NHS job application encouraging a teams meeting?

[Rewis]

I'm applying for a job at the NHS. It is a bit of a longshot but I thought this was interesting.

"Recruiting managers' contact details are provided--candidates are encouraged to arrange a short MS Teams discussion."

This jo listing is on a NHS job website and it is not an external recruiter, the email is to the trusts recruitment department.

Is this a thing? If I don't, do I shoot myself on the foot? Will they actually meet with the potentially hunreds of people who will contact them? I've never see this before where the applicant are actively encouraged to contact them. The app expires today and it is a long shot, so that's why I am not super keen to organise a meeting. I would prefere them to see if I was a good fit.

Yes informal visits and discussions are very much a thing in NHS.

Depends on the role but many NHS jobs are in shortage professions so they’re not inundated with 100s of applicants.

I can understand the hiring manager suggesting an informal meeting but I've not come across that it has been suggested for applicant to contact before they've even read your application. But interesting to know that it is normal, will keep and eye on it.

My current job is adjacent to the job I'm applying for and we had over 300 applicants to our latest specialist position (public sector). I'm going after every job with the assumption it is the same :D

Yes informal contact/visits are definitely a thing in the NHS especially at more senior levels (Band 8a, senior medical and nursing appointments). You’d certainly be expected to make contact before an interview if you were shortlisted. If you listen carefully you’ll often be told the teams priorities which will help you in the interview.

This was for a band 6 and I can understand an informal conversation before interview to see if we should have an interview. This one just said "Recruiting managers' contact details are provided--candidates are encouraged to arrange a short MS Teams discussion" and no further info. I took this as, if I send an application then I should contact them for an informal chat. That was new to me that they would want that. I'll consider contacting them for an informal teams once I've finished my application. Could be that I contact them and they'll then read my CV and go "no thanks, no need to have a chat" and they prefere doing it this way round.

Is this for a clinical job?
It’s totally normal and encouraged in NHS for clinical staff to have a discussion or visit the ward/dept in advance of even putting in an applications. It’s to make sure this is a clinical area you feel you want to work in.
Informal discussions are very much part of NHS culture

Definitely normal for nhs jobs. In fact one of the interview questions will likely be about what you have done to prepare for the job where you are basically expected to talk about it.

Not a clinical job. Support services office based job. Physical office can be any of the four offices within the trust. But I am happy to know this is something that I can expect. My bf just have had several NHS jobs for the past 20 years and never had this in the listing. Happy to hear this is a common thing and gives a nice personal touch. If this is in the listing, should I always do it? Is it the expectation and not doing it is the same as not being interested in the job?

I would always do it between being offered an interview and the actual interview date myself.

Yes if an NHS job listing says “informal discussions/visits welcome or for more information please contact…….” then always make contact.

As PP says you will get lots of information about the post which will be of use in the interview.
Good luck

Turned out to be a non-issue. I already got rejected :D

Oh no!! Sorry to hear that.
Thats very quick. Maybe they closed it early? I notice our trust often has a notice saying they may close early if they have many applications

It is still open. Something in my answers just triggered the ATS automated rejection. I am not exactly sure what (I have some guesses, but nothing super obvious). Oh well, not the first time and it won't be the last time either.
This was interesting though, I've filled a few of these and this was also a first time that they had questions about my social class.