Most candidates spend weeks preparing for their hardest interview question and then completely waste the first one. Tessa and Becky break down why "tell me about yourself" is not the moment to recite your CV chronologically, and introduce the PERM structure that turns this question into an instant connection with your panel, one that sets the tone for your entire interview.
We also look at a duty of candour example from an Academy student involving a delayed cancer diagnosis, and talk through what makes it work (and how to tighten it up so the story lands faster). From there we tackle clinical governance, a question that panics a lot of candidates because it feels so broad, but which is actually a golden opportunity to showcase the unique selling points you haven't had a chance to mention yet.
Finally, we get into signposting: the simple habit of structuring your answers around three clear points that makes you sound polished, keeps the panel engaged, and genuinely calms your nerves in the room. We explain why it works even if you use it for almost every answer, and share a practical trick involving pen and paper that helps you never lose your place mid-response.
What is Ace Your NHS Consultant Interview?
Welcome to Ace Your NHS Consultant Interview - the podcast for doctors who want to take the stress and guesswork out of their NHS consultant interview prep.
We know how overwhelming it can feel to prep for your consultant interviews when you’re already stretched thin.
Each episode, we’ll break down what actually works - no fluff, no endless reading, just practical steps you can fit into a hectic week. You’ll hear honest advice, real stories, and the frameworks we use with our own students inside the Academy to help you show up confident, prepped, and ready to secure the job you want.
If you’re a final year trainee or locum consultant and you want to prepare, not panic, you’re in the right place.