NHS job interview - how is it assessed?

Firefly_777

Hi there

I've managed to get a job interview in 2 weeks time for an administrator/receptionist position with the NHS.

However I am curious to know how they assess you when they interview you? Also I was wondering if the application is form is still looked at after the interview when they are deciding who is the best candidate?

Does anybody know?

Thanks in advance.x

Turtle

I'm afraid I don't know, but loads of people have read this and not said anything, so I just wanted to say good luck and I hope someone comes along who can help.

firesidemaid

managers and departments can vary.

there may be a practical component eg. typing/data entry etc

familiarise yourself with your own application as well as the job description and person spec, as the qualities and skills required will be assessed

remember, you have got this far already. good luck x

VfM4meplse

The application form is used to shortlist, and then again during the interview to pick up on your key skills, any gaps aginst the person spec / in career history, and inconsistencies. This will be followed by problem-based questions, which will draw on your experience and allow you to demonstrate the skills required for the job. Generally all interviewers will score you and then aggregate the results at the end of the process.

For admin posts I would always give an IT test, or ask the candidate to declare their competence with pertinent IT packages if time was limited. Remember that first impressions always count so be super-courteous to whoever receives you.

It is standard practice to contact the successful candidate on the day of the interview / as soon as possible the next day. Good luck with the interview!

VfM

hermanmunster_3

there should be a person specification and under each element it should indicate whether the evidence about the person comes from the application or interview or elsewhere eg qualifications may come from the form as would relevant experience, communication skills come from the interview etc etc

Firefly_777

firesidemaid wrote: »

managers and departments can vary.

there may be a practical component eg. typing/data entry etc

familiarise yourself with your own application as well as the job description and person spec, as the qualities and skills required will be assessed

remember, you have got this far already. good luck x

Yes you are right... there probably is probably going to be a typing test (no mention of this in the letter though)... On the personal specification they said they wanted someone with RSA 3 or someone willing to undertake it (a bit extreme for band 2! :eek:)... I know for a fact that I cannot type that fast... but then I never said I could in my application.

I'll just have to keep looking at the person spec and think of questions.x

Firefly_777

VfM4meplse wrote: »

The application form is used to shortlist, and then again during the interview to pick up on your key skills, any gaps aginst the person spec / in career history, and inconsistencies. This will be followed by problem-based questions, which will draw on your experience and allow you to demonstrate the skills required for the job. Generally all interviewers will score you and then aggregate the results at the end of the process.

For admin posts I would always give an IT test, or ask the candidate to declare their competence with pertinent IT packages if time was limited. Remember that first impressions always count so be super-courteous to whoever receives you.

It is standard practice to contact the successful candidate on the day of the interview / as soon as possible the next day. Good luck with the interview!

VfM

You have been very helpful :j... so my application cannot be used against me unless I contradict myself (not too sure how that can happen)... I was only wondering because personally I didn't think my application was that great... and then the interview fills in any gaps in my application.

As I said in my previous post I'm half expecting a typing test, as they wanted RSA 3... which I don't have!

This isn't my first interview with the NHS, I've had quite a few however I always suck at the interview itself :rotfl: Hence why I have asked these questions.

Firefly_777

hermanmunster wrote: »

there should be a person specification and under each element it should indicate whether the evidence about the person comes from the application or interview or elsewhere eg qualifications may come from the form as would relevant experience, communication skills come from the interview etc etc

Just looked at the person specification... it says "application form/interview" for each criteria... I guess that it means application form or interview.

t0rt0ise

Application form/interview means BOTH the form and the interview not OR.

They will generally ask questions based on the person spec so have an answer ready for every item on the spec. So if it says must have customer service experience, expect to be asked what good customer service is. If you can't think of an answer for something then search the web and make notes. And make everything sound positive.. so don't say "I don't have NVQ3" say "my experience is the equivalent of NVQ3".

And then hope that they don't call you afterwards saying that you were successful at interview but the funding for the job has been withdrawn, as just happened to me!

iwb100

Usually if you have got an interview it means that they have assessed your application form and you match the person spec closely enough to warrant an interview. They HAVE to interview in theory everyone who hits all the essentials on the person spec but of course in reality when you get 200 applicants for a position that may not be possible.

So if you get to interview then you're in with a decent shout already. Basically what they will do is ask you questions related to the points on the person spec, these will be set questions. And you will be scored against these, all candidates should be asked the same questions. Make sure that you answer the questions specifically wherever you can and also make sure that you give positive confident answers. Often if you don't have direct experience of something if you talk around it and explain other things that are in some way relevant and sound confidence that will be good enough. If you flounder don't panic just keep your cool and take a second to think. Panels are impressed by people who stay cool and answer questions under pressure without falling apart, even if the answers aren't always 100% perfect!

If there is anything on your application form that they want clarifying or are worried about then they may ask you about that specifically. Sometimes as an ice breaker they will just pick something off your application form and say "tell us about this" so don't worry if they do that.

I wouldn't expect them to review the application form post interview as they will use their scores from the interview itself. However the may refer to them to remind them of candidates previous experience etc. Whenever I've interviewed its usually been fairly clear who would be appointed by the end of the interviews anyways.

RexBanner

Firefly_777 wrote: »

Hi there

I've managed to get a job interview in 2 weeks time for an administrator/receptionist position with the NHS.

However I am curious to know how they assess you when they interview you?

Does anybody know?

Thanks in advance.x

A sour face an bad attitude if my doctor's waiting room is owt to go by!

Good luck.:)