Nhs

Threebabes

Hi

Ive 2 interviews for admin roles with the NHS the week after next.

Anyone been for a interview with the NHS and have any tips?

Thank You

KentishLady

So will be interested in any replies you may get. After being made redundant last year from one of the big banks I decided to take some time out to work out where I wanted to work. I've spent the last 12 months working at my local council whilst quietly researching my options.

My career aim is to train as a clinical coder but in the interim I am applying for entry level jobs with the NHS so I can a) begin to build up pensionable service with them and b) build up working experience within the NHS. I'm also studying at home (medical terminology, anatomy and physiology) so that when a trainee position comes up hopefully I am in a good position ty o meet the person spec.

In terms of interviews - the only NHS interview I had was very strange (was in a clinical coding department - band 2 position fetching notes to and from the coding team and other departments in the hospital). They didn't write down any notes about what we talked about, didnt ask me any competency based questions or any other "typical" interview type questions to be honest. I arrived suited and booted, hair straightened, etc but the interviewers were dressed casually so from the start it felt a bit weird. The only question they did ask was to do with my fitness because the job involved a lot of walking - when I replied I do a lot of walking with my dog including 5 mile walks at the weekend and that working on my allotment also kept me fit - one said "oh i really dont like people like you who keep themselves fit as it puts us to shame". I very much doubt most NHS interviews are like this - I hope not I have another interview next Wednesday! This next one starts with a team excersise followed by a test. Neither of which are my favourite types of interview but hey ho.

Hope yours go well.

KL

Threebabes

Thank You.

I have an interview for a Band 2 and Band 3 admin role in the same department that have been advertised. I have a test first beforehand. I am busy swotting up on the department, the nhs and any questions I may get asked. I am punch drunk!

Good Luck to you too :-)

t0rt0ise

Some are hot on the Trust's values so you might want to find them on their website and learn them. Otherwise the interviews can vary from the usual and boring "tell us a bit yourself" and continuing with "what is your biggest weakness" and "where do you hope to be in five years time", to the far more interesting "tell us a time when.." sort of questions. Confidentiality and priortising, working to deadlines etc are favourite topics in my experience.

GothicStirling

Research the Trust you're being interview by (I came unstuck on this one a month ago). Another one that caught me out a year ago is about confidentiality: "What would you do if a patient wanted to confide in you?'

Denning.

Competencies competencies competencies.

Situation.
Task.
Action.
Result.

Little story for each of the competencies listed on the advert.

Don't !!!!! foot around, be direct and obvious that you met that competency in the situation.

Threebabes

I had 2 interviews for the same team but different responsibilites and got one job.

Asked what I had done to prepare for the interview.
What would I do if I was asked for confidential information.
What qualities would you need to work within a team.
Had I done anything to improve any aspect of a job.
How did I prioritise.

First test I had a table in excel, I had to delete a column, move a column, add filters, filter a column and add.

Word document was typing up a set of minutes. I had to insert a section break and change orientation of page and insert a table. I did not finish this test due to not having used office 2010.

Second test, was the same excel table, which I flew through. The word document was tying up a memo in my own wording (it was very short) and inserting a table.