Competition for training posts for doctors is extremely high this year. The latest batch of vacancies was recently released and the annual application process is now in full swing. At the same time, activities to boost the number of consultants in the NHS continues all year round. It’s fair to say that the outcomes of these recruitment processes have life changing effects. If you are successful in being invited for interview, your performance at that stage will define your career for years to come. So, there’s a lot at stake. As a result, you’re not alone in wondering, “What’s the best way to prepare for a medical interview?”
The simple answer to that question is, “Well, it depends who you are!”
Clinical abilities
This seems like the most obvious place to start.
At the selection centre for a training post, you will be expected to demonstrate some relevant clinical knowledge or a skill. Your assessors will be seeking assurance that you have gained and retained a reasonable breadth and depth of ability to provide a solid foundation for your development. They will want to establish that you are safe to begin more focused training, rather than expecting consultant level knowledge of some rare syndrome.
For a consultant interview, your CCT or CESR provides evidence of your clinical abilities. If you are successful in securing a date for interview, then the panel already believe you have the specialist skills required for the post.
So, clinical abilities matter. But your interviewers are looking for much more than that.
The interviewers’ task
For any selection process, for any grade, your interviewers’ first key task is to establish who you really are – your abilities, experiences, motivations, attitudes, and opinions. Next, they use this information to decide if you meet the minimum criteria for role in question. Then, they compare you to all other applicants with the job offer going to the most suitable person. In short, it’s a competition, rather than an exam. Many will meet the criteria. So, your aim should be to go beyond this and to shine!
You can expect them to explore your ability to communicate with patients. They will probe your approach to being a proactive, supportive team member and your abilities to take the lead when required. You can expect your interviewers to seek evidence of your planning, organising and decision making skills. They will want to establish that you are both ethical and resilient. They will want to uncover your approach to self-development and uncover if you have the breadth of skills required to support the development of others, or not.
So, how do I prepare?
In short, it helps if you know yourself, know the job, know the system and are capable of communicating this.
We all have our own unique set of skills and experiences. That’s why the answer to, “What’s the best way to prepare?” is , “Well, it depends who you are!”
If you believe you have gained good experience and knowledge of teaching, communication. leadership and management, but are unsure how to present yourself well, then the best starting point may be a dedicated interview course or preparation package. Our range of options all utilise coaching approach, guiding you to reflect on your best experiences and clarifying how to communicate that to your interviewers. Attending one of our courses includes the benefit of a mock interview with constructive feedback and critique.
If your interview or assessment centre requires you doing a presentation, and this is an area where you feel less confident, then a presentation skills course would be ideal.
What should I avoid?
It can be all too easy to focus on style over substance. The best candidates are successful because they do more than just talk well. They are successful because they know what they are talking about!
For example, the best interview candidates can share good experiences of teamwork because they have a good grasp team dynamics and know how to interact well. Some may have gained their abilities through general life experience. Others have developed insight by proactive participation in a team communication skills course. It doesn’t really matter where you have gained your insight. It’s more important that you have it! The same goes for planning and organising skills, teaching skills, patient communication or leadership and management skills.
So take time to reflect on these areas and practice describing your most relevant experiences. That’s the best way demonstrate who you are and what you’re capable of.
All the best for your interview when the time comes!
Stephen McGuire – Managing Director
