Air Traffic Controller

Mokong

well this is a surprise, not long after reading here that they are phone calling people about the interviews, i actually got the call myself, my interview is on the 17th... pretty cool knowing i passed the test, now to start worrying about the interview

syberspud

Also got called back for the preliminary interview. Absolutely delighted I've gotten this far considering I didn't think I done that well in the test. Now to do some research and go on a proper charm offensive in the interview. Would be chuffed to get into the training course, it sounds wicked - definitely one of the coolest jobs you can get and the money ain't half bad either.

Good luck to all in the interviews!:D

gerire

I down for the 18th; Was not overly confident after the tests especially the bouncing ball one where it disappears; The second time we had to do it I went back to the "red screen" at least twice.

Anyone know how in depth this one will be? What are other people using to study for the interview?

Was funny took the phone call from IAA while sitting on a plane last week that was delayed;

syberspud

I'd say just be able to answer the standard tricky interview questions - eg why do you want this job, what makes you suitable for this job, give an example of a time when you performed under pressure, where do you see yourself in 5 years etc. A bit of knowledge about the aviation industry and the nature of the job wouldn't hurt either. It's meant to be fairly short so the main thing is to be relaxed.

Tenger

Appparently 30 mins is the time for the interview. Knowledge about the IAA and the importance of the Shanwick airspace would be good. Basic stuff is what they say but as always more knowledge is good.Know about the different types of controller. Show examples of quick decision making, working under pressure and ability to efficiently alter plans on the fly.
One of my references is going to try to get me into the tower at DUB so I can get a sense of the working environment in the career. Can't see that giving me an edge but I'll enjoy it nonetheless.

Skyuser

Who had the interview...what was asked?

Running Bing

is this for intake effective now or for next year when graduates finish their course?

I am currently in my final year of a degree and the thoughts of life behind a desk are terrifying me. This seems something I would be really interested in so I would be sorry if I missed it as I know they do not recruit that often:(


Also I have very poor sight in one eye. Are their eye tests and are they strict?

Skyuser

Done the interview. They said that 1400 people done the aptitude and the top 250 were called for interview. Next round is 70-80 people.

AlanD

Skyuser wrote: »

Done the interview. They said that 1400 people done the aptitude and the top 250 were called for interview. Next round is 70-80 people.

Hope it went well Skyuser. I have mine on Monday next .

gerire

Had mine last week; Went ok i think, but is always hard to tell;
3 sections
General questions about you and your motivations
Mental arithmetic Q's: Time speed and distance etc

Good luck

AlanD

Had my own interview yesterday. Nothing much to worry about. All things you should be able to get through. You're on the clock so it'll only last 30 mins or so.

Nice friendly folks interviewing, so best of luck to all those left to interview

gerire

I persume it will be late next week/the following week when we get to hear either way

AlanD

gerire wrote: »

I persume it will be late next week/the following week when we get to hear either way

I believe so. She told me it would be a week or so when they'll be telling us. So next week some time I think.

Neo#

Just had my interview which went well I think. Now the waiting game!:cool:

in control

reading your messages, i wish to advise you of the following,
I am an air traffic controller with a fair bit of experience based in shannon centre. The job is tough and is not getting any easier . In Shannon we control out to 256 miles west of Ireland , north to 57n latitude and south to 49north and east as far as the coast of England, Wales and France. The shift is 5 days on and three days off starting at 1130am on a late duty finishing at 2115 that day . the next is a swing duty starting at 0930 and finishing at 1700 followed by 0800 start finishing at 1300 and back that night at 0000 ( midnight ) finishing at 0945. You are back in again at 2100 that night finishing at 0815 next morning. It is a quick changeover and you will be fairly tired at the end . The good news is that you are free for 3 days. On a positive side the money is good starting at €47000 . Add to this 27% shift allowance and bank holidays you start after training at circa €65000 rising to €100000 at the top of the scale. At the moment due staff shortages you can make a fair bit in overtime but it is not compulsory and up to you. Most of the controllers are good fun and like a drink but the shift is hard on your system and you cannot come to work with a sore head as it can be crazy busy and you would be a libability to your team .Hope this a bit of help to those applying.

tomcollins97

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has got a call back yet after the preliminary interview?

Cheers,
Tom C

phantom_lord

tomcollins97 wrote: »

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has got a call back yet after the preliminary interview?

Cheers,
Tom C

i haven't heard anything yet anyway. I think it'll be another week or so.

blake_jl

Hello All,

I only briefly looked over this thread to see what it was about.

I am an Australian ATC and the owner of the blog someone referred you to earlier.

It appears a lot of people are in the process of applying for a career in ATC? I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about the job etc. or anything else. Unless these questions have already been answered by someone else and in that case good luck.

Chat to you later.

out of control

Hello all,
New to boards, pity I didn't know about this before my interview!
It felt like the interview went well but its always hard to know. Not too sure if it would be the right job for me. The shift work sounds tough and i'm not too sure about the stress... its probably not that bad?!

catt123

Hi all,
Have been reading over this thread since it started and thanks for all the great advice.
Had my interview about 2 weeks ago now and haven't heard anything back yet. Anyone gotten the all important callback yet? Getting kinda nervous...

AlanD

catt123 wrote: »

Hi all,
Have been reading over this thread since it started and thanks for all the great advice.
Had my interview about 2 weeks ago now and haven't heard anything back yet. Anyone gotten the all important callback yet? Getting kinda nervous...

from reading another thread over on Flyingireland, someone said the panel for the next round has been selected already so hopefully this week we'll either get the thumbs up or down.

Neo#

Indeed. I havent heard anything myself so hopefully the sooner the better!

phantom_lord

still nothing

gerire

Just got the letter!

I saw the postmark and was praying it was just my leaving certificate results but alas it was not it was just the crap letter telling me I did not get it

@rse

syberspud

Awh better luck next time dude...I also received a letter from the aviation authority today and will be called back for the Final Interview! :eek:

Neo#

Unlucky man. I got the letter too and lucky enough Im being called back. I was convinced it would be bad news too.

AlanD

No joy for me either. Pity. Had my heart set on it. Could have been the fact that I have a good career already..or I'm too old..hard to know. Or I'm just not up for the job!

Oh well....on to the next big thing so.

Best of luck to you all who got through to the next round!

BobTheBeat

Sorry to hear that AlanD, I was actually following the thread, seeing how people were getting on. Would you not consider going for it again? say next year?

AlanD

bobmeaney wrote: »

Sorry to hear that AlanD, I was actually following the thread, seeing how people were getting on. Would you not consider going for it again? say next year?

It'd be unlikely that I would go again. Would they be likely to advertise again next year? Perhaps not. They said there might even be 48 places for this selection as opposed to 24 so that could cover them for a while.

I'm 31 now and was totally ready for the move. Really glad I applied cos I learned a lot about myself and what I want to achieve. My current career isn't satisfying me and ATCing was fitting in to that desire perfectly. Wife and I had been saving like crazy too since I applied since I would be taking a massive pay cut to do the course. Not a bad thing, cos now we're rich! haha....

I don't think I will hang around to wait for ATCing to come up again. It could mean I'd be almost 35 when I'd be qualified, it's only a year more, but it's too long in my books.

I view all of this positively though, the next thing will come along may suit me better. Whatever reason they had for not selecting me is fine with me. I'm moving on

Mokong

I too got a letter of doom, gutted.

I wasn't feeling too great after ,my interview anyway, i figure i was doing great up until the math questions which i wasn't expecting, start off fine though until bout halfway through when my brain decided it didn't want to work, went blank and took me ages (well two mins but felt much longer) to answer 1 simple division question, which in turn threw me well off my game for the rest of it, bloody let the nerves get to me, the one thing i promised i wouldn't let happen

I knew it as soon as I saw the letter, as i figured they'd likely call those who got through first. Like gerie above I was hoping to just see my leaving cert returned, it wasn't there, took a few seconds pause before i read the letter. ah well.

Doubt they'd do another competition next year, last time they had one was 6 years ago (2001) and last time previous to that was i think 1997, so could be looking at least 5 years, I like to try again for sure but would depend on my situation as of course it would mean taking a pay cut as AlanD was saying wouldn't have bothered me much this year, but i got a fiance and we hope to be married soon, so by the time this happens again doubt i could afford the pay cut for 15 months.

I guess what's really annoying me is that i've been waiting for this since 2002, everything i've done since has just been to keep me busy until this came along, and i let it slip through my fingers

Ah well, I'll soldier onward and see where this road takes me for now.

Good luck to all you guys who got through, wishing ye all the best