Preparing for interview with 'PREPARE'

TallPoppy · #1 (**permalink**) 17-Feb-2008, 10:12

There are a few tips for preparing for interview...

1. P is for ......Positive........ think postively, its easy to get caught up in the nerves, just think to yourself that you will give it your best shot.

2. R is for .........Read......... reading... articles, books, discuss, debate, take a good look around the site and learn....... pick up the language, ask for recommendations, subscribe to a magazine. Your knowledge will come through in your interview, I doubt you will be asked direct 'how to' type midwifery questions, they wont be expecting you to know how to manage a post partum haemorrhage (PPH) but they will expect some knowledge, so show them how keen you are, slip in bits and bobs in your interview.... Read social history/biographical midwifery books about how midwives have practised in the past, or in different parts of the worls (fascinating stuff!). Be up to date, aware of the campaigns........ you'll find all that on here. Take a look at our Midwife News section it has all the latest midwifery news posted by our very own Butterfly, News and Current Affairs Moderator.

Our news section
http://www.studentmidwife.net/midwife-news/

Our bookshop
http://bookshop.studentmidwife.net/Midwifery-History
Some high profile campaigns that we actively support here in SM.Net

One mother one midwife
http://www.onemotheronemidwife.org.uk/

RCM Normal birth
http://www.rcmnormalbirth.org.uk/def...=1100517235833

BLISS premature baby charity
http://www.bliss.org.uk/

Also make sure you are aware of the course, what it offers, how it is structured. They may ask you about the course and you need to demonstrate that you have researched the course for the Uni you are applying to.

3. E is for .......Evaluate.... you know that you are likley to be asked questions about midwifery, the role of the midwife, where do you see yourself in 5 years time etc have a look at this for more ideas... Interview Questions.......... so have a think about these questions - dont just go for the 'text' book answers, think about what midwifery means to you, what makes you feel passionate about it? why is this your dream? what kind of midwife do you want to be? make it personal to you.

4. P is for .......Presentation......... on the day, think .....you are being interviewed for a professional health care role, to be an advocate for women.......so behave accordingly, polite, friendly and confident. Be smart/casual, be comfortable (you may have tests and role plays etc so may be there sometime) if you are female - minimal makeup, hair up and preferably not 12 inch killer nails or heels! - if you are male - clean shaven and clean nails and for all of you - go in with your head high. You CAN do this, and you will.

If you have to give a presentation....

be sure you are well rehearsed (practice practice practice)
take flash cards to aid your memory recall
try not to read from a transcript
speak clearly and not too fast
have eye contact with your audience

5. A is for.........Aware...... of waffling. If you have been asked a question and the nerves have made you waffle on off the point and you havent answerd the question.......then stop. Say that you are aware you are waffling and can they repeat the question. The panel expect you to be nervous, its normal, but they want to help you get your answers across, they want you to do well. They are not there to trip you up they are there to help you.

6. R is for ........Remember......... to ask questions. Its very easy to run out of the door when they say the interview is over, but stop and ask any questions you may have. You are checking them out too, its not only one way....... have one or two questions prepared before hand and if they are not answered as part of your interview then ask away.

7. E is for .....Evening...... go celebrate! Plan something fun for the evening of the interview, treat yourself. You have done it, you have prepared, done your best, remained as composed as you could and its all over now. Stay positive, dont fret, the waiting is hard but you can come and chat with others on here in the same position......... be kind to yourself, dont beat yourself up if think you said the wrong thing, you very probably didnt!

Good luck! and come and let us know how you get on.