Interviews & Specialty Selection Centres
KSS Careers Department
What are we going to cover
Interviews & Selection Centres: Purpose Overview Preparation Performance – STAR Portfolios – portfolio DVD Presentations Simulation station Practice exercise Selection Centre DVD – panel interview
Purpose: Why interview?
Simply:
“interview panels main aim is to find out whether you meet the requirements of the person specification
for the post for which you are applying, and to make sure that only the best candidates are selected in
this highly competitive process”
DoH – MMC, An applicants guide 2009
Overview: How panels run
Will be variations between Deaneries HOWEVER: Minimum of 3 x 10 min interviews (some may have
4 – you will be made aware prior to interview)
Could include stations assessing: Clinical skills Portfolio Presentation skills Patient interaction – simulation Personal skills e.g empathy and sensitivity
Overview: Who’s on the panel
Panels will include a mix of people and could include:
Lay chair or lay representative Regional college adviser or nominated deputy A university representative or nominated deputy Training programme director or chair of specialty training
committee Consultant representation from the training programme Senior management representative Representation from human resources
Preparation: The basics
You will be advised what documentation you will be required to bring to interview – will include:
Portfolio (including CV) Original proof of identity (passport / photo-ID) Original & photocopy of GMC certificate Original & photocopies of qualifications on your form Evidence of nationality / immigration status This is not an exhaustive list – CHECK WITH THE
DEANERY YOU WILL BE ATTENDING INTERVIEW
Preparation: The basics
Date / Time / Location Get a good nights sleep the night before Eat breakfast, lunch etc Appropriate dress 55% of first impressions visual – shoes, nails,
hair etc Body language important Eye contact
What does a Panel want to know about you?
There are four basic questions : Why have you applied for this job/speciality? What can you do for us? (what skills, knowledge,
intellectual ability can you offer?) What kind of person are you? (what are your
attitudes, values, motivation levels? Do you have the ability to get on with others, work in a team?)
What distinguishes you from all the other applications?
Performance: How to succeed
“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail”
• Preparation is everything• Job description / person specifications• What skills are required for the specialty• Evidence is the key• Research crucial
Why that specialty Have you spoken to those already training at that
level? What can you bring to that specialty Keep up to date with current affairs in medicine
Performance: How to succeed
Person specifications crucial
Demonstrate the skills required
Try to anticipate the types of questions you maybe asked – think about a variety of examples you could use to EVIDENCE that you match the person specification
Performance: STAR
STAR – framework to answer questions
S = Situation – be concise & informative
T = Task – brief outline
A = Action – what exactly did YOU do
R = Result – what was the outcome of YOUR action
Portfolios
CV / Portfolio interview Portfolio a vital document for your career Organised evidence of your personal /
professional achievements A confidential document Is a reflection on YOU First impressions count
Portfolios: Layouts
Many ways to structure a portfolio Common structures:
Expanded CV
or GMC Good Medical Practice Guide
Make the information easily available Have a copy of CV at front (summary/full)
Portfolios: sell yourself
What does your portfolio say about you What key skills / experiences does it highlight What was the purpose in developing it How has it helped with:
Professional performance Skills Knowledge Interest
Portfolios: sell yourself
Know your portfolio inside out Know your portfolio upside down – literally Re-read job descriptions / person specs
Awareness of what you maybe assessed against – can you evidence this in portfolio
Portfolio will chart your development Provides EVIDENCE of competency and
enthusiasm for specialty
Presentations
Maybe asked to write & deliver presentation in a limited amount of time – DON’T PANIC
Flip-chart / OHP / transparencies provided Will be time bound – DON’T OVERRUN Communication / pressure / structure / well
thought out response – all being assessed Skills needed when dealing with patients
Presentations
Read brief carefully Produce a rough structure Consider use of diagrams – if comfortable Use a clear structure
What will be covered Delivery Summary / conclusion
Care with humour Speak clearly & adhere to time
Simulation stations:
Some assessment centres use simulation Introduce yourself to those involved Polite & courteous Monitor the situation Communication is VITAL – patient / nurses Review patients condition Ask for help if / when needed Try to stay calm
Exercise: Interviews
In group of 3 1 interviewer / 1 interviewee / 1 observer Each take a turn to be interviewee and
change roles after 5 mins Observer give feedback for 2 mins Feedback
Selection centre DVD Produced by Peninsula Deanery /AGCAS Available in Post Graduate Centre Real candidates Real consultants Available in postgraduate centres Covers:
Structured interview Portfolio interview Presentation Simulation station Mock GP consultation
If you have no offers…
…there are other options: Some Deaneries have an interim round Unfilled posts are released to Trusts so that
service needs can be met Watch for vacancies in early summer Locum post (may be a LAT/LAS) Build experience in a Career Grade/SAS post Time for an overseas opportunity?
Remember:
You can always apply again You can make any experience add value to
your CV/portfolio and give you more to offer It is not impossible to change path if you try a
specialty and it doesn’t work for you Not all training posts get filled, so opportunity
can arise sooner than you think Stay employed to be employable
Resources
www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk
www.mmc.nhs.uk
www.bmjcareers.com
www.gmc-uk.org
The Roads to success: Caroline Elton and
Joan Reid
Thank you
&
Questions
GOOD LUCK