Attending your first SLT interview is both a positive and nerve wracking experience. We have liaised with a large number of sources – NHS Managers, Independent practices, schools and charities to establish a comprehensive list of questions which can be covered in interviews:
Possible Interview questions to be prepared for:
- Tell us about your speech and language therapy experiences so far.
- What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are?
- What would you do if you were about to discharge a client after their 6 week treatment block and they complained to you and were not happy about it?
- Tell us about an episode of care that went well and one that didn’t.
- How do you prioritise/meet the needs of your caseload?
- Tell us about yourself and why this role (they always seem to start with something like this – try to relate as much experience as possible to this and always say you have a special interest in this area)
- Tell us about your SLT career so far?
- Tell us why we should offer you this post
- Name a piece of work / placement task that went well and and same for that did not go well ?
- Tell us about a client you have worked with recently – how you assessed their needs and manage their care?
- Describe an episode of management you have done that has resulted in a good outcome
- ·Imagine you order food in a restaurant but when it arrives, it’s not as it was stated in the menu. How would you manage this situation?
- How would you approach assessment differently for a 2 year old & a four year old?
- How would you make a differential diagnosis between SLI and dyspraxia?
- You were running a group with an LSA and 4 SLI children, one became upset and started acting out. How would you handle the situation?
Don’t forget the following aspects are also important:
- Candidate’s aptitude
- Responses to pre interview emails etc – spelling, coherence, professionalism,flexibility to meet interview dates, building a rapport pre interview to become memorable, a good CV, a timely response to pre interview and post interview emails.
- Always remember to give three points to the question asked, this should ensure your score fully on each point
- Try to be clear and succinct, avoid waffling
- Try to ensure you make eye contact and address all interviewers on the panel
- Always ensure you have a range of relevant questions to ask the panel – including genuine aspects you want to find out.
How will I know if a job is suited to me:
It is important to weigh up what is important to you in your first post – you might consider the following:
- What flexible working hours do you offer?
- Are these guaranteed hours?
- Is there a probation period?
- What range of specialist SLTS would be available to support me when working with more complex client groups?
- Is there scope for good MDT working?
- What formal and informal clinical supervision will be available to me?
- What range of assessments can I be expected to access?
- What range of therapy materials can I be expected to access?
- What therapy interventions does your service typically use?
- Will I gain opportunity to deliver much hands on therapy?
- Do I need to specialise in a clinical field to progress up the Spine Points?
- Will I be expected to travel much within a day of therapy?
- What risk assessments are in place to support me for example loan working within the community?
- Can I refuse referrals if I dont feel clinically comfortable to take them on my caseload?
- What size caseload can I expect in a day/week?
- Can I work across different client groups, Paeds/Adults/ALD?
