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Nhs interview and recruitment help

24 replies

Laurenx1x1 · 06/05/2021 20:58

I have an nhs band 2 admin interview next Tuesday. I REALLY want this job. Does anyone have advice for the questions they may ask and how does the scoring system work?

I was offered a job today which I Accepted but I would prefer this job. Does it take weeks for nhs to tell me if I was successful or not ?
Also I know they require 3 years employment history and 2 references. I have used my current employer (2 years 8months) and an employer from 3 years ago. For the history will they be able to just use my current one as it’s almost 3 years ? My employer before my current one isn’t very good!

It’s all confusing could anyone help haha? I am probably over thinking everything possible that could go wrong!

OP posts:
ragged · 06/05/2021 21:00

Typically you hear in few days if you get a job offer & don't hear for weeks if they aren't sure if they can offer you the job -- those are my experiences of NHS job apps.

Argoscatalogueandabingoma · 06/05/2021 21:04

There was a fantastic thread with someone in a similar position this week. Lots of in depth answers STAR answers and refrencing Trust values

QueenOfPain · 06/05/2021 21:08

They will definitely want references for the full three years. At least two references is basically mandatory for the NHS.

You’ll probably find out fairly quickly if you’re being offered the job, sometimes the same day, but if not within a week, I’d imagine.

Can’t really help on the scoring as never done a band two interview. I’m a band 7 nurse and have had lots of NHS Interviews, so I’m sure there will be some common ground in the interview styles/format.

You’ll most likely be asked some scenario questions, like “if this situation occurred, how would you handle it?”, so maybe a disgruntled patient one, a difficult member of staff or maybe one about how you’d manage two competing demands on your time, sometimes an “in tray exercise” or one designed to assess your understanding of GDPR and IG, perhaps something along the lines of a patients relative calls chasing recent test results, will you give them the information? type scenario.

Then there will be some questions about experiences you’ve had in previous employment, perhaps a time when you’ve solved a problem or implemented a process change?

Make sure you come up with some questions to ask them too, so that you’re demonstrating to them that you’ve considered the reality/practicalities of doing the job and how it will suit you and your life, etc.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Youarewithme · 06/05/2021 21:16

Find out the trust values and drill them in so you can use those in the interview. Look at the job requirements closely, highlight the ones you absolutely meet/ exceed and give examples. Have an example of when you made a mistake and how you dealt with it. Have an example of when you had a difficult situation with a patient (or customer or whatever if not already in NHS) and how you dealt with it. Is it a Zoom interview?
If you don't know the answer to a question about the practical side say you are not sure at the moment, having never been in such a situation but that you'd ask for advice from your manager/ colleagues and proceed from there but that you'd always put patient welfare, safety first and also use your own common sense. Good luck!

ReginaaPhalange · 06/05/2021 21:24

They will ask you to tell them a bit about yourself (employment history, not personal interests), what attracted you to this role, competency based questions such as dealing with a situation where you had to reprioritise, a time with a challenge and what was that outcome. Look up Linda raynier on YouTube for examples of questions - she's great!

The reference template is short and sweet so like, how long have you known the applicant, On a scale of poor to excellent what was their timekeeping like, attitude to work etc.

Good luck and please let us know how you got on

Ginfilledcats · 06/05/2021 21:42

Hi op, congratulations on getting the interview!

What is the post? I might be able to help you further than the generic info below.

Scoring system varies but is generally between 5 and 10 questions, marked out of 5 (though sometimes just marked out of 3). Highest score gets the job offer.

As PPs have said, try and answer using STAR technique and use examples of where you've demonstrated that skill etc.

To prepare, I advocate 2 things always:

  1. go through the JD and PS in detail, highlight the key skills or qualities they are after. Then consider times where you have demonstrated those skills or qualities. All the questions should be based around what's in the JD or PS.
  2. contact the recruiting manager, ask for an informal chat about the role, it's a chance to ask what ions about the type of people they want to hire, the challenges of the role, what they are looking for. It's an opportunity for you to slip in your experience, and get ahead of the pack.

As others have also said, have a read of the trust values and news and familiarise yourself with them. They don't always ask about them but I've baffled a few interviewees before now by asking about the trust values and they clearly hadn't researched them.

And yes they'll probably want 2 or 3 references, they will only be contacted after your are offered the job. The recruiting team will send them a form to complete and return (usually a link to an online form).

Best of luck

Laurenx1x1 · 06/05/2021 22:09

Thank you for responding...
will I have to have my most recent 3 years ? I’m happy to use my current employer (2years 8months) but my job before this wasn’t very good and ended on bad terms. Could I use a previous employer in this case ? I don’t want something to ruin my chances for a silly situation.

I will definitely look into trust values and the questions you have posted.

Thank you so much

OP posts:
Memedru · 07/05/2021 08:08

Unsure about admin, but I'm a band 6 nurse, I applied for a job in intensive care, they offered me the job the same day as my interview!

Laurenx1x1 · 12/05/2021 20:56

Had the interview and it was actually so easy. Literally 5 questions and I felt I did really well. They are employing a lot of people for many different jobs. They said next week they will ring everyone successful. I was deffo one of the first to be interviewed.. not sure if that works in my favour or not!! I’m really impatient tho!!

OP posts:
MrsHastingslikethebattle · 12/05/2021 21:02

Brill that your interview went good Smile

What questions did they ask?

Laurenx1x1 · 12/05/2021 21:05

Thank you !!

Why the nhs ?
A team work example
A time with a difficult customer
When I had to reprioritise tasks and what were the tasks
Can’t remember the others but standard questions really!

If successful does anyone know if they send a form to request references or do they use the ones from the application form?

I’m so impatient 😅

OP posts:
Lorebas · 12/05/2021 21:08

Lauren My current role is an NHS admin type of role. They did phone same day to say I’d got the job, but the interviewer did hint the last person hadn’t bothered to turn up!

As for references, they just emailed the people I put as a reference on the NHS jobs application form

Good luck x

Laurenx1x1 · 12/05/2021 21:15

@Lorebas

Lauren My current role is an NHS admin type of role. They did phone same day to say I’d got the job, but the interviewer did hint the last person hadn’t bothered to turn up!

As for references, they just emailed the people I put as a reference on the NHS jobs application form

Good luck x

That’s good isn’t it !! I asked when I would hear and they said we are interviewing all week for various job roles so it will be beginning of next week. It feels like ages away 😅 they had call centre job roles so I emailed hr to ask if they could pass on if I am successful if I can be considered for all admin roles before call centre. Hope this doesn’t disadvantage me!

Okay that makes sense ! I always worry about people giving bad references it’s happened to me before 😅

Well done on your job! Have you now started ?

OP posts:
Lorebas · 12/05/2021 21:43

@Laurenx1x1 You’re in with an even better chance if you’re willing to be flexible, and asking to be considered for other roles by HR will be seen as such!

Hope you get the job, fingers crossed they call Monday. I started my job in July, then went on maternity leave in January when my daughter arrived at 23 weeks Smile job is still waiting for me but I don’t think I can now return due to childcare (I have a disabled son who’s now going to a specialist school and will need me for various pick ups)

Laurenx1x1 · 12/05/2021 21:47

@Lorebas I originally applied for ‘administrator’ then at interview they said we have various roles including call centre and we will appoint the roles to who we think are suitable. I am currently working at a call centre so I don’t want that job 😅 felt I had to say I want the other ones first !

Oh goodness me I’m so sorry! I’m coming to the end of my mat leave! Xxx

OP posts:
3JsMa · 12/05/2021 21:52

Not sure if that will help as it was years ago.
I was interviewed for Maternity Services by the matron and a person from HR,they were wonderful,gave some scenarios and ask how I would act etc. Called me the next day with a job offer.

Laurenx1x1 · 14/05/2021 21:47

I got the job!!!!!!!

OP posts:
PictureWest · 14/05/2021 21:49

@Laurenx1x1

I got the job!!!!!!!
Congratulations Thanks
PerpendicularVincent · 14/05/2021 22:22

Well done!!! Were you offered the admin role you wanted?

3JsMa · 15/05/2021 13:33

How brilliant!
Congratulations!!!!!Flowers.

Laurenx1x1 · 15/05/2021 19:19

Thank you everyone! I was offered reception in oncology xxx

OP posts:
QueenOfPain · 15/05/2021 19:22

Well done love, thick skin and unwavering kindness and empathy will be important skills to hone with this one.

Emm97 · 10/10/2021 08:57

Hello, was your interview for a admin assistant and if so what questions did they ask you. I have mine tomorrow and am unsure how many questions they ask. Do they ask you generic tell me about yourself? As well as why the NHS? Any help is much appreciated

Tataa · 18/12/2023 21:25

Hi
I had an interview for band 6 with NHS, I feel that I did it well, I answered all questions, but unfortunately I didn't pass the interview.
I feel that I treat unfairly in the interview.
How can I be sure that I did not get the highly score !?
I get an appointment for feedback ,Can I ask them to check my answers ?! Or what can I do?!

Please anyone help and tell me what I should do.

Thank in advance

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