Band 7 Interview...HELP!!

[despondentatwork]

Hi there,

I have an interview coming up in a field of education within HC. I have v little interview experience. This one will involve a presentation ( I get to see topic for 30 mins prior to interview). Anyone have any tips or experience of this?? Will it be likely to involve Powerpoint, eg (have never used :-0). Many thanks.

No tips as I’m not even band 5 yet 😂 but good luck x

If you are asked any competency based questions e.g “tell me about a time when you....” make sure you answer the question by covering these points

1. What the situation was
2. What you did (always use “I” not “we”)
3. How you involved others
4. What the outcome was

And try to focus your answer on what they are looking for e.g tell me a time when you managed a project.....they want to hear all about your project management experience

If it's NHS, go on to the trust website and have a good look at it. Plus Google value based recruitment. It's what we use. Prepare answers before hand of examples of things you have done or situations you have been in to show how you respond to stress, confrontation, poor practise etc. Also what you have changed, developed, initiative. If you are not familiar with power point and it is a band 7 role, what is your over IT literacy like? You need to get familiar with it before you go.

It might involve PowerPoint but with only 30min to prepare it shouldn't be too technically difficult, I would imagine it might be training you have to give. Take your time and breathe. Everything works better when you're breathing properly. Do practice some competency based questions using the STAR method - situation, task, action and result. And remember to breathe! Best of luck OP!

I'm not a band 7 so can't be much help! If you're only getting 30 mins notice for the presentation I can't imagine they'll also expect a power point. If they offer and you're not comfortable using it just say you'd rather present without it. I was always taught to present 3 points, so if it's a question like what are your priorities in the first 6 months of your post, come up with 3 answers, no more no less! Open your presentation by explaining what you are going to tell them, tell them your answers with details then close by summarising your 3 key points and asking for Any questions. Having a mini structure always helps me not get too off track! Remember to smile and make eye contact with everyone on the panal.

Most nhs interview questions tend to be competency based, e.g tell me about a time when..., how would you react to.... Before each answer just take a chance to breathe and think, if you don't understand the question ask them to clarify it and make sure you actually answer what they ask! Remember interviewers want you to do well!

Obviously look up as much policy and topical issues relating to your field. Good luck!