Interview Tips
How to prepare for attending an interview?
- Research – Make sure you know where you need to be at the pre-agreed time.
- If using a remote video service, ensure you have received the ‘invite’ to attend in your email box. It will contain an access link and code. If you are unfamiliar with using a video link Connecting Scotland (interview with confidence/practice)
- Wear comfortable clothes, smart/casual reflective of your role,
- Have any relevant training certification, e.g. PVG membership certificate to hand
- FYI. PVG membership will be compulsory in April 2025 next year, Manage your PVG membership – Types of PVG application – mygov.scot Disclosure Act update – Disclosure Scotland
- If supplying references, ensure you have permission before sharing contact details
Try and prepare 2-3 relevant questions
E.g. does the role require:
- Administering/dispensing medication
- Lifting / handling,
- Personal care
- Is Training provided /required and if so, who funds it?
- How is training assessed / recorded
- Employment status: Employed / Self-Employed
- Employed status – requires an agreed, signed and dated Contract
- Self-employed – you provide terms of service, stating hours, tasks you either are /or aren’t able to
- Your hourly rate
- Agreed working hours
- Benefits
- Holiday /sickness/pension entitlement
- In work expenses – travel/trip expenses
- Providing H & S equipment /training
- Insurance
- Termination process
Top Tips for having a successful interview
- Be punctual
- Listen – carefully to questions
- Ask for questions to be repeated, if you are unclear about its meaning
- When answering any questions try to reference examples of when you have demonstrated one of the key skills being looked for in the role. g. evidence when you have demonstrated; flexibility, using your initiative, shown integrity, used clear & effective communication
- Be enthusiastic and realistic
- Try not to over-promise / under deliver!
- Interviews are an opportunity for both sides to create meaningful dialogue
- The interview has the potential to be the beginning of your working relationship, so first impressions do count!
- Finally, do enjoy the experience, an interview is always a learning opportunity, and it could also be the start of something wonderful and new for all concerned
The Prospective Employer
It is worth considering the prospective employer at the interview. They may/may not have experience of:
- Recruitment,
- Selection
- Interviewing
- Seeking references
- Training
- H&S
- Risk Assessment
- There is a responsibility for the employer to ensure that you have the required skills and suitable experience and competencies, to effectively perform the role advertised – Personal Assistant National Training Framework for Employers (sdsscotland.org.uk)
The employer may have prepared questions and/or list(s) of requirements
- What would I like my PA to do? – preferences
- What do I need from my PA to do? – ideas/ examples what is needed
- What Knowledge, Skills & Attributes/Attitudes does my PA need to have, to carry out the above tasks?
Soft-skills, effective communication (verbal and written), confidentiality, situational awareness, commitment to diversity, openness to change, team working etc. - Resources – employers may create a specific list of tasks needed to be carried out, provided in either writing / recorded for accurate instruction
- Resources / checklists can help ensure how/when tasks are completed
- Compatibility is a crucial aspect of any working relationship, so areas of discussion may be broad ranged