Apologies for the almost same yet slightly different double post, didn't think it had worked first time and retyped and submitted it again! Oops!

Sent of my full application form yesterday (after passing stage 1) and was wondering if anyone could tell me how long it takes to get back roughly? I shouldn't have any trouble with the eyesight part or exam results so surely it should be pretty straight forward and I'll hear back soon enough?

Thanks in advance.

@ Adam28
 

Hey Adam I had my stage 1 last week flew down from glasgow with flybe in the morning got the airport bus to the city had a bite to eat headed to the CTC overall lasted about 2 and a half hours which is about the same as when I sat it last year so I dont suspect there will be much of a difference and managed to get back have some dinner and catch the 8.20 flybe flight back to Glasgow I was in the 2 o'clock interview so you have plenty of time to get back and catch the evening flight.

tigertiger
 

If you read my previous posts, i came out of stage 2 thinking exactly the same thing. But i passed so really dont panic about it, Whitelighter was exactly the same as me and he told me not to think that you have failed !!! Im chuffed to get this far, but now i want it even more to pass stage 3 , bring it on !!!!
Good luck and let us know your results !!!

Stage 1 - results
 

Hi,

i did stage 1 last May 15th, but i didn't received any answer. It's usually take so long?

thanks

MikiATC - I had my stage 3 on 15th and still havent heard anything; so youre not the only one whos been waiting a while. Im sure if we hang in there we wil find out soon!

Friday its the last day, so... i can hold more 2 days ... good luck for you!

HI Emily. I had my stage 3 on the 8th and only found out i'd passed on monday (which was exactly 15 working days, due to the bank hol). I dont think i woldn found out that day unless i'd phoned up. so dont feel bad phoning, the first few times i phoned i had no luck just said they would get back to me but in that 15th working day i was actually phoned back about 10mins after my call.

When i spoke to the woman from HR i was told that she had been away for about 3 weeks and so things had been a bit delayed, i'd asked if they'd recieved my security questionnaire (as i posted it) and thats when she told me there was a lot of delays and things that hadn't been done due to her own and other abscene.

Just some reassurance, as i know i was going mad waiting for my result, especially as many others were finding out who had done stage 3 after me.

Good luck though!

roar00 - Thanks for the info, i did actually ring last week and she said they would get back to me asap but hadnt heard anything so i will ring again; i didnt wanna appear pushy but the wait is painful!
Its the 12th working day for me so they might keep me waiting; but heres to hoping they dont!

Workman01
 

Thanks very much, that's some useful information!:)

I've just recieved email that I have passed stage two, which I had sat just yesterday.
Wish everyone else the best of luck, especially you tigertiger!

I got to this point about last year, So I am going to do everything in m will to prepare for stage three.

Once again, Good luck to everyone else.

How long does the security check generally take? After you've passed the medical how long do they take to inform you of your start date?

I got the impression that they assume you'll pass the security checks - when I was told I'd passed Stage 3, I was asked which discipline I'd prefer and was told the start date I was likely to get there and then (ie. before the medical).

Apart from being offered an earlier course, I've always been on list for that same course.

Hope that helps!

Paperclip810
 

Just trying to find your posts on when you passed stage 3 ??? Trying to gauge if i pass stage 3 on 7th July if i would be on October or January course ???

I had my Stage 3 on the 19th January and found out I'd passed on the 21st January.

Was offered the March/April course but couldn't take it as I'm still in a contract with my current employer, so am on the July/August intake.

I don't know if July/August is full yet... if not, you'll probably be on the October, if it is, and they're already taking people for October, it could be January (but I doubt it).

Hope that helps...

paperclip810
 

Many thanks for that, would love to be on October course, as id be too excited to continue working where i am now !!! 6 months knowing youve got a better job will kill me !!!
Also Good luck JonathonB with test tomorrow

After the medical examination how long does it normally take to find out your starting date?

Not wanting to repeat myself but... "when I was told I'd passed Stage 3, I was asked which discipline I'd prefer and was told the start date I was likely to get there and then (ie. before the medical)."

You don't need to have passed the medical to be given a provisional start date - HR are really good about telling you the next available course as soon as you have passed Stage 3. However, there are no guarantees until you're much closer to the time - since January, I've been offered an earlier course, and my current course date has changed once already. And we don't have contracts yet either for 6 weeks time!!!

The reason I asked is because all I was asked is what date I would prefer to start on. That's about it. I've moved around alot, other countries, so I don't know how long the security check will take. It has been a while now though.

Books for those preparing for stage 3
 

I have two HR interview preperation based books perfect condition as only used for the 3 weeks i had between stage 2 and 3. "perfect phrases for the perfect interview" by Carole Martin and "Succeeding at interviews - pockerbook" by Peter English.

Both books id helped me alot, i did pass but i won't attribute that to the books alone lol. If you want something to quickly get a good idea of HR type questions and an idea of how good answers are structured and things to focus on they are good tools.....even though HR answers are very personal it always helps when readings others ideas/"ideal phrases" to give you ideas.

If anyone working towards stage 3 wants to buy these from me send me a PM. I'll sell for a tenner for both. Obviously i only have one copy of each but i bought them from waterstones. The perfect phrases book is 6pounds and the interview pocketbook was 7 pounds i think.

Just my way of giving something back. :)

Hello
 

Hi there!

I`m just before my 3rd stage, so i dont mind to give a tenner for those "magic" books mate! :D My interview is 26th June Congratulations for your result. Could you help me a bit? I`ve already started to prepare myself for this 3rd stage. Is it just a proper HR interview or there is something else to prepare for?
And just let me know how i can send you that tenner.
Thx for your answers in advance!
T

Paperclip,

It appears i'm in the same boat as you! :bored:

When I got the email saying contracts out in two weeks i did raise an eyebrow, I chased them up and got a further email last Friday saying it had been posted that day.... mmmm 6 days later and still nothing. I know Royal Mail are a bit suspect but 6 days? mmmmm again!

To the person ref security clearance - think it's generally a maximum of 6 weeks but think it may be a touch longer if you've been living outof the UK.

To the person that is going to buy the books for stage 3, not sure how helpful they will be ? I know things have changed a little bit since I did mine in January, but they wouldn't have helped me. The interview was a competency based interview (try and think of situations you have been in before, what you did, what was the outcome etc) and prior to that it was a group exercise! Damn bus routes! :ugh:

PDF
 

Got home tonight to find contract, so although Royal Mail might be slow, they get stuff here eventually!

Books for Stage 3: I used a similar thing to prepare (also January Stage 3) - it was part of the 'brilliant' series - something like brilliant answers to interview questions. About 50% of my interview was also situational questions, but these were well covered in the book (although the context is different for everyone, the way you approach the question and structure your answer should be the same).

Every little helps!

elobuddha - check you PMs , i've sent you my email address and we can sort out the books.
My interview was all HR. Stage 3 is now a HR interview and a team building excersie which involves playing a game with the other candiates. The game involves an individual task and a whole team task....the interviews watch whilst you following the instructions. They are looking out for team work (obviously) and how you incorporate your individual goals with the team goals and follow changing rules etc. Its quite fun i wouldnt worry about that.

The interview is very long (mine was nearly two hours straight). It is all standard HR stuff. Prepare lots of good situational examples. They are asking you questions based around the skills/competances a good air traffic controller needs...they therefore need you to be able to demostrate situations in your life (work or social) where you have shown particular skills etc. They also want to know about how you have prepared for the role and about your basic motivation and how you would fit into the type of job role.

I think someone posted a list of questions that could be asked, that would be a very useful thing to go over.

Every interview is personal as everyones examples are different. The interviewers do "feed" off of the information you give to them to a certain extent so you may be asked sub questions after the main question has been asked to help clarify what you have said or to give the interviewers more information about that situation. They will also prompt you if you are going off subject or startig to give examples which aren't really answering the question presented.

'smart/casual'
 

A quick question for anyone who can help!

After confirming my date for stage 1, i noticed the dress code is 'smart/casual'.:rolleyes: Considering i hate this expression as people's interpretation of this can be poles apart, was hoping for some advice on what to wear, ie, would a suit be too formal at this stage?:confused:

Can you EVER be too formal for an interview?

That said, a suit is certainly not necessary. I did my stage 1 in a shirt, trousers and proper shoes with a normal coat on over the top (It was cold, it was last October!). No tie.

Most people were dressed similarly, but the range went from jeans and trainers (Do you actually WANT the job?) to full suits.

Full suit would definitely be too much. I would say go with a nice pair of pants and a nice shirt. Stage one is just a series of tests so you'll be fine.

books
 

Hey Roar!

Check your PMs. Thx for your help!

Elobudha - Hi. I posted out the books to you today. You should get them shortly. Thanks :)

Thx
 

Hello roar!

I couldnt believe, but the books has landed today morning. Royal Mail rulez! :D Thx again, that was quick!

Hi Emilie

Think i'm gonna reapply, got some feedback from HR they said that everything was ok but i didnt demonstrate my ability to work in a team very well. So near yet so far. Have you heard anything yet???

Cheers

Steve

I have my stage 1 on the 1st July. Can anybody tell me if the numerical test is multiple choice/calculator or non-calculator please?

It's multiple choice, non-calculator.

I have just recently recieved notice that I had passed my second stage interview, However when i entered NATS candidate site to book my final interview I was invited with the notice;

"You have been invited to first interview"

btw, thats not a typo, It is the exact phrase used, i was wondering whether anyone could confirm that this is normal and they are indeed refering to my final stage, or whether i need to contact HR to confirm.

daz - that's correct, the other stages were selection/aptitude tests rather than interviews!

Well done for passing stage 2!

group
 

hi,

usually how many people start the nats training course in a year? and how many of them will fail later?

i'm asking this because i'd like to work for the nats sometime, but firstly i want to finish my university studies and i wouldn't like to face the fact that there is no more atco trainings for the next 5 years from 2011, or something like that :]

pigla

when i started, there were 35 new trainees on my course, and there were four courses starting a year. so in the region of 120-140 new trainees a year would be a fair guess...

as for how many pass/fail, there are a lot of numbers banded around, anywhere from 40% to 70%. my guess would be that 60% of people will end up as fully valid controllers working for NATS, i may be high or low on that guess though. statistics can tell any tale you like really.

i would find it unlikely that they will not be recruiting in 2011, there is a shortage of controllers, and a bit of an exodus to sunnier climates too. what the training scheme/situation will be like in 2011 however...

ta

adrian

Just applied!
 

Hey guys, just thought I would introduce myself! I'm Chris, and have just sent my initial application form, and have arranged a test day for the 22 June at 11.00! Quite soon! Little time to prepare considering I have A Level exams inbetween! :ok:

Is there anything I should look out for in the mean time? I have read that you can expect a "personality test" online about a week after applying, is this still the case?

I am just about to begin the task of reading most of these 170-odd pages, so wish me luck! :E

Does anyone else have stage 2 tests on Firday 12th June? feeling nervous already.

Have read the thread a LOT- could someone confirm 2 things for me:

1. There is 100% no interview anymore
2. there is nothing you can do to prepare for the computer tests?

pugwash4x4
 

I did stage 2 last month and can confirm that i didnt have an interview and there really isnt anything you can do for the computer tests. I know its hard not being able to prepare. Just get there in plenty of time to relax and get a good nights sleep. There are some cubes thrown in and most of it is on reactions and dealing with pressure and its very fast paced.
Best thing i can suggest is to relax and enjoy the day.