Firstly, research and learn about NHS Tayside and the post you have applied for. You could have an informal conversation with people you know who work for NHS Tayside or the Recruiting Manager, who’s contact information will be available on the job advert. Try to establish what the interview will involve ensuring you are prepared.
Re-read your application, job description and person specification to have a full understanding of the post you are interviewing for.
If a presentation is required, as part of your interview, make sure it is completed in plenty of time and practice beforehand. If you are required to email your presentation, ask the Recruiting Manager to confirm your presentation is compatible with our systems. Prepare paper copies of your presentation, in case anything goes wrong during your interview.
Full preparation will increase your confidence for your interview.
If you have a disability or require a reasonable adjustment to be made, in order for you to attend the interview, please specify your requirements to the Recruiting Manager or Recruitment Team.
Requested Information
Review what items you have been requested to bring to your interview in your invite to interview email i.e. Right to Work documentation, certificates, membership information, driving license.
Plan your Journey
If your interview is being held in person at an NHS Tayside site, we would recommend planning your journey, taking a ‘dummy run’ or researching how long your journey will take before the day of your interview.
If you are travelling by car and are looking to park on site, please be mindful parking on many NHS sites can be difficult so, allow extra time for securing a suitable parking space.
If travelling by public transport, research bus routes and timetables. Try to have an alternative means of travel – being prepared for the unexpected.
Preparing and Attending for an Interview
Preparing for your interview
Attending your Interview
On the day of your interview, give yourself enough time to get ready, travel to your interview and have all relevant documents with you.
Aim to arrive about 10 minutes early for your interview and report to the department as detailed in your invite to interview email. Its natural to feel nervous, try and relax to keep calm.
The length of your interview will depend on the post you have applied for and the methods used to select the right candidate for the post i.e. work related assessments, presentations.
You will usually be interviewed by a panel of two or more interviewers, who will ask questions relating to the role and the requirements needed to be successful in post.
The interview is also your chance to find out as much as possible about working for NHS Tayside and about the job, therefore feel free to ask questions you may have at the end of the interview. . This will enable you to decide whether it is the role right for you.
Aim to arrive about 10 minutes early for your interview and report to the department as detailed in your invite to interview email. Its natural to feel nervous, try and relax to keep calm.
The length of your interview will depend on the post you have applied for and the methods used to select the right candidate for the post i.e. work related assessments, presentations.
You will usually be interviewed by a panel of two or more interviewers, who will ask questions relating to the role and the requirements needed to be successful in post.
The interview is also your chance to find out as much as possible about working for NHS Tayside and about the job, therefore feel free to ask questions you may have at the end of the interview. . This will enable you to decide whether it is the role right for you.
After your Interview
As soon as your interview is over, it is a good idea to go over the interview while it is still fresh in your mind. You can ask yourself:
• What questions did I answer positively?
• Did I answer all questions in full, providing relevant examples?
• Did I highlight all of my strengths and share my experiences?
• Is there anything I wish I shared with the Recruiting Manager?
After the interview, the Recruiting Manager and interview panel members will review all interview assessments to identify the successful candidate.
Successful
Congratulations! You are the successful candidate and if you wish to accept the verbal offer of employment, we will email you a conditional offer of employment and start your pre-employment checks which include:
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Occupational Health Clearance
• References
• PVG or Standard Disclosure check (where applicable)
• Verification of Registration (where applicable)
Once your pre-employment checks are complete, your recruiting manager will arrange a suitable start date with you and only at this stage would we advise to resign from your current employment. A contract of employment will be processed for you and state your agreed start date.
Unsuccessful
There might have been a high volume of applications for the post therefore, do not take it personally if you are unsuccessful this time. You will receive an email confirming the outcome of your interview details and you are welcome to request interview feedback from the Recruiting Manager. This could be useful for improving any future interviews you attend.
Reserve Candidate
Where you have been unsuccessful for a post but have interviewed at a high standard, our Recruiting Manager may retain your application and interview on reserve (for a period of up to six months) should we be in a position to make an offer of employment, for the same post.
If you are selected as a reserve candidate, please do not delete your application for the post via your Jobtrain dashboard.
• What questions did I answer positively?
• Did I answer all questions in full, providing relevant examples?
• Did I highlight all of my strengths and share my experiences?
• Is there anything I wish I shared with the Recruiting Manager?
After the interview, the Recruiting Manager and interview panel members will review all interview assessments to identify the successful candidate.
Successful
Congratulations! You are the successful candidate and if you wish to accept the verbal offer of employment, we will email you a conditional offer of employment and start your pre-employment checks which include:
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Occupational Health Clearance
• References
• PVG or Standard Disclosure check (where applicable)
• Verification of Registration (where applicable)
Once your pre-employment checks are complete, your recruiting manager will arrange a suitable start date with you and only at this stage would we advise to resign from your current employment. A contract of employment will be processed for you and state your agreed start date.
Unsuccessful
There might have been a high volume of applications for the post therefore, do not take it personally if you are unsuccessful this time. You will receive an email confirming the outcome of your interview details and you are welcome to request interview feedback from the Recruiting Manager. This could be useful for improving any future interviews you attend.
Reserve Candidate
Where you have been unsuccessful for a post but have interviewed at a high standard, our Recruiting Manager may retain your application and interview on reserve (for a period of up to six months) should we be in a position to make an offer of employment, for the same post.
If you are selected as a reserve candidate, please do not delete your application for the post via your Jobtrain dashboard.