Interview skills

Getting ready for an interview helps you feel calm, confident and ready to do your best. When you know what might happen, it's easier to stay focused and answer questions clearly. You can also think of good questions to ask and make the most of the chance to show what you can do. After the interview, it's easier to look back and learn from it, no matter what happens next. This page has been designed to help you prepare, feel confident and get the most out of your interview.

If you have any questions, please contact our dedicated Careers Hub on dpt.careershub@nhs.net.

Before your interview

Congratulations on getting an interview! This means your application matched what the employer was looking for, and they want to learn more about you and what you could bring to the job.

Here are some helpful steps to take before your interview:

  • Make sure you've accepted the interview. Let the employer know if you need anything special, like a room that's easy to get into.
  • Find out about the organisation. Look at their website or social media to learn what they do, what they care about and what their goals are.
  • Think about calling the contact person or visiting the place. This shows you're interested and gives you a chance to ask questions about the job.
  • Ask what the interview will include. Will you need to give a talk? Who will be watching, and what should it be about? Will there be any other tasks?
  • Check if you need to bring any ID or documents.
  • Plan your journey. This helps you avoid stress on the day. Look up parking or public transport, and try to arrive 10-15 minutes early.
  • Choose what to wear. Pick something that feels comfortable but looks smart. Feeling good about how you look can help you feel more confident.
  • Bring a copy of the job advert and your application. You can look at them before the interview to remind yourself what you've said and what else you might want to mention.

During the interview

Understand the purpose - A selection process is a two-way exchange. Both you and the employer need enough information to decide if the role is right for you.

Manage your nerves - It's normal to feel nervous, and the interviewer may be too. Try breathing exercises or mindfulness to help you relax.

Show positive body language - Smile, be polite and friendly and make eye contact to show engagement.

Enter with confidence - Walk into the room confidently and wait to be invited to sit down.

Ask for clarification - If you don't hear or understand a question, it's okay to ask the interviewer to repeat or explain it.

Listen carefully - Avoid interrupting the person asking the question. Let them finish before you respond.

Engage with the whole panel - If there are several people in the room, speak to the person who asked the question and glance at others to include them.

Support your answers - Give clear responses and try to explain them with evidence, linking back to relevant past experiences.

Use professional language - Be mindful of the words you use and keep your tone respectful and professional.

Topics and questions

There are lots of different things you may be asked about:

Technical questions about the job - These are often shown by your qualifications, but many employers also ask about key topics to check what you understand. They might also ask about recent changes to see if you stay up to date with the subject.

Presentations - These are often used to check how well you communicate. If you're asked to do one, you'll probably be given the topic in advance. Make a few slides and practise your presentation several times. Bring it with you on a memory stick, or email it to the employer before the interview. It's also helpful to bring a printout and any handout slides.

In-tray exercises - These are good for showing how you make decisions. You might be asked to do a typing test, answer a budget question or complete a quiz about managing medicines. Sometimes you'll be given a situation and asked what you would do. Ask if there will be any tests when you accept the interview, so you can get ready.

Involving others - Many healthcare organisations include people who use their services, carers or someone with real-life experience in the interview process. This helps show what skills are needed for the job. Be ready for this and think about any questions you might want to ask them.

NHS values-based questions - This type of recruitment looks for people whose values and behaviour match the NHS Constitution. You might be asked to give examples of times when you showed these values, or you might be asked what you would do in certain situations. Learn about about our aims, values and vision and mission.

Competency-based questions - These focus on real experiences you've had and help show your skills and knowledge. Think of a true example, explain what you did and what happened. It's okay to say what you learned or how you might do things differently next time.

Questions for the employer - It's a good idea to prepare a few questions to ask at the end of the interview. Useful questions include:

  • Is there anything you need for the job that I haven't been able to show?
  • When and how will I hear about the result?
  • Will I be able to get feedback, and how do I ask for it?
  • What training and development opportunities are available?

At the end of the interview, thank the interviewers and shake their hand before you leave.

After the interview

Once your interview is over, take a little time to think about how it went. You might want to ask yourself:

  • What went well, and what could I improve next time?
  • Were there any questions I could have answered better?
  • Did I forget to ask anything important? If so, it's okay to contact the employer and ask now.

If you haven't heard anything after two weeks, it's fine to call and check. Sometimes mistakes happen, or the company might just be taking longer than expected, so don't worry or assume you didn't get the job.

If you don't get the job this time, use what you learned to help you do even better in your next interview.