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Interview advice

Preparing for your interview with Gloucestershire County Council Adult Social Care.

If you have not already done so, please confirm your attendance and let us know about any reasonable adjustments you need us to make to accommodate your particular needs at interview.

1. Document checks

In line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), we no longer take copies of documentation at interview. However, we may ask to see proof of identity (ID). Please make sure you bring a valid passport/driving license or other approved form of ID along to your interview.

2. Individual interview

Interviews may be virtual or face-to-face. Your invite email will confirm which process is to be undertaken, inform you of the length of your interview and the panel members. These panel members will ask you a series of questions that will cover your reasons for wanting the post, your understanding of the demands of the role and your skills, knowledge and experience required.

3. Written exercise

For certain interviews, such as for Social Workers or administration vacancies, we may invite you to undertake a case study or written exercise. This test aims to assess your communication skills including your ability to write clearly. It will also test your ability to think critically, your intellectual ability and curiosity.

4. Group exercise

For certain interviews, such as for ASYE Social Worker vacancies, we will invite you to take part in a group exercise as well as a written exercise. You will be given a specific question to discuss on the interview day. This discussion will last 45 mins and will be observed by members of the interview panel. It will contribute to evidence in relation to your communication skills, knowledge and judgement.

1. Document checks

In line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), we no longer take copies of documentation at interview. However, we may ask to see proof of identity (ID). Please make sure you bring a valid passport/driving license or other approved form of ID along to your interview.

2. Individual interview

Interviews may be virtual or face-to-face. Your invite email will confirm which process is to be undertaken, inform you of the length of your interview and the panel members. These panel members will ask you a series of questions that will cover your reasons for wanting the post, your understanding of the demands of the role and your skills, knowledge and experience required.

3. Written exercise

For certain interviews, such as for Social Workers or administration vacancies, we may invite you to undertake a case study or written exercise. This test aims to assess your communication skills including your ability to write clearly. It will also test your ability to think critically, your intellectual ability and curiosity.

4. Group exercise

For certain interviews, such as for ASYE Social Worker vacancies, we will invite you to take part in a group exercise as well as a written exercise. You will be given a specific question to discuss on the interview day. This discussion will last 45 mins and will be observed by members of the interview panel. It will contribute to evidence in relation to your communication skills, knowledge and judgement.

Plan your travel

Ensure you plan your route and parking the day before. It is also worth getting everything ready well in advance, to prevent last minute delays.

Prepare yourself

Make sure you read all the information provided to you, that includes: the job advert, the job description and your email invite. These will help you to understand more about us and what we are trying to assess at your selection day.

Do your research

It is always recommended that you research what Adult Social Care does; it is important for you to understand what we do, our parameters and who we work. It is also recommended that you 'quiz up' on all relevant legislation required for the post applied. Make sure you use other resources to support you, such as: websites and research.

Plan your answers

Finally, start thinking about what questions you might be asked and use the job profile to help! Make sure you prepare some examples, as we always score answers based on the depth of discussion and evidence to what is being articulated. Visit the STAR method | National Careers Service to help plan your answers.

Get in touch

It is not mandatory and certainly not scored, but you are invited to contact us before your interview to have a brief discussion about the role and the interview. Please email us at ASCrecruitment@gloucestershire.gov.uk.