Anybody know about NHS recruitment? Skills included in the job description that aren't mentioned in the person specification

[a112]

I've been invited to an interview and I'm just looking over the job description/person specification, which I evidently didn't read fully when I applied. The job description has 'working knowledge of X and Y' in it. Neither of the skills are mentioned in the person specification either as essential or desirable. If they had been, I wouldn't have applied because I don't have the slightest clue about them.

I don't want to ask and draw attention to my patchy reading of the job advert but equally, I don't want to turn up to the interview and look daft and totally out of my depth.

Is it possible that there's a mistake in the job description or is it more likely it's a case of not being able to fit everything in the person specification or something? I didn't claim to have these particular skills or anything like them so if they are necessary, I'm a bit confused about why I've been given an interview. Do people without the essential knowledge sometimes get interviews to make up numbers?

They shortlist according to the person spec but it’s odd if the job description states skills that haven’t been included in the spec. It may help if you said what job you’ve applied for.

You didn't claim to have the skills and they shortlisted you. If they are neither in the essential or desirable list on the person specification, then maybe while a working knowledge is something they want it's not as important as other factors.

The person spec can be as long as wanted so if it has been left off it's their oversight. If you really want the job I would do some reading around the topic but be honest I haven't ever done/used X but I'm interested in learning more.

It's an entry level, no experience necessary, role in finance.

I thought they might like the skills but not need them but they're not listed as desirable in the person spec either.

If anybody has any tips, tricks or general advice for this sort of interview, it'd be gratefully received