Job interview (Royal Mail)

Jackaby · 16 Jul 2013 at 02:00

So after a while of looking I've got an interview. Having done the xmas casual work in the past I would happily work for them. I tend to be pretty good at interviews but I'm feeling nervous about this one, a job has never meant so much to me (recently married).

I'm going to wear full suit - tie. From some googling I'm confident I can answer their questions NP but it's more the questions to ask them that is bothering me.

With the privatization of RM coming "soon" what do you guys think I should say?

Also: Role is for postman, a have a full CLEAN driving license. I'm confident I AM going to get the job, but any tips would be great.

Hyburnate · 16 Jul 2013 at 02:16

Say nothing about it, their in no position to answer your questions.

Scam · 16 Jul 2013 at 03:06

Surely showing some interest in such a massive change to the company would be a good thing? I'd think it rather odd if he didn't ask.

TommyV · 16 Jul 2013 at 03:15

I'd probably ask as to what opportunities or risks it may pose to the current workforce

doofer · 16 Jul 2013 at 03:32

Ask them if they preferred the traditional horizontal letterboxes or the hippy vertical ones, also, what was their most liked door placement for the letterbox ie: High on the door, middle of the door, bottom of the door (Awkward with a bad back!), what they thought about separate post-boxes that were not even attached to a door (Heresy!) Also query them about the really strongly sprung flaps on some particularly vicious letterboxes and how best to deal with such a danger whilst out in the field (You don't want to be losing fingers left, right and centre!) Last but not least make sure you ask about how to care properly for your Royal Mail issue black and white cat.

This should cover everything and will give the interviewers a very good insight in to your above average knowledge of what the job entails. Good luck!

Hyburnate · 16 Jul 2013 at 03:41

TommyV said:
I'd probably ask as to what opportunities or risks it may pose to the current workforce

But it would be a guess, as good as my guess it depends who buys it and what they decide.

ahar · 16 Jul 2013 at 07:49

Ask them how to tell if a letter has money in it, and mention in an unrelated note about your gambling debts.

Sorry, being serious now I probably wouldn't bring it up unless the interviewer mentions it. Emotions are running pretty high in RM about the privatization (both for and against depending on which bit of the org they work in) and you won't know what the interviewers' views are (or whether they don't care either way)

Basher · 16 Jul 2013 at 08:16

Hyburnate said:
Say nothing about it, their (sic) in no position to answer your questions.

Don't do this.

Scam said:
Surely showing some interest in such a massive change to the company would be a good thing? I'd think it rather odd if he didn't ask.

Do this.

Swifty55 · 16 Jul 2013 at 08:25

Hyburnate said:
But it would be a guess, as good as my guess it depends who buys it and what they decide.

Regardless. Showing interest in the companies future is always a plus.

Lunatic Dreyfus · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:09

Double posting mess...

Lunatic Dreyfus · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:12

Best bet is to say you intend to join the CWU the moment you arrive, work to rule and agitate for strike action.

I can't see why you'd be asked about it to be honest. As an outsider you'll be coming in after the really nasty 'modernisation' has already happened and so won't be tainted by the old ways. Take it from me though, management couldn't care less what you as an 'mere' OPG thinks. Change is being hammered down from the top, suck it up. That's their view. Your potential Line or DO Manager might feign some interest, but that's only because they have to persuade us to do more work or implement another pointless directive.

Any way, good luck.

Dress smart, mention any previous experience and don't argue with the interviewer. A word or two of warning though. The job will only get tougher and one can only imagine what will happen to our contracts in three years time.

Beerbaron · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:15

ask them how much you get for striking, its been a while since their last one

arknor · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:17

Jackaby said:
Also: Role is for postman, a have a full CLEAN driving license. I'm confident I AM going to get the job, but any tips would be great.

Don't regular postman walk? the only one's I've seen driving around the ones dropping of packages and parcels that are sent special delivery or to big for the regular postman to carry.
but I've had my postman give me psu sized boxes before.

PapaLazaru · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:22

Ask if a postman is expected to delivery letter post when it been snowing???

Doomedspeed · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:26

Ask how many times you are allowed to kick a dog in the face if it scares you?

In all seriousness, Good luck.

EvilDreams · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:29

I have been a postie for 6 years and the interview was probably the easiest I have ever had.

1) Don't bother with the suit, just wear a shirt and tie.
2) If you can inhale and exhale long enough to not die before the interview ends, you've probably got the job based on the intelligence level of some of the people I have worked with.

Don't worry about the interview, worry about your first month.

arknor · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:31

tell them when you were a child your favourite game was paperboy and you very really missed the windows

davido_labido · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:38

i honestly wouldnt say anything about it, yes, its a big change, and it would show interest in the company, but tbh, its not what they will be looking for unless you are going for a managerial job.

keep it simple, answer what they ask well, dont add anything else unless you deem it necessary, you dont want shoot yourself in the foot talking about something you dont know about really.

Vanquish-Storm · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:46

arknor said:
Don't regular postman walk? the only one's I've seen driving around the ones dropping of packages and parcels that are sent special delivery or to big for the regular postman to carry.
but I've had my postman give me psu sized boxes before.

Majority are on van share now. 2 posties to one extended round.

Postman not delivery post in van during snow though.

Jez · 16 Jul 2013 at 12:46

arknor said:
Don't regular postman walk? the only one's I've seen driving around the ones dropping of packages and parcels that are sent special delivery or to big for the regular postman to carry.
but I've had my postman give me psu sized boxes before.

It depends on the area, around where i live they have to drive as the distances would be too far to walk the round (i'd imagine his round must 10 miles long).