Interview tips/advice

[sweetfairy]

Have an interview next week for a band 4 administrative job in nhs.

Not worked for 3 years since having DD. Not had an interview for 16 years and I know im going to be so nervous because I want This job so much.

Any advice

Watching as I have interview this week

Be yourself! They will have in mind already the type of person they want before the interview, if you fit then great if not try another.
Come across keen, enthusiastic and willing. Dress smart. Don't ask questions related to time off etc you can find out later but definitely ask one/two questions at the end, even ones like when would you be looking for someone to start?

Also don't worry about being nervous, ive interviewed 100s people and if they are not even a little bit nervous it shows me that they don't care about the job!

prep your answers to predictable questions, prep a question yourself, be friendly, positive demeanour, and listen to them! play to your strengths eg if you're friendly then a SMALL amount of chat about the weather or whatever is OK, ask them something about themselves to show you're interested....goooood luck. I just got a job after 2 interviews, first one unsuccessful as I was floored straight off by a killer question. So with hindsight I'd identify any mis matches with the jd and your skills/experience just in case they do that to you!

glass of water can buy you precious thinking time oooh also if on zoom then notes are a must as they can't see your statements or whatever you've written. it this will probs we face 2 face

Try the star technique to answer situation based questions. Don't be afraid of asking them to repeat the question. Use the glass of water they provide to slow yourself down and have a think if required. Look on their trust HR page and see if their trust has a page of set interview questions- the trust I currently work for does and the interview panel have to take 2 questions from the three sections. Look at the JD and think about examples you can give where you match the qualities they're after.

Good luck!

Yup to the star method - situation, task, approach, result. It just works.

Practice the basic sorts of warm up questions (tell us about yourself; why do you want this job) and think of examples for the other things listed under essential criteria.

Ale sure you know where the interview is and how long it will take to get there. Arrive early and wait outside or have a coffee if it’s too early.
As a question at the end ..my stock one is .. what keeps you working here (response is always Good question then they waffle on for ages )

Just try and see it as a chat about a job-a two way thing rather than a scary interview. That way you can be more natural and yourself. That's worked well for me in the past.

Smile
Drink water
Be smart and neat etc