Band 5 Interviews preparation and effective use of Interview Feedback

Published: 01/11/2021

Updated: 09/12/2021

These are my hints and tips for preparing for rotational Band 5 interviews at an acute trust. 

Disclaimer: I applied to Rotational Band 5 physiotherapy jobs at University Hospitals or Teaching Hospitals only as this was the right career choice for me, but this information can be useful for acute trust and will have transferrable tips for community trusts.

This blog post has 7 small sections:

1. The different interview types
2. Interview preparation
3. The interview day
4. What to do after an interview
5. Interview feedback and how to use it effectively
6. Hints and tips for interviews
7. Useful preparation resources

Interview types

Broadly speaking there are two types of interviews, clinical scenarios and values-based interviewing. Clinical scenarios test your clinical reasoning and knowledge whereas values based-interviewing looks at the values you demonstrate in your practice.

Examples

• Tell me about a time you had a conflict and how you dealt with it
• Tell me about a time where you positively supported the team or a team member
• Tell me about a time when you provide a positive contribution to your peers or a service

Approach these questions by first setting then describing your actions (if there is time expand upon why you did what you did and what you would do differently).

Interview preparation

Getting to know you questions

Here are some example questions to use to prepare:

• Tell me about yourself (think sales pitch, describe your best qualities)
• Why did you decide to study physiotherapy?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• What can you offer the trust?
• Tell me how you deal with stress?
• Tell me how you will make the most out of rotations at this trust?

Clinical scenarios

Before starting to prepare, research the types of rotations the trust will offer you (e.g. MSK, respiratory, neurological etc) as this will provide you will ideas of what scenarios they could ask you about at the interview. 

Preparation tip: structure your answers based upon assessment, management and your clinical reasoning for your management decisions

Below are the conditions I used to prepare for the following rotations...

Trauma and Orthopaedics

• Total hip replacement
• Total knee replacement

Respiratory

• COPD
• Pneumonia
• COVID-19

Neurological

• Stroke 
• Brain Injuries

Elderly

• Distal Radius Fracture
• Fractured Neck of Femur (NOF)

Values-based interviewing

To prepare for this type of interview, create notes/summaries of times where you have demonstrated the trust values e.g. leadership examples, when you lead a service improvement project, dealing with conflict, how you raised team morale etc.

Refer back to the trust values as these may hint at possible values-based interview questions.

The interview day

• Prepare an interview bag the night before and bring with you a pen, paper, your interview notes (including why this trust notes) to read again prior to the interview, any course certificates or ID that you are instructed to bring to the interview and finally a water bottle (as you will get thirsty from all the talking)
• Arrive 10 minutes beforehand and go to the toilet before the interview
• Read through any questions or scenarios you struggle to remember the answer to before the interview
• Take deep breaths to calm your nerves --> breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 2 then exhale for 4 seconds and repeat 3 to 5 times
• Remind yourself that "you can only do your best and that is all you can do!"
• Have pre-prepared end of interview questions that you would like to ask the interviewers e.g. "what do you love/enjoy about working here?, What is the in-service training programme at this trust like?
• Before the interview starts, say that it is nice to meet the interviews after they have introduced themselves
• At the end of the interview thank the interviews for inviting you to the interview

After an Interview

• Note down the questions and scenarios you were asked (or take the sheet of paper you used for the interview if you are allowed)
• Reflect upon what went well (WWW) and how you could prepare better or improve going forward
• Use these notes from the interview and your reflection to provide a focus to your interview preparation
• Go for a walk to burn off any remaining adrenaline that is going through your system

Interview feedback

• Firstly, hardly anyone is successful at their first interview so do not be disappointed
• Always ask for feedback when you are unsuccessful at the interview 
• Come prepared to the feedback call with specific questions you would like answering
• Listen to the person giving the feedback and note down as much as you can
• If the feedback is vague, ask probing questions e.g. what gave you the impression that I was ... , please would you expand upon how I could improve my interview technique. 
• Keep these feedback notes and use them to improve your interview preparation going forward

Hints and tips

• Remember you are not expected to know everything, be honest about when you would seek assistance or ask specific questions
• Some clinical scenario questions will be asked to see how you think and approach the question --> the interview will answer any questions you have about the case, so don't be afraid to ask
• Keep calm and relaxed (you will perform better this way)
• Remember they want you to want them as much as you want the job
• Know the trust values or mission
• Know what specialist areas the trust provides e.g. major trauma centre or best UK centre for brain injury rehabilitation

Useful resources

• Physiopedia (provides an overview of specific topics and is a great place to start)
• Clinical Physio Handbooks and Webinars
• The Physiotherapist's Pocketbook (great for red flags)
• James Armstrong YouTube Channel