Any midwifery course interview tips please - got one v soon!!

[monalisa]

Help!!! I've had a burning ambition to be a midwife for yrs - finally doing something about it and applied to Notts. Big change in career direction and family life. Worrying about the interview (it's a day long tour - lecture and 'informal' character assassination. What is informal - do they knock you off your guard and then grill you? Does informal still require a suit? I am v good at opening mouth and putting foot in and dislike political correctness (but can play the game)+ v opinionated. Any tips what to avoid, what form interview might take? Thanks so much.

Hi monalisa!

I've just had an interview for the midwifery diploma at Surrey. Maybe I can give a few tips, but since I'm floundering as much as you, take it all with a pinch of salt!

Ok, well, we had a presentation on the course and question & answer sesh afterwards, during which everyone sat in silence - so I just kept putting my hand up and asking inane questions to break the deadlock. Also some insultingly basic literacy and numeracy tests ()

Interview itself was short (10 mins) and probably would have been quite informal if I hadn't been a nervous wreck by that point. No 'surprise' questions, all very obvious, i.e.
Why do you want to become a midwife?
How will you cope with the study?
What can you bring to the course?
What are you most looking forward to about the course?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? etc etc

All very simple and of course I managed to fluff every single one... Opinions are good, bolshy midwives are good, but make sure you can back it all up (as in life...!) Be honest and be yourself - almost impossible when sweating in an airless interview room but give it a try.

And informal doesn't necessarily mean suit but certainly best to err on the side of smart (but comfortable as you'll be in it all day). I wore smart trousers and top with scarf. Looked like a middle-aged health visitor.

And don't mention babies. They HATE that.

Also check out this site if you haven't already - loads of advice and info.

HTH!

Oh thanks moomina. You are an angel! Have looked at the site but am in a bigger panic - feel rather inadequate now having looked at others' ps - think mine was c**p! Also realise I need an awful lot of swotting up before 9/12. Only sent in application 3 weeks ago - thought I had lots of time. Don't think I know enough to survive. My info is media centred - asprin therapy, c/s - too posh to push - formula milk and meningitis - b/f and chemical contamination stress in preg and pe, midwife sacked for giving home birth etc...that sort of stuff + personal research into pe, aps, strep b...
And I always mess up the 'where do you want to be ...' question. But let's face it, who is good at this self-analysis stuff? I'm just so absorbed by pregnancy and birth and passionate about mothers getting the best they can from the experience. I had fantastic midwives and midwives who made me feel like a piece of meat...Funny - the only bit of info I'd gleaned b4 was don't mention babies !!! Perhaps I'm odd but they aren't my favourite part - but a lovely bonus! Hope you get in - keep me posted!

Don't worry about 'what you know' - they don't expect you to have shedloads of facts at your fingertips. I spent hours sweating over various govt reports etc in preparation - totally pointless! What they're really looking for is a good understanding of what midwifery is really about (well, that's what I'm banking on!) hence the 'no babies' bit, I guess. You need to show them that you're realistic yet committed and that you will be able to handle the work/life balance. Surrey were big on that. But, honestly, don't worry about the jargony/clinical side of it - that's what the course is for!

Having said all of this, I'm not sure I did terribly well! I was so nervous and hate the 'why do you want to be a midwife?' question. It's not really something I can put into words, which is unfortunate since that's exactly what you need to do! I can waffle for England when the nerves hit and all my pitch-perfect answers went flying out of the window Ah well, I will find out on Dec 10th...

Loads of luck for yours. Any other questions, just ask and I'll try and fumble my way towards helping!

Thanks moomina. You are the best! Have to say I have started looking at some reports too 'tho!