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.

Highly recommend this book!'The book is packed with tips and it is obvious the author knows what she is talking about as she shares lots of advice to help the reader prepare future interview questions and personal statements. The two personal statement templates were very helpful for me and can be tweaked to support applications. The best bit for me is that the book inspires and makes me feel I can go on and influence future practice and do the best I can at interview.'Amazon reviewer

• About the author; Preface; Acknowledgements; AbbreviationsStep 1: Know your career options and what you need to get there1.1 The importance of choosing the right job and career pathway1.2 How to choose the right career pathway1.3 The differences between bands and rolesWhat to do nextStep 2: Drive your own development2.1 The importance of lifelong learning to your career development2.2 Understand how to navigate educational structures2.3 Training, education and professional development2.4 Professional development reviews (PDRs)2.5 Appraisals2.6 The importance of NMC registration and revalidationWhat to do nextStep 3: Support others and influence change in your current role3.1 Widen your perspective and support others in your current role3.2 We all have the power to positively influence change in our current role3.3 Understand the local and national systems in which you work3.4 Overview of key termsWhat to do nextStep 4: Complete a strong application and personal statement4.1 The importance of a strong application and personal statement4.2 Your application form4.3 How to write your personal statement4.4 Curriculum Vitae (CV) template4.5 Personal professional portfolioWhat to do nextStep 5: Create an interview plan5.1 The more you prepare, the better chance you have of succeeding5.2 Different types of interviews5.3 Create an interview plan5.4 On the day of the interview5.5 After the interviewWhat to do nextStep 6: Move forward positively from challenges6.1 Learning from your experiences6.2 Practical advice to help you move forward from challengesWhat to do nextStep 7: Make your achievements stand out in the future7.1 Share what you do and promote your achievements7.2 Develop a clinical academic career7.3 Publish your workWhat to do nextIndex