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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Interview tomorrow...

33 replies

StormcloakNord · 06/07/2021 18:04

Shamelessly posting for traffic

I have an interview for a position in the NHS tomorrow. It's low level, band 2 BSW.

I think I've done as much prep work as I can. I've read through the job spec, I've been trying to think of situations that I can use for examples I might be asked for.

I'm going from working in accounts to (hopefully) working in a lab (also studying the relevant degree) so I don't really have a lot of things I can apply to the new position.. I'll try as much as I can though. I really do want this job.

I'm just nervous as all hell - any words of encouragement/wisdom would be massively appreciated!

OP posts:

Rudeppl · 06/07/2021 18:09

Good luck!

honeyytoast · 06/07/2021 18:46

No advice but good luck - I’ve had to do a few interviews recently so the nervous feeling is very familiar.. just go in believing you’ll get it

Kidsaregrim · 06/07/2021 19:00

Have you looked the the Trusts website and learned their trust values, it’s a common question. They may give you some scenarios such as “you see an old person looking lost in the corridor, what would you do”

Good luck!

ShitPoetryClub · 06/07/2021 19:03

They might ask you
What achievement you most proud of?
What makes a good team member/colleague?
Why you are applying for this job?
What do you think a typical day working in this role will be like?
What qualities can you bring to our team?
What do equality and diversity mean to you?
Where do you see yourself in 3 years time?
How would your best friend describe you? (Definitely don't be too honest here!!! we once had a candidate say "up for a laugh and probably pissed").
Smile, make eye contact, if you don't know the answer then admit that but say you are keen to find out.

Lougle · 06/07/2021 19:04

Generally it is all values based interview questions. Another common question is 'you see a colleague talking inappropriately to a patient/colleague. What do you do?'

Igmum · 06/07/2021 19:38

No advice but good luck, you'll be great 🍀

CliftonGreenYork · 06/07/2021 19:49

@ShitPoetryClub

They might ask you What achievement you most proud of? What makes a good team member/colleague? Why you are applying for this job? What do you think a typical day working in this role will be like? What qualities can you bring to our team? What do equality and diversity mean to you? Where do you see yourself in 3 years time? How would your best friend describe you? (Definitely don't be too honest here!!!

we once had a candidate say "up for a laugh and probably pissed"). Smile, make eye contact, if you don't know the answer then admit that but say you are keen to find out.

I had a band 4 interview a few weeks ago (got the job) and they asked me almost all of those questions above. They were really lovely and made it very easy to feel relaxed. Just be yourself and let them see your personality. Huge good luck.

berryhead2013 · 06/07/2021 20:03

Good luck I have an interview tomorrow too as pp have said they want to know how you apply to their values and what kind of person you are and what you will bring
Good luck xx

Iwantafuckingbreak · 06/07/2021 20:05

I had a band 2 interview back in May for admin/reception in the emergency department (I start next month!) I spent ages learning their core values, going over the spec and job description ... didn't ask me any of it! Just asked me about myself and how I deal with angry customers. Just try and relax, if you've done the prep you will be fine! Good luck 😊

Original poster

StormcloakNord · 06/07/2021 20:27

Thank you so much everyone! Some cracking advice here. I've got myself clued up with the core values of the NHS as a whole and also the trusts values! I lack clinical experience though so probably won't get it based on that but I will go in confident as a button & with any luck my shining personality will pull me through 🍀

OP posts:

Original poster

StormcloakNord · 06/07/2021 20:28

@ShitPoetryClub

They might ask you What achievement you most proud of? What makes a good team member/colleague? Why you are applying for this job? What do you think a typical day working in this role will be like? What qualities can you bring to our team? What do equality and diversity mean to you? Where do you see yourself in 3 years time? How would your best friend describe you? (Definitely don't be too honest here!!!

we once had a candidate say "up for a laugh and probably pissed"). Smile, make eye contact, if you don't know the answer then admit that but say you are keen to find out.

Thank you so much for this - I managed to answer all of these in my head with what I like to think were good and well thought out answers! Thanks again that helps so much!

OP posts:

EmmaGrundyForPM · 06/07/2021 20:37

Is it a f2f interview or by Zoom? If the latter, make a few key notes on post-its and pin them near your screen. You might not need them but it will make you feel more confident.

You sound as though you're really well-prepared. Good luck

BraveGoldie · 06/07/2021 21:32

@StormcloakNord

🍀

OP if you lack experience I think the key things to communicate to make up for that are that you are a quick learner, passionate about the area, and will work hard to get up to speed.

Another pro of being low on experience is being really open to being shaped exactly how they want you (ie: they don't need to get you to unlearn lab practices from somewhere else.... you won't argue about the right way to do thing sets....)

These qualities can be really attractive to an employer- so I would emphasise them, when talking about your lack of experience. If they don't raise it, I would add it before you finish. And think of some concrete examples of other times you have shifted area, gone into something with little experience, then quickly got up to speed...

Good luck!

Chickentonightlove · 06/07/2021 21:46

Good luck. I went into a band 5 role without any experience in NHS. I got asked some very basic questions such as scenario based questions. What would you do if you were the only person in the office that day etc etc. Whet would your friends say about you. Why do you want to work for this Trust.
Just be yourself and be positive about why you want to work there.. Good luck x

Murphs1 · 06/07/2021 22:16

Great advice here. Best of luck, let us know how you get on!

Workinghardeveryday · 06/07/2021 22:52

You will do great! Be yourself 😊

Original poster

StormcloakNord · 07/07/2021 10:19

Thanks everyone! Didn't do as well as I hoped I would in the interview but hey ho - it's all experience and I'll keep on trying/improving my interview skills!

OP posts:

GaspGulpScream · 07/07/2021 10:22

How do you know? Did they give you any feedback?

Original poster

StormcloakNord · 07/07/2021 10:25

No feedback yet but I tripped over a lot of what I was saying and didn't manage to mention half of what I wanted to

OP posts:

GaspGulpScream · 07/07/2021 10:27

That may not be a problem though, we all cock up in interviews at times. Wait until you hear from them. Fingers crossed for you

EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/07/2021 11:50

@StormcloakNord

Thanks everyone! Didn't do as well as I hoped I would in the interview but hey ho - it's all experience and I'll keep on trying/improving my interview skills!

I bet you did better than you thought. Interviews are like exams, you come away kicking yourself for all the things you think you should have said rather than focusing on the positives.

If you don't get the job, ask for feedback. As a manager I'm always very happy to give feedback especially if the candidate had a lot of potential.

Palava57 · 07/07/2021 12:13

I wanted to wish you good luck but I see I am too late. You may still get the job as it’s hard to tell.

You prepared really well & then some with suggestions here and thinking through how you would answer. Note also anything that floored you in the interview & how you could answer that if it came up again.

Interviews do get easier with experience of them & you become better at ‘selling’ yourself which often takes time. So it’s unfortunate if the first interview is the job of yr dreams.

NB if you don’t get the job do ask for feedback so that you can do better next time 💐

Original poster

StormcloakNord · 07/07/2021 16:17

Oh my goodness guys - I GOT THE JOB!!!

Can't even remotely explain how happy I am 🥰

OP posts:

Zebrahooves · 07/07/2021 16:36

Congratulations 🥳 well done.

Lougle · 07/07/2021 16:42

Well done!

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