So I’ve got my first interview since passing my test 2 weeks ago. It’s next Tuesday and I don’t know what to expect, particuarly as they’ve said to me it’ll take about an hour and half!
Does this sound normal? What should I take on top of my DQC, licences, digital tacho, birth certificate and NI details?
I’m more than a little concerned there’s gonna be an aptitude test! Really, really hope not.
It’ll be simple form filling usual stuff, don’t sweat over it. Normally have a multiple choice tacho test maybe a simulator to show you know how to use it.
Tick box questions ie what you’ve driven and experience ie DD’s tail lifts tippers curtains etc etc be honest and like I said don’t sweat they’ll know where they can abuse er sorry use you 
.
Always get your jobs text to you with the rates
You WILL get the job don’t worry, I have seen Eastern European drivers who can’t even fill in the multi choice answers get the job. My dog would get the job if could drive 
alder:
You WILL get the job don’t worry, I have seen Eastern European drivers who can’t even fill in the multi choice answers get the job. My dog would get the job if could drive
from what I’ve seen does it matter if your dog cant 
nick2008:
alder:
You WILL get the job don’t worry, I have seen Eastern European drivers who can’t even fill in the multi choice answers get the job. My dog would get the job if could drivefrom what I’ve seen does it matter if your dog cant
not really
alder:
My dog would get the job if could drive
Love it!
Johnny Drama:
So I’ve got my first interview since passing my test 2 weeks ago. It’s next Tuesday and I don’t know what to expect, particuarly as they’ve said to me it’ll take about an hour and half!Does this sound normal? What should I take on top of my DQC, licences, digital tacho, birth certificate and NI details?
I’m more than a little concerned there’s gonna be an aptitude test! Really, really hope not.
Seriously mate 1-2 hours is normal. They will check your licence and ID, may want to see your passport and a utility bill as well as your digicard, DQC card and licence, paper one has gone now but they will want your NI number to check online. Agencies differ but it is common to sit through a few questionnaires which have multi choice answers. There will be one on WTD and drivers hours and one on geography of the UK. For example questions like You have been driving 4.5 hours what daily rest period must you take A/ 30 minutes, B/ 1 hour C/ no break or D/ 45 minutes and you would circle D. Which county in the UK is Norwich? A/ Dorset B/ Kent C/ Norfolk or D/ Berkshire and you would circle C.
I have been to some agencies where trick questions have been used so read them a couple of times and think what they are really asking but it is easy and they are unlikely to fail you even if you get only half right. There could also be a paper on manual and digital tachographs and the manual one you have to demonstrate how you would fill it out name date from to etc.
They will ask you what you want to do regards hours and type of work etc. and THEN TOTALLY DISREGARD what you said as they will most likely call you up straight away and offer you the worse multi drop job on the planet that every other driver has tried and then given the agency the finger.
I have refused multi drop until I am blue in the face and they still try to trick me to doing it. Latest ploy was to tell me it is a class 1 trunking job and then when I get there it is a multi drop delivery which I politely tell the client there has been a mistake and get back in my car and go home. Agencies hate you doing that as it reflects directly on them so they won’t try that again
Great post Alder, very useful to us newbie/inexperienced/gullible drivers.
Thanks!
I wouldn’t bother with him mate, like someone has said he’s probably in the wrong job. Yeah the novelty might wear off but it’s down to him to do something about it!
Dan Bear 87:
I wouldn’t bother with him mate, like someone has said he’s probably in the wrong job. Yeah the novelty might wear off but it’s down to him to do something about it!
Don’t worry Dan, I’m aware of Alder’s let’s say “blunt” opinion!
But what do you want on this forum? Do you want a rose tinted view of Trucking? Or do you want some contrast that paints a wider picture?
While you may not agree with Alder on everything, getting annoyed at him won’t help you.
Just relax, let it wash over you, and remember that sometimes you shouldn’t take everything you read, at its face value!
Yeah great posts guys, put my mind at ease no end.
Is it neccesary to dress smartly for an interview with an agency? I was planning on just going casual as I wasn’t really thinking of it as a real interview.
Johnny Drama:
Yeah great posts guys, put my mind at ease no end.Is it neccesary to dress smartly for an interview with an agency? I was planning on just going casual as I wasn’t really thinking of it as a real interview.
You going there to drive a truck mate, or are you looking to be the new office manager?
Only kidding pal, and I’d think smart casual practical clothes (as you never know what might happen…)
But not so casual that you look like you just crawled out of hedge after a 3 day bender still wearing your sisters knickers. (Or is that just me? )
If you’re taking your car, take everything you could possibly need to take a shift, or do an assessment drive there and then (You never know!!!)
Don’t worry about an aptitude test pal, as they are not asking you to join MENSA.
And I hear Alder’s dog just got a start on agency, but don’t tell Alder, as his dogs on more money!
You guys were bang on about how it would go, I’ve got an assessment drive tomorrow. I think speaking English, being able to write and having had a wash that morning, was all they were looking for.
There’s mention above by someone of taking what I need with me. Well I didn’t yesterday as I knew it was only an interview but tomorrow is a different story. I’ve got today to get my self sorted with at least a high viz and some safety boots but not sure of the rest I could need for a shift. Without having to start a new thread could someone point me in the direction of an existing thread with suggestions of what a driver should take with him for a shift please.
Johnny Drama:
You guys were bang on about how it would go, I’ve got an assessment drive tomorrow. I think speaking English, being able to write and having had a wash that morning, was all they were looking for.There’s mention above by someone of taking what I need with me. Well I didn’t yesterday as I knew it was only an interview but tomorrow is a different story. I’ve got today to get my self sorted with at least a high viz and some safety boots but not sure of the rest I could need for a shift. Without having to start a new thread could someone point me in the direction of an existing thread with suggestions of what a driver should take with him for a shift please.
That part was not necessary
Agency should supply you with at least a hi viz or whoever you are doing the assessment with. Decent firms give you the whole works Reed-Bourdall for instance supplies the lot new boots, hi viz(s), uniforms, safety glasses, gloves, documentation in case of breakdown, documents with all telephone number and where all their sites are and the customers details blah blah blah. Stobarts as well! However you can easily get one that supplies nothing. If I were you I would speak to the agency you had the interview with and ask politely what you are expected to take with you. They will probably ask what you have already.
Johnny Drama:
You guys were bang on about how it would go, I’ve got an assessment drive tomorrow. I think speaking English, being able to write and having had a wash that morning, was all they were looking for.
pretty much, yes I agree!
I would also add: you must have the ability to copy answers to put down for your test/quiz, if you can’t copy you won’t necesseraly pass
Johnny Drama:
Yeah great posts guys, put my mind at ease no end.Is it neccesary to dress smartly for an interview with an agency? I was planning on just going casual as I wasn’t really thinking of it as a real interview.
Must take a shower. There will be full rectal examination. Or you feel like you had one 
A rectal examination is a type of physical examination during which a doctor or nurse inserts a finger into your ■■■■■■ (back passage) to feel for abnormalities.
Sounds like a normal Saturday night at my next door neighbours !