NHS Interview Question Bank
Organised by the frameworks NHS panels use to score candidates.
Values-Based Questions
Focusing on the 6 Cs of the NHS Constitution.
- ?"Tell me about a time you showed compassion to a patient or colleague."
- ?"How do you ensure you maintain a patient’s dignity in a busy environment?"
- ?"Describe a situation where you had to show courage at work."
- ?"How do you demonstrate commitment to quality of care every day?"
Competency-Based Questions
Testing your skills in teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.
- ?"Give an example of a time you worked effectively in a multi-disciplinary team."
- ?"Describe a time you had to manage a difficult conflict with a colleague."
- ?"Tell me about a time you showed initiative to improve a service."
- ?"How do you prioritise your workload when faced with competing demands?"
Scenario / Situational Questions
How you handle real-world healthcare challenges.
- ?"You notice a colleague has made a clinical error. What do you do?"
- ?"A patient’s family member is being aggressive. How do you handle this?"
- ?"You are asked to perform a task you don’t feel competent in. What is your response?"
- ?"How would you handle breaking bad news to a patient or their family?"
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Master the STAR Method for NHS
Keep it brief (10-15%). Set the scene and explain exactly what you were responsible for.
The bulk of your answer (60-70%). Use "I" not "we". Focus on specific clinical or team actions you took.
The most forgotten part (15-20%). What was the outcome? Use data or specific feedback if possible.
3 Common NHS Interview Mistakes
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Being too generic: Not linking your answers back to the NHS Constitution or the 6 Cs.
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Using "We": The panel wants to know what YOU did, not what the team did.
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Failing the "Patient Centered" test: Forgetting to mention the impact on patient care or experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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