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Our Hobby

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Our Hobby 08/01/2014 at 17:46 #53678
jetblast787
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62 posts
I'm currently writing a new CV (Civil engineering student) and was wondering, what category does Simsig in whole come down as a hobby? Surely it won't come down on train spotting, but more of a understanding of how a system operates and is managed. Maybe asset management, logistics etc?

I'm not talking about Simsig in the programming sense, but of the function of the program, to allow us to simulate a railway based on real world information.

Discuss.

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Our Hobby 08/01/2014 at 17:51 #53679
Forest Pines
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525 posts
Interesting thought. Maybe "systems analysis" is a good high-level term for it - or is that too vague? I have to admit it's a term I'd normally avoid using in favour of something more descriptive.

(I normally just put "railway signalling" on my CV, but with that I tend to talk about my heritage railway experience rather than SimSig. "Heritage railway signalman" is excellent CV material if you can explain it in terms of skills and responsibilities rather than just "I like steam trains". As someone who receives CV as well as writes them, I like to see someone who can explain how their hobbies make them a better person to employ)

Last edited: 08/01/2014 at 17:56 by Forest Pines
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Our Hobby 08/01/2014 at 20:36 #53684
BarryM
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2158 posts
Signaller's Computer Trainer
Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Our Hobby 08/01/2014 at 23:58 #53688
Nutter
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78 posts
How about disaster management and planning?
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Our Hobby 09/01/2014 at 00:09 #53689
GeoffM
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6282 posts
Training and assessment and/or simulation.
SimSig Boss
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Our Hobby 09/01/2014 at 15:12 #53703
postal
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5190 posts
CVs these days are probably as much about competencies and capabilities as they are about technical knowledge or detail. SimSig (just like working in real-world signalling) can show evidence of much that recruiters seek. The first few things that come to mind are:

1) Playing solo: problem solving (which will often involve some sort of lateral thinking); perseverance (it takes a lot of effort to get through a 24-hour timetable); attention to detail; ability to follow a laid out schedule and plan; ability to react to unexpected events and devise contingency plans to get round the problem (e.g. TCFs, point failures).

2) Multiplay: in addition to the competencies above, multiplay also shows that you can work in a team environment as a player. This may well involve getting other players to buy in when something goes wrong on your patch and you need them to do things to keep the job moving. In addition, if you host you show that you can get together and organise a group after which you can co-ordinate the group effort to achieve a desired outcome.

Yes, it is all on a low level compared with what might face you in a job, but all of the attributes mentioned are valuable parts of your offering. So you might mention SimSig when noting your hobbies and leisure activities on your CV with just 2 or 3 bullet points about problem-solving, team-working and attention to detail. If you are then interviewed you will have the opportunity to build on those points and show how they link to the other attributes in your CV, making you a good candidate for the position offered.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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The following user said thank you: jetblast787