NHS Graduate Interview

seanbrown86

Hi Guys,

YOu may have noticed my other thread about graduate schemes, and missing the bulk of them. However I have got an interview for the NHS graduate scheme, and I was wondering if anyone has any advice, whether its specific to the NHS or general graduate schemes?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

seanbrown86

Righto, My interview is tomorrow. Does anyone have any advice whatsoever?

[Deleted User]

Try monster.com for interview advice, it's got lots of really handy tips

eg.
http://content.monster.co.uk/9317_en-GB_p1.asp

Good luck. btw, if you are interested in healthcare IT graduate schemes.. let me know, i can point you towards our grad scheme

melancholly

can only give advice from quite a few years ago now - it was a real competancy based interview then... the 'give me an example of when you have.....'. i wasn't prepared for that - have some idea of when you've been a in a team, when you've lead a team (preferably different examples!), when you've overcome a problem etc etc. don't make it too planned, but that's the kind of thing i got (and did badly on!!)

dmg24

I'm an ex NHS Finance Grad Trainee ... absolutely hated it (sorry)!

As this is the first round, and assuming it is still the same format, you will have a competency based interview with two senior NHS employees (just as melancholly described), and a team activity.

In the team activity, each person is given fifteen(ish!) minutes to read some information, some of which everyone has and some which only you have, and you need to read the information through in order to discuss it later. Can't remember how long the group discussion is, but basically you have to try to all reach a conclusion by the end of it.

Can't think of anything else, but if you have any other questions about the scheme feel free to PM me x

seanbrown86

There was no mention of a team based challenge.....bit worried now. All its says is there will be an interview by 2 senior NHS people. Theres a 24hour leadership challenge later on though....Did you have to do that?

dmg24

They may have scrapped the group exercise - how long are you expecting to be there?

The Leadership Challenge is great fun but very hard work. It has changed in format since I did it, but if you need more info I should be able to get it closer to the time - I know some of the assessors!

seanbrown86

It says the interview should last 35 minutes, but I don't remember if there was a time it finished. Its starts at 10.30, and for some reason I have a feeling it finished at 1pm...does 2 1/2 hours sound right?

Cheers

dmg24

I think mine was two and a half hours. There was a very brief presentation at the beginning by one of the Graduate Scheme Managers, so that length of time says to me there may still be a group activity (or lots of waiting around!).

Which scheme have you applied for, and in what area?

seanbrown86

Just general management, nothing too specialised. Are there areas to specifically to apply for location wise because I certainly don't remember any mention of that ....

dmg24

They will ask you later on (at the Leadership Challenge) where you want to be based. There are placements all over the country, and you have to put down three choices. London is the most oversubscribed.

I think of all the schemes, general management gives you the best opportunities.