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This page provides information about interviews and gives advice on planning and preparation. Use the links below to jump to information on each area:

• How interview panels run
• What to prepare and take with you
• Planning your approach to the interview

How interview panels run

Interview panels will generally include the mix of people as outlined below, although there may be variations.

• A lay chair or lay representative
• Regional college adviser or nominated deputy
• A university representative or nominated deputy
• Training programme director or chair of the specialty training committee
• Consultant representation from the training programme(s)
• A senior management representative
• Representation from human resources

Prior to the interview, all members of the panel will have had access to your application form. However, they will not have access to the equal opportunities or personal data section of your application form.

Interviews should last for a minimum of 30 minutes. The interview panel’s main aim is to find out whether you meet the requirements of the person specification for the post for which you are applying, and to make sure that only the best candidates are selected in this highly competitive process.

The structure and content of interviews will vary across deaneries, specialties and levels.  The interview could include a scenario where you are asked to respond to a clinical professional situation. This could be through oral questions or through a written exercise before you meet the interview panel. In some instances, you may be asked to demonstrate a practical skill. The invitation to interview will explain what will be required from you at the interview.

Panel members will complete a score sheet for each candidate and make any comments. The aggregate score given by all the panel members will be the final score of the interview.

At a later date after the interview, the relevant deanery should be able to provide information on your score (see Requesting feedback for more information).

What to prepare and take with you

The deanery will give you clear information about what will be required from you at interview. As a minimum, expect to take the following documents and you may be required to take several copies:

• Original proof of identity (e.g. passport or other photo-ID)
• Original and photocopy of your GMC certificate
• Original and photocopies of all qualifications listed on your application form (translated if necessary)
• Verified evidence of competences cited on your application form – your professional portfolio
• Evidence of educationally approved posts cited on your application form
• Evidence of nationality / immigration status

This is not an exhaustive list.  You will need to check the deanery’s requirements.

If you are shortlisted, you will need to consider ways to provide evidence of having met Foundation and other required competences. You will be asked to bring your professional portfolios to the interview. 

Relevant evidence may include:

• Trainers’ reports
• Log book of clinical activity
• Audits
• Written workplace assessments, eg min-PAT, mini-CEX, CbD, DOPS.

These are just some examples and should not be taken as an exhaustive list.

Be prepared to answer questions on which parts of your professional portfolio link to statements made in your application form. You should be prepared to provide evidence for any and every statement made on your form.

Planning your approach to the interview

Most of the advice that follows is common sense, but you would be surprised by the number of applicants that run into problems due to lack of planning.

Strategic health authorities and deaneries will publish in advance the timetable they are working to, including opening, closing and interview dates.

• You should inform your current employer of potential leave requirements for attending interviews in anticipation of being short-listed, and co-ordinate with colleagues wherever possible.
• You may find it helpful to discuss with your clinical tutor or local consultants within the specialty for which you have applied about the type of areas the interviewers might seek to address.
• Arrive at your interview in plenty of time - aim to arrive half an hour before your interview is due to start.
• If you are driving, make sure you know where you are going to park – not all interview locations will have parking available.
• If you have to be somewhere after the interview, for example you are scheduled to be on call, you should alert the interview co-ordinator as soon as possible, as interview schedules often unavoidably run behind time. 
• You may be eligible to apply for travel expenses for the interview. You should ask about this prior to attending an assessment centre. It should not be assumed that all costs would be reimbursed.