Interview Skills

Preparation for interviews

Understand the importance of researching the organisation or role you are interviewing for, such as its values, principles, and the details of the job role.
Highlight the necessity of practicing common interview questions and preparing thoughtful answers based on your experiences and skills.
Acknowledge the value of preparing questions to ask at the end of the interview, to display your interest in the role.
Realise the importance of presentation and dressing appropriately for your interview, demonstrating your professionalism.

During the Interview

Realise the value of first impressions, including arriving on time, being friendly, and making positive body language.
Understand the importance of actively listening to questions, taking a moment to think about your response before you start speaking.
Recognise the need to express confidence, speaking clearly, maintaining eye contact, and remaining calm under pressure.
Know the significance of being honest and authentic, making sure your responses reflect who you are and what you can contribute.

After the Interview

Understand the importance of showing gratitude, which can be a thank you email or note, showing your appreciation for the interview opportunity.
Talk about the importance of follow up, by asking for feedback whether or not you were successful in your interview, to identify areas for improvement.
Be aware of reflection on your interview experience, identifying what went well and what could be improved for future interviews.

Handling Tough Interview Questions

Be ready to answer behavioural questions, which require you to draw on past experiences to demonstrate your skills and abilities.
Recognise the importance of answering technical questions, pertaining to your knowledge in health and social care.
Understand how to handle scenario-based questions, where you would need to describe what you would do in a given situation.
Know the need to tackle personality and interest questions, which allow the interviewer to know more about your character and motivations.