A guide to compliant interview practices

• ​Applicants must be assessed in a fair and consistent manner, with a common understanding among panel members of the standard required.
• Face to face meetings with applicants prior to the interview where they are pre-judged on their suitability for a role are not acceptable, other means of introduction to hospitals and senior Doctors should be conducted through general information sessions.
  

Tips for effective interviews

• Interview questions must be clear, unambiguous and directly related to the selection criteria and position description
• Interview panels must be convened and interviews conducted in line with NSW Health Policy Directives
• The panel must assess the candidates suitability for a role on their demonstrated ability to undertake the key accountabilities listed in the position description
• Where possible additional methods of providing information about a role to applicants before interview should be used e.g. open information sessions
  

• What is your understanding of teamwork in a patient care environment?

• Tell the panel about a time you had to deal with a challenging patient. How did you manage the situation and what was the outcome?
  

​Unacceptable interview protocols

• You may not ask an applicant if they are pregnant or plan on having children in the future
• You may not ask an applicant about carer responsibilities or child care arrangements
• You may not ask an applicant about their marital status
• You may not ask an applicant how old they are
• You may not ask an applicant about their cultural background or religious beliefs
• You many not ask an applicant about their sexuality
• You may not ask an applicant if they have a disability or impairment
• Informal discussions used to pre-judge a candidate’s capability or suitability for a role prior to interview are not ​acceptable e.g. Pre-Interviews