Another newbie looking for advice

[Woody84]

Hi everyone

I posted in the New/wanting to work for Roayl Mail sub forum over the weekend about a career change.

I’ve had an email this morning saying I’ve been shortlisted and they’ll be contacting me in the next 72 hours to arrange an interview. Sorry for taking the lazy approach as I expect this question has been asked a thousands times on here, but I’m just wondering what to expect from the whole process.

Is the call literally just a- “are you free to come in on this day” and that’s it, or is there more to it.

The interview tips thread has been very helpful but any extra advice would be much appreciated.

[Shaugi]

I had a call to ask if I was free on a particular date/time for my interview.

Also had some health questionnaire stuff to do.

In honesty my "dedicated on-boarder" was a bit useless and complicated the entire process for both me and the DO which dragged it out over 2 months between interview and start date. The others that started at the same time were interviewed a week before they started.

[Woody84]

Thanks for the reply.

I have read a few times that the application process can drag quite a bit and then all of a sudden it’s “can you start yesterday” sort of attitude?

[Woody84]

Got the interview on Thursday.

Nervous as it’s the first job interview I’ve had for close to 15 years, but very excited…

Jeans to a job interview still a no go?
Any questions I should be asking
Any tips would be much appreciated.

[Woody84]

I had the interview this morning and (I think) it went well.

Lasted 30 minutes and if I’m honest they seem pretty desperate for extra hands. The bloke that held the interview was a really nice guy and said “you’d be joining at the toughest time, so if you can get through Xmas you should be fine”… have to say I expected that but hearing it out loud made me quite nervous. 3 days training with a work coach and then a driving ‘test’ and I’d be out on my own is what I took from it, which is daunting and seems crazy.

[BenacreNick]

Woody, I don't think you will be on your own, more likely 2 in a van share or possibly 3 in a van (2 walking and 1 bulk driver).

Your driving test could be in an EV, which is a slight different method of driving (ie no clutch, gearbox, lift and coast etc).

Best of luck to you.

[Woody84]

Thank you!

I’m hopeful and excited but very nervous as it all seems so daunting. Working on my own for the last 5 years to with up to 60 people (guessing not all the same time with shifts etc) is a big jump.

[BenacreNick]

Keep your head down for a couple of weeks until you integrate with everyone.

But don't let that stop you asking questions.

Also are you broadly familiar with your the area that you you'll be working in ?

[Woody84]

Thanks for advice

Yeah I’ve got decent… ish knowledge of the area. More in one particular than the other two. (Where I live so I should to be fair lol).

One thing that was mentioned was- “you need to be flexible, if there is someone off sick you’ll have to cover their round”

I didn’t want to ask this question in the interview and just answered “no probs”… I didn’t want to come over as ‘negative’ but my question is-

If I do cover and because I’m new (slower) and don’t get everything delivered, then the person off sick is back in the next day, meaning they have all of that days mail and part of the undelivered from when I covered, is that likely to piss people off? Do I need to stay out until everything is delivered to help another postie out (no problem with helping a colleague out), but then does that mean management will be unhappy with the overtime I’m booking?

Or…. Am I overthinking it?

Working in construction for 20 years to this is a complete change and I struggle with being sh*t at something, which I know I’m likely going to struggle for a while. But not pissing colleagues off is important to me. Part of the team and all that.

[BenacreNick]

Before you leave the office, check with the Manager.

1. He may wish to pay the extra time.
2. He may not have the hours available.
3. If someone is off sick, I doubt that he/she would have expected everything to be completed and may not be back to work the next day anyway.

[Woody84]

Before you leave the office, check with the Manager.

1. He may wish to pay the extra time.
2. He may not have the hours available.
3. If someone is off sick, I doubt that he/she would have expected everything to be completed and may not be back to work the next day anyway.

Great, thank you.

Overtime isn’t an issue for me, I’m happy to do it when ever possible to be honest. I take it that it has to be okayed before hand though?

I felt the interview went well, but it did seem very short and the manager didn’t even get through most of the questions. I’m worried that he cut it short (politely) because he felt I wasn’t right for the role. We shall see.

But thanks again for all the advice, it’s very much appreciated.

[nicklacey]

Hi there , currently on Royal Mail collections from businesses, boxes and PO’s - can anybody explain how to use the navigation satnav routefinder for collection routes that may be new to me ? We do have training but would like to know how to access it on the PDA ??
Tx

[Smoothbackground]

Hi there , currently on Royal Mail collections from businesses, boxes and PO’s - can anybody explain how to use the navigation satnav routefinder for collection routes that may be new to me ? We do have training but would like to know how to access it on the PDA ??
Tx

Once you have your collection route loaded up in Outdoor, clicking on any of the collections listed will bring up the specific collection details (time, location, etc). Look for the three dots in the top right of that screen — press on that, there is a Navigate button which will bring up the map and navigate.