NATS interview process
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Thanks for the excellent replies. A good night's sleep has given me a bit more perspective on the whole thing. Perhaps I was one of those that was torn between answering the questions honestly and not making myself appear to be overly laid back or introverted. Clearly, there's not much point in trying to persuade them of anything. The decision has been made. But I will persist in trying to get feedback of some sort.
Gonzo: your comments make a lot of sense. Of course there's a risk that feedback will lead to candidate's lying next time. On the other hand, it would also give them an idea of how to improve their candidacy and make themselves a better asset to NATS. Plus, any fakers will surely be found out come the interviews...
Paperclip: It took about three weeks until the first email, advising me to take the personality test. It then took a further week before I was informed of the result. I believe there are issues with a new computer system...
Good luck!
Shugs: Well done! what sort of things did you do to improve your chances?
In fact, I'd appreciate any advice on how to use the year until the next application wisely. I'll definitely be giving it another shot.
Cheers
Gonzo: your comments make a lot of sense. Of course there's a risk that feedback will lead to candidate's lying next time. On the other hand, it would also give them an idea of how to improve their candidacy and make themselves a better asset to NATS. Plus, any fakers will surely be found out come the interviews...
Paperclip: It took about three weeks until the first email, advising me to take the personality test. It then took a further week before I was informed of the result. I believe there are issues with a new computer system...
Good luck!
Shugs: Well done! what sort of things did you do to improve your chances?
In fact, I'd appreciate any advice on how to use the year until the next application wisely. I'll definitely be giving it another shot.
Cheers
Join Date: Dec 1999
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Shugs,
Be careful, the 30% I quoted (just my own experience with the recruitment process, by the way) is 30% of all successful candidates are on their 2nd or 3rd attempt, not that you have only a 30% chance of being successful if you are re-applying. So I don't know if the 'success rate' for re-applicants is lower or higher than first timers.
Be careful, the 30% I quoted (just my own experience with the recruitment process, by the way) is 30% of all successful candidates are on their 2nd or 3rd attempt, not that you have only a 30% chance of being successful if you are re-applying. So I don't know if the 'success rate' for re-applicants is lower or higher than first timers.
Join Date: May 2008
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ok Gonzo, things are gettin too bogged down now especially as neither of us really know what the answer is, lol.
basically out of all qualified ATC's, 70% got through first time. This does not mean you discriminate against re-applicants, but suggests that the majority of re-applicants do not work as hard as they should upon re-application, especially given they know more than they did when they first applied, or that after one application, few people use the available 2nd/3rd attempts.
Avenarius, because i failed quite early in the application 1st time round, I knew very little about what was expected of me as i had only done the S1 stuff. I did however learn the document more throughly and try and do more test cubes things, as they are the two most difficult bits of the testing stage.
I read up more generally on the job. as said many times before, there was nothing i could do with regard to the personality bit bacause there is no feedback, and as Gonzo said, rightly so. although i dont no why i failed i suspect it is because i answered the questions trying to think what NATS were looking for as opposed what was actually true of me, 2nd time round i also tried not to think too long on each of the questions.
basically out of all qualified ATC's, 70% got through first time. This does not mean you discriminate against re-applicants, but suggests that the majority of re-applicants do not work as hard as they should upon re-application, especially given they know more than they did when they first applied, or that after one application, few people use the available 2nd/3rd attempts.
Avenarius, because i failed quite early in the application 1st time round, I knew very little about what was expected of me as i had only done the S1 stuff. I did however learn the document more throughly and try and do more test cubes things, as they are the two most difficult bits of the testing stage.
I read up more generally on the job. as said many times before, there was nothing i could do with regard to the personality bit bacause there is no feedback, and as Gonzo said, rightly so. although i dont no why i failed i suspect it is because i answered the questions trying to think what NATS were looking for as opposed what was actually true of me, 2nd time round i also tried not to think too long on each of the questions.
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basically out of all qualified ATC's, 70% got through first time.
or that after one application, few people use the available 2nd/3rd attempts. 
Join Date: May 2008
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ok, thanks aewaite17 and Gonzo.
Basically regardless of what the figures say, i stand the same chance of becoming an ATC now (or next time
) than if i had gotten all the way through first time. 
shugs
Basically regardless of what the figures say, i stand the same chance of becoming an ATC now (or next time
) than if i had gotten all the way through first time. shugs
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Had my stage 2 yesterday, i feel it all went allright actually apart from the end part of the computer test was INSANE.
Is the normal stage 2 waiting time about a week? I didn't get a chance to mention a tower visit so yeah before stage 3 it isn't really of much use.
The questions were strange ones, i had one asking what magazines i was subscribed too.
Is the normal stage 2 waiting time about a week? I didn't get a chance to mention a tower visit so yeah before stage 3 it isn't really of much use.
The questions were strange ones, i had one asking what magazines i was subscribed too.
Join Date: Oct 2008
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I am through!!!
Wow, the new have come through today, meaning I got email from NATS to do the personality test online, which means I passed the initial test in London 3rd Nov. I realise that this is just a very beginning of that feared recruitment process but it is a big step for me and the news made my day.
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The questions were strange ones, i had one asking what magazines i was subscribed too.
Join Date: May 2008
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yup in the afternoon also, was in the group that did testing first and talking to second. think you've got everything sorted for next week? dont think i have quite yet but we'll see...
Join Date: Jan 2008
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"that feared recruitment process" 
And glasgowgirl, forget 'Heat', check out Graham Duke, oh, and dig out a UK Airways map too!
Hope all is well around EGPF, ("no mean city").
And glasgowgirl, forget 'Heat', check out Graham Duke, oh, and dig out a UK Airways map too!
Hope all is well around EGPF, ("no mean city").
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Hi Guys,
I've got my 2nd shot at this coming up very very soon! Cannot believe it has been a year since I last applied.
So, Stage 1 here I come...again!
I saw in a post on this thread that someone was concerned about conflicting information. Just wanted to say that I've found some of the information to be conflicting, some of it out-of-date (it says on the front page that the date the document was written was in 2003) so there are bound to be some things that aren't quite right...more importantly though the tests will be based on the documents given to you, not the information you find elsewhere. I am pretty sure NATS know that the docs are not completely up-to-date. If you're the kind of person who likes to look around and know which info is different, then I'm sure that will only serve you correctly for the future...stage 3 say and your career with NATS...just remember in the testing to go by the documents you've been given. Even then, it's only minor info that's incorrect now i.e. some companies are no longer in service etc.
Good luck to everyone and if anyone on here is going along to Tower Bridge on the 5th Dec, I'll see you there!
I've got my 2nd shot at this coming up very very soon! Cannot believe it has been a year since I last applied.
So, Stage 1 here I come...again!
I saw in a post on this thread that someone was concerned about conflicting information. Just wanted to say that I've found some of the information to be conflicting, some of it out-of-date (it says on the front page that the date the document was written was in 2003) so there are bound to be some things that aren't quite right...more importantly though the tests will be based on the documents given to you, not the information you find elsewhere. I am pretty sure NATS know that the docs are not completely up-to-date. If you're the kind of person who likes to look around and know which info is different, then I'm sure that will only serve you correctly for the future...stage 3 say and your career with NATS...just remember in the testing to go by the documents you've been given. Even then, it's only minor info that's incorrect now i.e. some companies are no longer in service etc.
Good luck to everyone and if anyone on here is going along to Tower Bridge on the 5th Dec, I'll see you there!
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Change of Assesment procedure? (3rd stage)
Had my Third Stage a couple of months ago and although it didn't go awful (they were generally pleased with me and thought i'd make a good ATCO. I was very pleased, yet waited for the inevitable but)...But they were uncertain as to my motivation for doing. I had mentioned money and job security as a big part of it and they didn't want me starting and finding i hated it and leaving. Also the numpty i that i am never visited anywhere (in hind sight i can see the problem with this, but had been so wrapped up with work at the time i didn't get round to it). They told me to make a visit (which i did and loved it) and contact them again in Decmeber to re-arrange the thrid stage (they said i wouldn't have to start from the begining again, which i was pretty pleased about). I contacted them early and have my 3rd stage next Wednesday in London. When i booked up online it said First Interview rather than 3rd Stage, i asked them about it and was told they had a new system, but it was the 3rd Stage. Didn't know if anyone had been recently and if the 'new system' was a change in the day or just the booking online?
God that was a bit waffly,
Dan Ling
God that was a bit waffly,
Dan Ling
Join Date: Oct 2008
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studying
Yeah been studying loads and really enjoying. Alot is repitition from first doc so glad I learned that outside in. Been using airliners.net photo quiz to help me learn planes. I was in the talk group first then the testing! God was i frazzled that night. 