It's not happening
 

I didn't make it into a training position. Pretty shattered....:-(
Can't believe it really. Still needs to sink in..

Henriette

For everyone who is from the Brisbane test days end of August: congrats!

Know the feeling

Deleted

SPIDER27,

I'm in Melbourne.

I received the same email on the 17 Aug as well.
Then received another email on 9 Sep asking me to book for a phone interview online.

My phone interview was on 12 Sep. Then this morning I got an email inviting me to the assessment centre in Brisbane next week...

Why don't you log-in to the application and check?

jetdownunder: yeah, me either. Didn't even ring my referees. I'm pretty sad too.
I think I stuffed up on the IQ test (the computerised one with the weird symbols) by being too careful, I bet I got them all correct, but I only got about 2/3 of the way through, and of course that one with the big plane and questions about where it is in relation to the little plane (don't want to give away too much for those who haven't done it).
Condolences. You seemed to want it even more than me.
At least you like your existing career.
Hmm, I wonder what other career I'd be good at...

@ergaster2: are you also asking for feedback? I want to know what it is that makes them think I am not a good fit for the role. You always learn from that kind of information.

I know 100% sure that I would have successfully gone through the training and the job. There is not a single cell in my body not convinced about that. My environment (including ATC friends) keep telling me that I am perfect for this job, and so motivated, but hey...that doesn't count! :( Because.....there is always this assessment! It's a moment, a carefully designed test, a snap shot of your skills and work style, and.....the way it is set up there is also the human factor of the assessors. I seem to be a bad performer in assessments. I have done a few and at least twice I am hired for a very good role, despite the assessment results not being ideal, or at least ambiguous. Haha, I must be a complicated person! Luckily, in further interviews and real time conversations I always seem to get through. A simulated environment, or test setting, just isn't the real deal and I seem to have little imagination to be able to "forget" that.

I believe I either failed on the reaction test (plane position, how frustrating being a very visual person), or it's a decision based on human factors (as in the opinion/judgement of the assessors). I'll find out in a few weeks.

I feel we were unlucky in that we were challenged by the technology on that day (22 August). Also, I find it a little disappointing that I didn't have the interview with the person that was on my schedule. It felt a bit rushed and not so well prepared (my interview).

Whatever way, I have to acknowledge the outcome, no matter how hard it is to see a life long dream shattered. You know what? Life must have better plans ready for me. How exciting!!

Fortunately I started on a very good contract role recently. Hopefully it will be so exciting that I will forget about the dissappointment soon.

I wish all the future applicants all the best with their assessment day, once through to that stage. Just be yourself, and prepare yourself in such a way that you can peak perform (i.e. sleep, be on time, prepare your route, etc...).

Whatever is....is.

Ciao, Henriette

Hey guys just thought that I'd post that I was another one that didn't get through from the July assessment day. I agree with you jetdownunder, I believe that I could have pushed through the training no matter how hard because of my motivation. I do and always have had a real interest in aviation and, i know what I think doesn't count for much, but I really think that a persons motivation for getting the job should be a factor (even if a very small one) in the selection process. According to the assessments, I failed on the "following instruction, policies and procedures" criteria, which is ironic as my last two jobs have heavily involved following, implementing and training people policies and procedures. But unfortunately we cant do anything about it. I guess Ill save up and continue my pilot studies. One thing I do know for sure is that no matter what I'm doing, I will be applying in another 12 months. Just hopefully then I wont get rejected for "being pre-briefed and too prepared" for the assessment day haha. Well done to those who have been selected and I wish you all the best in your studies!!!

Hey Mat00. Thanks for your reply. It's always supportive to hear that you are not going through things on your own....
Yes, ironic that it was the "not following procedures and processes" bit for you! Who knows, maybe it is the same for me! That would really surprise me if it was because I am very aware of the necessity that following the procedure and applying what you have been trained in is THE attribute probably most valuable in the job. And I have always stressed that in any conversation. I have the feedback only end of the month. I wished it was immediately, or at least not weeks after the result. Wonder if I still want to know then ;)
I am not sure I will apply again; it all depends on what the reasons are I didn't succeed. And also depends on the situation I will be in at the time. Who knows what life is like in a years time? Also, I have already had 2 previous assessment days (one Air Services Australia old style, the other 20 years ago in Amsterdam). On the other hand, my desire to be an ATC is still there, even after 20 years!!! I can't see a plane fly over without feeling the passion....

Anyway, thanks for your reply and good luck with dealing with the dissappointment.

Indeed Jetdownunder, its nice to know your not alone. I'm sure it will be helpful to know what criteria you didn't pass, as hard as it is hearing the feedback, if you treat it as constructive criticism then it will no doubt benefit you in the long run.

I was previously in the mindset that "if I don't get the job then it just means that I'm not right for the position" but since hearing the feedback I have decided that I still want to pursue the career, as I only missed out by such a small margin, which could have been due to a number of factors on that particular day.

If your keen on getting this career then keep striving for it. Maybe even start flying (if you haven't already got your PPL) because, if not anything else, you may find that you get your aviation fix through that. I'm currently doing mine and am loving every second of it.

Most people I have asked only had one referee contacted, and yes, I'd say having your referee contacted is a good sign :)

Sorry to hear you guys who didn't make it. I'm waiting for the outcome of the test day (7th of September). I hope it's a positive indication that at least one of my referees got called.... I suppose this would not happen with negative testday results..... Does ASA generally (or always) contact both referees? Do we have anybody here who got through from the test days end August /early September ???

Having done my assessment today, there's one piece of advice I'd offer to those being assessed in Brisbane that hasn't been mentioned here. Get in the left hand lane on Airport drive, where the signs say domestic terminal (don't follow the signs to the terminal), other wise you'll end up on Lomandra drive trying to get through the traffic at the terminal and have to back track and hang a u-turn to get to where you're going. Good luck to the guys I met today and all the other applicants.

Hi,

I applied for ATC in training at the end of July
I completed the online testing on Thursday.

And I received a phone call today requesting a phone interview time for tomorrow morning.

The woman on the phone also said she would be asking me questions to do with ATC work scenarios...

Does anyone have any information regarding what is asked during this phone interview?

It kind of sounds like a formality because she was asking me if I was available at a certain date for the assessment day.....

Or is it more than this?

Hey dncn1, congrats on getting this far :) It doesn't sound like the phone interview I had about a year ago now, but it might have changed. But I wouldn't try and find out too much about what they're going to ask you, since it has been mentioned on here that people haven't made it through because they had obviously been coached, so just be yourself and give it your best shot :)

Interesting, I didn't get a phone call to book my phone interview, I did it online. I'm pretty sure I didn't get any ATC scenario questions in the phone interview either. Their recruitment seems to be evolving before our eyes, either that or one of your friends is winding you up:=.

Fatty182 is right, just be yourself. You're either right for ATC or not. There's no point getting into the job because you've faked it and then not making it through the training.

Just out of interest dncn1, what stream did you apply for, en-route or tower?

hrm....

Well if I remember correctly I didn't exactly have the option to select one during the online application. There was a box you could tick asking whether you would like to be considered for a tower position if one is available....

Which I did indicate yes...

But my understanding was En-route was still a possibility...

They seem to put people wherever it suits them :P Someone who had previous tower controlling experience was put into enroute.... until a tower spot came up and he was able to swap. But yeah, plenty of people asked for one and got the other, so you never know!

Hi sjonly1, can u pls advise me on the telephonic interview questions as I have absolutely no idea what they are going to ask in 15 mins. Pls help :)

Good luck to all

Has anyone that had their assessment in Brisbane 19th-21st September heard anything yet? Referees contacted? I know they said about 4 weeks, but the referees get called before that.

Not that I'm getting impatient or anything :O

7th September testing day.
 

Good morning all,

I am just also trying to find out wether anybody's referees has been contacted, that did the assessment on the 7th of September. It has been 4 weeks now and I havent heard a thing, which has got me worried to say the least.

Thanks in advance

GOT IT!!!
 

Starting on a Tower course in February 2012. Did the test on the 7th of September (so expect to hear something very soon WichWayIsUP!!!)

OVER THE MOON!

Was it via email or phone?

Got the job!
 

Hey ask23,
were you the guy from holland that attended the assessment day on the 7th of September. If so congratulations.

I actually gave airservices australia an email on Thursday to chase up what was going on with my application. I received a phone call yesterday saying that I got in. I had a choice between Tower or Enroute. I chose to go Enroute, because they actually have a course starting in Brisbane in April 2012.
I am super excited. Do you know of anyone else who made it through that went on the same day as we did.

Cheers

Got the job!
 

Yes, I'm that Dutch guy.
I called them to ask about the progress. And I choose to do the next available Tower course, starting on the 27th of February in Melbourne. I could have started earlier, on a en-route course in Melbourne on the 31st of January but I think Tower is more my thing.

I am super excited too and of course: Congratulations to you!

I haven't heard from the other candidates on that day.

Cheers

When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. ~Leonardo Da Vinci

Ring them back......
 

[QUOTE=WichWayIsUp;6739007]Hey ask23,


I had a choice between Tower or Enroute. I chose to go Enroute, because they actually have a course starting in Brisbane in April 2012.

:ugh:

You chose Enroute??? That should be part of the psych testing. And you my friend, have failed.
p.s Good luck with the course.

Congrats to all and to Ask123: gefeliciteerd! Houd de Nederlandse eer hoog!

I received feedback and that was very disappointing to say the least. She started with explaining that the outcome was not based on one test, but on the whole collection.

Then.....why is it that I am not through???? I passed all tests with flying colors except Simulation. That's really the only one! More disappointing when it felt that that was actually one that went well (in my eyes). I was very relaxed because they told me to mostly have some fun! - which I did. Now I understand I should have taken this one more competitively, mostly timewise. I haven't 'parrotted' the instructions enough and was not fast enough in my decision making and not followed procedures enough. I am quite devastated to hear this - I write & train procedures and am a communication specialist. They clearly, to me, have failed in conveying the intent of the exercise at the start. I still remember so well how easy I thought this exercise was and how I waited for the sign to move on (it was slow). Now I'm left with: I should have parrotted and speak out loud everything thought...not be efficient and have fun.

But the biggie: I WAS unsuccessful on just the one. How s*t and unexpected.

I'm left with info I can't do anything with. I was hoping to really learn fr the feedback and be able to do something with it one way or the other. I didn't. And it really sucks to be stopped in my path on something I perceived as the easy bit....so surprised.

I really think they have made a mistake...but so be it. She asked if I was interested in other positions. I'm not. There is only one thing I want..

Deleted

ASK23.....Looks like I will be joining you in Melb in February for the Tower Course. I was also offered EnRoute or Tower and ended up going with Tower.

Mr Fancy Pants.

You chose Enroute??? That should be part of the psych testing. And you my friend, have failed.
p.s Good luck with the course

Are you a Tower controller yourself? Just wondering why you prefer Tower to Enroute. I'm new to the game so knowledge is quite limited.:)

Misinterpretation
 

@Television. Good luck with your course. You have misinterpreted my post. (which might be my responsibility). My disappointment lies very much in the fact that they ensure you it's an overall assessment on multiple points, but have made a conclusion on only one. I did not 'fail' (who knows where I missed or received points?), and to me it seems I was unclear of the test procedure of that part - since it was in my experience the easiest part, which i thought i did very well. And the feedback was so surprising because neither me or someone else would recognise my skills and abilities in it. So, I clearly must have missed something there (either as a result of their explanation, or my interpretation).

So, be warned, it is possible to not get through based on one exercise. That's all. For me that is big - as in big disappointment. I would have rather failed miserably big time! I did not.

Btw, I don't find your remark particularly nice. I hope you communicate nicer towards your future colleagues, or anyone for that matter

Offtodabigsmoke, when was your assessment?

Hey peoples, did the online test the other week and had my telephone interview today, which I was told at the time I passed. They have said that the next stage of testing is happening in October, November or December, I told them that I had a preference for October.
What happens from there?

Also, another couple of questions, how long is the Academy Training and Field Training?

Stevep64,

Tuesday 23rd August in Brisbane.

The next stage of testing should be the Assessment Centre. If you're successful at that, then you'll get an offer, and then things go from there.

Training at the Academy should be about 12-14 months, and field training should be about 4-6 months. This is for the enroute guys; the tower guys finish slightly faster.

Thanks for the info. Muchly appreciated.

Haven't visited here for a while, but had to reply to this as this was virtually exactly the same as my feedback. The simulation was where fell down. No real indication of time restraints. I seemed to think it was fairly easy. Followed procedure. Seemed too easy. Surprised that's the area i fell down. Told i went really well in interview and group work and computer work was good as well.
Feedback left me more confused.

More disappointed i had to go to bloody Sydney for the test, when they booked one a month later in my home town of Melbourne!! Cost me a few hundred dollars.

I was willing to drop pay to do this but that's the way it goes.

@Troy

Thanks. It helps a little knowing someone knows what I mean. I am a very positive woman and I know life must have better plans for me (which are already evolving), but every plane that flies over my house is still stinging a bit...

I don't think there is anything in my life that I was so determined to get (except residency maybe). And despite all the odds against me my motivation, will power and skills have always gotten me through. I find that the toughest to deal with. But, as said, I will approach life with renewed energy because this must be good for something.

And I'm sure...so it is for you.
Maybe we would have gotten bored after years behind the radar, who knows, haha :-)

Good luck to you with whatever it is!

"ASK23.....Looks like I will be joining you in Melb in February for the Tower Course. I was also offered EnRoute or Tower and ended up going with Tower.

Mr Fancy Pants.

You chose Enroute??? That should be part of the psych testing. And you my friend, have failed.
p.s Good luck with the course

Are you a Tower controller yourself? Just wondering why you prefer Tower to Enroute. I'm new to the game so knowledge is quite limited"

re this:

It seems that most people who are given the choice choose Tower without thinking. A few in my course did the same, and some were offered spots in previous Enroute courses and chose to hold off for 3 months until there was a Tower spot available. Alot of my course admit to the fact that they would of chosen Tower if given the chance, but now that they know more about both streams they would definitely pick Enroute.

When most people think of ATC they automatically think of Tower controllers, so I think that's why it's usually the first pick. Nothing wrong with that either. On the plus side the Tower course is 2-3 months shorter than the Enroute course (how hard is it to learn 1 separation standard :P), so you're in the field sooner, you get a nice view from your office, you get to play with binoculars etc. On the downside though is the chance that you can basically close your eyes and point at any spot on a map of Aus and that's where you could be relocating to. I also believe the Tower course has a much higher pass rate (not due to the quality of the students!) than the Enroute course...

As far as positives for Enroute is that you will be living in Brisbane at the worst, and Melbourne at the best. From what I've seen a bit more variety in your workload, and a bigger team around you. Obvious downside is a longer, and more challenging course... but if you're up to it it's rewarding.

P-D, look where he's from. He doesn't know any better :}

They don't have to do HMI either, and also quite a few other things, but yeah, any Tower people looking forward to being posted to Karratha or Broome? :P
Note: you won't actually know where you'll be posted until a few weeks out from finishing