Your hard work has paid off and you’ve been invited to an interview for your first physiotherapy job, well done! This is your opportunity to demonstrate your qualifications and knowledge, your interest in the role and your personality.
Prepare by reading around possible questions and practice mock interviews with friends or peers. This will help you feel calm and confident on the day.
We suggest dividing your preparation into three main areas:
- Identify why you will be able to do the job, with specific reference to the job description and person specification. Think of at least three examples of what you have actually done in relation to each of the areas of the job description and person specification, using examples from different experiences.
Think about the impact each of your examples had, focusing on your achievements. If you have not had direct experience, think about what you may have done in other areas of your life (domestic, voluntary, student rep roles, etc.), which may have given you transferable skills and experience. Think about your successes, big or small, and the lessons you have learnt from where things haven’t gone as well as you had hoped.
Draw out information from your portfolio if you have it that can act as supporting evidence for your statements – you may be asked for this at the interview. - Research the employer and the physiotherapy department via the Internet, personal contact, the organisation’s annual report, etc. Find out as much as you can about the particular Trust and/or department, which will enable you to prepare some questions to ask at the interview.
Trusts emphasise values-based recruitment, so look at their values beforehand, especially when working in the NHS. Values are often available online on the organisation’s website. - Wherever you look to work, get yourself up-to-date on the policies and guidelines relevant to that sector and the contribution that physiotherapists can make, now and in the future.
Write yourself notes under these three headings, and then condense your notes into key bullet points that you can go over the night before the interview.
After the interview
Think about what went well and what was tricky. Write down any hard questions and how you could answer them better next time.
If you don’t get the job, it’s okay to ask for feedback. It can help you improve for future interviews. Listen to what the employer says you did well and what you could do better.
If you are successful at an interview, carefully check your contract before signing it. Ensure it describes the job you thought you had applied for, along with any restrictions that may be imposed on your practice, as and when you leave the job.
If you are a member, the CSP is here to support and protect you in the workplace.
Frequently asked questions about job interviews
What if I get really nervous?
Feeling nervous before an interview is completely normal. To manage this, prepare well in advance and give yourself plenty of time to arrive so you feel calm and unflustered. Try relaxation techniques that work for you, such as deep breathing, and bring a bottle of water to help you stay focused.
During the interview, it’s okay to take a moment to think before answering, jot down the question, or structure your response. If it helps, be honest about your nerves – a little vulnerability can humanise you: 'I do feel a bit nervous, but I’m really excited about this opportunity.'
If you’re unsure about a question, it’s absolutely fine to repeat it to check your understanding. This not only clarifies the question but also demonstrates your listening skills and communication style.
Remember, the interview panel wants to get to know you – they’re not trying to catch you out. Imagine it as a conversation, not an exam.
If you go blank, stay calm and ask for clarification: “Could you please repeat the question?” Or rephrase: “I’m just going to gather my thoughts on that one.” If you’re truly stuck, it’s okay to ask: “Could I come back to that question at the end?”
How do I prepare for all possibilities?
In reality it is impossible to prepare for all eventualities in interviews! Don’t forget that everyone is in the same boat with regards to this. But some steps you can take to prepare are focus on the knowledge, skills and values needed for the role and what is important to the organisation and think broadly about how you can demonstrate these rather than trying to guess or predict which questions might come up.
It can be useful to also consider what would support you to approach questions methodically (STARs and SPIES might help you with this) and think about the broad topics which interviewers will want you to demonstrate in any answers such as good team work, good communication, patient safety, knowing when to take initiative, when to escalate your concerns or ask for support.
Remember that the interviewers are not there to trip you up or trick you but rather to give you the best opportunity to showcase why you are the right person for the job.
How do I showcase transferable skills?
It’s completely normal if you are asked about areas where you may not have direct experience in an interview. In these cases, you can draw on other experiences from your life, placements, or other opportunities, and explain how the skills you’ve gained would help you in the role you are applying for and future practice.
How do I answer questions about a conflict or challenge at work?
Avoid placing blame when discussing conflict or challenge; focus on positive, constructive learning from the situation. Interviewers value reflection, so approach these questions with a growth mindset.
The SPIES framework (Seek information, Patient safety, Initiative, Escalate, Support) might help structure your response. If you don’t have a clinical example, draw from broader experiences such as work, education or personal life. It doesn’t need to involve disagreement; differing perspectives, communication challenges or supporting someone through a difficult situation can also make strong examples.
How does the scoring system work for interviews?
The questions you are asked will relate to the criteria outlined in the job description. You may be scored out of three or fice for each question, and the highest scoring candidate will be offered the role.
The panel will discuss their marks, and if the marks vary between the panel members, a fair decision will be made as they will need to justify their scoring.
Should I ask questions at the end of the interview?
It’s common for interview panels to ask if you have any questions at the end. It’s a good idea to prepare one or two questions that you genuinely want to know more about—this could be about the role, the team, work patterns, support, training opportunities, or something else that matters to you.
Avoid asking questions for the sake of it or asking something that is already answered in the job description or shared materials, this can give the impression that you haven’t prepared fully.
Try to phrase your questions in a way that shows you’ve done your research, for example by referring to the job description or information you’ve found online. This shows the panel that you’ve prepared and are genuinely interested in the role. It also gives the panel an insight into your personality, values, and what matters to you in a job.