Interviews can be stressful, but the best way to overcome the fear and stress is to prepare well for an interview. The NHS interview process is no different. You will be facing a panel of interviewers. They will ask you questions about yourself, work experience, and situational questions. Here are a few frequently asked questions with answers in an NHS interview.
Q1. Tell us about yourself
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Like any other interview, the NHS interviewer will start the interview by asking you the same question. The organisation wants to know about you, your dreams, education and work experience. The interviewer is checking if all the information you provide about yourself is in inline with the job role.
There is no right or wrong answer. However, don’t give a long detailed answer. Try to answer this question in one to two sentences. Keep it brief.
Example answer: I have worked in the healthcare sector for three years. I have learnt a lot and have developed skills that help me put it into practice. My last job has helped me level up further and given me a lot of exposure. I can work under pressure and provide patients with the best suitable treatment. I take pride in what I bring to the table and am currently looking for an organisation that values these skills and allows me to make a positive impact.
Q2. Where do you see yourself in five years?
This question can be tricky, but there is nothing to worry about. When answering this question, align your answer with your professional goals. It is best to be as honest as possible.
Example answer: I’m excited about this position because five years from today, I want to be working in an NHS department that will enable me to reach my full potential. I want to grow and develop my skills. I think this job role will help me expand my responsibilities.
Q3. List the qualities that would make you a great candidate to work in the NHS
The interviewer is looking for crucial qualities that make you a good candidate for the job role. So make sure you answer this question carefully.
Example answer: I have qualities that will make me a good fit for this job. First and foremost, I can work in stressful environments to provide the best service possible. I am empathetic, compassionate, and hardworking. I do my best to provide each individual with the best treatment irrespective of the individual’s background.
Q4. How do you deal with pressure?
As a healthcare professional at the NHS, you will be under pressure and have to come across stressful situations. Your interviewer wants to know if you are someone who can work under pressure. Just answering the question with yes will not suffice. Your interviewer will ask you to give an example.
Example answer: While I was completing my Nursing degree, I had taken up a job at the time. I was under pressure, and there were days it would get a bit stressful, as I would have to juggle work and studies. Thankfully, I work fine under pressure, but to deal with this situation better, I came up with a plan to complete my projects and course and get some time off.
Q5. Why do you want to work in the NHS?
First, you should go through the NHS values to answer this question. This will help you get an idea of how to frame your answer. Talk about how passionate you are about patient care and looking to work at an organisation that will help you grow in your expertise and provide patients with better care.
Example answer: I have always wanted to work with the NHS as the healthcare system provides its employees with different pieces of training to help employees develop their skills and rise in their careers. I have heard how the NHS nurses have an outstanding work-life balance and job stability, which are essential for a good life.
Q6. How do you manage conflict at work?
Working in the NHS can be stressful. Not to mention, everyone will be working under pressure. This can often lead to conflicts. However, these conflicts shouldn’t affect the patients and the quality of treatment provided.
Example answer: I had a few people reporting to me in my previous organisation. Initially, it was all going fine, but I felt too much tension among these two team members later on. I called both the team members for a quick chat to understand what was wrong. I asked both to openly talk about their problem so that we can resolve it at the earliest possible and have a friendly working environment again. Both spoke up openly, and we figured there was a slight misunderstanding. This helped the team to work better together and provide the best service.
You will also be asked clinical scenario questions related to your expertise, apart from the above questions. You will be given hypothetical clinical scenarios and asked how you will manage this situation.
We hope this blog helps you and gives you the confidence to attend the NHS interview for a nursing career abroad.
