HELP!! NHS Admin test interview

[poodles28]

Hi everyone
I've got an interview this coming week for a programme support officer job within the NHS and wondered if anyone has any tips, on the following.

It says the interview will involve tests of your admin and clerical skills and your ability to use Microsoft packages. Can anyone help with examples or
Any help/tips would be much appreciated!

[NHSerrr]

Hi, the admin posts in my corner of the NHS require an email to be composed (with several attachments) to attendees who are invited to attend a senior meeting. The attachments include an agenda for the meeting to be written up in Word (agenda is based on some notes so involves prioritisation / common sense as well as good comminication skills). Hope that helps, and good luck!

[ShotsFired]

Seriously? The 'test' is to compose an email and attach documents?
Unless it's a very junior role, that seems like a bit of a joke

That said...having had to do similar tests for agencies in the (now rather dim and distant) past, be aware of what OS they may be using - it could be a lot older than what you are used to. Second, be similarly aware that the test may even mark you down if you use shortcuts instead of the "official" way (e.g. CTRL+X instead of using the menus stage by stage) - rather than mark you up for being efficient and skilled.

Hopefully neither will apply, but just flagging it to be aware of. Good luck!

[NHSerrr]

To clarify (was posting while BFing and vv tired), task is to write an agenda for a senior-level meeting based on some notes (eg previous meeting's minutes) and compose an email inviting attendees including that agenda and other attachments. Posts are usually bands 2 and 3 IIRC. I wasn't directly involved in the recruitment, though I know some candidates have performed poorly in the task!

[poodles28]

Thank you for the response, very helpful. The post is band 4 @NHSeer , and does anyone know if you tested on excel etc, or even the interview questions?

[SBar1994]

Hi @poodles28 how did your excel test go? I have a band 4 excel test and wanted to know what the test consists of so I can brush up on it. I hope you dont mind, thanks! I look forward to hearing from you :)
Thanks x

[poodles28]

Hey @SBar1994, what post is it for? I didn't get an excel test, was asked to do a prioritising task and didn't get tested on any Microsoft packages.
But I have a friend who interviewed for a similar role and got an excel test, I have tried to ring her but she didn't pick up. Will update you about the test once I manage to speak to her :-)

[SBar1994]

Hi @poodles28 , thank you for responding so quickly :)
The role is Business Development Assistant and it stated there will be a 20 minute Excel test and when I found this article I thought someone might be able to guide me on what may appear on the test. Hope your test went well! Oh wow thats great I hope she can recollect on the test, thanks alot I look forward to hearing from you again :)

[SBar1994]

Hi @poodles28 did you find out from your friend what the excel test consists of? Thanks looking forward to hearing from you :)
S xx

[poodles28]

Hi SBar1994, so sorry yes I did meant to reply but got carried away. She said you need to know basic excel formulas ie adding, multiplying and subtracting. Also you have to be able to conduct data analysis, graphs and chats she also mentioned pivot tables hope this helps.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

[SBar1994]

Hi @poodles28 thank you so much for getting back. I will PM you and let you now how it gets goes. Thanks again, hope you enjoy the rest of your evening X

[Rodi990]

Hi all / Sbar1994,
I've got an NHS Excel test coming up for a Band 4 Finance Assistant. Am I safe to assume Vlookups and pivot tables will defo come up? Are there any other things I need to know? Any pointers will be much appreciated. Many thanks.