NHS Recruitment - Interview Help!

[Littlepoppet1]

I am preparing for a NHS interview at Bolton Hospital and wondered if anyone has any tips or advice for me? I have been reading about some NHS trusts using values based recruitment but am not sure if Bolton do or not! I am familiarising myself on their values etc but wondered if anyone knows if i should be delving a bit deeper than just knowing what they are? Its a admin based role if that helps! TIA!

[DCH87]

Hello all,.
I have Nhs admin interview next week for Pathway Support (Waiting List).
I'm really nervous about this interview as I'm going to attend an interview after a long time.
Any tips, advices and kind of interview questions you could help with please
Many Thanks

[tillyandmilly]

I have been going for quite a few Admin roles within the NHS - rejected again and again as I get so nervous and my mind goes blank - also having never worked for a Government department before I find the scenario questions really difficult to answer and sometimes I don't understand the question! I try and memorise my answers beforehand of some questions, diversity, equality, how do you prioritise, why do you want to work for the NHS etc.. but I just blurt out random words! - Can I tell the interview panel I am nervous and its is causing my brain to not process the words!

[tass1960]

Good luck 🤞

[WhamRap]

Good luck 🤞

[Littlepoppet1]

Bumping!

[Littlepoppet1]

Sorry for the delayed update on this! So I didn’t get the job back in June. Feedback was good and I was one of the higher scoring candidates just unlucky I guess.

Anyway I had a call from them a couple of weeks ago to say that things haven’t worked out with the person they offered the role too and was I still interested. I have had to reapply and now have another interview scheduled. I got the interview date on the closing date of the job! Now I am sure they contacted others other than me and obviously new candidates will have applied but I’m just wondering what approach they may take with a 2nd interview? Will they ask the same Qs again? Focus more on a area I maybe didn’t score high enough in the first time?
One of the people interviewing me is the same as last time but the 2nd person I haven’t met before so I’ll have to impress them from scratch 😂

Any advice would be welcome!! Thanks!

[Ginfilledcats]

Congrats @tass1960 so pleased for you! X

[tass1960]

I've have a video interview on Friday. I have printed off all of the information in this post and will read it over many time before Friday.

I've been offered this job. Thanks so much for all of the advice. From the feedback received the advice was invaluable. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

[tass1960]

I've have a video interview on Friday. I have printed off all of the information in this post and will read it over many time before Friday.

[SHAR0N]

Good luck

[Littlepoppet1]

Had the interview today. I’m not really sure how I think it went tbh, I definitely answered some questions better than others! I was quite nervous at first and stumbled a bit over the first question so could definitely have answered that better but I did settle into it as it went on. I didn’t get asked anything about the values or confidentiality and information governance which I had been expecting! They are interviewing a lot of people too, all day to day and tomorrow morning so lots of competition! I should find out if successful tomorrow afternoon. Thanks everyone for all your help and advice!!

[Ginfilledcats]

Oh yeah I'd ask, because some offices normal day is 8-4 and others 9-5.

I was once asked what the sickness policy was and could they buy annual leave - don't do that haha!!

Maybe ask about the team set up, what the biggest challenge facing the team is - if they say something like oh we have x number of big projects in at once you can slip in that you love being busy and are a great multitasker etc.

Good luck! Have you thought about calling the recruiting manager for an informal chat

[Littlepoppet1]

Thanks @Tanfastic i just didn't want to come across as inflexible! The only reason i want to know is so i have a idea of what changes i'll need to make regarding childcare but whatever they are i'll be able to accommodate anyway so i didn't want to ask if it would come across negative!

[Tanfastic]

Yes you really should ask about the working hours!

[Littlepoppet1]

@Ginfilledcats sorry i was meant to tag you in my post above!

[Littlepoppet1]

Hi! Getting closer to interview date! I am just writing down some questions i would like to ask and i wondered if it is acceptable to ask about the working hours at interview stage or should i wait and see if i get a offer first? It isnt a full time position and the advert states the number of hours per week but doesn't say anything about how many hours per day/which days of the week. Would it be frowned upon for me to ask in interview if it doesnt come up or should i wait? Thanks!

[Ginfilledcats]

@coldinhere 2 weeks on average - but in the current covid climate, may be a bit longer! Give it another week and then send a polite email enquiring if there is an email address. Best of luck! You have every chance as the next person!

[Coldinhere]

@Littlepoppet1

I got the email inviting me to interview just over 2 weeks after closing date so still time yet! Fingers crossed you hear soon 😊

Great, thanks for that. Like I said, not holding out hope but maybe I'll give it a few more days!

[Rosemary46]

read and re read the JD and person spec, when i go to interviews, I literally go through it and annotate examples of how I would demonstrate that skill or knowledge and learn that

This is an important point. Every question will probably be linked to the person spec / role description but not necessarily directly.

[Littlepoppet1]

I got the email inviting me to interview just over 2 weeks after closing date so still time yet! Fingers crossed you hear soon 😊

[Coldinhere]

Ps good luck @Littlepoppet1

[Coldinhere]

Can anyone tell me how long after close of application did it take for you to hear if you had an interview - I'm most definitely not holding my breath but it would be nice to know if I should just write it off or not - it's been nearly 2 weeks.

[Ginfilledcats]

@littlepoppet1 ah good plan to test the drive and parking, it's usually so stressful! At least parking is free at the moment!! Best of luck x

[Littlepoppet1]

Sorry @Ginfilledcats i have only just seen your reply! Yes it is going ahead face to face which i was surprised at actually, i was fully expecting a reomote/video interview! Went for a drive yesterday to make sure i know where i am going and where i can park etc! I'll have had about 3 weeks prep time by the time it comes around which is great in one respect but it feels like its dragging!!

[Ginfilledcats]

Is the interview still going on face to face and not via video? Good idea re the mask if it is face to face too!! There will be at least 2 on the panel, they probably just haven't confirmed who the other person will be!