Congratulations you have got an interview

It is great to know your application has been successful, and the employer wants to meet you for an interview. Now you need to make sure you are as prepared as possible for it - which means thinking about some of the questions you are likely to be asked in advance, and getting very clear in your mind why you are right for the job.

What is the job?

This might sound obvious, but it is crucial you know as much as possible about what the position involves before the interview. Make sure you are very familiar with the person specification, as the interview panel will almost certainly use this as a guide in their questioning. And remind yourself of what you wrote in your application about how you meet the specific requirements.

If you are applying for a job in a particular sphere of work, it is a good idea to find out as much as you can about the field. For example, read up on the internet about government targets, recent developments and high-profile debates - and think about where you might stand on some of these issues. Even if it is not entirely relevant to the day-to-day requirements of the job, showing you have an interest in the wider context is important. Professional journals, Royal College websites and magazines such as the Health Service Journal would be a good place to start for this.

The same goes for finding out about the trust you will be working for. Find out what makes this particular trust different from others, and whether those differences will have an impact on your work. You can find lots of information about the different NHS trusts on the NHS Careers and NHS Choices websites.

Prepare for questions about yourself

You will, of course, be asked questions about yourself during the interview. Have a think about the ones that are most likely to come up, and write down some thoughts on how you might answer them. Here are some examples to get you started:

  • What particular strengths (and weaknesses) could you bring to the position?
  • How do you manage stress?
  • What do you like to do outside work?
  • How do you cope when there is friction or conflict within your team?

Think about questions to ask the panel

A good way to come across as confident and enthusiastic during an interview is to ask questions. However, be careful not to ask for information that has already been provided, or even discussed earlier in the interview. The important thing is to show you have been thinking about the application and the interview, rather than just ticking boxes and answering questions.

Do not forget the basics

There are some rules that apply to almost every kind of interview - but that does not make them any less important. Firstly, make sure you know how to find your way to the interview, not least because hospitals can be quite difficult to navigate. Check what time you need to be there, and be punctual. And, of course, dress appropriately, making sure that you send out the right signals about your confidence, self-discipline and judgement.

Good luck - and remember the more prepared you are, the more confident you should feel on the day. And the higher your chances of getting the job.

You may also like to read our articles on 'Difficult interview questions' and 'Managing the interview'.