NHS interview/test advice

rgo118

Hi,

I have an interview tomorrow for the role of E Media Administrator for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) I have to do both an interview and a test. Has anybody had an interview for the NHS and understand how they are formatted, it seems as though lately all my interviews are with the DWP and they are always competency based

Heres a job description of the position I have an interview for:

We currently have an opportunity for an enthusiastic administrator to work in our busy e-media team.
Working in a respected national organisation, you will be responsible for supporting the work of the e-media team by:
• undertaking routine administrative tasks
• handling internal and external enquiries about the website and intranet
• helping to maintain and update NICE’s website and intranet

You will be highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and a willingness to learn (training will be provided for this specialist administrative post).
You will also have:
• experience of office administration and systems
• experience and competence in using Microsoft Office packages
• experience of working with websites and/or intranets
• a thorough and methodical approach to your work
• the ability to work unsupervised and under pressure and as part of a team

I'm thinking that the test may be some kind of written/numercy or maybe a HTML test so I'm brushing up on my HTML coding. But I'm just curious about the format of the interview. I'm getting nervous as I really want this job and the fact that I'm going to be sat in front of three peoples is rather daunting.

Cheers in advance for any help!

Louise22

I had an interview for a role within the NHS on Tuesday, and It was one of the most relaxed and pleasant interviews I have ever had. It was competency based questions, there were two of them interviewing me, but as I say, they were lovely. I dont really know what the test will entail but all I can say is that if you have been shortlisted for the interview then you have a great chance of getting it - nearly 200 people applied for my job, and I can bet that not even a tenth will be getting interviewed, so well done!

Tigsteroonie

I should be :mad: as I have applied for a job with an identical title & description, and haven't received an interview

But as I've had four NHS interviews in the last month, I might be able to help! The most popular question has been "The job has many facets. How would you organise your work to ensure priority items receive attention?". I've been asked how my previous work colleagues would have described me; how I could apply skills leant in my former job to the new environment; and how I would cope with an irate "customer", whether internal or external.

Format seems to be a general introduction, they describe the job and ask you to give a bit of detail about your background. They then ask 2 or 3 questions each, with the others making notes while you speak. At the end, you do always get your opportunity to ask them. It's kinda "scripted" & scored, if you get my drift.

Good Luck! (seeing as I'm not in competition with you )

rgo118

Thanks for the help, I'm getting used to these interviews, I think what works for other people, loads and loads of preparation doesn't really for me. I have an idea of myself in comparison with the job description but I like to take it as it goes.

Louise, that takes a weight off my shoulders I really do hope I get this one I feel it was the first time that I have actually hit the majority of the essentials AND desirables in the job description. Plus it seems my experience, which is only as a journalist hasn't hindered me this time either.

Tigsteroonie, I should be envious of the amount of interviews you've had with the NHS, after countless applications this is my first! But I wish you all the luck.

Just wondering did they ask any questions regarding your own knowledge of the organisation that you will be joining? Also are they quite laid back in the interview, for example give you time to collect your thoughts together, etc etc.

Like I said I'm desperate for this job, I graduated from uni last year and have done odd bits of journalism here and there but that industry seems dried out at the moment and I really don't want to be unemployed again this summer.

Tigsteroonie

rgo118 wrote: »

Tigsteroonie, I should be envious of the amount of interviews you've had with the NHS, after countless applications this is my first! But I wish you all the luck.

I think it's just been a case that my work experience to date fits their scoring system!

Just wondering did they ask any questions regarding your own knowledge of the organisation that you will be joining? Also are they quite laid back in the interview, for example give you time to collect your thoughts together, etc etc.

In my feedback, I've been told this is where I've lost out - that basically I did well, but somebody with actual NHS experience pipped me (my background is civil service). So I would definitely suggest that you do mucho homework on the organisation (NICE) and where the role would fit.

In terms of attitude during interview, yes I've found that they are relatively laid-back. In my 3-header interviews, it's been two from the team and one from HR. All have been willing to explain what they mean by a question, and give time to think - one group did tell me that they effectively have a list of "buzz words" - key phrases and terminology - and they're looking for a candidate that scores highly on these in their replies. I've never come out of an interview feeling like the interview team were ogres or anything.

Louise22

rgo118 wrote: »

Thanks for the help, I'm getting used to these interviews, I think what works for other people, loads and loads of preparation doesn't really for me. I have an idea of myself in comparison with the job description but I like to take it as it goes.

Louise, that takes a weight off my shoulders I really do hope I get this one I feel it was the first time that I have actually hit the majority of the essentials AND desirables in the job description. Plus it seems my experience, which is only as a journalist hasn't hindered me this time either.

Tigsteroonie, I should be envious of the amount of interviews you've had with the NHS, after countless applications this is my first! But I wish you all the luck.

Just wondering did they ask any questions regarding your own knowledge of the organisation that you will be joining? Also are they quite laid back in the interview, for example give you time to collect your thoughts together, etc etc.

Like I said I'm desperate for this job, I graduated from uni last year and have done odd bits of journalism here and there but that industry seems dried out at the moment and I really don't want to be unemployed again this summer.

They didnt ask me about what I knew about the NHS and the particular pct I was going to be working for, but thats not to say they wont ask you. They give you as much time as you need to compose yourself, they were just so nice - could have a giggle with them. I honestly would not worry - you have done the majority of the hard work just filling in their bl00dy online application and getting shortlisted! haha I hated filing in the personal statment bit - took me ages.

bitsandpieces

Can you ask them what the test will involve? They might not tell you - but I don't see why they should be offended if you ask politely