The interview panel will usually consist of a Chairperson and one to three other members of the organisation. However, as you apply for more-senior posts, the structure may change and there may be a panel, including a consultant, and up to five members. You may be asked to complete a presentation to the panel before the traditional question and answer part of the interview begins.

Interview structure

		You will be called in to the interview room.
		At this stage you will either be asked to take a seat or make your presentation.
		The Chairperson will introduce you to the other panel members.
		If you are not going to make a presentation, the interview will begin.
		Firstly, the chairperson usually asks you tell them a little about yourself. This is designed to relax you.
		They may ask you questions based on the information you submitted to support your application.
		Then each panel member will have time allocated to ask you questions.
		At the end, you will be given the chance to ask the panel questions.
		The interviewer will give you information about the organisation.

Whether you are successful or not, ask for feedback from the organisation. It will help you in the future.

Have a practice

Test yourself or, better still, get a friend or colleague to test with some typical interview questions.

		Tell me about yourself.
		Talk me through your past 5 years
		Give me two achievements that you are most proud of.
		What are your plans for the next five years?
		What is the difference between a D grade and an E grade?
		What can you offer us?
		What are your strengths and weaknesses?
		How would a colleague describe you?
		Why do you want this position?
		How do you manage your stress?
		What do you understand about Clinical Supervision?
		How would you define evidence-based practice?
		What was the latest piece of research that you read?
		What do you see as being the qualities of a good leader?
		How do you manage your time effectively?
		What is the role of a mentor/preceptor?
		How does Clinical Governance influence our organisation?
		How do you teach in a busy unit?
		Do you think all nurses should have degrees?
		What do you understand about the audit process?
		How would you ensure that your patients receive a high quality of care?
		How would you deal with a violent-patient scenario?
		How would you manage a conflict situation/scenario?
		What is the role of …D, E etc and what does the job entail?
		How do you foresee taking on this new role?
		What difficulties can you foresee taking on this new post?
		What would you do if a doctor gave you an order that you disagreed with?
		What would you do if a doctor asked you to recruit a patient to a study and you felt they were unsuitable?
		What have you found most challenging throughout you career/training?

Here are links to two useful Web-sites on interview technique:

http://www.alec.co.uk/interview/index.htm

http://www.jobweb.org/catapult/jsguides.htm