03 - The interview
Six hours after applying online to become a bus driver, I have my formal interview.
Five or six working hours after my first conversation with NZ Bus, I was on my way to my formal interview for a Bus Operator position.
I was told to allow 30 minutes. I didn’t question the duration, but I did think that that wasn’t a very long time to conduct an in-depth interview with someone who could have up to 60 or 70 people in their care.
“What happens in the interview?” I asked.
“The person you’re meeting will tell you about the job, and you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions.”
Perfect. Easy.
I arrived early at the Kilbirnie depot. As a future Bus Operator it wouldn’t be a good look to be late. Start as you mean to continue.
I asked for Ken, and the very nice man behind the counter took me around to another entrance and invited me to wait on the couch just inside the door.
A few people walked past, and without exception, every one of them said “Hello”.
One person asked if I was OK and if they could help me.
An elderly bus operator walked past and was effusive in his welcome to me. He was training some of the Filipino people who have been brought in to solve driver shortages. He entered a room nearby where I heard him say a very loud “Hello and welcome” in Filipino. Google translate tells me it was likely to be “Kumusta at maligayang pagdating.” Nice!
Eventually, Ken came and got me and took me down to a very cramped office, so cramped that you had to get as far into the room as possible before we were able to close the door. There were stacks of paper and applications on his desk.
We had a chat. Ken asked me where I was currently working. I explained the redundancy, but he looked surprised that I was going from a role like I’d had at Sharesies, to becoming a bus driver. When I explained my passion for driving, his eyes lit up. He told me he’d had a hi-powered role selling software all around the world, but had returned to drive buses. Some similarities. I think he got where I was coming from.
The training regime would consist of five hours of driving a bus around Wellington. Because I already had my Class 2, and my Passenger Endorsement, my training could be reduced as I didn’t need to pass any written tests. After the five hours (which doesn’t sound long enough) I’d be buddied up with a driver and we’d take turns taking passengers and driving actual bus routes. That would take up to three weeks. Once that was done, and I was judged to be competent, I’d be on my own.
Because I live in Karori, and there’s a real shortage of drivers out this way, my home depot would be Karori. But in reality, you go where the work is.
The deal is you work 5 days out of 7, and the rosters are done every six weeks. So for six weeks, I’ll know exactly where I need to be, and what route I’ll be driving. If I wanted to be somewhere else on one of my rostered days it sounded like there would always be people ready to swap shifts. It’s a bit of a change from what I’ve been used to but you can’t run a flexi-time bus service, can you?
I had some paperwork to fill out, so he took me down to another room, gave me a pen, and told me he’d be back soon. All standard questions. I needed to give details for two referees, so I chose a few ex-colleagues and hoped they’d say nice things about me.
Ken was happy with all my responses, so I moved quickly to the next step in the process—pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. He said I’d receive some info later that day.
That’s the next story. But, I want to say, the process has been incredibly quick, and efficient. A++ would trade again.
Timing so far
Friday 3 March – 12.00 midday: Application submitted via NZ Bus website
Friday 3 March – 2.00 pm: A conversation with HR to see if I could progress
Monday 6 March – 11.30 pm: A formal interview for the position