In the QAS interviews that i had (both for paramedic and comms operator positions) , I was asked questions like "what attracts you to the position", "what sort of family support do you have" , "what do you like about being in a team environment" and "what qualities do you think make a good paramedic".
They want to hear about your long term goals and that you are not the kind of person who likes to stand still. Things like job satisfaction and enjoying helping others should factor into your responses and its also best to use EEO buzzwords to show that you are commited to a equal oportunity environment and helping people regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation or social situation.
You may be asked how you plan to deal with the stressors of the job and shift work.
The interviews generally have a 3 person panel and are informal. You are given some (3 i think) questions beforehand to comment on and have 10 mins usually to think about your answer and take notes. Try to give real life examples that demonstrate your answers. Keep cool as you can and remember that they will understand that you are nervous.
The panel usually tries very hard to remain impartial and so dont be disuaded if it is difficult to tell if they are happy or unhappy with your answers. You will generally walk out of the interview having no idea if you did well or not..... its part of the process. Be confident that if you got to the interview stage, then you have done very well in the application process.
Just remember what attracted you to the job in the first place and keep your cool and it will go well. They are not there to trip you up.
Also, knowing the definition of empathy and sympathy and how you use them is a good way to get extra points. A majority of the job is communication skills, NOT running in and "saving the day". It is mostly a thankless job in general so you need to be self motivated and not the kind of person why relies on praise from management/patients to keep you going. (generally though, good work is recognised, but it may be months or years after the fact. For example, I recently recieved a large letter from a pt's mother expressing her gratitude for a save that took place 3 years ago).
In other words, you are a self motivated person who loves to work in a team environment, has excellent communications skills, takes satisfaction in helping those in need, strives for excellence in your everyday work, is commited to maintaining/improving your patient care skills and had a strong support network to assist you when you are confronted with "nasty" situations/cases.
They want to hear about your long term goals and that you are not the kind of person who likes to stand still. Things like job satisfaction and enjoying helping others should factor into your responses and its also best to use EEO buzzwords to show that you are commited to a equal oportunity environment and helping people regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation or social situation.
You may be asked how you plan to deal with the stressors of the job and shift work.
The interviews generally have a 3 person panel and are informal. You are given some (3 i think) questions beforehand to comment on and have 10 mins usually to think about your answer and take notes. Try to give real life examples that demonstrate your answers. Keep cool as you can and remember that they will understand that you are nervous.
The panel usually tries very hard to remain impartial and so dont be disuaded if it is difficult to tell if they are happy or unhappy with your answers. You will generally walk out of the interview having no idea if you did well or not..... its part of the process. Be confident that if you got to the interview stage, then you have done very well in the application process.
Just remember what attracted you to the job in the first place and keep your cool and it will go well. They are not there to trip you up.
Also, knowing the definition of empathy and sympathy and how you use them is a good way to get extra points. A majority of the job is communication skills, NOT running in and "saving the day". It is mostly a thankless job in general so you need to be self motivated and not the kind of person why relies on praise from management/patients to keep you going. (generally though, good work is recognised, but it may be months or years after the fact. For example, I recently recieved a large letter from a pt's mother expressing her gratitude for a save that took place 3 years ago).
In other words, you are a self motivated person who loves to work in a team environment, has excellent communications skills, takes satisfaction in helping those in need, strives for excellence in your everyday work, is commited to maintaining/improving your patient care skills and had a strong support network to assist you when you are confronted with "nasty" situations/cases.
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