The NHS

[Jimmy No Hands]

I've got an interview for a position in the NHS next Monday, which has quite surprised me as I submitted my application on a whim not really expecting to hear back. Just wondering if anybody has any advice, or if anybody currently works for our beloved NHS to give me some advice, or tips in general? I've only ever done two interviews, and one of those was internal anyway.

Thanks!

[louiebaby]

What is the position?

[Jimmy No Hands]

It's stock control & admin. I've done a bit of both before but I've come from hospitality so it wasn't the bread & butter of what I did.

[louiebaby]

Any interviewer is only looking for three things:

• Can you do the job?
• Will you do the job?
• Will you fit in with the team / customers?

If you can convince them that you can do the job and are hard working, they'll get the personality bit from how you are with them. All the best!

[Minel]

oh dear..... good luck with that!!!

I used to work for a company implementing automated stock control systems specifically for the NHS, if you end up in a dept where it's all done manually (most Trusts minus those who have what we sold, Omnicell, google that) you'll be in for a world of pain.

Overstocking (to avoid running out....) stuff going out of date, it was full of tales of millions of pounds sitting on shelves simply because some poor soul had to manage it all by hand.....

[Jimmy No Hands]

Well I'm not too sure of the specifics yet. I'm just hoping it's a bit of a stepping stone into a career again. Having suffered a redundancy this year my lucks been pretty rubbish since.

[Countdown]

I would suggest having a look at the "Essential and Desirable Criteria" set out in the Person Specification. My guess would be that most, if not all, of the interview questions will be related directly to this. For each criteria listed think of 2/3 questions they might ask and practice these until you are word perfect.

[The Boaby]

Jimmy No Hands said:

Well I'm not too sure of the specifics yet. I'm just hoping it's a bit of a stepping stone into a career again. Having suffered a redundancy this year my lucks been pretty rubbish since.

You want to shake that attitude right off. Think and act positively, it will make a huge difference in the interview.

[littlegreenfairy]

Have a read of the healthcare journal, find out about NHS Logistics and also there is some info on the NHS choices website (or something like that) about procurement processes.

Requisitions and stock control is a minefield in the NHS (having worked in the finance department doing a project on ordering in the NHS) but they do like good buzz words and management bullste.

Really interesting job though! Good luck!

[Jimmy No Hands]

I've thoroughly read the criteria and I'm going to write a quick mock up of possible questions and answers. Thanks fairy I will indeed check the journal! Yeah I desperately need to change my attitude, it's just been quite frustrating not hearing back from a good 85% of my applications, but this has lifted my spirits alot.

[littlegreenfairy]

Jimmy No Hands said:

I've thoroughly read the criteria and I'm going to write a quick mock up of possible questions and answers. Thanks fairy I will indeed check the journal! Yeah I desperately need to change my attitude, it's just been quite frustrating not hearing back from a good 85% of my applications, but this has lifted my spirits alot.

Being cynical, miserable and clueless will mean you'll fit in just fine

[4mo]

If they are any thing like local government interviews (which I would assume they will be) then the panel will have a pre-decided set of questions which they will ask all candidates in the same way.

Each question will have a pre-decided set of answers or relevant keywords which you will be scored on if you mention them.

This ensures all candidates are scored purely on the questions set and answers given and nothing else, so any claims for unfair discrimination can be disproved.

Doesn't always get the best candidate, but meets the "equality" criteria.

[oldbanger]

Countdown said:

I would suggest having a look at the "Essential and Desirable Criteria" set out in the Person Specification. My guess would be that most, if not all, of the interview questions will be related directly to this. For each criteria listed think of 2/3 questions they might ask and practice these until you are word perfect.

^^^ This - it also helps to shape your answers in the STAR format:

Situation - very quickly describe the situation/problem
Task - describe what needed to be done by you or your team
Action - decribe in detail what YOU did to complete the task
Result - what was the result/outcome? did it work? if not, what did you learn from it and how have you done things differently since?

Competency based interviews in the public sector are usually scored in a very formulaic way, so you need to look at the competency framework, key behaviours or person specification to get an idea of the kind of examples to practice. If any buzz words or key phrases jump out at you from these documents (e.g. prioritise, negotiate), see if you can squeeze them into your examples - it's much easier for the interviewers to pick out the fact that you are telling them how you meet/exceed the interview criteria if you emphasise it for them.

There will always be a diversity one (I find a good answer covers 7 strands and the issue of meeting people's needs e.g. see http://www.singleequality.co.uk/diversity.php ). There will often be a teamworking one, and one regarding prioritisation or working under pressure. It's often helpful to think up 6 or 7 examples, ones that ideally could be framed to cover a couple of different competencies if necessary. I find writing them out in the STAR framework on index cards helps a lot. You can take your cards into the interview if necessary - you're allowed to bring in supporting documentation (a copy of your CV or application form is also useful in case they ask you to take them through it).

Another thing I've learnt is that it's actually good to stop and think if you go can't answer a question straight away, rather than just saying any old thing just to cover the gap. You'll probably give a better answer and you'll also earn points for poise as well.

Anyway, good luck

ETA - it appears that there are now 9 strands of diversity
http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/community-and...

Edited by oldbanger on Tuesday 7th June 22:58

[Jimmy No Hands]

Thanks chaps, this is all really helpful. Looking forward to it now.

[rog007]

Can you tell us what type of NHS organisation, what rating it has and is it overspent/about to be closed/taken over by another organisation? I ask as as you know the NHS is in crisis at the moment and there is about to be massive change as it is too expensive and there are too many hospitals.