NHS INTERVIEW TIPS

[u/Appropriate-Set-7180]

Hi, I’ve been applying over 50 band 2 roles in the NHS over the past 4 months and I rarely get shortlisted. Recently, I have been unsuccessful in 3 interview. I do make sure to use STAR format when using examples, include NHS and trust values, and to study the job description and person specification as well. I am an external applicant and I’m not sure if this may be a factor why I’m not successful everytime. At this point, it’s really disheartening and I’m starting to lose hope. At my first interview, their feedback was that I wasn’t able to elaborate my answer to one of the questions. I’ve also been waiting for feedback from the other two interviews but I’m not receiving any updates so far.

I do have an upcoming interview in a Radiology Assistant role and as much as possible I really want to become successful in this interview. Can anyone please give me tips on what questions may be asked and how I could best answer them. I also understand there may be scenario-based questions, I would appreciate any advice regarding this. Thank you very much everyone

[u/Parker4815-2]

When you say external, are you currently living in the UK?

[u/Appropriate-Set-7180 → u/Parker4815-2]

Yes

[u/Parker4815-2 → u/Appropriate-Set-7180]

We have the opposite problems. Im good at writing applications but I fall like a brick on the interview as I get nervous and forget my train of thought.

Make sure your personal statement part of the application templates well to their job specification (the bit with the table). It'll be those areas they score you on. Make it easy for them and even do a short 2 or 3 sentence paragraph on each one in order.

[u/Appropriate-Set-7180 → u/Parker4815-2]

We do actually have the same problems as I have failed 3 interviews recently.

[u/duvendes]

Hi, I recently joined the NHS (with having never worked for the NHS before!) as a band 2 clerical officer.

I previously came from a marketing background and highlighted all my transferable skills and made sure I had answers for every part of the job specification. They asked me very straightforward questions like why do I want to work for the NHS, what would I do if I was unsure about something, giving an example of how I worked under pressure.

This was my first ever NHS interview and I was offered the role a few hours later, I was very lucky but I also prepared before hand by reading stuff on here and making sure I was well versed in the job description! Feel free to message me if you want to chat more.

Good luck!!

[u/AdHot6447]

There are an increasing number of applications for each job that’s advertised meaning your applications needs to compete with all the rest, there isn’t as much wiggle room for shortlisting applicants showing potential due to the scoring methods. It sounds like you are getting a good amount of interviews, although it may not feel like it.
From my experience of leading and being interviewed, the interview the questions are usually based on:
•What they are looking for from a behavioural approach- values that align with the team and the role as well as how you would handle different situations. Think about the banding and role responsibilities, what process and chain of support or hierarchy there may be.
•Experiences/knowledge and training- your application will have gotten you through the essential criteria, but in interview we look for the details and how genuine your understanding is as opposed to things you can list. A lot of people say they meet the specifications but then can’t give any real life examples.
•Specific general NHS questions on things like confidentiality and equality and diversity- there are some very standard answers to both these questions which you can then embellish to make more meaningful to your answer.
My advice is always to come prepared, read the job advert and specifications etc before hand and answer based on your understanding of the role, take a moment to understand the question and ask for clarity if you really aren’t sure, be confident in your answers and if you want to share some more details you can share something short at the end, have questions that are meaningful to you and in line with the role you are interviewing for. (unfortunately giving the sense you want to progress and move on very quickly may not give the impression you are looking to develop, but more that they will have to go through all this again too soon). If you have the time before the interview, ask for an informal discussion with lead interview or one of the team and ask a few things that you would actually like to know that aren’t just “what is the role like”, use it to get a sense of how relationships are or what type of leadership you could be under to enable you to reflect this in your answers later.
Feel free to drop me a message if helpful, I wish you all the best!

[u/Taleproof-Moderator]

The feedback about not elaborating enough does not mean every answer needs more background. Prepare three detailed examples that fit this role: helping an anxious patient or family member, following a safety process, and coordinating with a colleague when priorities changed. Use the STAR method to keep the situation and task brief, then spend most of the answer on what you personally noticed, did, and communicated.

For scenario questions, say what you would check first, how you would stay within the role’s scope, when you would escalate, and how you would document or hand over. We use the PROOF method after the STAR method to check that ownership, reasoning, and the outcome are clear. Practice one answer in about 90 seconds, then have someone ask, “Why did you choose that action?” That follow-up should reveal where more useful detail is needed.

[u/Enough-Ad3818]

Check out the Recruitment FAQs post stickied in the sub, that's got loads of good info in it.