,
Unfortunately we are not allowed to give out details as they have asked it to be confidential. Don't wanna risk my application.
Although it is pretty straightforward as long as you're confident and realistically prepared( Don't go overboard with this, you'll only stress yourself out)
There is the re take of the online tests which is just to verify your results, then there is the knowledge test which is pretty easy if you've studied the stuff sent to you. You don't need to learn any extra content at all!
As for the interview, prepare for it as you would for any past experience-scenario based interview. Keep the STAR method in mind. Can't really give out anything more.
As for the group activity, all I can advice is to just be yourself and be confident.
Hope this helps
Unfortunately we are not allowed to give out details as they have asked it to be confidential. Don't wanna risk my application.
Although it is pretty straightforward as long as you're confident and realistically prepared( Don't go overboard with this, you'll only stress yourself out)
There is the re take of the online tests which is just to verify your results, then there is the knowledge test which is pretty easy if you've studied the stuff sent to you. You don't need to learn any extra content at all!
As for the interview, prepare for it as you would for any past experience-scenario based interview. Keep the STAR method in mind. Can't really give out anything more.
As for the group activity, all I can advice is to just be yourself and be confident.
Hope this helps
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: West
Timeline
As others have done in the past, below is my timeline covering the recruitment process on the new model introduced April 2019
In my case, an automatic email was sent a couple hours after the completion of the online tests, the days between are down to me finding time to complete them.
After the stage 2 online tests, there was a delay until NATS released the stage 3 assessment centre slots.
By far the longest time for me was being allocated a start date after passing stage 3.
Day 0 Stage 1 online tests.
Day 5 Stage 2 online tests.
Day 31 Stage 3 assessment centre bookings open.
Day 98 Stage 3 assessment centre.
Day 107 Confirmation on passing stage 3 assessment centre.
Day 177 Class 3 medical.
Day 304 Training course invite.
Day 391 Anticipated course start date.
In my case, an automatic email was sent a couple hours after the completion of the online tests, the days between are down to me finding time to complete them.
After the stage 2 online tests, there was a delay until NATS released the stage 3 assessment centre slots.
By far the longest time for me was being allocated a start date after passing stage 3.
Day 0 Stage 1 online tests.
Day 5 Stage 2 online tests.
Day 31 Stage 3 assessment centre bookings open.
Day 98 Stage 3 assessment centre.
Day 107 Confirmation on passing stage 3 assessment centre.
Day 177 Class 3 medical.
Day 304 Training course invite.
Day 391 Anticipated course start date.
Last edited by relyt; 7th February 2020 at 13:06.