Podcast
Ace Your NHS Consultant Interview
Hosted by Tessa Davis + Becky Platt · EN
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.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to Stay Focused in Your Consultant Interview
6d ago00:17:56Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors openhttps://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep42Consultant interviews can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to give structured answers under pressure. In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa and Becky explain how using a blank piece of paper and pen can help you pause, gather your thoughts, and keep your answers focused from start to finish.They also discuss reasonable adjustments for neurodivergent doctors, including how to think about what would actually help you perform at your best in the interview. From asking for written questions to needing a quieter space before the interview, this episode encourages candidates to be clear about what they need and not let stigma hold them back from requesting support.Finally, Tessa and Becky break down what makes a strong duty of candour example and how to answer difficult questions about trust values. If you are preparing for a consultant interview and want to sound calm, structured, thoughtful, and ready for senior level practice, this episode will help you approach your preparation with more clarity and confidence.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
Transcribe →Consultant Interview Scenarios: What Panels Really Want to Hear
2w ago00:17:25Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors open https://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep41 Hypothetical scenarios come up often in consultant interviews, but many candidates make the mistake of turning them into one specific story instead of showing broad, senior level thinking. In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa and Becky explain how to approach scenario based questions, how to frame your experience briefly, and how to show the panel that you can manage conflict, difficult behaviours, and sensitive situations with confidence.They also break down how to answer the common interview question, “How would you support a trainee in difficulty?” You’ll learn how to balance pastoral support with formal escalation, including recognising when a trainee is struggling, offering structured support, involving supervisors, understanding escalation routes, and showing the educational leadership expected at consultant level.Finally, this episode covers why knowing who is on your interview panel can transform your preparation. From pre interview visits to understanding what different panel members may care about, this discussion will help you tailor your answers, anticipate likely questions, and walk into your consultant interview feeling more prepared, strategic, and confident.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
Transcribe →How to End Your Consultant Interview Answers with Confidence
3w ago00:20:44Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors open https://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep40One of the biggest mistakes candidates make in consultant interviews is not having a clear ending to their answers. In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa and Becky explain why your final sentence matters, how it affects the panel’s impression of you, and why a polished ending can make your answers sound more confident, structured, and easy to follow.They also discuss whether you should bring up something you forgot to say at the end of the interview, how to choose a strong mistake example, and what makes an example land well with the panel. You’ll learn why ownership, clarity, and concise storytelling are so important when answering questions about mistakes, reflection, and professional learning.Finally, this episode breaks down how to answer service improvement questions, especially around outpatient backlogs, waiting lists, flow, efficiency, and quality care. If you are preparing for a consultant interview and want to sound more senior, more strategic, and more confident in your answers, this episode will help you refine both your structure and delivery.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
Transcribe →How to Prove You’re a Safe Doctor in a Consultant Interview
4w ago00:23:05Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors openhttps://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep39Should you talk about a complaint made against you in your consultant interview? In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa and Becky break down how to approach tricky interview questions around complaints, mistakes, duty of candour, and patient safety without accidentally throwing yourself under the bus.They also explain how to answer the common question, “How do you know you’re a safe doctor?” in a way that goes beyond saying you have had no complaints or serious incidents. You’ll learn how to talk about appraisal, reflection, CPD, feedback, evidence based practice, clinical learning, and personal responsibility in a way that shows senior level thinking.Finally, this episode covers why asking for feedback after an unsuccessful consultant interview can be one of the most valuable parts of your preparation. If you want to improve your consultant interview answers, avoid common mistakes, and feel more confident discussing patient safety and complaints, this episode is for you.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
Transcribe →How to Stand Out in a Competitive Consultant Interview
May 400:15:37Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors open https://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep38Worried that there are loads of strong applicants for the same consultant job and you will struggle to stand out? In this episode, we break down what actually makes a candidate memorable in a competitive consultant interview, including how to connect your experience to the role, how to talk about your skills in a way that feels specific and credible, and how to show the panel that you understand exactly what their trust or department needs right now.We also cover how to keep your examples concise so you do not get lost in too much detail, how to answer questions about the challenges facing the trust, and how to sound more like a consultant by showing senior level thinking, not just focusing on the patient in front of you but on the wider system, pathways, and service. If you want to sound sharper, more strategic, and more appointable on interview day, this episode will give you practical advice to help you rise above the competition.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
Transcribe →What to Do If You Get an Interview Question You Cannot Answer
Apr 2700:22:14Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors open https://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep37What should you do if an interview panel asks a question you genuinely do not know how to answer? In this episode, we break down how to stay calm, recover quickly, and still give a credible response even when you feel completely caught off guard. We also explore one of the toughest consultant interview scenarios, what to do if a junior tells you a consultant is bullying them, and how to approach that kind of question with balance, senior level judgment, and professionalism.We also discuss a common weakness example about getting overexcited and taking on too much, including why it works better than cliché answers and how to present it well in an interview. On top of that, we cover one of the biggest prep mistakes candidates make: practising answers by stopping and restarting until they sound perfect, instead of training themselves to think under pressure and respond in real time. If you want to sound more composed, more strategic, and more interview ready, this episode is packed with practical advice you can use straight away.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
Transcribe →How to Answer Wellbeing, Resilience, and Mistake Questions in a Consultant Interview
Apr 2000:21:31Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors open https://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep36 Worried you will get asked about wellbeing, resilience, mistakes, or conflict in your consultant interview and say the wrong thing? In this episode, we break down how to answer these tough interview questions in a way that sounds thoughtful, professional, and self aware without oversharing or damaging your credibility. You will learn how to talk about wellbeing without sounding weak, how to choose mistake examples that show ownership rather than blame, and how to handle reflective conflict questions that catch candidates off guard.We also cover what to do when an answer starts going wrong in real time, including simple ways to recover your structure, reset your thoughts, and keep the rest of the interview strong. If you are preparing for a consultant interview and want to sound calm, reflective, and appointable under pressure, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you perform with more confidence from start to finish.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
Transcribe →How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” Without Freezing in a Consultant Interview
Apr 1300:23:35Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors open https://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep35 If you panic when an interview starts and your mind goes blank at “tell me about yourself,” this episode breaks down exactly how to handle it with a clear structure, stronger confidence, and answers that actually land. You’ll learn how to prepare for the question that almost always comes first, how to make an instant connection with the panel, how to talk through conflict examples without overexplaining, and how to deal with unexpected wildcard questions that throw candidates off.We also cover one of the most overlooked interview skills: knowing how to end your answers cleanly and confidently so you do not drift into awkward silence or get cut off before you finish your point. Whether you are preparing for a consultant interview, medical interview, or any high pressure panel interview, this episode will help you sound more polished, more prepared, and more memorable from your very first answer to your final one.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
Transcribe →Mastering Consultant Interviews: Answering Tough Questions and Owning Your Role
Apr 600:18:46Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors open https://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep34 In this episode of the Ace Your Consultant Interview podcast, Tessa and Becky dive into key strategies for acing your interview, starting with a common yet tricky question: "Why this trust?" They emphasize the importance of presenting your enthusiasm for the job and the trust, even if it’s not your absolute dream role. The duo stresses the need to stay focused during the interview, conveying your passion for the position to the panel. The conversation also explores the tricky "financial crisis" question, offering insights into how consultants can contribute to cost-saving without being bogged down in numbers. They suggest framing it through the lens of improving patient flow and efficiency.The episode also offers practical advice on handling challenging situations like duty of candour, sharing a real example of a delay in patient care and the steps to take when addressing such incidents. Tessa and Becky underscore the importance of taking ownership and reflecting on your role in these situations, ensuring the panel understands the personal impact you've made. Lastly, they share an essential tip for interview success: using "I" instead of "we" to clearly communicate your individual contributions. This episode is a must-listen for any trainee or low-income consultant preparing for interviews with confidence and clarity.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
Transcribe →How to Sell Yourself Without Feeling Arrogant: Secrets to Nailing Your Consultant Interview
Mar 3000:21:08Tap to summarizeStarting to think about your NHS Consultant Interview Prep? Join the waitlist for my Ace Your Consultant Interview Academy. I’ll let you know as soon as the Academy doors open https://info.medicalinterviewprep.com/waitlist?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=transistor&utm_content=t-ep33 In this episode of Ace Your Consultant Interview, Tessa and Becky tackle the challenge of selling yourself during a job interview without feeling like you're bragging. They emphasize the importance of being authentic and using specific, measurable examples to demonstrate your skills and accomplishments. The key is to focus on facts and impact, not persuasion, so you can confidently talk about your achievements without feeling arrogant. Practicing your responses out loud is also a crucial part of the preparation process, as it helps reduce the "cringe factor" and makes your answers sound natural in the interview.The hosts also share their insights on handling interview questions about mistakes, stressing the importance of owning your errors and reflecting on how you handled them. They highlight the value of using these moments to demonstrate growth and senior-level thinking. Additionally, they discuss how to approach background research on a trust, advising not to overdo it. Instead, a broad understanding of the trust's issues will allow you to integrate relevant information into your answers without getting bogged down in excessive details.Sign up for our free 5-day email course to give you a Crash Course To Ace Your Consultant Interview: https://aceyourconsultantinterview.com/?utm_source=YTPod&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=1
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