5. Research

Find out about the organisation, department and the role. Have a look at their website, what does this tell you about the values and priorities of the area?

Get hold of relevant policies. procedures and job description in order to fully understand what the employers are looking for.

Arrange to visit the department and talk to people about the area.

Reflect on all of your different experiences gained whilst at university: academic studies, placement activities, or extracurricular activities.

Look at your notes and documentation such as your eportfolio, your practice records, your diaries, your assignments and any feedback you were given either on those assignments, your personal tutorial notes, and feedback from your mentors.

Are there any themes around the things you found challenging and the things you did well?

Then consider how your university experience challenged you and how it benefitted you as a whole so that you are ready to articulate this to your future employer.

Take a look at journals or websites relevant to your profession to see what recent issues and trends are affecting your practice area. Reflect on how this relates to your experiences and observations whilst on placement. Consider how you might relay this in response to an interview question in a positive way.