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Original poster

Help! Band 4 nhs interview -excel...

32 replies

LifeInsideMyhead · 15/05/2022 23:43

Hello!

Ive been fortunate to get through to a band 4 admin interview next week.

Does anyone have any experience of the "excel test?" I was thinking of trying to brush up on excel (my knowledge is basic level 2 stuff) and look at some videos -but im a bit worried I'm out of my depth.

Any other band 4 pointers!? Ive come from a different career so its a lower paid job but its part time and looks intereting.

OP posts:
Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 16/05/2022 08:02

Anyone any pointers?

I can do tables and charts. But from googling have never done pivot tables or even the quantities of data some of these videos have. I dont know what to try and focus on learning! I dont use excel day to day to be proficient.

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RichardMarxisinnocent · 16/05/2022 08:11

I don't have any experience of an excel test, but if you could post the actual job/job title someone may be able to advise what sort of excel skills the job might require. I work in the NHS but admin roles do vary a lot in their responsibilities so what I do in excel might not be what your role would.

peanutpancakess · 16/05/2022 08:14

I had a band 3 excel test, slightly different I know and it was just make a table for annual leave, enter names and calculate how much annual leave they have taken and have left. Pretty straightforward.
Oh, and I got the job Grin

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Flowerpot28 · 16/05/2022 08:22

Hi did they actually say it was an excel test or just and admin test?

Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 16/05/2022 08:31

Yes an excel test. No other test as far as I am aware.

Its a job that will involve looking at surverys and creating reports.

I am a bit worried they are expecting more than I know, atlhough I do pick things up fast and don't worry that if I was in the job I'd easily learn the ropes. But I don't want to get stuck at the first hurdle!

I've got level 2 IT cert and they did state level 3 as ideal. I was going to say I learn quickly etc. I know I can't get proficient in a few days but I could maybe follow some tutorials!

OP posts:
Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 16/05/2022 08:32

Thanks peanut - I can do that. Congratulations on the job! Are you enjoying it?

I'm making a leap from a different organisation and was surprised I got the interview. But now they know my background I really want to come across well!

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Idontgiveagriffindamn · 16/05/2022 08:41

Not NHS but I recruit using an Excel test. We ask for a pivot table to be created and some basic formulas used: vlookup, if, sum and countif.
I’d imagine they’d want a chart creating as well.

Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 16/05/2022 08:52

Thanks Idontgive. That will be above what I can currently do and what I was wondering. I am not sure whether to try and learn some of these things in a day or not.

Its a 22-24k job so initially was hoping it wasnt requiring more than a table/chart but the more I look the more i think it might be.

I'll see what I can learn tonight and will start from your list. Thankyou!

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Idontgiveagriffindamn · 16/05/2022 11:33

I’d try and learn pivot tables. They’re really easy to create and add totals / counts. You can get complex but that wouldn’t be on a test.
There are some really helpful videos on google for pivot tables - a 5 min video will show all you need.
Good luck!

Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 16/05/2022 14:32

Thanks I've found a video and I think it's making some sense!

OP posts:
peanutpancakess · 16/05/2022 20:11

LifeInsideMyhead · 16/05/2022 08:32

Thanks peanut - I can do that. Congratulations on the job! Are you enjoying it?

I'm making a leap from a different organisation and was surprised I got the interview. But now they know my background I really want to come across well!

Thank you, this was almost 2 years ago now Smile
When I got the interview I did do some excel prep, there are so good YouTube videos out there. Then when I got the job I worried I didn't know enough about excel, when I started it was absolutely fine and even know if I'm not sure I'll look at a YouTube tutorial.
Good luck!

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 16/05/2022 20:18

Pivot tables are brilliantly useful and actually pretty straightforward, look on YouTube for a quick tutorial

Throughdangersuntold · 16/05/2022 22:02

NHS Excel tests for Band 3 & 4 are very similar in my area. Quite basic, just stick some data in a table & order it in a way that makes sense. I suppose it depends on the specific job but I have personally never seen one that involves formulas or pivot tables. Saying that, it's useful to know how to do those things so watching a few videos is a good idea.

Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 16/05/2022 22:09

Thanks everyone - I'm trying to prepare for the interview. I have looked up the trust values (and trying to remember them but my brain is like a seive) and "why I want the job. "

Any other pointers? Thankyou all

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Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 16/05/2022 22:12

@Throughdangersuntold (awesome name - is that the labyrinth?) That is SO reassuring!! I really really hope that is the case. I have a suspicion this role does use a lot of excel - which I can easily pick up, just not in a few days... I was thinking if I can't do it in the test to explain what I would do in real life when it comes to the interview.

I am SO nervous about the interview now!!

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peanutpancakess · 17/05/2022 13:51

Examples, they always want examples of how you did something. If you lead a team give them an example how. How do you deal with stress, conflict etc. it's all a scoring system, so you need to get the highest score.

Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 17/05/2022 14:22

Thanks. I dont always do well at that st interviews. My mind goes blank and I cant think of anything!!!

I will get the job description tonight and try and think of something for each one.

I also cant remember all the values. I can if I write them down but on the spot I only get a few 🙈

OP posts:
peanutpancakess · 17/05/2022 18:03

LifeInsideMyhead · 17/05/2022 14:22

Thanks. I dont always do well at that st interviews. My mind goes blank and I cant think of anything!!!

I will get the job description tonight and try and think of something for each one.

I also cant remember all the values. I can if I write them down but on the spot I only get a few 🙈

Remember 3, that may not even ask but that's enough.

Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 17/05/2022 20:32

I think Ive sussed them!

Now onto thinking of interview answers. I am sure I will be stumped on "introduce yourself" 🙈

OP posts:
DinosaurFarmer · 17/05/2022 20:54

I'm in a Band 4 admin role within the NHS. Be prepared for a question about safeguarding as this is usually asked even for non-clinical roles in my Trust as safeguarding is seen aseveryone's responsibility What would you do if you saw something in the dept which concerned you, who you would go to. Good luck😊

Fruitloopcowabunga · 17/05/2022 21:02

Values are sometimes on the interviewer's lanyard!

Icantfindanewname · 17/05/2022 21:02

My old band 4 role had an excel test. Filters are what they needed me to use - ooops, hadn't used those before, somehow still got the job 🤔😁

Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 17/05/2022 21:38

Fruitloop - excellent that is good!

Icantfind... filters you say....congratulations on the job. Did you just not do the task or is it that there were bits you could do if that makes sense?

Do you like the job?

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Original poster
LifeInsideMyhead · 17/05/2022 21:42

Just seen you aren't band 4 anymore! What was it like?

Also anyone know how flexible admin job hours are? I assume it would look bad to ask at interview. Do you ask once you have the role?

And any good questions for end of interview?

OP posts:
worriedaboutmoney2022 · 17/05/2022 21:42

LifeInsideMyhead · 16/05/2022 08:52

Thanks Idontgive. That will be above what I can currently do and what I was wondering. I am not sure whether to try and learn some of these things in a day or not.

Its a 22-24k job so initially was hoping it wasnt requiring more than a table/chart but the more I look the more i think it might be.

I'll see what I can learn tonight and will start from your list. Thankyou!

The nhs want blood at a band 3/4 then practically organs for band 5/6 jobs they expect a lot so whether it's a £22-24k job (and they always start at the bottom of the band regardless of experience etc in our trust)
Be under no illusions some of the tests are ridiculous but if it's analysing data I'd revise chart wizards on excel
Good luck 🤞