Interview hints and tips

Before the Interview

Prepare for interview questions:

• Read the job description and person specification. 
• Check that you understand everything. 
• Write down any questions you need to ask. 
• Prepare a range of examples from your own experiences, to highlight how you meet the skills and competences of this role. 

Make contact with the recruiting manager:  

• Do contact the Recruiting Manager prior to your interview, if you there is anything you do not understand or would like more information about for the role.  

Do your research:  

• It is important to be show you are familiar with the Trust and any latest news. 
• This will give you a good understanding of any new developments related to the role you are being interviewed for.

Familiarise yourself with the roles base location:  

• We recommend familiarising yourself with the area and roles base location.
• Some of our hospital and site locations are very large providing a variety of services.   

Look the part: 

• Looking the part for an interview helps to form a positive first impression with your interview panel. 
• We recommend dressing appropriately by wearing smart office wear, for both in person and video interview calls.

Prepare questions to ask the interview panel when offered the chance:  

• Asking questions helps to show your genuine interest in the role. 
• It highlight's that you have done your research.
• The interview is your chance to find out whether this is the role for you. 
• Make sure to ask any questions you may have about the role, the Trust, the department, working arrangements, projects and plans, or development opportunities.
• Be careful not to ask for information that has already been provided or discussed during the interview.

During the Interview

Engage with the panel - It is important to engage with all of the members of the interview panel, despite which member asked the question you are answering.

Be clear - Speak clearly and be concise in your responses.

Sell yourself – Give real examples of how you have achieved positive outcomes. It is important to use ‘I’ rather than ‘we’ in your examples. This will confirm it is your personal contribution.  

Be aware of your body language – Using positive body language helps to portray a good impression. It shows the panel that you are interested in the role and engaged with the interview. Try to avoid slouching or touching your face.  Instead, smile, listen, and maintain good eye contact.

Video Interviews

Test your technology:

• Give yourself enough time before the interview to check that everything is in working order.
• We recommend testing your microphone and speakers, and ensuring your technology has enough battery to last the duration of the call.

Test the lighting:

• Lighting is extremely important in a video interview call. 
• If the lighting is too dark or too bright, then the interview panel will not be able to see your face.
• Test the lighting prior to the call, and adjust accordingly.

Check your surroundings:

• Before the interview, turn on the camera to view what is in the background of the shot.
• We recommend finding an area with a blank wall behind you, to limit any distractions.

Minimise interruptions:

• Make sure you are in a quiet area where you are unlikely to be interrupted.
• Try to be in a separate room with a closed door to limit any distracted during the interview.

Joining the interview:

• You will be invited to join the interview with an email containing a Microsoft Teams link.
• If you have the Microsoft Teams Windows app, you can join the interview via the app.  Alternatively, you can join via your browser instead.