5 Tips for Physiotherapy Interview Preparation
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So, you have been successfully invited to interview for a new Physiotherapy job. Yes! Then comes the realisation that you have to actually go to the interview. They are going to ask you questions that last time did not make any sense and you are already seeing yourself looking like a fool in front of everyone. Especially because this job is at your current place of employment and everyone will know you have fallen flat on your face. Sound like familiar self talk?
Well, here is where that negative self talk ends. You are the exact person that I have created this blog post for. Follow my step by step guide which, will give you all the tools and information you need to know to prepare you for your time in the interview hot seat. Make sure you scroll to the end to get your FREE Physiotherapy Interview Checklist.
My top 5 Tips for Physiotherapy Interview Preparation:
1. Preparation is Key.
2. Interview Question Themes.
3. Structure of Your Answers.
4. Being Yourself.
5. Link it all Together.
And…Where to Look for More Help.
1. Preparation is Key.
Preparation is Key. Before you go any further, make sure you know exactly what job you are applying for.
It sounds silly but you should make sure you are aware of all the details. This includes: is the post full time or part time? The expected work pattern? the location or locations that you are expected to work? Is the post rotational? Are you expected to work weekends and/or on call?
If after reading the job information pack you are left with some questions, jot them down to research later.
Next, look at the job specification which usually is in the form of a PDF or a weblink on the site or portal that you have applied for the job on.
The job specification usually states what the essential and desirable criteria are for the role. If you have been invited to interview you should be quite confident that you are meeting some, if not most of these criteria. Get You!
Now for your first bit of work. Look carefully at each criteria, start to write down experiences that you have had that may relate to each point. Do not over think anything at this stage, just write down anything that springs to mind and don’t worry if you are writing the same experience down for multiple points. I will let you in to a secret, that is actually a good thing!
I couldn’t mention preparation without talking about the elephant in the room, which, should definitely not be the size of an elephant…The CPD folder. Is it up to date? I think the answer for the majority of Physios is…I very much doubt it.
So we are all in the same boat here. You need to make sure your CPD folder reflects the experiences that you are now matching to the job specification.
2. Interview Question Themes.
Ok. So, now you should have some examples of your experiences so far and be able to relate them to the job specification. It is important to have an idea of what themes may come up in the questions you are asked in your interview.
Now, the themes will obviously vary depending on what job role, employer and sector you are applying to work in. Regardless the interview themes that are usually guaranteed are:
- Your experience so far and how it relates to the role.
- Why you want to work for the employer?
- Communication skills.
- Team work skills.
- Clinical skills.
If you can make sure you have examples of your skills in each of these areas you already have a bank of practiced answers that you can draw upon.
3. Structure of Your Answers.
The structure of your answers to the interview questions are so important. Usually, your interviewers will have a list of key words that should be included by the candidate for a successful answer.
A good structure to follow is to first answer the question in terms of how you would solve the problem. Then provide an example of when you have been in this situation or similar in your current role. It is often useful to share your reflection on the example of what went well and what you have or will improve on in the future. Finally, complete the question by explaining how your actions have or would affect all parties involved.
Keeping to a structure during an interview for your answers can help you stay calm, focused and relaxed. It can also stop you from going off on a tangent and not specifically answering the question.
4. Being Yourself.
Ultimately showing your new, or current employer who you are, your personality and what makes you unique also can go far in an interview. It can sometimes be what tips the balance between and offer and a polite decline.
The ability to show that you are a clinician that can learn from your experiences will demonstrate your self-awareness and willingness to grow and develop in your new role.
I remember telling my interviewers for my Band 5 role, a few years ago now, that I contributed to my team’s moral by creating a cake day rota. I was able to explain that through my enthusiasm for baking, I spread some joy during a time of stress and change for the team. This got a little laugh, showed my personality and was not forgotten.
The things that come easy to you and you likely take for granted about yourself are most likely the things that make you shine out to others. Use it!
5. Linking it all Together.
And finally, you need to link it all together. You have done the preparation so you know what the job entails and what your new employers are looking for. You know the likely themes of the questions that may come up.
You have taken action by thinking of multiple examples from your experience so far and linking them to the themes and job specification. I would recommend preparing your answers in this way rather than focusing on a specific question.
If you get focused on answering a specific question it can lead to the dreaded brain freeze where panic sets in. If you are expecting something to come up and then it doesn’t it can feel like all your preparation was for nothing.
So, my number one tip is to prepare your examples to your identified themes which, you can then adapt to however the question is phrased around that theme.
To solidify these examples and how they demonstrate your themes you can create CPD content for you folder. Let’s use one of my old Band 5 examples to demonstrate.
I created a flow diagram style poster so that if patients were transferred to the stoke rehab ward at the weekend, when the therapists were not working, the nursing staff could select the most appropriate pressure cushion for the patient so there would not be a delay in the patient sitting out of bed.
In my CPD folder was a copy of the poster. I then created a reflection on the poster, identifying how I had supported my seniors in developing the service, communicated with my nursing colleagues and how this benefitted the patient in terms or rehabilitation and prevention of respiratory complications. I reflected on what I would do the same and what I would change if I were to do this again.
By creating the content for my CPD folder I was also deepening my own understanding of the value that my actions had on the patient, the people that I worked with and my own personal development.
That one example could be used to answer multiple questions that could be asked about communication, service development, putting patient’s first or equitable care.
So there you have it. My 5 top tips for your next Physiotherapy interview. Having a process to follow in which you are drawing on the vast experience you already will make you feel so confident. You have your selection of examples to draw upon that you are able to adapt to answer any question. If you are truly ready for the job you will already have all the answers you need.
Where to Look for More Help.
Now you have read the post, make sure you download my PDF Physiotherapy Interview Checklist. If you follow the guide you will have linked your experiences to the job specification and also matched your CPD evidence to your identified experiences.
You can then use these themes to craft your answers that can be adapted to any question that arises.
Your opportunity to work with me!
If this is your first interview or a promotion to a Band 6 or 7 role (or equivalent in non-NHS settings), you have had interviews previously and you have lost confidence in your interview technique, or this is the dream job and you absolutely have to get this one! Then we should work together!
Get in touch with me if you would like to feel confident that you are doing the right preparation for your upcoming interview and want to make the most of the limited amount time you have left to invest in the right areas so that you stand out to your new employer.
If you don’t feel it is the right time to work with me on this one, no problem at all. I have some blog posts that you might find useful.
Top 5 Tips for negotiating your Physiotherapy Salary
The main differences for Physiotherapy interviews between Bands 5, 6, 7, 8.
Make sure you download my Interview Checklist above and you will also receive updates of my upcoming posts.
Good luck with your interview, I know you will shine, and I would love to hear how it went, the good, the bad and the absolute cringe worthy moments (we all have them). Leave a comment about your experience in the box below or send me an email.
About the Blogger:
Hi, I’m Rebekah.
I’m a Physiotherapist with a passion to support others to get to where they want to be. I love to organise and plan which, comes in handy for my mission to empower others to achieve their Physiotherapy career goals.
