1. The Student Guidance Centre

2. Fidelma Dynan Careers, Employability and Skills f.dynan@qub.ac.uk F.Dynan

3. Nursing Talk Workshop on Application Forms and Interview Technique F.Dynan

4. Workshop Aims: To promote awareness of Application/Interview process Objectives: Enhance understanding of completing application forms Develop Interview Skills technique F.Dynan

5. Marketing Yourself on Paper Marketing Yourself on Paper Preparation: Make a copy of the Application Form first. Practice on this form.Make a copy of the Application Form first. Practice on this form. Before completing form make a list of the following: Before completing form make a list of the following: F.Dynan

6. Preparation Experience/Clinical placements Responsibilities Academic achievements (Research projects?) Prizes/Awards Additional activities F.Dynan

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

8. Getting Started Getting Started Study the Personnel + Job Specifications. Skills sought : Communication skillsCommunication skills Professional integrityProfessional integrity Teamwork skillsTeamwork skills Organisational skillsOrganisational skills F.Dynan

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

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

11. Application Form Application Form Guidelines: Match your skills/knowledge and qualities to the Job + Personnel Specifications. Note the Essential Criteria.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. 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!Identify clearly what you can offer. Make it easy for selection panel to shortlist you! F.Dynan

12. S T A R S ituationS ituation T askT ask A ctionA ction R esultR esult F.Dynan

14. Key Question Final Question on Form Additional Information Section: 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 specificationPlease 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 F.Dynan

15. Apply online for jobs with Northern Ireland Health Service OrganisationsRegister | Login | Help | My ProfileRegisterLoginHelpMy Profile Home Job Search My Profile My Form Job Bulletins Organisations Links Search For : Job CategoriesJobs By Organisation: Administration & Clerical Estates IT Management Medical & Dental Nursing & Midwifery Professional & Technical / AHP Social Care Support Services Transport Ambulance Service Beeches Management Centre Central Services Agency Eastern Health & Social Services Board NI Medical & Dental Training Agency NI Blood Transfusion Service Northern Health & Social Services Board RPA Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Northern Health and Social Care Trust Southern Health and Social Care Trust South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust F.Dynan

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

17. Application Form N.B. Keep a copy of your form. You will need this for interview preparation!Keep a copy of your form. You will need this for interview preparation! Be prepared to discuss the content of your form at interview. May be asked to expand on information provided.Be prepared to discuss the content of your form at interview. May be asked to expand on information provided. F.Dynan

18. Interview Preparation Revise your Application form/CV to refresh your memory and prepare for questions.Revise your Application form/CV to refresh your memory and prepare for questions. Read the Job and Personnel specifications.Read the Job and Personnel specifications. Revise current documentation (KSF?).Revise current documentation (KSF?). Anticipate questions based on all of the above and prepare responses. F.Dynan

19. Interview Technique Make eye contact with panel/interviewer.Make eye contact with panel/interviewer. Speak clearly. Don’t mumble or speak too quickly.Speak clearly. Don’t mumble or speak too quickly. Questions largely competency/skills based.Questions largely competency/skills based. Panel are seeking to determine how you meet the criteria.Panel are seeking to determine how you meet the criteria. F.Dynan

20. Interviews Interviews R esearchR esearch A nticipateA nticipate P repareP repare F.Dynan

21. Assessment criteria Knowledge of subject Delivery of answer Mannerisms Accuracy F.Dynan

22. S T A R Describe the situation. Place it in context. Where were you?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 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 did you do specifically? Be concise in your explanations. What was the result? What were the learning outcomes?What was the result? What were the learning outcomes? F.Dynan

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

24. Interview Technique Be punctual.Be punctual. Dress smartly. Appearance is important.Dress smartly. Appearance is important. SMILE!!- Helps you and panel to relax.SMILE!!- Helps you and panel to relax. Remember non-verbal signals.Remember non-verbal signals. (Don’t fidget/slouch/fold arms). (Don’t fidget/slouch/fold arms). F.Dynan

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

26. Final Points Preparation is key! Anticipate questions Practise your interview responses Revise your form and the job description Good luck! F.Dynan

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

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

30. Preparation Clinical placements/ work experienceClinical placements/ work experience ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities Academic achievements (Research projects?)Academic achievements (Research projects?) Prizes, awardsPrizes, awards Voluntary work/Extra curricular activitiesVoluntary work/Extra curricular activities F.Dynan