presentation for interview nhs

Interview presentation preparation tips

The interview presentation is becoming more common in the hiring process. It gives employers a better overview of your general aptitude and provides you with an opportunity to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. But how should you prepare for an interview presentation? What should you include? What if it goes wrong?

4th Jun, 2021

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What is an interview presentation?

As you progress further in your career, particularly to executive level, you may be asked to give a presentation for interview. Perhaps you’ve been asked to conduct research and present your findings to a panel, complete a task and show how you approached it, put together a business plan and present your ideas, or even give a presentation about yourself and how you would excel in the role. Whatever you are presenting about, how you approach it should remain the same.

Many people find giving presentations intimidating, especially during an interview when you’re already nervous, but it’s something that you may have to do throughout your career – the sooner you tackle this skill, the better.

Why are you being asked to do a presentation for a job interview?

Many employers opt for a presentation-style interview as it gives a better overview of your general aptitude when compared to, or combined with, a traditional question and answer interview, like a competency-based interview . The interviewer is looking for proof that you can do the job and that you possess the required skills and traits.

Additionally, if you put time and effort into your presentation, this will highlight to the hiring manager that you are committed to the role and enthusiastic about joining the company. How many times have you been asked in an interview ‘Why do you want this position?’ or ‘What is it about this role that attracted you to it?’. They want to know how much you want this position, rather than just any position.

How to prepare a presentation for an interview

Where do you start? What should you include? The presentation is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge, experience, and communication skills as well as your organisational skills and diligence – so start with the job description and person specification and pick out key skills and traits that the company is looking for. Then you can prepare your presentation around what they want to see.

For example, if the business is looking for someone creative, pay great attention to the style of your presentation. If it is looking for someone who is a confident public speaker, spend more time perfecting your speech. If attention to detail is paramount in the role, double and triple check your spelling and grammar. This is a great starting point and gives you something to build your presentation around.

What to include in an interview presentation

Although you may be tempted to go all out and show your potential employer that you are committed to the job, don’t fall into the trap of creating a 30-slide presentation with reams of text. Try to keep each slide short and significant and aim for no more than 10 slides. This ensures the information you deliver is memorable and will help you to stand out from other interviewees. Some interviewers may even give you a specific amount of time for your presentation, make sure you factor this in and don’t go over the time limit – otherwise you may appear to have poor time management skills.

Another way to make sure your presentation engages hiring managers is to include a range of formats to help you illustrate your points. Include graphs, statistics, diagrams, video clips, and images to help break up large volumes of text and maintain the attention of the interviewers.

If you are conducting research as part of your presentation, include quotes from industry leaders and/or research pieces. This gives your points authority and demonstrates your commercial awareness.

You should also try to incorporate the company’s colours, fonts, or style in your presentation. This will show that you have done your research and highlights your brand awareness.

Finally, check your spelling and grammar thoroughly! Small mistakes can really undermine the content of your presentation.

Tips for presenting at the interview

Presenting is a skill which can be learnt. Even if you are not a confident public speaker, the more you practice, the better you will become.

Present confidently and enthusiastically - Remember to speak clearly, make eye contact, and use open body language.

Don’t just read the slides - There is nothing worse than watching a presentation where the presenter has their back to you the whole time just reading reams of text from their PowerPoint notes.

Try not to talk too fast - Make sure you breathe, and take your time.

Practice, practice, practice - Ensure you are well rehearsed so that you are familiar with the structure of your presentation and are able to deliver it smoothly. If possible, practice your presentation with family members or friends to get used to speaking in front of other people.

Arrive early to give yourself time to set up the presentation and settle any nerves - Get comfortable with PowerPoint and presentation equipment. Make sure you know how to work any projectors, screens, or remote controls before you begin to avoid any awkward stumbles or pauses.

Stay within the allocated time - If you have not been given guidance on length, aim for the 10-minute mark. Time your presentation when you are practising to make sure it will fit within the time limit. If you need to reduce the content of your presentation, cut out the least relevant or weakest points.

Be prepared to adapt - You may have practised your presentation in a certain way, but the interviewer might not respond accordingly. Be prepared to be interrupted by questions or further discussion unexpectedly.

Breathe and try to enjoy it - By relaxing, you will find yourself presenting better and, if you enjoy it, your interviewers will respond to that and be better engaged with what you are saying.

Tips for keeping the interview presentation simple

It can take a lot of work to make something simple, yet effective, and when it comes to interview presentations less is often more. Keep it short - As previously mentioned, try to keep each slide short and aim for no more than 10 slides in total.

One idea per slide - To make sure your presentation is clear and concise, each slide should represent a different point/idea you want to make.

Stick to the important bits only - If you don’t think it’s important enough to spend time on, don’t have it on your slide.

Use the 4x6 rule - Aim for either four bullet points with six words per bullet point, or six bullet points with four words per bullet point. This way, your slides won’t look too busy.

Minimal text - Instead of writing paragraphs of text, use bullet points and a minimum font size of 24.

What's better for your interview presentation? Cue cards or presenting from memory?

Should you use cue cards in your presentation for interview or try to present from memory?

The answer to this question depends on what you feel most comfortable doing. If you find that having cue cards will help ease your nerves and ensure that you don’t forget your speech, then there is nothing wrong with that.

However, if you choose to use cue cards, you should not rely too heavily on them. You shouldn’t stand in front of the interviewers and look down at the cards continuously, neither should you write your whole speech out on the cards and read directly from them. They are cue cards for a reason and should only give you prompts on what to talk about. If your interview presentation has a lot of statistics on, using cue cards to remember the figures if you are unable to memorise them all is an excellent strategy.

What to do when things go wrong

You can practice your interview presentation as much as possible, but something may still go wrong and it’s important to be prepared for this eventuality. Here are some things that could go wrong and how to deal with them: Technical issues

There is not a lot you can do to prevent technical issues, especially if you are using someone else’s computer. But there are ways you can prepare just in case. Ensuring you have access to multiple sources of your presentation is key. Email the file to yourself and the recruiter, bring a copy on a USB stick and printed handouts. This way you are covered if anything goes wrong with the file you’re intending to use.

Your mind goes blank

Even those who are pros at presenting can sometimes lose their train of thought and find that their mind goes blank. The key here is not to panic. If possible, take a bottle or glass of water in with you and use this chance to take a sip, breathe and try to relax. Then look at your presentation slide or your cue cards and pick up where you left off. It may be helpful to repeat the last point you made as saying it out loud could spark your memory for your next point.

You are asked a question that you don’t know how to respond to

If you have allotted time at the end of your presentation to allow the interviewer to ask any questions (which is recommended), don’t worry if someone asks a question that you are not sure on. It may be that the interviewer is looking to see how you respond to a challenging question, so how you react is often more important than the answer itself.

If you do not understand the question, ask the person to explain. There is nothing wrong with doing this and shows more confidence than just saying that you don’t know. If you understand the question but are not sure of the answer, then admit that you don’t have the full answer, provide what information you do have, and offer to come back to them at a later date with a complete answer.

10-minute interview presentation template

Below is a presentation for interview example. Use this as a baseline and adapt or reorder where appropriate based on the task you have been set by the interviewer. Slide 1 - Introduction – Reiterate the objectives you have been set and lay out the structure of your presentation so that the interviewers know what to expect. Slide 2 - About you – Detail your professional experience, skills and working style. Slide 3 - Company history – Give a brief summary of the company history, any milestones or awards. Slides 4-7 - Answering the brief – Give your responses to questions you’ve been asked to answer, the benefits and limitations of your suggestions. Slide 8 - Question and answers – Include a slide titled ‘questions and answers’ as a cue to pause for interaction. Slide 9 - Conclusion – Sum up the key points you have made, reach a decision, and explain your reasoning. Slide 10 - Personal achievements – End the interview on a high with a brief slide highlighting achievements that show how you will succeed in the role.

For more information on how to ace your interview, download our free guide, ‘ Getting the best from your interview: Candidate interview tips and tricks ’, or contact your local recruitment specialist today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A job interview presentation is all about selling yourself. Be confident, speak clearly, and make eye contact with the interviewer. Don’t be afraid to promote yourself and highlight your achievements. This is your chance to really show the interviewer that you are capable and have the necessary skills to do the job. By putting time and effort into your presentation, you can show them how dedicated you are to the role and the company. For more information on how to ace your interview, download our free guide, ‘ Getting the best from your interview: Candidate interview tips and tricks ’.

Using cue cards can support you with your interview presentation, as long as you use them for their intended purpose. Do not write your entire presentation for interview out on cards and read from them word for word or constantly hold them in your hand and fail to make eye contact with the interviewer. Use them only to prompt you or for remembering key facts and figures. For more tips, read our article on ‘interview tips & questions’ .

If you have been sent a presentation brief that you do not understand – don’t panic. If there are words that you are not sure about, do some research and try your best to figure out what the organisation is asking of you. If you are still unsure, you could ask your recruiter as they may have seen this brief before and can give you an idea. If you are dealing directly with the hiring manager, then it may be worth checking that your interpretation of the brief is correct.

It is better to ask the question than present on something completely different to what the interviewer has asked. However, instead of saying to them that you don’t understand the brief and leaving it at that, tell them your understanding of it and ask if this is correct. This will show that even though you are unsure, you have taken the time to try to come to a conclusion yourself before asking for help. Download our free interviewing guide for more tips and advice.

How long your job interview presentation should last depends on what guidance you have been given. Thoroughly read the brief, as the recruiter or hiring manager may have specified the length of time you have for your presentation. If they haven’t given any indication, you should aim for 10 minutes, including time for questions and answers. For more tips on interviewing, read our article on ‘interview tips & questions’ .

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Having A Successful Interview

First things first…. Well done! You’ve crossed the first hurdle . The recruiter has formed the view that you have enough of the “right stuff”, and you deserve an interview. You are more than halfway there. Now to close the deal.

This section will focus on how to have a successful interview and get that job offer.

HEE’s approach to recruitment

What is the interviewer looking for?

The unwritten rules of an interview

Practical tips for applying these rules

How to prepare for interviews

Step 1 - The organisation

Step 2 - The job

Step 3 - You

Remember the STAR example

STAR in practice

What if I don’t have a positive example?

Some final advice

Practical pointers - interviews in person

Practical pointers - Virtual/online interviews

What if you are unsuccessful? feedback!

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Presentation skills for nurses

During the course of your career you may be asked to deliver a presentation as part of a recruitment process. , done properly, a presentation is an excellent opportunity for you to show off your skills, knowledge, expertise and personality; outside the usual constraints of an regular interview., the rcn careers service has put together some advice to help you prepare, structure and deliver your presentation., these career resources are only available to rcn members.

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Succeeding at consultant interview: how to stand out from the crowd for the right reasons

• Related content
• Peer review
• Robert Ghosh , consultant physician, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK ,
• Matt Green , medical publisher director, BPP University College, London
• mattgreen{at}bpp.com

Robert Ghosh, consultant physician at the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, together with Matt Green , from BPP University College’s School of Health, explore the factors that you need to consider when preparing for and undergoing a consultant interview

For senior trainees the post of consultant remains the pinnacle of achievement and carries a sense of grandeur together with an element of fear of the unknown. It is paramount that every potential interviewee gives the interview due respect. Preparation should be meticulous.

Employers hold the role of consultant in the highest regard and will look at new recruits as leaders and valuable commodities, helping the institution to deliver first class healthcare. They will need to see evidence of credibility and team working, rather than misplaced negativity or resistance. Selection criteria will be more stringent than ever; no longer will simple clinical credibility and tacit acknowledgment from former consultant bosses dictate success.

Preparation and application

Clinical skills should be beyond reproach; a basic awareness of management and political topics, including ethical issues, is essential; and leadership skills should be developed. Above all, you must “feel ready.”

Ensure that your application is specifically tailored to the position you are applying for. The advertisement and person specification for a consultant position are very detailed and include a list of essential criteria required of the successful applicant. Make sure that your application clearly refers to these criteria. For example, if a desirable criterion is experience of a particular technique, then make sure that this is clearly mentioned in your CV to boost your chances of being shortlisted.

Consider the appropriateness of your future employer beforehand. You should not compromise at this stage, as lack of job satisfaction in years to come will make you unhappy. Consider an informal visit if this is acceptable to the trust.

Formal visit after shortlisting

The aim here is not to canvass opinion but rather to display genuine interest and also to glean from relevant personnel the issues that are important to the trust. Therefore you should not restrict your visit to those who will be sitting on the panel. Confirm the reasons for your application, and try to investigate the following:

From the lead clinician: the department’s clinical interests

Clinical director: success and room for improvement in standards and targets

Medical director: perennial managerial problems with regard to the department and the trust

Chief executive: future direction and sensitive topics for the trust

Department: engage with all relevant personnel

Directorate general manager: a non-medical perception of the department or directorate, with similar viewpoint to the clinical director

Departmental matron: issues for nurses

Key executive directors: strategic and topical issues.

You may be able to give these key people the impression that you are a problem solver and subsequently bring these issues into the interview.

Interview practice and dress code

Repeated interview practice cannot be recommended highly enough. You should prepare thoroughly; and mock interviews should be taken seriously by both the mock interviewer and mock interviewee. Dress on the day to look formal, smart, and professional, but clothes should be comfortable. Tribalism should be avoided (such as club ties, which may evoke a negative response), and do not use overpowering scents.

Advisory appointment committee (interview panel)

Remember that the technical role of the advisory appointment committee is to recommend suitable candidates to the trust’s executive board. In practice, however, the trust will delegate full power to the committee to identify and appoint a candidate. The advisory appointment committee is large (probably the largest interview panel you will have encountered), and each member has a specific role:

Chairman: provides introductions and chairs the panel

Chief executive officer: often asks about vision, strategy, and leadership

Medical director: often asks about revalidation, appraisal, probity, and data protection

Clinical director: often asks about quality indicators, including financial indicators

External college representative: provides quality assurance for previous training and competencies

Lead clinician: acts as a gatekeeper for the department; often asks about clinical skills and vision for the department

University representative (if relevant): to assess your experience of teaching and research

Layperson: may occasionally ask patient centred questions

Human resources: rarely asks any questions.

Presentation and other pre-interview tasks

Presentations are increasingly common, entail varying formats, and will invariably concentrate on an aspect of standards pertaining to your specialty. A half day may be set aside for a presentation, or it may be incorporated into the interview. The topic may be preset, together with an agreed audiovisual format; or the topic and audiovisual format may be determined on the day. The second scenario requires rapid identification of the reason for topic selection and delivery method.

Psychometric testing in mock scenario stations is increasingly common. This is designed to highlight behaviour and personality traits that are conducive to team working and also often deals with leadership skills; assertiveness and submissiveness; tendency to frustration; and anxiety and articulation. Never second guess in psychometric testing: always be yourself.

Performing on the day: your body language, general behaviour, and influencing skills

Confidence will influence how you behave on the day, and this in turn will play a large part in the outcome. Influential traits include flexibility, optimism, and demonstration of an analytical approach.

You should assess and practise:

Body language—particularly achieving eye contact and smiling

Seating posture—particularly hand posture

Speech—particularly volume and depth of voice, speed of delivery, and length of answers (neither too long nor too short).

Above all, you should always be spontaneous rather than robotic.

Some general strategies

Always determine why a question has been asked, and remember that the interview is not the forum to express controversial views. Questions of fact require a brief demonstration of working knowledge—it is common for them to be relevant to topical issues or your specialty. Questions on opinions require identification of pros and cons, followed by a pragmatic and wise conclusion. In “approach” and “scenario” questions, identify the issue or problem and be aware of the processes entailed. Most paths lead to patient safety.

You should assume that virtually all questions are linked to standards. In response to questions on quality or performance in particular (such as those relating to Care Quality Commission standards, Payment by Results, and Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQuINS)), try to highlight the relevance of your answer to your specialty and to the interviewing trust.

Often there are different ways of asking the same question. It is may be worthwhile grouping mock or practice questions that you think should generate a similar response.

Questions investigating self reflection aim to measure your self awareness, standards, intellectual honesty, maturity, and dependability. These may include questions about the post, the specialty, stress, and your leadership qualities.

Knowing the political landscape

It is important that any important decisions you make as a consultant are bolstered by a sound working knowledge of political structures, and therefore the following may be referred to with relevance to your specialty:

Department of Health

Primary care trusts and commissioning groups

Foundation trusts

Governors and their roles

Trust boards and delegation of responsibilities to divisions, directorates, and your department.

Important events in modern healthcare history

Many recent events have shaped changes in process that may be relevant to the way departments work:

1983—Griffiths report: the introduction of general management

1989—Working for patients: “the internal market”

2000— The NHS Plan: A Plan for Investment, a Plan for Reform —key financial features, new contracts, and patient information and empowerment (including NHS Direct and patient advice and liaison services), performance targets (including the monitoring bodies the Commission for Health Improvement, Healthcare Commission, and Care Quality Commission)

Other reports: Tooke, Darzi, Kennedy, Francis

2010—The white paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS

Reasonably detailed knowledge of some key “governance” or “quality” items is essential for day to day survival as a consultant:

Concept of governance or quality itself

Patient experience and complaints

Patient safety: adverse healthcare events and risk, mortality and morbidity, infection control

Clinical effectiveness, including creation of policies, clinical audit, the role of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, specific clinical models such as Hospital at Night

Capacity and other legal and ethical issues

Finance, including Payment by Results; awareness of the trust’s basic financial duties; division and directorate; and your department

Appraisal, revalidation, performance management (including job planning), disciplinary processes

Medical education, including Modernising Medical Careers, role of clinical and educational supervision, risks of negative deanery feedback, continuing medical education for consultants

Staff welfare, including the European Working Time Directive, diary cards

Research and research governance.

Be aware of the key people and trust committees who deal with these topics.

Leadership and management

In our target driven and egalitarian times it has become apparent that genuine leadership, authority, and motivational skills are required rather than mere assumption of power. It is also apparent that our profession has not until now required a curriculum for leadership. This has in part been provided by the Medical Leadership Competency Framework 1 (and the NHS Leadership Framework).

End of the interview

At the end of the interview, when you are asked, “Have you any questions?” you must choose your words carefully. It is quite acceptable to use this moment to correct errors or misunderstandings that may have occurred during the interview. It is equally acceptable to say, “I have no questions whatsoever.” It is not prudent to discuss financial or leave matters, as there will be appropriate opportunities at another time. Try to leave a lasting impression that is professional and courteous, and do not let nervousness take control of your exit. Top tip: use the exit door when leaving, not the broom cupboard. Good luck!

Competing interests: RG is the author of Succeeding in Your Consultant Medical Interview , published by BPP Learning Media, and delivers courses on preparation for consultant interviews. MG is medical publishing director of BPP Learning Media ( mattgreen{at}bpp.com ).

• ↵ Spurgeon P, Klaber B, Green M. Becoming a better medical leader. BMJ Careers 31 Jan 2012 . http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/view-article.html?id=20006444 .

How Will You Know That You Are Ready to Move to a Band 6 Nursing Role?

What to expect on a band 6 interview, band 6 nurse interview presentation, how to prepare for a band 6 nurse interview, final thoughts.

Updated January 5, 2024

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You might be an experienced band 5 nurse looking to take the natural next step in your career progression.

Or you might be a newly qualified band 5 nurse who possesses the right experience and skills to jump ahead to a band 6 nursing position.

Wherever you are on the nursing career ladder, facing a band 6 nurse interview can be a nerve-wracking prospect.

That does not have to be the case if you are fully prepared, though.

The first step is to understand exactly meant by a ‘band 6 nurse’. Band 6 is the first level of senior nursing roles.

Job titles for this nursing band might include:

• Deputy Ward Manager
• Team Leader
• Charge Nurse
• Lead Practitioner
• Senior Staff Nurse

Depending on the type of clinical or community setting you work in, moving into a band 6 nursing position requires an increased level of responsibility and leadership.

The salary range for a band 6 nurse will depend on the specifics of the role and your employer.

For example, band 6 nurses working in an NHS setting can generally expect to earn between £30,000 and £37,000 in 2021.

What Skills and Experience Are Needed in a Band 6 Role?

The thought of stepping into a senior nursing position can seem a world away from band 5 nursing roles.

However, your experience up to this point will greatly inform your career progression into band 6.

Generally, at least one year to 18 month’s experience as a band 5 nurse is expected before progression to band 6.

Ideally, you will have completed training courses to supplement your nursing knowledge and have demonstrated your willingness to push beyond the responsibilities of your current role.

Senior nursing roles require an enhanced skill set that is needed for band 5 nursing roles. Skills needed in a band 6 role include:

• Decision-making
• Financial responsibility and allocation
• Communication and empathy
• Training others
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary setting
• Collaborative working
• Focus under pressure
• Computer skills
• Clinical skills
• Support and teamwork
• Adaptability

Band 5 nurses will generally know when they are ready to move to a more senior role. They will be comfortable adopting leadership roles .

They will be keen to take on more responsibilities and enthusiastic to learn more.

In essence, once a nurse has outgrown their band 5 roles, they are ready to progress to band 6.

Should you be invited to interview for a band 6 nursing role, you can usually expect the interview to take place before a pane.

The size and construct of the panel will vary depending on the role you are interviewing for and the employer.

The panel will ask you several questions to ascertain your experience, skills and suitability for a senior nurse role.

In addition to the questions, you may be asked to create a presentation on a topic set by the panel.

The length of the presentation will generally range from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the topic and what the panel wants you to demonstrate.

Always read the full explanation of what format the panel wants your presentation to take and the subject they want you to cover or the question they want you to answer.

The purpose of the presentation is to demonstrate:

Your understanding of the healthcare environment and the challenges healthcare professionals face

Your awareness of the current issues and challenges in healthcare

Your communication skills

Your ability to take a wider perspective to a topic

Your nursing knowledge

The topic of your presentation will be relevant to the role you are interviewing for, so before you begin to prepare your presentation, think about why you have been asked to talk on this particular topic and how it fits with the band 6 nursing role and your employer.

For more on this, read How to Make a Great Presentation at Interview .

Band 6 Nurse Interview Questions

The exact questions you will be asked at your interview will depend on the band 6 role and the employer, but here are five questions with example answers to help you prepare:

1. Why Have You Applied for This Job?

The panel wants to know that you have done your research and are ready to progress to a band 6 position.

You know that you have the experience, skills, and drive to fulfill a band 6 role, so do not feel shy about selling yourself.

For example:

I enjoy my current position, but I know that I am capable of taking on more responsibility. I feel that the role of Senior Nurse would suit my leadership and communication skills.

2. What Is Your Understanding of the Band 6 Role You Are Interviewing For?

The panel wants to know that you have not only read the job description but also understand what roles and responsibilities are involved.

Find a way to condense the role down into a sentence or two.

Working as Charge Nurse, I will oversee the unit on a day-to-day basis, provide clinical leadership to junior staff and nurses, and plan, monitor and evaluate the care of patients. I will act as a role model, work as part of a team, and develop team members through mentorship and skill-assessment.

To find out which jobs fit your personality best, visit our partner CareerFitter and take the Career Test for FREE .

Pass the Quiz for FREE

3. What Are the Six 'C's, and Why Do You Feel They Are Important?

This question demonstrates your knowledge and patient care skills.

The six 'C's are:

• Communication

These ensure that patients are effectively cared for and safe, are treated well and can build trust in their care providers.

Your answer should express this in your own words.

4. If One of Your Nursing Team Frequently Arrives Late to Their Shift, How Would You Address This?

The panel is asking you to demonstrate your managerial skills .

How will you supervise your team, and are you aware of the related staff policy?

I would begin by checking in on the member of staff in an informal way to find out the reason for their lateness and try to resolve the problem on that basis. If the lateness continued, I would contact HR to find out what the policy was for handling this situation and decide what further action should be taken.

5. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

Surprisingly, this is a question that can derail many up-to-that-point successful interviews. This is not your chance to ask about salary, holidays or sickness pay.

Instead, what the panel is asking here is for you to ask a question that demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role and what you could bring to it. What value could you add?

With the planned extension to the unit, will there be an intake of newly qualified nursing staff? And if so, will I have the opportunity to mentor them?

You can find more examples in Top 10 Nursing Interview Questions .

Should you be asked to interview for a band 6 nurse position, the level of preparation you undertake will be key to your success.

Step 1 . Do Your Research

This is not just about remembering the job description by heart. There are so many other areas that you should research too.

Whether it is an NHS trust , a private healthcare provider or a commercial setting, research who you will be working for.

Its website is always a good place to start.

What are its values? What are its plans? What challenges does it face?

Your research could also include:

• The field of nursing you will be working in
• Relevant innovations in healthcare
• Wider developments that may affect healthcare, such as changes in legislation

Step 2 . Think Up Examples

You may be asked to give examples from your experience that demonstrate your suitability for the band 6 nursing role.

For example, what examples would show that you have excellent leadership skills or can cope in stressful situations?

Examine the responsibilities of the band 6 role and think up examples that would fit.

Step 3 . Prepare Your Presentation

If you have been asked to make a presentation, this is the time to prepare it.

Remember to fully follow the guidelines provided, be that how long the presentation should take or whether you need to provide PowerPoint slides.

Consider why you have been asked to talk about this particular topic. How does it demonstrate your suitability for the band 6 roles?

Step 4 . Question The Questions

It is difficult to know beforehand what questions you will be asked in your interview, but a slight mindset change may help you to give better answers on the day.

Instead of taking questions at their face value, consider why the panel have asked you that specific question. What do they want to hear in your answer?

For example, do they want to find out how you cope under pressure?

Are they interested in how well you will adapt from team member to team leader?

Practice this by finding example questions online, like in this article: 10 Key NHS Job Interview Questions .

Step 5 . Practice Speaking and Breathing

Most people will experience some level of nerves in a job interview. A good coping mechanism is to practice speaking beforehand.

For example, explain who you are and why you want the job to your mirror. If you have someone you feel relaxed with, ask if you can practice on them.

Get used to consciously slowing your breathing too. Practice taking deep breaths that fill your diaphragm. Slowing your breathing will calm you down.

Step 6 . Consider Your Career Plan

Most people hate the interview question, ‘ Where do you see yourself in five years? ’, but there is a valid point behind it: career planning.

Career planning is the difference between drifting from job to job or progressing along a path that brings you job satisfaction.

How does the band 6 nursing role fit on your career path, and where could it lead?

To find out more, read 10 Key Tips For Career Planning.

On the day of the interview, arrive a little early but not so early that you are an inconvenience.

Take a copy of the job description with you, or have it available to view on your mobile phone so that you can refresh your memory before the interview begins.

Make sure you have had sufficient sleep, have eaten and that you are hydrated. Do not drink too much coffee before the interview as it can increase your feelings of nervousness.

Make sure your appearance is smart , whether you are wearing your own clothes or your work uniform.

Be attentive, polite and upbeat.

When answering questions, use the STAR formula. STAR stands for:

For a more detailed explanation, read How to Use the STAR Technique in Interviews .

Should you be invited to interview for a band 6 nursing role, you have already bounded over the first hurdle.

The panel believes that you have the potential to work as a senior nurse.

Give yourself the best chance possible to prove them right by fully prepared before your interview.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

Or explore the Interview Advice / Interview Questions sections.

• Universities

BAND 7 (NHS) INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, Everything You Need To Know

If you are applying for a Band 7 position in the National Health Service (NHS), you need to prepare for a challenging and competitive interview process. Band 7 roles are senior management positions that require a high level of responsibility, leadership, and expertise. You will need to demonstrate that you have the skills, qualifications, and experience to perform the role effectively and contribute to the NHS’s mission and values.

In this article, we will provide you with some tips and guidance on how to prepare for your Band 7 interview, as well as some common questions and answers that you can use as examples. We will also explain the registration processes and procedures that you need to follow to work in the NHS as a Band 7 professional.

Top 14 Tips For Passing An interview as an International Nurse (Compulsory)

In this Article:

What is a Band 7 interview?

A Band 7 interview is a structured and formal interview that assesses your suitability for a Band 7 role in the NHS. Band 7 roles are part of the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system, which determines the salaries of most staff working in the NHS. Band 7 roles typically include team leaders, department managers, and other roles that involve managing and leading a team of staff.

A Band 7 interview usually consists of two parts: a competency-based interview and a scenario-based interview. The competency-based interview focuses on your skills, knowledge, and experience related to the role and the NHS values. The scenario-based interview tests your ability to handle complex and challenging situations that may arise in the role.

The interview panel may consist of two or more people, such as the hiring manager, a senior colleague, a human resources representative, or a clinical expert. The interview may last for an hour or more, depending on the role and the number of questions. You may also be asked to complete a written test, a presentation, or a practical exercise as part of the interview process.

How to prepare for a Band 7 interview?

To prepare for a Band 7 interview, you should do the following:

Review the job description and person specification carefully and identify the key skills, qualifications, and experience required for the role.

Research the NHS and the specific department or service that you are applying for. Learn about their vision, mission, values, goals, challenges, and achievements. You can use the NHS website, the NHS England website, and the NHS Digital website as sources of information.

Prepare examples of your achievements and successes that demonstrate your suitability for the role and the NHS values. Use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and provide specific details and evidence.

Prepare answers to some common Band 7 interview questions, such as:

1.Why do you want to work in the NHS?

2. Why do you want to work in this Band 7 position?

3. What are the current challenges facing the NHS and how would you address them in your role?

4.How do you manage and lead a team of staff?

5.How do you ensure high-quality patient care and safety?

6.How do you handle conflict, stress, and pressure?

7.How do you communicate and collaborate with other professionals and stakeholders?

8.How do you deal with change and innovation?

9.How do you cope with ethical dilemmas and difficult decisions?

11.How do you monitor, evaluate, and improve your performance and the performance of your team?

Prepare questions to ask the interview panel at the end of the interview. These questions should show your interest and enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. For example, you can ask about:

1.The expectations and objectives of the role

2.The opportunities and challenges of the role

3.The culture and values of the department or service

4.The training and development opportunities available

5.The next steps of the recruitment process

Practice your interview skills with a friend, a colleague, or a mentor. Ask them to give you feedback on your answers, your body language, your tone of voice, and your confidence. You can also record yourself and review your performance.

Dress professionally and appropriately for the interview. Choose an outfit that is comfortable, clean, and suitable for the role and the organisation. Avoid wearing anything that is too casual, too flashy, or too revealing.

Arrive early for the interview and bring the necessary documents, such as your CV, your application form, your portfolio, your certificates, your references, and your identification. Check the interview invitation for any specific instructions or requirements.

Be polite and courteous to everyone you meet at the interview venue, such as the receptionist, the security guard, and the other candidates. Smile, make eye contact, and introduce yourself to the interview panel. Thank them for their time and attention at the end of the interview.

What are the registration processes and procedures for working in the NHS as a Band 7 professional?

To work in the NHS as a Band 7 professional, you need to follow the registration processes and procedures that apply to your profession and role. These processes and procedures are designed to ensure that you are qualified, competent, and fit to practice in the NHS.

Depending on your profession and role, you may need to:

Register with the relevant professional body or regulator, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council ( NMC ), the Health and Care Professions Council ( HCPC ), the General Medical Council ( GMC ), or the General Dental Council ( GDC ). You need to provide evidence of your identity, qualifications, and fitness to practice, and pay the registration fee. You also need to adhere to the standards of conduct, performance, and ethics set by the regulator and renew your registration periodically.

Apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which is a criminal record check that shows your suitability for working with vulnerable groups, such as children and adults at risk. You need to provide your personal details, your identity documents, and your consent for the check. The DBS check may be standard, enhanced, or enhanced with barred list, depending on the role and the level of contact with vulnerable groups.

Verify your professional registration and qualifications with your employer, who will check your registration status and fitness to practice with the relevant regulator and verify your certificates and transcripts with the awarding body. You need to provide your registration number, your certificates, and your consent for the verification. You can find more information about the professional registration and qualification checks standard on the NHS Employers website .

Obtain a NHS Smartcard, which is a physical or virtual card that allows you to access the national IT systems and data for health and care. You need to create a digital identity and register with a local Registration Authority (RA), who will verify your identity, produce your smartcard, and assign your access rights. You also need to follow the RA policy and guidance for using and maintaining your smartcard.

Register with a GP surgery, which is a local health service that provides primary care and referrals to other services. You need to fill out a registration form and provide proof of your identity and address. You may also need to provide proof of your immigration status and eligibility for free NHS care if you are from abroad. You can find more information about how to register with a GP surgery on the NHS website .

What are some common Band 7 interview questions and answers?

Band 7 interview questions can be divided into three categories: general, experience-based and in-depth. General questions are designed to assess your personality, goals and values. Experience-based questions are designed to evaluate your skills, knowledge and abilities. In-depth questions are designed to test your situational awareness, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Here are some examples of common Band 7 interview questions and answers:

General questions.

Why do you want to work in the nhs.

Example answer : I want to work in the NHS because I am passionate about healthcare and improving the lives of others. I believe that the NHS is a world-class organisation that provides high-quality, accessible and equitable care to everyone. I admire the NHS values of respect, compassion, excellence, collaboration and innovation, and I share the NHS vision of empowering people to take control of their health and wellbeing. I think that working in the NHS would allow me to use my skills and experience to make a positive difference to the patients, the staff and the society.

Why do you want to work in this Band 7 role?

Example answer : I want to work in this Band 7 role because I have the relevant skills, qualifications and experience to perform the role effectively and efficiently. I have over 10 years of experience as a specialist nurse in the field of oncology, and I have completed a master’s degree in advanced clinical practice. I have also undertaken various leadership and management courses and projects, and I have successfully led and developed a team of nurses in my previous role. I am confident that I can bring my expertise, knowledge and passion to this role and contribute to the department’s goals and objectives.

Tell me about yourself.

Example answer

I am a highly motivated, dedicated and compassionate nurse with a strong interest in oncology. I have been working in the NHS for over 10 years, and I have gained a wealth of experience and skills in providing holistic, evidence-based and patient-centred care to people with cancer. I have also developed my leadership and management skills, and I have demonstrated my ability to lead and inspire a team of nurses, as well as collaborate with other healthcare professionals and stakeholders. I am always keen to learn and improve, and I have completed a master’s degree in advanced clinical practice, as well as various courses and workshops on topics such as quality improvement, project management and communication skills. I am looking for a new challenge and opportunity to further develop my career and make a positive impact on the service delivery and patient outcomes.

Experience-based questions

What management experience do you have for a Band 7 role?

Example answer: I have extensive management experience for a Band 7 role, as I have been the team leader of the oncology nursing team in my previous role. I was responsible for managing a team of 15 nurses, who provided care to over 100 patients in the ward and the outpatient clinic. Some of my management duties included:

Planning and organising the workload and rota of the team

Supervising and appraising the performance and development of the team members

Providing clinical guidance and support to the team and ensuring adherence to policies and procedures

Managing the budget, resources and equipment of the team

Implementing and evaluating quality improvement initiatives and audits

Resolving any issues or conflicts within the team or with other departments

Representing the team in meetings and committees and liaising with other managers and stakeholders

How do you ensure that the quality of patient care is continually improving?

Example answer: I ensure that the quality of patient care is continually improving by following the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, which is a systematic and iterative approach to quality improvement. The PDSA cycle involves:

Planning a change or improvement based on the identification of a problem or a gap in the service delivery or patient outcomes

Doing the change or improvement by testing it on a small scale and collecting data and feedback

Studying the results and analysing the data and feedback to determine the effectiveness and impact of the change or improvement

Acting on the findings and deciding whether to adopt, adapt or abandon the change or improvement, or to repeat the cycle with further modifications

For example, in my previous role, I implemented a quality improvement project to reduce the waiting time for chemotherapy patients in the outpatient clinic. I followed the PDSA cycle and planned a change to streamline the booking and triage process, tested it on a sample of patients, studied the results and found that the waiting time was reduced by 20%, and acted on the findings by rolling out the change to the whole clinic and monitoring the outcomes.

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a complex and challenging issue in your role.

A time when I had to deal with a complex and challenging issue in my role was when I had to manage a serious incident involving a medication error that occurred in the ward. A patient received a wrong dose of a chemotherapy drug, which resulted in severe adverse reactions and complications. The incident was reported to me by the nurse who administered the drug, and I had to take immediate action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the patient, as well as to investigate the cause and prevent recurrence of the incident. Some of the actions I took were:

Assessing the patient’s condition and initiating the appropriate treatment and monitoring

Informing the patient and their family about the incident and apologising sincerely

Escalating the incident to the senior management and the clinical governance team

Conducting a root cause analysis and identifying the factors that contributed to the error, such as human error, communication breakdown, system failure and lack of training

Implementing corrective and preventive actions, such as revising the medication administration protocol, enhancing the communication and documentation process, updating the electronic prescribing system and providing refresher training to the staff

Evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the actions and ensuring compliance and sustainability.

A Band 7 interview is a challenging and competitive process that requires thorough preparation and practice. You need to demonstrate your skills, qualifications, and experience for the role and the NHS values. You also need to follow the registration processes and procedures that apply to your profession and role. By following the tips and guidance in this article, you can increase your chances of succeeding in your Band 7 interview and securing your dream job in the NHS.

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