How to Prepare for Interviews and Develop your Career

Carol Forde-Johnston (RGN, BSc (Hons), PGDip, RNT and MSc) is a Divisional Recruitment and Retention Lead in the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Her role involves leading recruitment and retention initiatives and providing structured career advice to all levels of staff, with a particular focus on supporting newly qualified nurses and international nurses. Carol qualified as a registered nurse in 1989 at Coventry School of Nursing and went on to specialise in neurosciences. She worked for 20 years as a lecturer practitioner, a joint appointment between Oxford Brookes University and the local NHS hospital Trust, integrating research, education and clinical practice, and leading a third year nursing degree module and supporting nursing apprenticeships. Carol has published numerous articles relating to education and practice development in nursing and medical journals. Carol has also been involved in patient improvement initiatives and collaborated with Oxford University on a staff-led quality improvement project to prevent inpatient hospital falls. She passionate about developing and supporting staff and student nurses to improve their confidence and fulfil their future aspirations and is currently studying for a PhD in nursing.

About the author; Preface; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations



Step 1: Know your career options and what you need to get there

     1.1 The importance of choosing the right job and career pathway

     1.2 How to choose the right career pathway

     1.3 The differences between bands and roles

     What to do next



Step 2: Drive your own development

     2.1 The importance of lifelong learning to your career development

     2.2 Understand how to navigate educational structures

     2.3 Training, education and professional development

     2.4 Professional development reviews (PDRs)

     2.5 Appraisals

     2.6 The importance of NMC registration and revalidation

     What to do next



Step 3: Support others and influence change in your current role

     3.1 Widen your perspective and support others in your current role

     3.2 We all have the power to positively influence change in our current role

     3.3 Understand the local and national systems in which you work

     3.4 Overview of key terms

     What to do next



Step 4: Complete a strong application and personal statement

     4.1 The importance of a strong application and personal statement

     4.2 Your application form

     4.3 How to write your personal statement

     4.4 Curriculum Vitae (CV) template

     4.5 Personal professional portfolio

     What to do next



Step 5: Create an interview plan

     5.1 The more you prepare, the better chance you have of succeeding

     5.2 Different types of interviews

     5.3 Create an interview plan

     5.4 On the day of the interview

     5.5 After the interview

     What to do next



Step 6: Move forward positively from challenges

     6.1 Learning from your experiences

     6.2 Practical advice to help you move forward from challenges

     What to do next



Step 7: Make your achievements stand out in the future

     7.1 Share what you do and promote your achievements

     7.2 Develop a clinical academic career

     7.3 Publish your work

     What to do next



Index