NATS interview process
Joined: Oct 2024
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From: United Kigndom
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 57
Likes: 3
From: UK
Though they do seem to be a little faster generally this time round compared to last year
Best of luck!
Last edited by Retsek; 3rd October 2024 at 10:21.
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 6
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From: United Kigndom
How did you find out you were successful, did they email you or let you know by phone call?
Joined: Feb 2019
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From: dublin
If you're looking to make contact with fellow newbies who are starting in November/March, reach out to EPNI in Ballycasey and there may be a WhatsApp group that you can join, there certainly was one 3 years ago
Joined: Sep 2024
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From: United Kingdom
congratulations
I was unsuccessful unfortunately I'm so disappointed. when I asked what the reason was for being unsuccessful they told me it was because I didn’t have a wide range of examples for my interview. This seems a bit odd to me as a recent graduate I only have examples from either education or work experience and I have a lot of experience in the hospitality/retail sector which I drew from as well as my educational background. It seems a shame but all I can do is try better and maybe get in some relevant voluntary experience
I was unsuccessful unfortunately I'm so disappointed. when I asked what the reason was for being unsuccessful they told me it was because I didn’t have a wide range of examples for my interview. This seems a bit odd to me as a recent graduate I only have examples from either education or work experience and I have a lot of experience in the hospitality/retail sector which I drew from as well as my educational background. It seems a shame but all I can do is try better and maybe get in some relevant voluntary experience
Joined: Jul 2024
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 19
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From: Southampton
congratulations
I was unsuccessful unfortunately I'm so disappointed. when I asked what the reason was for being unsuccessful they told me it was because I didn’t have a wide range of examples for my interview. This seems a bit odd to me as a recent graduate I only have examples from either education or work experience and I have a lot of experience in the hospitality/retail sector which I drew from as well as my educational background. It seems a shame but all I can do is try better and maybe get in some relevant voluntary experience
I was unsuccessful unfortunately I'm so disappointed. when I asked what the reason was for being unsuccessful they told me it was because I didn’t have a wide range of examples for my interview. This seems a bit odd to me as a recent graduate I only have examples from either education or work experience and I have a lot of experience in the hospitality/retail sector which I drew from as well as my educational background. It seems a shame but all I can do is try better and maybe get in some relevant voluntary experience
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 7
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From: England
Has anyone heard about any new upcoming stage 3 dates? The message changed from "no longer available for registration" to "no slots available at this time". This makes me think that either some dates became available or maybe I'm just going insane
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 321
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From: United Kingdom
getting through is really about having examples for those questions and knowing what the interviewers want to hear
The interview is led by HR and is very formulaic. The aim doesn't seem to be to get to know the candidate's strengths and weaknesses, motivations, assess how they would fit it etc. - it's more like a checklist of competencies you must meet. Either you demonstrate all of the competencies they are looking for, or you don't.
The result of the above is that interview technique is very important - I.e. you have to be able to "talk the talk". It's a bit frustrating - IMO the process shouldn't require candidates to be good at HR interviews, but that's the system we have to live with.
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 29
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From: london
congratulations
I was unsuccessful unfortunately I'm so disappointed. when I asked what the reason was for being unsuccessful they told me it was because I didn’t have a wide range of examples for my interview. This seems a bit odd to me as a recent graduate I only have examples from either education or work experience and I have a lot of experience in the hospitality/retail sector which I drew from as well as my educational background. It seems a shame but all I can do is try better and maybe get in some relevant voluntary experience
I was unsuccessful unfortunately I'm so disappointed. when I asked what the reason was for being unsuccessful they told me it was because I didn’t have a wide range of examples for my interview. This seems a bit odd to me as a recent graduate I only have examples from either education or work experience and I have a lot of experience in the hospitality/retail sector which I drew from as well as my educational background. It seems a shame but all I can do is try better and maybe get in some relevant voluntary experience
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: United Kigndom
congratulations
I was unsuccessful unfortunately I'm so disappointed. when I asked what the reason was for being unsuccessful they told me it was because I didn’t have a wide range of examples for my interview. This seems a bit odd to me as a recent graduate I only have examples from either education or work experience and I have a lot of experience in the hospitality/retail sector which I drew from as well as my educational background. It seems a shame but all I can do is try better and maybe get in some relevant voluntary experience
I was unsuccessful unfortunately I'm so disappointed. when I asked what the reason was for being unsuccessful they told me it was because I didn’t have a wide range of examples for my interview. This seems a bit odd to me as a recent graduate I only have examples from either education or work experience and I have a lot of experience in the hospitality/retail sector which I drew from as well as my educational background. It seems a shame but all I can do is try better and maybe get in some relevant voluntary experience
When was your stage 3? I still haven't heard back but I know others from my date have.
I hope you go for it again next year though! Wish you the best of luck.
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 57
Likes: 3
From: UK
A more open ended and subjective interview where they might ask something like “why should we hire you?” Favours candidates who are traditionally “good at interviews” or “smooth talkers” but maybe are not as well qualified.
The recruitment team let you know well in advance that the interview will be competency based so in theory all candidates have an equal chance to prepare some STAR based answers. Of course it’s a disadvantage to candidates with less ‘life experience’ but can you blame them for preferring people who’ve already demonstrated relevant skills for the role…
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Nats
Historically trainees who have less life experience struggle more at the college. It’s as much an attitude thing as anything else.
Hence why there is an emphasis on past experiences. It’s not so much “does this person have the skills” as the tests will show that. It’s “will this person have the right approach and attitude to this job”.
Hence why there is an emphasis on past experiences. It’s not so much “does this person have the skills” as the tests will show that. It’s “will this person have the right approach and attitude to this job”.
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 321
Likes: 3
From: United Kingdom
Ultimately it's up to NATS but IMO you have to have a balance. Clearly it can't be too subjective when they are interviewing so many people but recruitment is not an exact science either and the process could allow for some more general questions about motivation etc.
To get to the end of the process without being asked why you applied is kind of crazy.
To get to the end of the process without being asked why you applied is kind of crazy.
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 2
From: Nats
On day one of my basic course we were asked what motivated us to apply. In a course of 15+ only one person actually wanted to be a controller while the rest applied because of the salary.
NATS know that as an interview question in this career it’s absolutely pointless to ask as the answer won’t give them any insight whatsoever into the individual.
NATS know that as an interview question in this career it’s absolutely pointless to ask as the answer won’t give them any insight whatsoever into the individual.
