Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

HELP! I've just been invited to 3 interviews for NHS non-clinical positions

35 replies

Pebbledashery · 26/03/2021 16:37

Applied for a few jobs last week, my background is in recruitment so I know how to write a very good cover letter!
Looked at my phone and have had 3 text messages from the online portal inviting me to interview for all 3 positions I applied for! eek.

They are all non-clinical administrative positions, medical secretary, EA/team administrator type roles.

Any TIPS?!!!!!!!
The last interview I had was over 12 years ago!! EEK!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pebbledashery · 27/03/2021 15:03

Bumping if anyone has any advice.

OP posts:
Trumplosttheelection · 27/03/2021 15:08

Confidentiality is huge.
Resilience, how do you cope with upset people, pressured situations
Tell me about a time when you worked in an effective team, what made it effective
What's needed for good communication?

Trumplosttheelection · 27/03/2021 15:08

I look for competence and humanity, you need a bit of heart and a ton of strength and composure

Disfordarkchocolate · 27/03/2021 15:10

NHS interviews used to be very focused on the essential parts of the job spec with a clear scoring system. STAR answers favoured too. It's very good to ask questions that show you have considered the role not just terms and conditions. Good luck.

Daydrambeliever · 27/03/2021 15:15

Congratulations. Likliehood that they will ask some competency based question based on the person specification or job description. So practise some answers using STAR - what was the situation, what was your role, what did you do, what was the result.
Think of questions to ask them - I hate it when people say no questions. It feels like they are not interested in the organisation or the role.
Have an answer prepared for the dreaded "what makes you think you are a good fit/what you bring to the role" question.

Apart from that, relax, breathe, and act your socks off. They want you to be a brilliant candidate and they want you to do well.

If at anypoint they ask you about something you don't know about, don't waffle. Be honest that you have no experience, but then talk about what you can do to remedy that or something similar that you CAN do.

Good luck. You'll smash it.

Ikeameatballs · 27/03/2021 15:24

They will probably ask a general Why the NHS or Why this Trust type question so have an answer prepared for that. Other questions are likely to be competency based.

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 27/03/2021 15:40

Thanks all. Another thing im worried about. If I was lucky enough to get an offer.. Will they approach my referees immediately? I haven't given them permission to but have included them on the application.. My current employer doesn't know I'm looking and imagine it's going to come as a shock.. I won't hand my notice in until I receive a written offer and also my references have been taken. Will they give me time to speak to my employer and have that conversation? Basically I'm bricking it, my manager isnt very approachable and worried she'll just want me to leave effective immediately..

OP posts:
Original poster
Pebbledashery · 27/03/2021 15:40

Looks like it's just one interview for all of these roles. I'm meeting a selection panel for each interview.

OP posts:
LMW1990 · 27/03/2021 18:57

Is typing mentioned on the job spec and do you have the relevant qualifications or experience? Typing is a big issue at my Trust. We've had to redeploy so many otherwise great secretaries because they couldn't keep up with the typing demand. And it's not just speed, accuracy is essential!

Ginfilledcats · 27/03/2021 19:17

Hey OP, I regularly interview admin roles in the NHS. Congratulations on being shortlisted for all 3!

If you tell me the sort of roles I can give more focused advice. However, generally speaking:

  • as a PP said the interview q will mostly be based around the JD and PS. I would make sure you go through then and have examples of how you demonstrate key skills or key components of the role.
  • answer using the STAR format to ensure you maximise potential marks (ie don't just answer the question, show then you've used x, how it relates to the role and how you would do it in the future in said role (where possible)
  • have a look at the Trust website for "news" and at their core values. I ask about the trust values and how you demonstrate them in most interviews (especially for entry level jobs bands 2-5)
  • if you aren't already aware, look up Caldecott guardians and what that means
  • make sure you're familiar with confidentiality and GDPR
  • have some questions at the end to ask that are meaningful (don't ask about annual leave or sickness policies for the love of God!)

Otherwise, prepare well and be yourself. Don't be afraid to ask them to repeat the question, don't be afraid to take your time to think about the answer (use the ole "take a sip if water whilst you think" trick). F

Fingers crossed for you xxx

captainprincess · 27/03/2021 19:22

Hi @Pebbledashery I've been for quite a few interviews in the NHS over the last couple of years. I have noted down every question I have ever been asked and the same ones seem to come up again and again. If you wanted any help please feel free to PM me.
If it helps I am a band 4 admin but have been for interviews for band 2/3/4.
Best of luck.

Butterfly44 · 27/03/2021 19:31

Re references - once you've had a job offer HR will send out forms for the references to complete by email. It's not how it used to be it basically asks how much sick leave taken over last 2 years. There is no room for any narrative.

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 27/03/2021 19:37

@Ginfilledcats @captainprincess thank you that's so helpful.
So I've applied for an executive assistant role that's in a foundation Trust, and I've also applied for 2 medical secretary roles in a larger hospital. I've been looking at YouTube videos and it says to categorically apply the S.T.A.R principle when answering. I'm really worried as I've not had an interview for such a long time and I know this won't be easy. I know it'll be mostly focused on the JD and PS and how I can apply my skills to the roles I'm interviewing for. They are all Band 4 roles. The medical secretary roles ask for audio typing which I've never done before and isn't on my CV but I've been asked for interview for both roles.. Before I applied for these roles I called the number on the advert for the designated contact and asked if they would consider a person without NHS background and they said they actively encourage people to apply who don't have NHS experience...

OP posts:
WannabeOT · 27/03/2021 19:48

I interviewed for three NHS admin positions in 2019 and was offered all three. I took the one which best suited childcare which I now regret as it is mainly typing and bloody boring

Anyway, I didn't do anything special for.the interview I was just really personable, chatted with them and had an answer for each of the 'tell me about a time you did x' questions.

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 27/03/2021 19:54

Fortunately all of the jobs I've applied for work with childcare. They are all within a 20 minute drive of home also so they are all ideal. I think I would prefer the EA role as I've been an EA for 12 years and all of the duties in the JD are what I currently do. It says on the advert they encourage flexible working, should I ask about that at the interview or if an offer is given? It's only because aside from the pandemic, I've always have one wfh day which was always a Friday. It isn't an issue at all to go in every day as to be honest I've been wfh for a year now!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pebbledashery · 28/03/2021 21:33

Bumping if anyone else has anymore advice :), doing all my preparation tomorrow.

OP posts:
Saltyslug · 28/03/2021 21:39

Safeguarding

KatyLovesKats · 28/03/2021 22:24

Hello Pebble

If you can, try and practise some audio typing before you go to the interview as there may be a typing test. The Trust I work for still uses transcription machines and audio cassettes ... and you will feel less nervous if you've used one of these machines (or at least done some audio typing before).

In addition to the really good examples people have given here, I'd say just prepare the usual things - tell us a bit about yourself, strengths, weaknesses, teamworking, confidentiality (never discuss a patient's case with anyone except the pt), prioritising workload, managing change, managing stress, dealing with upset/frustrated callers - and link your STAR answers back to the values of the Trust (e.g. I listened patiently to the caller because understanding is one of our core values).

Good luck!

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 29/03/2021 09:59

Thank you that's really helpful :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Pebbledashery · 31/03/2021 11:18

Got my first interview this afternoon - so nervous!! been preparing since Monday - feel like if I put anymore information in my brain I will forget everything!

OP posts:
RhapsodyandAshe · 31/03/2021 11:46

Good luck for this afternoon!

FinallyHere · 31/03/2021 11:49

Congratulations and good luck.

You can't go wrong approaching it in a spirit of curiosity: would you like this job, would it be a good good match for what you want to do?

ArianaDumbledore · 31/03/2021 11:51

Good luck

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 31/03/2021 16:01

SO.................
Today has been an interesting day.
Had interview 1... an hour later got a call saying they want me to have a 1:1 with the person they thought I'd be a good match to be EA - turns out the person they've matched me to has a similar background to what I come from prior to becoming a clinician! - he said based on the conversation he would offer me the job on the spot.
They've just called and i've been offered the EA role...

I've just said I need a day just to look over the contract and think about when I can hand my notice in because my boss is on annual leave now...

EEEK - wasn't expecting this today!!

OP posts:
ATowelAndAPotato · 31/03/2021 16:03

Ahh that’s fantastic news! Well done! Make sure you have that contract signed before you hand your notice in Smile

Swipe left for the next trending thread