Preparing for interview with 'PREPARE'

Here are a few SMNET top tips for preparing for interview...

1. P is for 'Positive' :: Think positively, 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 world (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

Our educational documents - Preparing for an Interview to Study Midwifery, our comprehensive all you need to know guide to focus your interview preparation. The Getting Familiar with Midwifery Workbook is great for preparing for interview it gives you oodles of information on everything from basic anatomy & physiology to the role of the NMC & NICE. You may also find the Midwifery Study Guide helpful, to see if a midwifery degree course is right for you.

We have lots of downloadable e-learning materials to help you prepare, visit the SMNET shop for more details

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.

Check out how your Uni does things by looking at the SMNET University List and visiting their website (you can go straight to the prospectus - if they have one online!)

Our educational videos, links & glossary of terms

Nursing & Midwifery Council

3. E is for 'Evaluate' :: you know that you are likely to be asked questions about midwifery, the role of the midwife, where do you see yourself in 5 years time etc

You can also purchase our book of real interview questions. We are delighted to bring you a comprehensive set of 200+ questions that our members were asked, at their interviews, over the past three years. These are real questions, asked at real interviews for places on real courses to study midwifery at degree level! Yes, really! Now that’s what we call preparing you for interview! To get your copy click here

..... so have a think about these questions - don't 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 make-up, 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 haven't answered 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, don't fret, the waiting is hard but you can come and chat with others on here in the same position......... be kind to yourself, don't beat yourself up if think you said the wrong thing, you very probably didn't!

Good luck! Come and let us know how you get on!

You can book a 1-2-1 interview skills telephone session with me! 100% success rate of clients getting offers so far! See here.

Or want to come and do a days Preparing for Interview training with us? 99% success rate of delegates getting offers (course has been running for 4 years! WOW!) See here!

If you would like some SMNET E-Learning resources to help you prepare to get ahead of the compettion then check out the links below;

Visit the StudentMidwife.NET shop for;

Free midwifery downloads including our free SMNET
Birth Register & Guided Reflections

SMNET E-Learning Resources

164 Real Midwifery Interview Questions

Midwifery Study Guide

Guide to Applying to Study Midwifery

Getting Familiar with Midwifery Workbook 1

Getting Familiar with Clinical Midwifery Workbook 2

Midwifery hoodies & T-shirts : Midwife in the Making : Babycatcher : Student Midwife

Midwifery Uni Bags: Midwife in the Making : Babycatcher : Student Midwife : Breast Milk Beats All Udder Milk

Midwifery Cotton Bags: Midwife in the Making : Babycatcher : Student Midwife : Breast Milk Beats All Udder Milk : Student Midwife Skint & Proud : Student Midwives Do It All Night Long

StudentMidwife.NET badge – Even Ina May Gaskin has one!

Re: Preparing for interview with 'P R E P A R E'

Thats the spirit!! Good luck Kate x

Re: Preparing for interview with 'P R E P A R E'

Hurrah! I thought it was topical and may be useful, glad it is

It would have been.... a week ago

Argh I'm in SUCH a mood today!