This episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview Podcast brings clarity to some of the most awkward or misunderstood elements of NHS consultant interviews.
Tessa and Becky open with advice for those nervously navigating references when applying for a new post - offering practical, honest ways to approach the conversation with your current employer.
They unpack what makes for a great “duty of candour” example.
When facing emotionally charged questions like “Tell me about your worst day,” they guide you on showing vulnerability without oversharing.
They also break down how to choose a conflict-resolution story that demonstrates judgement and senior-level thinking, steering clear of unsafe answers that could raise red flags.
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In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa and Becky get into the specifics of interview and application preparation, focusing on the nuanced realities that candidates face right now.
They tackle whether you should have notes at hand - explaining why preparation trumps paperwork and when bullet points might be your friend in an online interview.
Listen for their step-by-step approach to structuring the perfect "conflict with a patient" answer and their advice on using appraisal questions as a vehicle to communicate your real value.
Finally, they break down what’s changed in the increasingly competitive NHS consultant job market, sharing hard-won strategies for making your application impossible to ignore while maintaining resilience through setbacks.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/
Tessa and Becky answer the Academy’s toughest question: How personal is too personal in your NHS consultant interview?
Drawing on candid examples from real trainees, they break down what you do - and don’t - need to share, including periods of sick leave, career detours, and GMC restrictions.
The episode digs into the art of crafting mistake stories - not too big, not too bland - showing how to strike that balance between vulnerability and professionalism that panels look for.
They unpack the need for senior-level, systems thinking and demonstrate why your answer isn’t about clinical brilliance, but about changing practice across teams.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/
In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa Davis and Becky Platt break down how to handle common obstacles in preparing for NHS consultant interviews.
They address whether to use earlier or cross-speciality projects to showcase skills, share advice on managing examples of conflict - especially where there’s a power imbalance - and provide practical steps for responding to broad governance questions.
The discussion centres around making the most of transferable skills, shaping compelling unique selling points, and using intentional pauses for higher-impact, measured answers.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/
This episode delves into the real-world challenges of last-minute NHS consultant interview invites, with Tessa and Becky guiding listeners through the dos and don’ts of interviews during your holidays.
They tackle how to handle requests for virtual interviews, share hard-won lessons about ensuring tech reliability, and spell out why face-to-face presence often matters.
You’ll hear examples of answers to Trust values, tips to make responses specific and memorable, and candid debate on the infamous “any questions for us?” moment.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/
This episode covers the toughest scenarios every aspiring substantive consultant fears - but few talk about openly. Tessa Davis and Becky Platt dig into what really happens when you land two interviews at once, and how to play it straight with panels without closing doors for yourself or your family.
They unpack why common “conflict” examples can set you back, and outline what the panel really looks for - using safe, effective situations that show off your communication rather than your regrets. For those dreading questions about integrity, the hosts reveal how to keep your answers focused, evidence-based, and firmly within professional standards - sidestepping the trap of oversharing.
Finally, Tessa and Becky break down the myth of the ‘favourite candidate’, especially for those up against a well-known locum, showing why performance on the day still matters most.
If you’re short on time, swamped by long shifts, and feeling the pressure to get this career-defining interview right, this episode will give you the confidence and practical tips to take control of your prep - no matter how daunting your scenario feels.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview.
In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa Davis and Becky Platt break down some of the most frequent stumbling blocks for final-year trainees and locum consultants facing NHS consultant interviews.
They cover:
If you’re short of time but need clarity on what really matters in consultant interview prep, you’ll want to listen in.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview.
In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa Davis and Becky Platt answer practical questions from senior trainees and locum consultants wrestling with their NHS interview prep. They explore:
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview.
In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa Davis and Becky Platt break down the real-world differences between substantive and locum NHS consultant interviews.
They discuss:
Listen for sparing, actionable advice grounded in daily NHS realities, designed for intelligent, ambitious doctors at the pivotal consultant interview stage.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview.
In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa Davis and Becky Platt dissect what it takes to excel in NHS consultant interviews - especially when time and nerves are against you. Tackling the realities of last-minute presentation prep, they share step-by-step strategies for structuring answers, drawing from pre-interview meetings, and tailoring content to panel expectations.
The episode features a deep dive into the Duty of Candour: how to select meaningful clinical examples, deal with mistakes (even serious ones), and communicate both professional process and human response. The new Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) gets a spotlight, clarifying how learning sits at the centre of modern patient safety approaches - and why that matters in interview answers.
Finally, hear practical advice on showing motivation for a particular consultant post, avoiding common pitfalls, and building genuine connection with interviewers.
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Tessa Davis and Becky Platt decode the trickiest NHS consultant interview questions - from metrics and KPIs to mistake stories and leadership challenges.
You’ll learn:
Whether you feel underprepared or just want to sharpen your answers, this episode is packed with concise advice you can use immediately for your interview prep.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview.
In this first episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa Davis and Becky Platt tackle the core challenges facing final-year trainees and locum consultants getting interview-ready.
They cover:
This episode is all about cutting through overwhelm and getting clarity on the building blocks of good preparation.
Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview.
