NATS interview process
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Im in!
Found out today I got through stage 3! So so happy. Bring on the medical!!!
Just checking to see if any of the guys who were at CTC on Friday the 5th got through also?
Good luck to everyone else!
Just checking to see if any of the guys who were at CTC on Friday the 5th got through also?
Good luck to everyone else!
Join Date: May 2006
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NATS Recruitment Process - Stage 2
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone who has been through stage 2 could answer some of my questions:
1. What is the exact contents of stage 2? (Motivation paper, computer tests and interview?)
2. Is there another personality test at this stage?
3. Is the motivation paper multiple choice again?
4. What type of questions are asked in the interview? (All personal? Technical questions? NATS History?)
5. Are there maths/speed,distance,time questions that arn't in the atc sim computer test?
6. In the motivation paper is there anything that's not in the provided booklet? (Distance between cities etc?)
7. What format is the aircraft recognition section in the motivation paper? (Is this part quite tricky?)
8. I've read somewhere that the three computer based tests, are:-
Sort Task. .The task requires candidates to sort objects (coloured shapes and numbers) into categories by given rules. The candidate must take account of occasional messages which alter the way objects are sorted and monitor whether the object to be sorted matches a given stimulus which changes from time to time.
Relative Direction Task. .This is a two part test, in the first the candidate is presented with a dot, an arrow and words left or right. The tasks is to say whether the word correctly describes the position of the dot relative to the arrow. The second part is similar except sometimes the arrow is shown from behind (represented by the arrow in outline) but the task is still to describe the position of the dot for someone standing in front of the display.
Moving Objects Task. .In this test a series of objects (represented by numbers) move across the screen at constant speed in different directions. The task is to identify which if any of the objects will collide and to remove the minimum numbers of objects to prevent all collisions. In the second part of the test multiple choice arithmetic questions appear at the bottom of the screen simultaneously with the main tasks to introduce an element of multi tasking.
Is this correct or have they changed?
9. For those on the morning slot, did you get away on time? (Got a plane to catch)
Thanks for any help!
Christa
I was wondering if anyone who has been through stage 2 could answer some of my questions:
1. What is the exact contents of stage 2? (Motivation paper, computer tests and interview?)
2. Is there another personality test at this stage?
3. Is the motivation paper multiple choice again?
4. What type of questions are asked in the interview? (All personal? Technical questions? NATS History?)
5. Are there maths/speed,distance,time questions that arn't in the atc sim computer test?
6. In the motivation paper is there anything that's not in the provided booklet? (Distance between cities etc?)
7. What format is the aircraft recognition section in the motivation paper? (Is this part quite tricky?)
8. I've read somewhere that the three computer based tests, are:-
Sort Task. .The task requires candidates to sort objects (coloured shapes and numbers) into categories by given rules. The candidate must take account of occasional messages which alter the way objects are sorted and monitor whether the object to be sorted matches a given stimulus which changes from time to time.
Relative Direction Task. .This is a two part test, in the first the candidate is presented with a dot, an arrow and words left or right. The tasks is to say whether the word correctly describes the position of the dot relative to the arrow. The second part is similar except sometimes the arrow is shown from behind (represented by the arrow in outline) but the task is still to describe the position of the dot for someone standing in front of the display.
Moving Objects Task. .In this test a series of objects (represented by numbers) move across the screen at constant speed in different directions. The task is to identify which if any of the objects will collide and to remove the minimum numbers of objects to prevent all collisions. In the second part of the test multiple choice arithmetic questions appear at the bottom of the screen simultaneously with the main tasks to introduce an element of multi tasking.
Is this correct or have they changed?
9. For those on the morning slot, did you get away on time? (Got a plane to catch)
Thanks for any help!
Christa
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Hi Christa, to answer (most of) your questions, sorry for the length.
1 – the interview is exactly as described, computer tests, interview and motivation paper.
2 – yes there is a personality test, you just do it in-between the other tests, no time limit and something like 40 – 50 questions. You are asked to rate yourself on the questions between -2 and 2 I think.
3 – yes the motivation paper is multiple choice, but for some of the questions the answers are almost identical, so you have to know the stuff inside out.
4 – this is the bit I cant really remember, but I think it was something like 50/60 questions, and there was no ‘time limit’ as such. In fact on some of the questions I sat in silence for a good 10 – 15 seconds to think of the answer and that didn’t seem to be a problem. There is no technical questions regarding planes or ATC situations or anything, the majority of them I think were about your personality and perhaps aspects of your personal life, spare time etc. This was the part I was most worried about to be honest, thinking I would freeze up on the day but managed to chat away about all kinds of stuff. Would suggest you think about situations you think highlight the qualities you think you need to be a good ATC. For quite a few of the questions in my interview it was yes/no answers. It is not what I would regard as a proper interview; you are asked a question, the interviewer will not elaborate or explain, but if asked can simply restate the question, once you have given an answer they can not come back on you but simply move on to the next question. Again from my perspective sometimes I occasionally started an answer then 15 seconds later would have to ask what the questions was as I had forgotten (try and avoid this I would guess). I don’t know how it is marked, but as per previous posts think it works on a mixture of keywords and the number and quality of examples provided, depending on questions. (**PLEASE DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR THIS**).
5 – don’t know
6 – don’t think so, think the only stuff is D/S/T which was not in booklet(s).
7- not sure I understand. As far as I know there were no, ‘what plane is this’ questions. I don’t want to give away any exact questions, but you could be asked which of the choice of aircraft was the fastest, slowest, flew highest or lowest or were simply biggest/smallest, most/least seating as standard, heaviest wake vortex category etc etc.
8 – correct
9 – I was afternoon, but I arrived at CTC at 11.30 and one of the morning folk had already left. Think this depends on how many are in your group (my day there was two in morning and four in afternoon) and how many HR folk are in a position to lend a hand. It should not run over what was given in the email though, as that was quite generous I found.
Have tried not to give anything exact away, but hope this info helps you prepare. In my mind, there is nothing you can do to prepare for the computer tests, and yes you will realise you have made a mistake as soon as you make it. You can do some stuff to prepare for the interview, and you need to know all the stuff in both booklets to be best prepared for the motivation paper. The D/S/T stuff is trickier than you would think (or at least what I thought).
Shugs
1 – the interview is exactly as described, computer tests, interview and motivation paper.
2 – yes there is a personality test, you just do it in-between the other tests, no time limit and something like 40 – 50 questions. You are asked to rate yourself on the questions between -2 and 2 I think.
3 – yes the motivation paper is multiple choice, but for some of the questions the answers are almost identical, so you have to know the stuff inside out.
4 – this is the bit I cant really remember, but I think it was something like 50/60 questions, and there was no ‘time limit’ as such. In fact on some of the questions I sat in silence for a good 10 – 15 seconds to think of the answer and that didn’t seem to be a problem. There is no technical questions regarding planes or ATC situations or anything, the majority of them I think were about your personality and perhaps aspects of your personal life, spare time etc. This was the part I was most worried about to be honest, thinking I would freeze up on the day but managed to chat away about all kinds of stuff. Would suggest you think about situations you think highlight the qualities you think you need to be a good ATC. For quite a few of the questions in my interview it was yes/no answers. It is not what I would regard as a proper interview; you are asked a question, the interviewer will not elaborate or explain, but if asked can simply restate the question, once you have given an answer they can not come back on you but simply move on to the next question. Again from my perspective sometimes I occasionally started an answer then 15 seconds later would have to ask what the questions was as I had forgotten (try and avoid this I would guess). I don’t know how it is marked, but as per previous posts think it works on a mixture of keywords and the number and quality of examples provided, depending on questions. (**PLEASE DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR THIS**).
5 – don’t know
6 – don’t think so, think the only stuff is D/S/T which was not in booklet(s).
7- not sure I understand. As far as I know there were no, ‘what plane is this’ questions. I don’t want to give away any exact questions, but you could be asked which of the choice of aircraft was the fastest, slowest, flew highest or lowest or were simply biggest/smallest, most/least seating as standard, heaviest wake vortex category etc etc.
8 – correct
9 – I was afternoon, but I arrived at CTC at 11.30 and one of the morning folk had already left. Think this depends on how many are in your group (my day there was two in morning and four in afternoon) and how many HR folk are in a position to lend a hand. It should not run over what was given in the email though, as that was quite generous I found.
Have tried not to give anything exact away, but hope this info helps you prepare. In my mind, there is nothing you can do to prepare for the computer tests, and yes you will realise you have made a mistake as soon as you make it. You can do some stuff to prepare for the interview, and you need to know all the stuff in both booklets to be best prepared for the motivation paper. The D/S/T stuff is trickier than you would think (or at least what I thought).
Shugs
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NATS Recruitment Process - Stage 2
Hi Shugs,
Thank you SO much for helping to answer my questions, I was beginning to overload on information and sources.
One more question
- Are there questions relating to your knowledge of NATS in the interview(when they started, furture plans etc?)
Many many thanks!
Christa
Thank you SO much for helping to answer my questions, I was beginning to overload on information and sources.
One more question
- Are there questions relating to your knowledge of NATS in the interview(when they started, furture plans etc?)Many many thanks!
Christa
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Stage 3 Results...
So far 4 out of 6 who went to my Stage 3 know that they are through...
I gave them a buzz and they said I should know by the end of the week, ie. tomorrow.
Im not really expecting good news though. I thought the interview went really well and came out smiling, but if 4 guys all found out they got through yesterday and theres 2 waiting to hear, what can I expect.
Keep your fingers crossed for us guys, with a stroke of luck they might just be uber busy and not seen our results to publish yet...
So far 4 out of 6 who went to my Stage 3 know that they are through...
I gave them a buzz and they said I should know by the end of the week, ie. tomorrow.
Im not really expecting good news though. I thought the interview went really well and came out smiling, but if 4 guys all found out they got through yesterday and theres 2 waiting to hear, what can I expect.
Keep your fingers crossed for us guys, with a stroke of luck they might just be uber busy and not seen our results to publish yet...
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Christa- There are no NATS knowledge sort of questions until stage 3. I was asked something like 'What made you want to apply for this position', at which point it might be good to say some things that are NATS specific rather than just air traffic specific, but it's really up to you (I don't think I did...)
Enjoy, it's not so bad at all!
Enjoy, it's not so bad at all!
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Stage 2
Hi there,
I have a been a keen reader of this site and this is my first post. I am going to my stage 2 on January 15th (pm). I had to take pm as I have to fly down and I'm trying to do it in one day.
I am looking for some tips as to what to expect and anything I should be focusing on when revising? I am worried about the interview part as I'm not sure if it's technical or personallity based? Also does anyone one know of a good website to brush up my distance/time/speed knowledge? I would like to try a few examples.
P.S. Anyone out there attending stage 2 on the 15th Jan?
Thanks
I have a been a keen reader of this site and this is my first post. I am going to my stage 2 on January 15th (pm). I had to take pm as I have to fly down and I'm trying to do it in one day.
I am looking for some tips as to what to expect and anything I should be focusing on when revising? I am worried about the interview part as I'm not sure if it's technical or personallity based? Also does anyone one know of a good website to brush up my distance/time/speed knowledge? I would like to try a few examples.
P.S. Anyone out there attending stage 2 on the 15th Jan?
Thanks
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Hi gogz87,
focus on learning the motivation papers for stage 1 & 2 so that you know them inside out. With regard to the interview, it is a structured interview so its not technical, but rather lots of questions about you and your personality, with no feedback at all after each answer you give. Try and think of good examples for each answer you give. ie. "are you motivated?", "yes im a really motivated person", then you need to give an example.
Good luck
focus on learning the motivation papers for stage 1 & 2 so that you know them inside out. With regard to the interview, it is a structured interview so its not technical, but rather lots of questions about you and your personality, with no feedback at all after each answer you give. Try and think of good examples for each answer you give. ie. "are you motivated?", "yes im a really motivated person", then you need to give an example.
Good luck
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Thanks Mike1711,
It's getting closer and closer everyday and I feel I have a good understanding of the documents I have been given so I'm comfortable with that. Trying to prepare for the interview part of it now. I suppose I just need to stay calm on the day and hopefully I'll do fine.
Thanks again.
It's getting closer and closer everyday and I feel I have a good understanding of the documents I have been given so I'm comfortable with that. Trying to prepare for the interview part of it now. I suppose I just need to stay calm on the day and hopefully I'll do fine.
Thanks again.
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Scottish Area Control Centre
Anyone out there have a contact at Prestwick Area Control Centre. I am hoping to organise a visit there shortly and I don't know who to talk to. Any help would be fantastic.
Cheers
Cheers
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Gogz87,
I do not think you need a contact at Prestwick, the only thing I did to arrange that was to google Scottish ACC get a phone number of reception/front desk and call them up explaning myself.
Also, remember that a visit is not needed before Stage 2.
I do not think you need a contact at Prestwick, the only thing I did to arrange that was to google Scottish ACC get a phone number of reception/front desk and call them up explaning myself.
Also, remember that a visit is not needed before Stage 2.
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Is anybody else having trouble downloading the example security booklet?
https://www.nats.gtios.com/candidate...stionnaire.pdf
???
https://www.nats.gtios.com/candidate...stionnaire.pdf
???
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I had that problem but went to the stage 2 without knowing what was in there. I still don't know what the document says. Just take your passport to stage 2 and they will search any bags you may have.
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Devastated!!
Got a NO for my stage 3 today.
Really can't put my finger on what could have gone wrong. Thinking back to the questions they asked me, I'm pretty sure I answered them all right. Going to phone them tomorrow to see if I can get any feedback.
Really gutted after all the hard work these last three months. Don't know if I can go through this again...
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Aww Cariad...sorry you didn't get through. I remember how it felt being knocked back at Stage 2...I was absolutely gutted, so I can understand how you feel being knocked back at this stage.
If you've got tries left, go for it again next year. I know it feels like a long time but my year flew past and has given me valuable preparation time to know it's the job I really want and to learn more information about aircraft etc.
Give yourself time to get over it first because it is a huge blow, not only to your confidence but also your self esteem and next year you'll look back and know in your heart where you can improve.
HTH
If you've got tries left, go for it again next year. I know it feels like a long time but my year flew past and has given me valuable preparation time to know it's the job I really want and to learn more information about aircraft etc.
Give yourself time to get over it first because it is a huge blow, not only to your confidence but also your self esteem and next year you'll look back and know in your heart where you can improve.
HTH
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Sorry to hear that cariadmon, hopefully HR will be able to give to some good advice to make sure you get it next time. What makes it worse is the thought that you did everything right on the day.
How did you get on Arrows 2100? you were expecting a result on Friday, hope it went your way.
Proff1 I shall see you there, Hilton @08.30
Finally, whilst im here, biffytheking1980, think you were the guy i met at Prestwick a week past Monday, wish you well on the result of your interview.
shugs
How did you get on Arrows 2100? you were expecting a result on Friday, hope it went your way.
Proff1 I shall see you there, Hilton @08.30
Finally, whilst im here, biffytheking1980, think you were the guy i met at Prestwick a week past Monday, wish you well on the result of your interview.
shugs
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hey shugs thanks for your concern. Im still waiting im afraid, got until fri till my 15 days are up. I just hope they have lost my file as somebody suggested to me a few days ago, but I can't prepare for anything until I get it in writing either way 
HR told me they would have them out by friday last week but that fell through lol. This ASDA checkout will be the end me unless I know there is light at the end of the tunnel.Andy
HR told me they would have them out by friday last week but that fell through lol. This ASDA checkout will be the end me unless I know there is light at the end of the tunnel.Andy