Interview after being away from work for almost a year

[melonshelens]

I've been invited for an NHS interview next week for a role which would be perfect for me. I currently work for my local trust but this is for the primary care network. It's just round the corner from me, a higher band and a role in genuinely interested in. I've been on maternity leave since the beginning of October 2021 and I'm due back in 2 weeks. I feel nervous already. I feel like because I've been away for this long my brain is foggy when it comes to work anyway. I'm rubbish at interviews at the best of times and usually end up talking rubbish/messing my words up.

Will I let them know I've been on maternity leave, just because it's likely questions will come up that require me to speak about recent experience, or should I say nothing? Any advice in general would be hugely appreciated. I know I have all the relevant skills and experience for the role but I know I will have difficulty demonstrating this. I haven't had an interview for 4 years. The role is for a cancer care co-ordinator.

Bump

Can you arrange a visit or talk to some one in a similar role,

Go through every required skill or experience and think of your example. You can even take these in with you to remind you of each senario in the interview.

That some of your examples are older than others doesn't matter. I would refer to past roles to explain a point, not just my last role.

Also (it might feel wanky) think about the mat leave time as experience.. you have learnt a million new skills. You can massively multi task. Your people skills have increased. I wouldn't use those as interview answers but it may help turn around you thinking of justifying being on mat leave.

Go get them!!