Congratulations, you've got yourself an NHS interview. You are one step closer to realising your dream of working in the UK. The next phase of recruitment is an Interview. In this article, we go through some essential points to remember when attempting your interview.
An interview is an opportunity for you to present yourself in the best possible way so that you come out of that hot seat with a job offer. Making sure to utilise this opportunity to the best of your capabilities is the least you can do when giving an interview.
Below we take a look at some things to remember when preparing for your NHS Interview.
Be Prepared
One of the best ways to ace your interview is by thoroughly preparing. Going into an interview without preparation can reflect poorly on your calibre as a candidate. Preparing answers for simple questions such as "Take us through your CV" or "Tell us about yourself" will go a long way in ensuring you're prepared for the interview.
Study your CV
Your CV is an important document that highlights your achievements and educational qualifications over the years. Most interviewers use the CV as a platform for questions that they may ask to review your skills, knowledge and past work experiences. Learning details of your CV will help you make a positive impression on the interview panel.
Learn about the Trust/Organisation
Every Trust has its Mission, Vision and Values. These are different for each Trust and provide a clear picture of how it intends to deliver its services within a community. Learning the Values or Vision of the Trust you are interviewing for will help you better answer any questions the panel may have. Common questions such as "Why do you want to work in this Trust" can be answered better if you have an idea about the Trust beforehand.
Ask the panel questions
During the interview, ask the panel questions about your job posting, duties and responsibilities. Asking relevant questions shows that you're serious about the job, genuinely want to work at the organisation, and are interested in learning more about what the organisation offers.
Appropriate Body Language
Body language is a form of nonverbal communication that entails gestures, facial expressions and other body movements. Maintaining positive body language shows your confidence and can help create a favourable and positive impression in the minds of the interview panel. Sitting with your arms open and uncrossed can convey a warm message, and sitting with your back against the back of the seat can put across a message of confidence. If done correctly, your body language can convey many positive qualities about your overall character, not all of which can be conveyed verbally.
Structure your answers
When answering questions the panel asks, it is crucial to frame your answers correctly. Giving structured answers to questions the panel asks demonstrates your ability to communicate well and promptly. Structured answers also help interviewers to assess the capabilities of candidates better. To give an excellent structured answer, you can begin by adequately framing your answers, often with an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Structuring your answers in such a manner helps to convey your message clearly and crisply.
Sell yourself
Always remember that an Interview is a platform to showcase your talents and abilities. While attempting an interview, you should utilise every question to your advantage. Sell yourself as much as possible when giving the interview. You can do this by preparing three to five selling points beforehand; remember that the goal of selling yourself is to showcase to the interview panel why you are the best candidate for the job. Avoid telling long-drawn-out stories, as your selling points may get lost in the length of your answers. Before answering the question in detail, you should remember to highlight your selling point first.
Practice Clinical Scenarios
Clinical Scenarios are an essential aspect of an NHS interview. These refer to scenarios that you may face when on the job. The panel asks you this to gauge your job experience and knowledge. You may be given several scenarios to which you're expected to answer correctly.
As discussed, preparing for an interview can be daunting if you enter it unprepared. Always remember to prepare thoroughly for the interview, keep calm during the interview and frame your answers correctly and concisely.
Envertiz has many qualified trainers to take advantage of when preparing for your NHS interview. The training and preparatory sessions are part of the services we provide to our candidates. And the best part is we do not charge any fee extra for these services, so make sure to utilise them to the best of your abilities. Our trainers will do their best to make you feel confident and prepared when giving your interview.
We wish all our candidates the best for their upcoming NHS interview.
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