Interview Prep

Top Health Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them Naturally)

Health interviews are usually competency-based, meaning you’ll be asked to give real examples of how you’ve demonstrated key skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and compassion.

This guide breaks down the most common Health interview questions and gives you natural, confidence-boosting answers using the STAR method. Whether you’re applying for a clinical or non-clinical role, these examples will help you present your experience clearly and professionally.

The STAR Method (Quick Refresher)

Situation: What was happening?
Task: What were you responsible for?
Action: What did you do?
Result: What was the outcome?

Using STAR keeps your answers structured and prevents waffling — a big plus in Health interviews.

1. Tell us about yourself

What they want: A short professional summary, not your life story.

How to answer: Focus on your current role, relevant experience, and why you’re applying.

Example Answer:
“I'm currently a Band 5 Staff Nurse in Acute Medicine with four years of experience supporting patients with complex needs. Over the past year, I’ve taken the lead on safety and quality improvement projects, including one that reduced medication-related delays by 25%. I'm applying for this Band 6 role because I want to develop further in clinical leadership and contribute to service improvements at a wider level.”

2. Why do you want to work for the Health?

What they want: Alignment with Health values — compassion, respect, teamwork, and improving lives.

Example Answer:
“I’m really motivated by the Health commitment to compassionate, person-centred care. I value working in an environment where teamwork and continuous improvement are essential. I’ve seen how these values shape patient outcomes and staff culture, and I want to contribute to that mission.”

3. Give an example of when you worked as part of a team

What they want: Evidence of collaboration and communication.

Example (STAR):
“In my current role, we had a patient with complex needs who required input from nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and social care (Situation). I was responsible for coordinating the multidisciplinary plan (Task). I organised daily huddles, ensured everyone had the information they needed, and followed up on outstanding actions (Action). As a result, the patient was discharged three days earlier than expected, and their family gave extremely positive feedback (Result).”

4. Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult situation

What they want: Professionalism and emotional resilience.

Example Answer:
“A patient became distressed and verbally aggressive due to confusion and unmanaged pain (Situation). My task was to keep everyone safe and support the patient (Task). I stayed calm, used de-escalation techniques, acknowledged their frustration, and worked with the doctor to review their pain relief (Action). The patient settled quickly and later apologised. It reinforced the importance of empathy even in challenging moments (Result).”

5. Tell us about a time you made a mistake

What they want: Honesty, accountability, and learning — not perfection.

Example Answer:
“I realised during handover that I had forgotten to complete a documentation entry for a fluid balance chart (Situation). I immediately informed the nurse in charge and completed an incident form so the record was accurate and transparent (Action). I also introduced a personal end-of-shift checklist, which has prevented similar errors (Result). It was a reminder that attention to detail is essential for safe practice.”

6. How do you handle pressure and stress?

What they want: Safe, calm prioritisation.

Example Answer:
“I stay organised, prioritise tasks, and communicate clearly with the team. During a recent shift with multiple admissions, I delegated appropriately, reassessed priorities frequently, and made sure we supported each other. We managed the pressure well and maintained safe care throughout.”

7. Give an example of when you showed compassion

What they want: Genuine empathy — a core Health value.

Example Answer:
“A patient was extremely anxious before a procedure (Situation). I took extra time to explain everything step by step, answered all their questions, and offered to stay with them during the preparation (Action). They later told me that this made them feel seen and reassured (Result). Moments like that remind me why compassion is so important in healthcare.”

8. How do you keep your skills and knowledge up to date?

What they want: Evidence of CPD and professional curiosity.

Example Answer:
“I keep up to date by attending trust training sessions, reading clinical guidelines, and completing CPD courses. Recently, I completed an update on sepsis recognition and contributed learning to our team’s reflective practice session. I also stay informed about NICE updates relevant to my area of work.”

Final Tips for Health Interviews

• Prepare 5–7 STAR examples covering different competencies.
• Practice saying your answers aloud.
• Be specific — avoid generic examples.
• Show Health values throughout your responses.
• Ask thoughtful questions at the end of the interview.

A good Health interview isn’t about perfect answers — it’s about clear examples, reflection, and demonstrating your values.