The Student Guidance Centre

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The Student Guidance Centre

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Nursing Talk

• Workshop on
• Application Forms and Interview Technique

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Fidelma Dynan

• Careers, Employability and Skills
• f.dynan_at_qub.ac.uk

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Marketing Yourself on
Paper

• Preparation
• Make a copy of the Application Form first.
  Practice on this form.
• Before completing form make a list of the
  following

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• Preparation
• Academic achievements (Research projects?)
• -Clinical placements/ work experience
• -Prizes, awards
• -Responsibilities
• -Voluntary work/Extra curricular
  activities

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Application Form

• Read all instructions first
• Complete ALL questions. If not applicable, write
  N/A.
• N.B. Include qualifications pending and
  professional body information.
• 2 Referees (1 academic.) Seek permission first
  from referees. Can they confirm your nursing
  skills?
• Complete all sections of form including Equal
  Opportunities section/Criminal offences.

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Getting Started

• Study the Personnel Job Specifications.
• Skills sought
• Communication skills
• Professional integrity
• Teamwork skills
• Organisational skills

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• Key Question-Final Section
• Additional Information
• Please include any other information which may be
  relevant to this application, detailing how you
  meet each of the criteria as outlined in the
  personnel specification

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• Key Points
• A ccurate information/spelling/grammar
• B e succinct. Keep to the point.
• C larity-express yourself clearly and logically.
• Always read the Job/Personnel Specifications

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Application Form

• Guidelines
• Match your skills/knowledge and qualities to the
  Job Personnel Specifications. Note the
  Essential Criteria.
• Make sure you address each bullet point in your
  response. Use the STAR approach.
• Identify clearly what you can offer. Make it easy
  for selection panel to shortlist you!

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Review

• Read form on completion
• Have you fully addressed the points on the
  Job/Personnel specifications? Provided evidence?
• Have you been positive about your skills?
• Have you missed any section? (Adult/ Childrens
  branch/Equal Opportunities/POCVA Check)
• Spelling /grammar?
• Ask someone else to check the form.

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• S T A R
• S ituation
• T ask
• A ction
• R esult

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• Application Form
• N.B.
• Keep a copy of your form. You will need this for
  interview preparation!
• Be prepared to discuss the content of your form
  at interview.

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• Interview Preparation
• Revise your Application form/CV to refresh your
  memory and prepare for questions.
• Read the Job and Personnel specifications.
• Revise KSF.
• Anticipate questions based on all of the above
  and prepare responses.

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Interviews

• R esearch
• A nticipate
• P repare

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• Interview Technique
• Be punctual.
• Dress smartly. Appearance is important.
• SMILE!!- Helps you and panel to relax.
• Remember non-verbal signals.
• (Dont fidget/slouch/fold arms).

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• Interview Technique
• Make eye contact with panel/interviewer.
• Speak clearly. Dont mumble or speak too quickly.
• Questions largely competency/skills based.
• Panel are seeking to determine how you meet the
  criteria.

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• S T A R
• Describe the situation. Place it in context.
  Where were you?
• What tasks did you have to perform? Give a clear
  picture to the interviewer of your role. This
  will help to explain your actions.
• What did you do specifically? Be concise in your
  explanations. What was the result?
• What was the result? What were the learning
  outcomes?

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• Interview Technique
• Structure your answer. (STAR)
• Be concise but not TOO short.
• Take time to answer. Reflect and think.
• Seek clarification if necessary.
• Try to give evidence or examples in your answers.

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• Interview Questions
• These are criteria-based plus
• Want to know your skills/ strengths.
• Your personality (what you would be like as a
  colleague).
• What makes you stand apart (why should they
  choose you?).
• Why do you want to work for them? (Talk about
  placement experience).

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• Transferable Skills
• Problem-solving skills/clinical appraisal of
  patient needs.
• Practical skills.
• Persuasive approach.
• Commitment to lifelong learning

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• Possible Questions
• What are the procedures if a relative makes a
  complaint?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

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• Possible Questions
• Give an example of when youve worked as part of
  a team.
• Scenarios
• What would you do if you discovered a drug error
  had been made?
• How would you deal with an elderly patient who
  has fallen out of bed?

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Final Points

• Preparation is key!
• Anticipate questions
• Practice your interview responses
• Revise your form and the job description
• Know your KSF
• Good luck!