NHS IT Projects Interview

[thelurker]

Has anyone attended an NHS Interview of late?

Attending one soon and been asked to do an Interview on the following

"Describe the most difficult project you have managed and what steps you undertook to overcome the difficulties"

Any tips?

Cheers

[TheFaQQer]

Any tips?

Tell the truth. Tell them about a difficult project you have managed and how you overcame the difficulties you faced. What did you do? Why? How did people react? How did you respond to their reactions?

Behavioural event interviewing 101

[northernladuk]

Don't, for gods sake, tell them that it was a previous NHS one, even if it was Telling them the truth does have boundries!!!

Everyone knows if you have worked on one it is likely to rate up there but best to keep schtum!

[jmo21]

You've been given the 1 question (or more??) to prepare before the interview? that's handy!

Presumably they're not keen on seeing how people react under pressure. Unless they ask you some different questions.

Either way, if you are going for an interview for a role where you need to know how to manage projects and you need tips from a forum, I think you might struggle.

[thelurker]

any tips as to what themes they maybe looking for?

Edit they have asked for a ten minute presentation on this

[MarillionFan]

Has anyone attended an NHS Interview of late?

Attending one soon and been asked to do an Interview on the following

"Describe the most difficult project you have managed and what steps you undertook to overcome the difficulties"

Any tips?

Cheers

The National Programe for IT was my biggest challenge. Having only left Uni with a 2.2 in Geology I became the Director General of IT at the NHS & kicked off a massive national programme. I spent billions of tax payers money and then the project got into trouble, so I quit and fecked off leaving someone else to pick up the mess.

Richard Granger

[SteelyDan]

any tips as to what themes they maybe looking for?

How can we comment without knowing what role you're going for? "IT Projects" is a bit loose.

[Old Greg]

any tips as to what themes they maybe looking for?

What type of project?

Infrastructure?
Integration?
Back office (Finance / HR)?
Patient administration?
Clinical systems?

[northernladuk]

any tips as to what themes they maybe looking for?

Edit they have asked for a ten minute presentation on this

I worked on NHS as part of a 3rd part supplier and we had to have an induction day on NHS culture and the message that came over was it was incredibly slow, bureaucratic and alot of people are extremely demotivated so deal with them sympathetically with kid gloves.

From this I would make sure that my response included references to getting agreement, following process, signing things off, factoring in to future plans, keen eye on budget and so on...

What I would not personally point out is how I bashed desks, shouted at people, made teams work all the hours god sent and spent money to make it hit the deadline.

Also might be worth check with agent what the dress code is. Suited and booted city slicker look didn't work at the last public sector inverview I went to but it is possible you might be being interviewed by 3rd party rather than born and bred public sector permie. Might just make the difference.

[thelurker]

The role is "Information Change Manager"


Responsible for:

"Information Change Support Officer and lead specialists assigned to projects and work packages"


JOB PURPOSE

 To lead, manage and ensure the successful delivery of national information development project, or work streams of moderate complexity and risk ensuring that they produce the required products, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

 Responsible for the project producing a result that is capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Project Initiation Document or equivalent project documentation.

 To provide task management, mentoring and training for Project Officers and Project Specialists as appropriate.


Cheers