Do You Have Any Questions?

This question is usually asked at the end of an interview and for most of us, all we want to do is to make a quick escape, so we quickly say: ‘No, I am fine thank you, no questions’. This could however be a golden opportunity to give your interviewers more reasons to offer you a contract or to give you a place on the College/University course. I suggest that you should prepare a couple of questions in answer to ‘do you have any questions for us’. Here are some examples.

Example:

Could you tell me about the Erasmus programme, I am particularly interested to study in Italy? 

Do you give any financial assistance with learning and development? 

What kind of preceptorship programme do you offer?

Would it be okay to take a holiday in 5 weeks time, I have already booked a holiday?

Why Should we Offer you the Job or University place?

At the start of the interview it is likely that you will be asked why you should be given a place on the course or why do you think you should be offered the job. This question is particularly relevant to job interviews, and it gives you the chance to talk about your suitability for the role. If you are a health care worker, you should be shaping your thoughts to talk about your qualities and skills, and ensure that you provide relevant evidence to support your wonderful qualities and skills. Providing relevant evidence is crucial, it will be more persuasive as opposed to simply listing skills and qualities. 

Example: 

I am caring and honest and I have the courage to speak-up if I see that bad practice is taking place. For example, if I were to witness a member of staff administering an incorrect drug, I would not hesitate to report it. I have a duty to patients, to advocate on patients’ behalf and by reporting the incident I would be carrying out my duty. I understand the six Cs and I work in accordance to care values. I am a team player and by reporting the incident it will be in the interest of all members of the team and appropriate action can be taken to care for the patient.      

From Student to Staff

A newly qualified nursing student will need to convince employers that they have what it takes to become a good nurse. A good nurse need to possess a daunting set of qualities, he/she need to demonstrate compassion, have good communication skills, show respect and resilience, be accountable and adaptable. If you know what is required of you then do ensure that you offer evidence to support the qualities and skills you possess. 

Tell us about a mistake you have been involved with?

What! They want to hear about my mistakes. Yes, shocking isn’t it. Now, you need to note that interviewers say that too often interviewees are very quick to talk about someone else’s mistake. In view of this don’t fall in the trap of talking about other people’s mistakes, instead talk about yours. 

The reason for asking you to talk about a mistake is to see what you have learnt from what took place. How did the mistake  change your practice, how did you work with others to change your practice? Furthermore, interviewers will be looking for how you use evidence in your practice. Simply reflect on all that you have learnt about evidence based practice, reflect on the many essays you have written on the topic and the presentations delivered on applying evidence in practice. Interviewers want to appraise your learning.   

Conflict Resolution

Interviewers might also want to hear how you would deal with conflict, so be prepared. The aim is to show that you can de-escalate a situation and not make the situation worse. You could say that taking people away from the area and sitting them down, to allow them to explain what led to the problem would be your chosen strategy. Furthermore, you should give your interviewers confidence and let them know that you are aware of when it is best to escalate the matter to a senior member of staff. 

What others would say about you?

Towards the end of the interview if you are asked to select three or four words to describe how others would describe you, then make sure that you use single words. It will show that you have listened to the question and that you can provide an answer using single words, as opposed to constructing a sentence. Your answer will furthermore show that you have in the past considered how others see you, and that you are able to use reflective skills. 

Last question – Do you have any questions for me? If you do please get in touch. If you are preparing for a University interview, you might want to take a look at: How to choose the right academic subject for university.

Coming Soon

Study Coach Examples, will be coming soon. Examples will be available for download on key academic concepts, they are very affordable. I have found that quite often learners benefit from receiving more details on concepts such as evidence based practice; reflective practice; self-actualisation; transformational leadership; stigma and many other terms. 

Study Coach is here to support students to attain academic excellence, academic support is given online, see Services on the website wwwstudycoach.uk.com 

 



You have been an inspirational individual whose teaching skills are great. Keep inspiring.
Hatice

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