Interview help please

[lovesunshine247]

I have been lucky enough to be invited to an interview for a Bank Medical Records Clerk at our local hospital next week after being at home for about five years.

I am already so nervous and I'm worried about my mind going totally blank so would like to be prepared as possible.

Does anyone have any ideas or advice about what they might ask please and how best to prepare?

Thank you in advance

they should have sent you their competency framework which will tell you the sorts of things you’re likely to be asked.

Confidentiality. Accuracy of filing etc. Data protection. Values. Using computer systems.

Pick 3 key things you want to leave them with.
It might be elements of your personality, it might be past experience, it might be a great idea you have about how to improve what they do.
To identify these, make sure you know about the company, and scour the job description.

Then, think about the kind of questions they are likely to ask, and plan an outline for your answers that makes sure you get your 3 key points across.

Takes research and preparation, but has never failed me yet.

Thank you for the replies.

No, unfortunately they haven't sent anything to give me any idea about what to expect on the day. I even had to book the interview electronically and the time was just allocated to me. I haven't been able to ask them any questions.

I will focus on three key things like someone has suggested and focus on and try to plan my answers the best I can.

Nothing on their website?

It has the job description on the website but I was looking for advice on how best to prepare for the interview

NHS trusts would usually have interview guidance on the website as well.

Think about what questions they wil ask. Why do you want the job / why are you suitable for the job? Time where you have made a difference? Proudest moment etc. answers do not have to be work related. If giving examples you don't need to provide intricate details. Get someone to run through some test questions so you get used to answering out loud.

They will definitely Ask you about the importance of confidentiality. Safeguarding potentially. Maybe what you think an average day would look like. and they will probably be a give an”example of question” normally about something you’d have escalated to a manager! Good luck. And wear smart clothes as if you were going to an interview even if it’s online, I’ve had people in T-shirt and dressing gowns of late 🤦🏼‍♀️

Thank you for taking time to reply back to me and your useful advice.

You have given me a good starting point

I would use the STAR technique to think of examples of where you have shown the skills and experience they are looking for: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/interview-advice/the-star-method

They might open with the 'Tell me about yourself' question. This is a good chance to give them a summary about you and you get a chance to sell yourself as having what they are looking for. A job like this they will want someone who can meet deadlines, have good attention to detail, works well in a team, communicates well, is discreet, handles confidential information, organised and methodical.

NHS interviews are competency based so they will ask you to think of a situation where you demonstrated a particular skill along the lines of...

"Tell us about a situation where you had to deal with challenging behaviour." You have to explain what happened, how you handled it, what the outcome was.

Try to think of some examples along the lines of...
When you worked in a team
When you had to deal with someone challenging
Where you had competing deadlines
What you would do if you had a patient shouting at you
If you were asked to do something that you hadn't been trained for (in the NHS it is always always not to commit yourself then double check with someone higher up the chain on course of action)
How you manage your time
What you would if someone called up about Mrs Smith and asked for details (massive confidentiality issue there so you need to check and confirm identity before you discuss details of her genital warts with some random)

My interview is this morning. I have been using the advice you have all kindly given and have been preparing my answers all week.

Have written them down, gone over them over and over. Panic has set in, I've been up since midnight and I can't remember hardly any of the answers I've prepared.

I cannot explain how badly I need and want this job and I'm so worried I'm going to blow it.

Will I be able to keep it together??

Take a deep breath and try and calm down. Have some tea and try and put yourself into a calm state. Say to yourself that if you wind yourself up, it will not help you at interview.

You are going to meet some people for an interview to see if you match what they are looking for and they are suitable for you. All you can do is your best.

Good luck💐

Remember to smile