As you work towards your midwifery degree, you’re getting closer to achieving a personal goal and starting a new career.
Midwifery is arguably one of the most rewarding jobs. But it can also be demanding, emotionally draining and – in some cases – tragic.
To be a midwife, like nursing, is a commitment to the ideals embedded in healthcare, above personal gain.
The upshot of this is, when it comes to applying for midwifery jobs, you’ll need to demonstrate your quality.
Midwifery is a competitive field, despite the shortages of midwives across the UK. Understandably, hospitals want the best people simply because the lives of mothers and babies are at risk.
Equally, hospitals want midwives who are personable and calm under pressure. Plus, a team player who is willing to do what it takes to meet the needs of their patients.
Qualifications are essential but they won’t get you the job – no matter how high your grades.
Below are some top tips to help you impress the hiring managers during your midwifery interview.
Prepare for the Midwifery Interview
Before any interview you should always set aside some time to prepare.
Should this be your first job after graduating as a midwife, it’s wise to go back over your personal statement. If nothing else, this will highlight how much your views and aspirations have changed since you started your training.
This is something worth reflecting on during the midwifery interview.
You should also make notes regarding your practical experiences to date. Such as challenging situations you found yourself in, and how you handled it. Make notes on what went well and what you could have done differently.
Remember, the hiring manager isn’t looking for perfect – or someone who thinks they are perfect. They want to know that if you make a mistake, you won’t fall to pieces and you’ll learn from it.
It’s also worth reviewing the job specification and identifying where your skills and experience meet those requirements. If there are any glaring gaps, then identify ways you can improve. This will demonstrate your willingness to learn and develop.
You should also research the hospital you hope to work for and – where possible – the person interviewing you. It’s useful to know about the organisation you hope to be working for. This demonstrates a higher level of interest beyond just getting a job.
Moreover, with the way NHS hospitals are funded, it’s in your interests to know what the NHS Trust is like. Such as what the objectives are and where the budget is being spent.
Also, find out if the maternity unit is midwifery lead or surgeon lead. This may not matter to you but it will make a difference in terms of how the unit is run. In terms of the approach and the kind of care and delivery options available.
Get up to date with Midwifery and Health News
Midwifery, like all areas of medicine, is a constantly evolving field. Equally, it is under constant pressure for improving standards while simultaneously feeling the squeeze of budget cuts.
Reading medical journals and news articles focused around the NHS and medical science will give you plenty of talking points. You can find a wealth of UK nursing news on Nurses.co.uk.
You will likely be challenged on the topics you raise. So make sure you have your opinion on these matters clear in your mind.
Don’t just focus on the medical news, look at mainstream media sources too. Read up on what’s being written about the NHS. Such as any differences in funding, the latest scandals or what the health secretary is up to now.
Again, make sure you understand the article as your interviewer will likely press you on the details.
Make sure you also have views or ideas on how you think hospital maternity and nursing provisions could be improved.
You need to go beyond more staff and funding. Consider how could that funding be spent. What technologies, methods or medications could make a real difference.
While purely hypothetical, keep your answers grounded in reality. Explaining how Star Trek’s dermal regenerators would make c-sections a lot less traumatic isn’t likely to score you any points. No matter how true the statement may be.
Look and Act the Part
Turning up on time and in your freshly pressed interview outfit is appropriate but it won’t get you a job.
While dressing appropriately is a show of respect it won’t count for much unless you get other elements right too.
Firstly, consider your answers before you give them. Clear, concise answers allude to clear concise thinking – an admirable trait in stressful situations.
Avoid language that is too informal and obviously don’t use curse words – even if your interviewer does. They already work for the organisation so they can say what they like.
Remember you can take notes into your midwifery interview to refer to and you can write the question down. This is useful as it can give you a moment to formulate your answer. It can also stop you from forgetting the question.
By all means be funny, but you’re not performing to an audience so use humour in moderation. Be self-deprecating, but don’t be negative.
You must also bear in mind that 93% of communication is non-verbal. So looking your interviewer in the eye, smiling and positioning yourself to face them are all important signs of interest.
Folding arms is a little more contentious. While many see it as being closed off or confrontational, others just find it comfortable. Err on the side of caution and avoid it at all costs. If you don’t know what to do with your hands, keep them together on the table or your lap.
Don’t cross your legs unless your interviewer does it first. Even then, only do so if the interview is informal in tone.
Do all these things and you stand a good chance of making it through the midwifery interview in one piece. And possibly in the running for a fantastic job opportunity.
Starting your Studies
If you’re yet to embark on your midwifery training but you lack the qualifications, Stonebridge Associated Colleges can help.
Enrol today on our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) and start your learning right away.
Because the course is entirely online you can study at your own pace. Giving you the ability to complete the course as quickly as you want.
Once you are enrolled you can access all of your learning material via the student portal. You can then work through it when it fits in with you. The only timetable you need to worry about is your own.
You will also get dedicated tutor support. They will be available to answer questions as well as mark and provide feedback on your assignments.
All you need to do is enrol.
To learn more about our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery), click the link below. Alternatively, get in touch with a member of the sales team.
For helpful study tips and to learn more about distance learning, check out our blog.
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