Your Health Career Resource
Sanctuary Health is committed to helping you carve the career you want. Our careers hub is a central resource for people at every stage of their healthcare career. We hope you find it helpful.
Featured blogs
Highly engaging, our healthcare blogs delve into the world of healthcare careers. So, whether you need some CV pointers, want to ace your next interview or simply want to explore what it’s like working in a related profession, our blog is a great resource.
How well do you know the job application process?
When you’re in the middle of it, the job application process can seem a little overwhelming and there are quite a few steps between you seeing a job you love and being offered the position. Before you even apply, you may have a few questions.What should I include in my application? How long should my CV be? Will I need a covering letter? How many interviews should I expect to participate in—and will testing be involved? How will the employer assess my application? And finally, how do I know if I am likely to receive a job offer?Knowing how the process works can help to ease the nerves. So, we’ve put together a quick guide that tells you everything you need to know about the job application process.Get your CV readyAll employers ask for a CV as part of your job application, so it’s essential that it’s well-organised and polished.At Sanctuary, we carefully review every CV that is sent to us, but not all recruiters or employers have the time. According to research, recruiters spend up to 7 seconds looking at a CV, which means they’re quickly scanning to see if you’re a good fit for a role.In order to pass the ‘7-second test’, you need to make sure that your CV is concise and clearly laid out so that an employer can pick out your key skills and experience quickly. Remember, some recruiters will sift through roughly 250 CVs for every job they advertise, so you want to be sure that yours matches the job description as closely as possible.In an age where personal branding is more important than ever, you may be tempted to add a photo of yourself to your CV. But this can be more harmful than you think; on average, there’s an 88% job rejection rate if you include a self-portrait. Plus, the inclusion of a photograph can sometimes alter the template of your CV when opened by the employer.Read more about what your CV should include.Write a cover letterWhen applying for a role directly, you will usually have to send in a covering letter each time you apply for a job as 53% of employers prefer candidates who have cover letters with their CVs. This can differ if you’re applying for a locum position through Sanctuary as these rarely require a covering letter. For permanent positions, your consultant will provide the employer with a detailed summary of your capabilities. It's still helpful to have a good covering letter ready, though.Your cover letter should be roughly three paragraphs long and include examples from your past experience to demonstrate why you are qualified for the role. Even if it's optional, including a cover letter is the best way to pitch your case for an interview.However, keep in mind that, on average, it takes just one or two errors for your application to be rejected. You must check to make sure that you’ve referred to practice models correctly, that your dates match up and you have no spelling or grammar mistakes. Once you’ve checked it, check it again (and then get a friend to look over it once more, just in case!)Apply for jobsYou can apply for jobs online, via email, or even in person. No matter what position you are applying for, be sure to follow the recruiter's specific directions for filling out the application.At Sanctuary, we’ve made the application process really easy. You can either apply for a job you’ve seen on our website or through a job board (e.g. Indeed). Once we have a copy of your CV and contact details, and have identified you as a strong candidate, we’ll put you forward for interview. Meanwhile, we also look for similar roles that we think you’ll be interested in, which can take a lot of the weight out of the application process.It is worth being mindful of is your online presence during this process, as some employers may have a look at your social media profile as part of their selection process. Of those that do, almost 4 in 5 say they rejected an applicant based on something they discovered online.Screening your applicationSince 250 CVs are typically submitted for each job position, with the first applications coming in on average just 200 seconds after the job is posted, employers often use applicant tracking software to recruit, screen, hire, track, and manage applicants for employment. Therefore, your application will likely be screened to determine if you are a match for the job. The software will match the information in the job applications submitted with the position requirements, so be sure to include the full titles of your job roles and qualifications rather than acronyms.ScreeningScreening can take many different forms. When applying for a frontline health or social care job, your professional registration, experience and references should sufficiently demonstrate your capabilities. Beyond this, identity and compliance checks will be carried out by the employer or recruiter to confirm your qualifications/registration and check for any criminal convictions.For non-clinical roles though, you may be expected to take a pre-employment test. These can include talent assessment tests, cognitive and personality tests, and background checks. Some tests are conducted as part of the job application process, and others will take place further along in the hiring process, after the interview and before a job offer.Interview processOn average, employers interview up to 6 candidates for each role, although this largely depends how they are choosing to recruit. If Sanctuary is recruiting exclusively for a position, you may be one of three people who have been put forward.If you have been selected for an interview, the employer can already see you being a good fit. During the interview, you will be invited to talk to the line manager, hiring manager, or employer – and sometimes all three.No matter how much interview experience you have, it’s good to be as prepared as possible. Do your research on the organisation and have a read through our interview guide, which is packed full of helpful tips. We have also prepared information on the STAR interview technique and a phone interview guide. Job offersEmployers will usually let you know within 24-48 hours, and often sooner, whether you’ve got the job. It’s a great moment when you receive the call you’ve been waiting for. All that’s left is for you to accept the position, agree a start date, review and sign your contract and hand your notice in to your current employer and prepare for your first day.Now it’s time to put your knowledge to the test…Find more careers advice here.
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Make social media work for you: 3 common mistakes that will hurt your job search
Social media is integral to job searching in the digital age. However, if you’re not careful, it can also hinder your chances. As of February 2022, 84.3% of people in the UK are active on social media. UK adults spend an average of nearly 2 hours on social platforms every day. Let’s dive in to how you can not only avoid harming your job prospects with your social media activity but actually enhance them - from using LinkedIn to expand your network and build your personal brand, to following a company on Instagram to gain insight into their company culture. What not to doHere are 3 things to keep in mind with your online presence: Evidence of an active social life and partying with friends won’t cause any harm, but photos of you black-out drunk will. And any mention of illegal substances is an absolute no-go. Embracing your inner keyboard warrior and getting into heated public arguments may raise concerns about your interpersonal skills and how easy you’d be to work with. We hope this goes without saying, but never attack individuals or groups, and do not engage in any behaviour that is racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted. So now we’ve covered what not to do; what can you do to make social media work for you when you’re looking for your next role? Lock them downThe easiest way to avoid future employers scrutinising your social media accounts is to set your accounts to private. This approach has its advantages in that it doesn’t leave you worrying about that one photo from an ill-advised night out ten years ago resurfacing… but it also cuts you off from all the benefits of using social media well. Post thoughtfullyTypical everyday posts won’t do you any harm (personally, my Instagram consists mostly of food, friends, and photos of my dog.) But intentional and more in-depth posts that engage critically with issues will demonstrate that you’re intelligent, thoughtful, and able to articulate your views well. Comment respectfully and constructivelyIt’s easy to criticise. When you comment on others’ posts and on discussions in groups, focus on being constructive and bringing something of value to the conversation. Whether you’re expressing an opinion, offering a tip, or simply saying thank you for whatever useful content the person posted, be courteous, respectful, and kind. Share content relevant to your industryEngaging with what’s going on in your industry is perhaps one of the best ways to impress potential employers with your social media presence. Follow relevant pages, join groups, comment on posts, share news and views, and – unless it’s confidential – talk about what you’ve been working on. If you’re a children’s social worker, for example, you might share your favourite resources. If you work in the charity sector, you might link to news articles related to the issue your charity focuses on, and so on. Don’t neglect LinkedInLinkedIn is the least popular of the major social networking platforms amongst young people - as of September 2022, only about 17% of 18-24 year olds in the UK have an account. But if you don’t have a presence on there, you’re missing out on some valuable opportunities. Not only does it act as a sort of online CV, it’s also a place where you can network with people in your sector. Active use of LinkedIn should be part of your job-hunting strategy. Connect with people you work with or have worked with in the past, join relevant groups, and enjoy all the useful content that is posted every day. You can also set yourself as “open to opportunities” so that recruiters can reach out to you with appropriate positions. Demonstrate your valuesSome people worry that they should be apolitical on social media. But this isn’t the case. Engaging with current affairs can be a fantastic way to show your values and how you live them. Of course, think before you post or re-share anything, but be yourself and demonstrate what’s important to you. Many employers will view the willingness to speak up for what you believe in as a very attractive trait in a potential employee. Follow companies and engage with them The vast majority of companies have a social media presence. So, if you’ve applied for a job or even think you might like to work with them someday, follow them on social media. Engage with their posts, and tag them if you talk about their products or services. While the person who runs the social media accounts is unlikely to be the hiring manager, your interviewer probably also follows those accounts. If they recognise your name and are impressed by your comments, they’ll remember you. And if they look up your social media presence later in the recruitment process, they’ll be impressed to see your expressed interest in the company. Build a brandAt its core, a personal brand is about demonstrating who you are as a person, what you do, and what’s important to you. Think about what you want to be associated with, and act accordingly. If you want to become known for a particular kind of work or as an expert in a particular subject, build your social media presence around that. Think about the kind of personality you want to convey, and assess whether or not a post contributes to that goal before you hit “submit.” Don’t ruin your career in 280 characters. Speak to your Sanctuary consultant today for further guidance on your job search.
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Find your ideal role today
Consider how much easier it would be if securing your next role was simply a couple of clicks away. That once registered, you only ever hear about jobs that tick every box. Where you can relax and even enjoy the process. At Sanctuary Personnel, we pair our candidates with roles we know are a direct match to their skills, knowledge, experience and future aspirations.
Career guides
Created by our healthcare resourcing specialists, our careers advice pages and guides will give you the lift you need. Just putting a few top tips in place, you’ll be closer to landing your ideal role.
Your career path
We know you spend a lot of time supporting others. From the moment you register with us, we'll support you throughout your career. We’ll help you make important decisions with unbiased person-centred advice.
Interview Guide - Physiotherapists
Have you been invited for a physiotherapy job interview? To help you prepare, here are a few questions that commonly crop up, along with our tips for dealing with them effectively.1. Why did you become a physiotherapist?This is a real favourite with interviewers. Try to avoid generalisations. It's fine to say something like "Because I have a passion for helping people". However, you should support this statement with specific examples which show how you have made a real difference to people's lives.2. Why do you think you're good at your job?You need to strike the right balance here. You shouldn't undersell yourself, but equally you don't want to come across as over-confident. Key attributes include strong communication and time management skills, good health and physical fitness, empathy, tolerance and patience. Refer to one or two examples from your work experience where these skills were particularly relevant.3. How do you manage your time effectively?Good time management as a physiotherapist is not just about being super-organised. It's also about using the available time productively and not over-stretching yourself, which means having realistic and achievable goals. Key things to mention are forward planning, time allocation and reviewing how you have performed to learn lessons for the future.4. How do you go about devising a treatment plan?This is a very important part of any allied health role. Person-centred care is at the heart of the NHS strategy, so you should show how you make sure each treatment plan is tailored to the patient's needs. Talk about questioning and assessing the patient, taking into account their overall health and lifestyle. Also mention how important it is to review their progress and make any necessary adjustments to the plan.5. Are you familiar with the NHS Employers Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF)?The KSF is commonly used as a benchmark in staff appraisals, so you should make sure you understand it and what it means for you in your job as a physiotherapist. The new simplified KSF can be adapted by NHS trusts to meet local needs, so try to find out how your prospective employer uses it in physiotherapy roles. Find out more about the KSF here.6. How do you stay informed about new techniques and technology?This is an opportunity to show you are committed to continuing professional development (CPD). You should talk about any courses you have taken or are taking, and how you stay up-to-date with physiotherapy news and views e.g. through professional forums and networking sites.7. What's the role of a physiotherapist in a multi-disciplinary team (MDT)?Obviously, your professional expertise is important. However, this is also about showing you're a real team player and can work effectively with doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals. Give one or two examples of collaborative working, showing you understand the dynamics of the MDT approach and the various roles that all participants play in providing joined-up care.Our interview guide will tell you everything you need to know...If you’re looking for your next position, take a look at our wide range of physiotherapist roles.
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Prepare for your Occupational Therapy Interview
Your next Occupational Therapist role is within reach! The position is ideal. It is in the right area with the type of cases you like. All you need to do now is secure the role at interview. The good news is, if you have been offered an interview through Sanctuary Health, you’re more than half way there to securing the role. Your individual Sanctuary Health consultant will be able to give you information about your new employer, but there’s still plenty of scope for you to hone your interview techniques. Depending on the location and nature of the Occupational Therapist role, there’s still a great deal of competition, so how do you make sure you are chosen over another professional? Being prepared for some of the most frequently asked questions helps. Tell me about your experience of standardised assessmentsThe employer is looking for evidence of your ability to promote the use of evidence-based outcome measures. They’ll want to hear to how, through assessments, you provide credible and reliable justification for the intervention that is delivered. Be ready with one or two examples but keep your answer short (ideally no longer than two minutes). What do you know about our care models?This question tests two things; your knowledge of them as an employer and of the model/s they adhere to (e.g. model of human occupation). Research the organisation and ask your Sanctuary Health consultant if they are privy to information on certain models. Once you’ve established what the models are, research them and make sure you understand the basic principles and how you would apply them. What makes an effective Occupational Therapist?You will need some real-life examples to draw from. Discuss examples that show you enable patients to recover or change; through listening to individual needs and give clinical advice on supporting them to make decisions about their care. Remember, employers are looking for Occupational Therapists who are reflective. What do you do if a patient complains about a member of staff?It’s not uncommon for people to feel frustrated with the pace of care, which can be influenced by many factors. Something you’ll know all too well as an Occupational Therapist. You might well find yourself in this very situation, where a patient wants to make a compliant or raise their concerns. In your answer, you need to make it clear you are aware of the procedure for reporting anything considered to be wrong or unsafe. Explain, step-by-step, what your approach would be. Try not to throw in too many hypothetical possibilities though. Keep it simple. What’s the value of an OT in a multi-disciplinary setting?This is an interesting question. Really, the interviewer is asking you ‘how do work with other people from other healthcare departments?’. Increasingly, both NHS and private employers are realising the benefits of co-located teams. Not just across healthcare either; within social care and criminal justice too. In giving your answer, provide examples of where, as an Occupational Therapist, you’ve jointly aided the recovery or care of a patient. If you’ve been involved in a team piloting a new way of working, here’s your chance to shout about it!Our interview guide will tell you everything you need to know...Whether you are looking for a position within the NHS, private healthcare sector or with a local authority, we have plenty of vacancies.Interested in finding out more? Register with Sanctuary today.
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Interview Guide - Biomedical Scientists
If you’ve landed an interview for your next biomedical scientist role or are thinking about applying for a position, you’ll find our interview guide helpful. It’s based on the questions we know Health Science Services (HSS) employers ask. Of course, you’ll be asked some of the obvious questions such as why do you want to work here? and some competency questions about your ability to perform within the role. A biomedical scientist candidate interviewing for a role in phlebotomy, for example, might be asked about the Vacutainer blood collection system, or about which anticoagulants are used in phlebotomy, together with what the latest research shows.Preparation is key, so you’ll want to rehearse your responses to common questions beforehand.Why did you choose to become a biomedical scientist?This is a specific question that requires you to talk passionately about your area of specialism, biomedical science. Share a personal story that connects your motivation with your clinical skills. If you can remember the first time you ever wanted to pursue your chosen career and link this same feeling to how you feel and act today, you’ll resonate with the employer. Why should we appoint you?Despite popular belief, many healthcare professionals struggle with this question. After all, it’s not within most people’s nature to think they are better than their peers. A good way to approach the answer is to look back at the feedback you’ve had from line managers and patients – what have they said about you? Look for consistent values. Plus, you’ll be able to reference specific perceptions and be ready with real-life examples to back-up what you are saying. demonstrated work on committees will help strengthen your organization’s commitment to active internal leadership.”Talk about a time you disagreed with some clinical findingsThe interviewer is interested in how you deal with conflict. As a biomedical scientist, you will work with several related healthcare professionals and may occasionally be challenged on your findings or research. Some might disagree with your research or findings altogether. Try to use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you would approach any objections. If a biomedical mistake happened in the lab, what would you do?Discuss how you would assess the situation and decide whether you can deal with the issue alone, with a colleague or if you need to escalate to somebody more senior. Depending on what the issue is, you might need to inform the relevant person within your department, most likely the laboratory manager, and complete an incident form. Be clear on exactly what you would do but try not to add too much detail to the scenario, especially if it is hypothetical. Can you explain your understanding of ISO 15189?This is a frequent interview question for biomedical scientists. The interviewer is not expecting you to know everything about ISO. They just want to feel confident that you have enough knowledge to be an effective member of the lab team in maintaining compliance. Focus on a couple of ISO areas where you know you can add real value and describe this clearly. Tell us about your approach to new equipmentAdapting to new equipment is a key aspect of any biomedical scientist position. Explain how you would learn about the new technology. You’ll want to go above and beyond saying you’ll attend the relevant training sessions. A strong answer shows willingness to explore the technical manual in depth and read recent research papers where the technology has been used for research. You could even use this as an opportunity to explain how you also make recommendations for equipment updates or replacements in your current role. What do you see as the future of healthcare?This is a nice question. It’s often asked towards the end of the interview and gives you the chance to be philosophical. Biomedical Science is changing rapidly, and employers want passionate, innovative scientists to help facilitate that change. Highlight the work you’ve been involved in to date and how it has helped current and previous employers stay ahead.The chances are, your answer could be enough to inch you over the finish-line just ahead of another viable candidate. Our interview guide will tell you everything you need to know...Start your healthcare job search today!
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Interview Guide - Mental Health Nurses
Interviewing can be a tricky process, especially if you work in mental health where the work is complex. To help you land your perfect job, we’ve pulled together some frequently asked questions asked of mental health nurses at interview.1. What do you know about our organisation?This is an extremely common question in any interview, not just those in the health sector. It’s important that you show you’ve taken the time to research the organisation – you can do this by looking through their website or checking for any recent media coverage. If you know that the employer has piloted a new approach to mental health nursing or is a specialist in a field of work, don’t be afraid to bring it up in conversation. It demonstrates your interest in them as an organisation and as a prospective employer.2. Why do you want to work for us?This follows on from the question above. If there is a specific department you will be working in, look at any organisational achievements, and state how your skills will fit in. This is also your opportunity to learn more about the employer – don’t be afraid to ask any questions that you may have about the organisation.3. Give an example of something you are proud of as a mental health nurse?This is your chance to really sell yourself and your skills. We recommend showing how innovative and resourceful you can be; after all, mental health nursing can be challenging. Perhaps you managed to help somebody make positive changes to their mental health, or you have been involved in an innovative project or service.The key here is to really sound enthusiastic about what you are talking about. Make sure you smile and maintain eye contact with all members of the interview panel. I would also recommend being aware of your body language – remember to have a confident posture. 4. What are the skills in patient care that you view as essential?Prospective employers will be keen to find out as much as possible about your patient-care skills and specific experience in supporting patients with mental health issues. They will be looking for an employee with empathy and patience, who can work safely and effectively. For those working in mental health, it could be beneficial to talk about how you are able to deal with potential confrontation or conflicting views from relatives – think about how you would handle a hypothetical situation as well as maintaining your legal responsibilities.5. Can you tell me about your professional values?NHS Employers are now using Value Based Recruitment (VBR) methods. This means that they are looking for prospective employees, whose personal values align with the NHS values described in the NHS constitution. Think about how your behaviours can fit in with your potential employer.Make sure you have some concrete examples of how you have previously put your core values into practice – for example, if you work well in a team and are easily adaptable to alternative ways of working, this is your chance to sell yourself.6. What do you understand by the term ‘diversity at work?’This isn’t just about treating everybody the same. Employers want to know how you ensure that you treat colleagues with support and respect. It is also about understanding how your work can be affected by your own background and personal beliefs; something mental health nurses must be acutely aware of.7. How do you keep on top of your Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?It is important that you keep on top of your CPD; it demonstrates how you have regularly broadened your skill set. Any prospective employer will want to know how they will benefit from your training, and they may ask how you document your learning. I would recommend having a few examples of how a specific activity has helped with your CPD. With research into mental health being released all the time, you might also want to detail how you include such learnings into your CPD. Also use this as an opportunity to show how you can interact with colleagues and learn from others. Sharing best practice is a highly-valued skill, and employers would be impressed by peer-based networking or mentoring.8. Name a national initiative in healthcare that you feel passionate aboutBy this, we do not mean a discussion about the latest cuts or other political discussions, rather knowledge of any developments that are most relevant to mental health nursing. Interviewers are impressed by those aware of the most recent research, so you may wish to focus on any training which could be beneficial for any future changes.”Our interview guide will tell you everything you need to know...If you’re looking for your next position, take a look at our wide range of mental health jobs.
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Prepare for your Nurse Interview
Your next nursing job role is within reach! The position pays well, is in the ideal setting with the perfect shift pattern. All you need to do now is secure the role at interview. The good news is, if you have been offered an interview through Sanctuary Health, you know the hiring manager will already know you are the right fit. Your individual Sanctuary Health consultant will be able to give you plenty of information on the role to help you gauge the interviewer’s expectations, but there’s still plenty of scope for you to perfect your interview techniques. For certain nursing roles, there’s still a great deal of competition, so how do you make sure you are the ideal candidate on the day? To put yourself a good chance, you might want to carefully consider and practice your answers to the following questions. What three strengths do you bring to the role?Try to bring your answer in line with the 6Cs (Care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, commitment). The NHS England website provides a useful summary of these. Try to structure your answer based on examples of at least three of these. Make sure you acknowledge the 6Cs. Can you provide an example of how you manage tasks?It’s always good to have an example here. Start with a short statement that describes you approach to managing and prioritising tasks. Then follow the statement with a real-life example. If a colleague did something wrong or unsafe, what would you do?You may or may not have experienced this as a nurse. Whether you have or not, you need to make it clear you are aware of the procedure for reporting anything considered to be wrong or unsafe. Explain, step-by-step, what your approach would be. Try not to throw in too many hypothetical possibilities though. Keep it simple. What’s your understanding of compassionate care?You might get this question in reverse. You could be asked "has there ever been a time where you have felt unable to give compassionate care?" You need to think carefully about your answer. Perhaps you could talk about how you always try to remain focused on providing the best care to the patient and how you manage to stay objective. What makes a good shift and how would you contribute to this?Use this question as an opportunity to talk about delivery of safe, effective care and collaborative working. The best answers talk about the value of multi-disciplinary working and finding answers to pressured situations. Be prepared with some real-life examples though. It’s much easier to elaborate on something that you’ve experienced. These are just a few of the more common questions asked at a nursing interview. Remember though, whatever the question, to:Be concise and structured in your answer. Keep your answers to just a couple of minutes. You can always ask the employer if they would like you to expand on your answer.For competency-based answers, adhere to the STAR formula; situation, task, action and result. Our interview guide will tell you everything you need to know...Whether you are looking for shift work, a locum or permanent position, we have nursing roles available throughout the UK.If you’re looking for your next position, take a look at our wide range of nursing jobs.
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Interview Guide for Psychologists
The career path you might wish to pursue as a psychologist will likely be influenced by several factors. It’s fair to say then, at interview, you could be asked a wide range of questions designed to tease out your specific knowledge, experience and career aspirations. Below, we’ve drawn together some of the more frequently asked interview questions you could be asked at interview from a clinical psychologist or related role. Our Sanctuary Health consultants have provided some top tips on how to answer the questions too. Why did you settle on this specific area of psychology?Everyone will have their own reasons for specialising in a certain area of medicine. Psychology is no different. Try to keep your answer concise and explain a bit more about your specific career roadmap. Talk about what continues to fascinate you and keep you motivated in your chosen area. You could even expand on your answer to talk about how other, more senior members of staff, have played a role in inspiring you. What are your weaknesses?Now, this question won’t be a surprise. It features in almost all job interviews, but it is an important one to get right as a psychologist. You need to show you can be reflective and offer a reasoned well-balanced answer. You could talk about the constant need to push forward in your career and learn more is a frustration, but you use this to keep you focused and ambitious. What experience do you have working in an MDT?You’ll need to be explicit here about the type of multi-disciplinary team settings you have worked in. Talk about the benefits of working with other colleagues as well as acknowledging the challenges. If you talk about any challenges though, mention how you proactively address these. The interviewer will appreciate a realistic and honest answer. What are your strengths as a therapist?This largely depends on the area of psychology you specialise in. It could be that you are great at leading group therapy sessions, or perhaps you’re able to demonstrate clinical success with independent cognitive behavioural therapy? Or maybe you are constantly praised for the level of detail and direction within your assessments. If you find self-praise a little tricky, look back at any appraisal notes from your previous line managers. What positives do they consistently mention? What has been your greatest achievement with a patient?You’ll want to draw from a real-life example, although try and choose a patient where the backstory is not too complicated to explain. You’ll need to describe how you identified a specific problem, how you supported the patient, and what the outcome was. Try and use the STAR formula; situation, task, action and resultExplain a time when you resolved a challenging caseThe interviewer is looking for you to acknowledge that you might not be able to treat a patient. That perhaps they are better placed under the care of another specialist. It is important that you walk the interviewer through a step-by-step account of how you would handle such a situation. Emphasise the care you would take to ensure you were not creating the impression that the patient’s problem is unsolvable. How would you manage their expectations and handle concerns from their family, if relevant? Additional clinical psychologist interview questionsBelow we’ve detailed a few more interview questions for psychology and therapist positions. Prepare for your next psychology job interview by scoping out your answer to each question. Remember, always apply the ‘so what?’ test. If your answer does not add anything over and above what you’ve already said in the interview, it’s not a strong enough answer. For ease of reference, we’ve grouped the questions into categories. Your professional selfCan you tell me a little bit about your professional strengths? When did you first become interested in a career in psychology? What was your motivation? What are your 3 to 5-year career goals. How will your aspirations benefit our organisation? Therapy and clinical interestsWhich elements of clinical work do you least/most enjoy? What would your colleagues say about you as a therapist? Can you detail your experience in inpatient/group/family/individual/etc… treatment?AssessmentWhich assessment tools/methods do you have experience with? What additional assessment training have you undergone? How would you improve your assessments? What theories or models resonate with you? What are your research interests? How do you apply this knowledge within your assessments?DiversityCan you give any examples of where you have supported patients from diverse or multicultural communities. What are your strengths and weakness in working with diverse communities? Do you have any specific concerns about working with a demographic?Our interview guide will tell you everything you need to know...If you are looking for your next psychology job or simply want to explore your career prospects, register with Sanctuary Health today.
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Prepare for your Doctor Interview
As a doctor, your next job role is within your grasp! The position is within your desired salary band and will allow you to progress within your chosen speciality. All you need to do now is secure the role at interview. The good news is, if you have been offered an interview through Sanctuary Health, the role is already highly suitable. You just need to demonstrate you have the right level of experience and knowledge for the role.Your individual Sanctuary Health consultant, who specialises in recruiting doctors, will give you a full picture on what the employer is looking for, but there’s still plenty of scope for you to perfect your interview techniques. Whether you are a junior or senior middle grade doctor, speciality doctor, GP or Consultant, you’ll still want to do some prep ahead of the interview, and here’s a few of the more typical questions you can expect to be asked. Describe a procedure you’ve followed in finding a solution to a complex medical condition?Here you’ll want to indicate your problem-solving skills and medical knowledge. The temptation is to go into lots of detail because complex cases are complicated. But try to keep your answer relatively short. Make sure the salient points are there but don’t worry about including every little detail. If the interviewer wants further information on an aspect of your answer, they will ask you to elaborate. What communication methods do you find work best within a multi-disciplinary team? The interviewer is looking for more than just the standard of answer of you saying you appreciate input from other staff members. Perhaps you can think of an example where strong multi-disciplinary communications you were party to helped deliver a positive outcome for a patient; an outcome that might have been very different if it wasn’t for clear communications across different specialities. How do you safely move from one patient to the next?As a doctor, you need to offer a strong answer that shows how you take a practical and safe approach in managing change in a highly pressured environment. Again, think of an example but try and keep your answer succinct. Describe a challenging time as a doctor. What lessons have you learned?Nobody is perfect and the interviewer will know and appreciate this. You could use this question to how you realise when you have reached a stage in treating a patient where they need to be referred to speciality doctor or consultant. This shows an appreciation for safe practise.What is your opinion of research?Often, this question will be used to by the interviewer to discover how interested you are to learn new skills and progress your knowledge within your desired specialist area of medicine. Be prepared to cite some recent research and how you translate your research into your role. You could even look to see whether there are any recent research papers published by any of the consultants and professors already working there. You could be asked any number of questions. But here’s a few tips:Be concise and focused in your answers. Pause before answering. For frequently asked questions, keep your answers to just a couple of minutes. You can always ask the interviewer if they would like you to elaborate. Always provide a short summary before you go into detail on each answer. For competency-based answers, adhere to the STAR formula; situation, task, action and result. Our interview guide will tell you everything you need to know...Hopefully these tips will help you prepare for your next doctor job interview. If you’re looking for your next position, why not take a look at our wide range of doctor roles?
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Competency Based Interview Questions
Competency questions are largely designed to find out how you use your strengths and overcome your weaknesses, how you work with others and manage the needs of patients and staff. They are dictated by the healthcare organisation, so they can vary quite a lot. All the questions, however, enable you to draw on real-life examples. This assists in revealing the extent of your skills in areas where you will need to be competent to safely perform the role you have applied for.You are likely to be asked specifically about how you manage your workload. You will need to draw upon real-life examples. This will be much more powerful than describing your appreciation for time management. An employer will be looking for indicators of how adaptable you are at meeting the needs of patients and how you deal calmly within the confines of the law.How do you inspire others within your team?Being able to work well within a team is extremely important within all healthcare settings. Providing specific achievements will work better than simply making a statement. For example, saying “In my role, I successfully developed four of my staff to promoted posts within a year” provides more of an insight than saying “I am experienced at managing teams”. Can you tell me about the areas you need to develop? Is frequently asked. It’s an open question. The answer will very much depend on you as an individual, but you could talk positively about an area you are already knowledgeable or trained in and how you see your learning continuing in this field of work. This also provides you with a good opportunity to discuss your professional development.How do you keep up to date with developments in your area of practice? Everybody will have their own methods of keeping on top of developments within their field of work. Referencing current research will show your appreciation for how this could influence your practice. Identify literature reviews and specific trials/projects relating to your area of expertise. You could also give an example of how your practice has previously been enhanced by employing an evidence-based approach to your work. Conflict management is also an area of competency. You could be asked to recall a time where you were unable to deal with a difficult member of your team, and how you managed the situation. Be prepared to explain how you arrived at a positive outcome. Competency questions can of course take many different formats but if you have an example to give for each of the areas below, you’ll be as prepared as you can be:Where you’ve led on a piece of work and how you guide and enthuse othersWhen you’ve managed an aggrieved patient/family memberHow you coped and adapted to change in the workplaceWhen you made a mistake or things didn’t go to plan.How you used a non-conventional method and the challenges you facedWhen you delegated responsibility How you drove a team through change (if applying for a managerial role)Our interview guide will tell you everything you need to know...Let's start the process, register with Sanctuary today!
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