Which of these 2 candidates would you choose for GP receptionist job?

[CheesySprouts]

In a very large and very busy surgery with complex and challenging patient demographic.

Candidate A:
Early-mid 50s
NHS experience albeit not in GP surgery
Very very nervous in interview (although self aware of this and assured she enjoys a laugh with colleagues etc once feels more at ease)
Seems quiet/meek (concerned might be overwhelmed by the role)
Life experience is a plus

Candidate B:
Early 20s
No direct experience but transferable customer service skills
Enthusiastic/bright/actively seeking role in NHS as wants rewarding job involving helping people.
Lack of life experience. Poss wee bit idealistic (might also be overwhelmed by role)

A or B?

Probably A because of their experience and increased likelihood to stick around.

A

A

A

A

Probably A but that's on paper. Trust your gut if you were in the room with them.

Don't you do competency or value based recruitment so it comes down to their answers?

I absolutely love nurturing young talent, but I'd say A

The person who connects best with the public- many of whom are usually really annoyed at being fobbed off, disregarded and ignored or otherwise treated shabbily. Or is that just my GP surgery.

A

A . Gp receptionists need to be calm and keep a cool head under a lot of pressure. A ‘quiet’ person will do this successfully. A also has nhs experience so knows the pressures staff face.

The person whose interview answers scored highest, obviously.

Neither if you think both will be overwhelmed.

Did you not get any candidates with direct experience? It is not a role for the feint hearted.

If it has to be one of those then I’d chose A.

A

This.
You can’t base your hiring decisions on an online poll FFS.

Candidate B

Your candidate A can't be nervous and meek in an NHS, patient facing role! It's not a good mix

Also, bit strange that you are in charge of hiring someone yet you feel the need to mention their name as the very first thing. Seems like age related bias to me

A ,
I am all for giving inexperienced people a chance but a GP receptionist needs to know how to handle potential emergency situations.

I know it's not always practical but could you get them both ( on different days ) to shadow tour current receptionist and get him /her to keep a back seat unless needed ?
I appreciate gdpr / dbs check up may make this a nonstarter

B. A GP receptionist who is meek and mild will be torn apart..

A. Their quieter nature would hopefully
mean they stay calm under pressure.

Their quiet and meek nature means they will be eaten alive by some patients.

Are you the one making this decision? I'm worried you haven't done this fairly. Who did best in the interview? I don't think your feed back can be "sorry you didn't get it - mumsnet chose another candidate"

B
I think you need a variety of people in a receptionist role.
GP reception is the hardest job in the practice.

B

Seeing as you'll be wanting them to turn up, rain or shine, make do with bugger all in the way of pay, deal with people all the time and not bugger off within nine months to a hospital role where they might get something resembling progression (and a far better salary) - you'll be better off with the older candidate who has experience and despite that still wants to work in the NHS.

B

But why on earth are you posting this here!!?