Hello and congratulations on being offered an interview!
Hello and congratulations on being offered an interview!
You’ve done so well to get an interview with a hospital. So that you stand the best chance of being offered a job, we’ve compiled an interview preparation pack. Filled with essential information, we have aimed to cover all types of questions used in interviews. Please take the time to decide which parts are relevant to you in the days before your interview so that you feel prepared, confident and armed with the information you need to succeed.
As always, if you have any concerns, please speak to your dedicated Recruitment Advisor. Remember – we have years of experience helping Doctors pass interviews so if you have any questions, or are unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask as I’m sure we will have come across your query before.
I wish you the best of luck at your interview.
Trushar Patel
Head of Permanent and International Recruitment
ID Medical Group Limited
Important things to help you prepare
Download our Complete GuidePreparing for video interviews
With video interviews becoming more common during hiring, not being prepared can easily keep you out of the running.
While meeting via video is a time saver, getting past the technological barriers of not speaking face-to-face can be difficult. Be sure you’re prepared and use video to your advantage, using our step-by-step guide below:
10 top tips for video interview success
1. Look at the camera, not the screen
It can be confusing, but when you’re looking at your monitor it actually makes the interviewer feel as if you’re looking away. Instead, try to look directly at the video camera you’re using for your interview. And although you’re not making eye contact in the traditional sense, this is the way that the interviewer perceives that you’re looking straight ahead.
2. Be aware of interruptions
It can be easy to forget to turn off a phone or not warn family members to give you some privacy. Have a plan for whatever distractions you have in your house, including children and animals.rnrn
3. Practice in front of a mirror
During the interview, you can see yourself in the video camera, which can be startling if you’ve never seen yourself speak. It’s important to get familiar with your own facial expressions when you talk. It also gets rid of some of the camera shyness.rnrn
4. Mind the background
Your surroundings can say a lot about how you’ve prepared for the interview, so it’s important to think about your background. Shoot your video against a blank wall or a one-colour background. Clear clutter off your desk, and check there is nothing distracting or untidy in the background. Think about the light source – you don’t want too much glare or dark shadows.
5. Conduct a mock interview
Being comfortable with the technology prevents the added stress from a technical malfunction. Find a person you trust and use Skype or other video conferencing software to conduct a mock interview. You’re bound to make mistakes, so it’s best to practice with someone who can provide honest feedback.rnrn
6. Test audio and video
Just because your laptop has a built-in video camera and microphone, it doesn’t mean the quality is good enough. Instead, test out the video and audio capabilities on your computer and decide whether you need to buy a headset with a microphone or an attachable video camera.
7. Avoid patterned clothing
Wear a smart shirt or blouse. Avoid patterns such as florals or bright stripes as they can be distracting on screen. Clothing can distract the interviewer from the information conveyed during the conversation, so it’s important to plan your outfit carefully.rnrn
8. Add extra enthusiasm
Any news announcer will tell that your reactions translate differently when on-screen, so it’s important to compensate with extra enthusiasm and concise answers. Additionally, speak succinctly and clearly, and try not to rush your answers.
9. Think about angles
If you are using a mobile phone, make sure it is in a secure holder and the camera is at eye level.rnrn
10. Check the connection
Check the Wi-Fi signal in the place that you intend to do the interview. Some public places say they have Wi-Fi, but often, the signal won’t support video-conferencing. If you can stream a video without buffering, you should be able to conduct a online video call (the NHS often use Skype). Also, make sure your device is logged in and you are familiar with Skype itself.
Dealing with interview nerves
Whether you’re going for your first or thirty-first interview, nerves are something that affect us all. Your interviewers will understand this, but there are ways to lessen the symptoms and help ensure that you are able to give your best.
The night before
- Be sure that you know the time of the interview and you have given yourself plenty of time to get your equipment set up and tested.
- Lay out your chosen interview outfit so it is ready for you in the morning.
- Try to take some time before bed to unwind and ensure you get an early night.
The morning of the interview
- Try to eat some breakfast! This will help to settle your nerves. You may wish to have one last look at literature relating to your interview, but don’t try to cram – you have prepared already.
- Employ logic to beat nervous thoughts; any interview question should be treated exactly as you would treat a job situation, because that’s exactly what the question represents.
You’re doing the interview because you know your job, and because you have the skills and experience required
Understanding the NHS
The NHS is the UK’s National Healthcare Service. Launched over 70 years ago, the NHS is the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system and the world’s largest, publicly funded health service.
It was created out of the ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, irrespective of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, belief or religion. Crucially, the NHS remains free at the point of use for UK residents (with the exception of charges for certain prescriptions/optical/dental services).
The NHS is based on three core principles:
- That it meets the needs of everyone
- That it be free at the point of delivery
- That it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay
These principles are based on a strong foundation; that the needs and preferences of individual patients, their families and carers is paramount, whilst continuously identifying and improving services.
Other important information:
The NHS Key Facts:
- Employs more than 1.7 million people
- Is the third biggest employer in the world, and the fifth largest
- Deals with over 1 million patients every 36 hours
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (devolved administrations) run their local NHS services separately.
Primary care services provide the primary basis for NHS contact and is the local healthcare that UK citizens receive from GPs and NHS walk-in centres.
Secondary (or ‘acute’) care is the healthcare that people receive in hospital. It may be unplanned emergency care or surgery, or planned specialist medical care or surgery that has been referred by a GP. As a healthcare professional, you will be working for a secondary care provider and will be known as an ‘Acute Care provider’.
Why choose us
Framework Approved
As a leading national on-framework provider, we hold preferred supplier contracts with over 95% of UK hospitals for the provision of Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health/Health Science, International and Primary Care Staff.
High Calibre Candidates
Our active database has a large number of compliant Healthcare Professionals and is expanding every day. Our industry leading Compliance Team and National Road Team engage with Healthcare Professionals to get them ready for work as soon as possible – and keep them up-to-date.
Compliance Audit Score
Our Compliance is rated platinum, with a 98% audit score.
ID Medical Academy
The ID Medical Academy offers a wide range of exclusively discounted, CPD-accredited courses, including clinical and non-clinical courses and IELTS training.
Awards & Accolades
Frameworks & Accreditations
