In addition to applying through UCAS, a number of course areas also require you to attend an interview.
At Sheffield Hallam this might be known as a Selection Event or Portfolio Review, depending the course you have applied for. We know interviews can be a bit daunting for lots of people, so we’ve got some resources to help you manage any nerves you may have. Think positively – if you’ve been invited to an interview, you’re already part of the way through the application process.
If you have not yet been invited for an interview, please note this additional support does not guarantee that you will be invited to one, but it will provide you with information which may be useful in the future.
Health and Social Care courses
- You can now book onto Online Application and Interview Support Q&A sessions on the website
- Staff and current students can advise on interview dos and don’ts and answer any of your questions
Support for other course area
- For support preparing for interviews and portfolio reviews in other subject areas, such as Architecture, Art and Design, Photography and Teacher Education courses, please contact the SHU Progress Team on SHU-Progress@shu.ac.uk or (0114) 225 4777 for further information
Preparation
Being well prepared for an interview will help you feel more in control, which can reduce any nerves.
- Make sure you know when and where the interview is, and what you need to bring.
- Think about what questions you might be asked – look over the information you’ve been sent about the interview, as there may be information about what they’re looking for. Prepare some answers for common questions – practice saying these out loud. You could do a mock interview with a friend or family member.
- Using the STAR technique can be good for preparing answers for questions like “tell me about a time when…” – where you’re asked to give an example of a time when you’ve displayed a certain skill of attribute.
- Situation: What was the context? Where were you and what were you doing?
- Task: What was the goal? What was the problem or challenge?
- Action: What action did you take? How did you display the skill in question?
- Result: What was the outcome?
- Do research about the course/profession
- Think of any questions that you want to ask the interviewer about the course – an interview is also your chance to find out more and think if the course is right for you.
Interview nerves – the Royal College for Nurses have a really useful page on interview nerves – it’s not only relevant for future nurses! It includes different techniques, like positive thinking and mindfulness, as well as tips for the day before and the day of the interview.
Tackling your worries – NHS guide to using CBT techniques to tackle your worries, such as writing them down.
University of Manchester’s guide to interview and presentation nerves
Breathing exercises for stress
If you have any questions about interviews that are not covered above, or you’re still worried, then please contact the SHU Progress team by emailing SHU-Progress@shu.ac.uk or calling (0114) 225 4777