Consultant Interview tips

Consultant Interviews: Guidance for Public Health Trainees
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Tips for Consultant Interviews

Applications

Register with NHS Jobs to receive email alerts to consultant posts as they are advertised.

All applications are now completed and submitted electronically via the NHS Jobs website. Once an application form has been completed (or partly completed) on the website, it reappears each time you apply for another post for editing or completion.

http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/myjobsite.cgi?action=home&caid=170.21632.1199988944

Application forms should be completed with as much detail as possible. This is usually all that panel members are given to undertake shortlisting and at interview.

Ensure you address all aspects of the person specification in your application form as shortlisting is based on the match between the candidate and the person specification.

Keep an up-to-date CV handy at all times to provide to potential employers during informal discussions before interviews. CVs should be relevant, factual and not too long. Example formats can be found on various websites (eg. monster.co.uk or bradleycvs.co.uk) although these are general examples and not specific to posts in the NHS or at consultant level.

It may be worth considering attending a course on interviews for consultant posts. These are run by a number of organisations and are generic to consultant interviews, rather than public health specific. Click here for a list of course providers, and feedback on the courses from SW public health trainees.

Pre-Interview Visit

If possible, visit the unit and meet colleagues you will be working with. Also contact key people by telephone and get known – this will not count towards your interview but will give you inside knowledge which you will be able to use in your interview. It will show the panel that you are keen. However, do not canvass support from panel members or colleagues you will be working with as this is not ethical practice.

The Panel

Panels for public health consultant posts are usually made up of the following:

Lay Chair

Faculty representative

Deanery representative

Chief Executive

Director of Public Health

Another Director (eg Finance and Performance)

Head of Human Resources

The following may also be on the panel:

Consultant in Communicable Disease Control

Consultant in Public Health

Medical Director

Non-Executive Director

Other Managers

Interview Tips

Even if you are nervous, smile since first impressions count.

You may be required to do a presentation before the interview starts. See here for tips on presentations and some example presentation titles.

As each panel member asks a question, turn towards them and address them with the answer rather than trying to include the whole panel.

Even if you know some panel members, answer questions as if they have no knowledge of you or your experience, since other panel members will not have this in-depth information.

A wide range of issues may come up at interview which will cover the areas of responsibility outlined in the job description together with issues relating to management and leadership. These may include audit, probity, CPD, line management, relationships and conflict management, team working, financial management, communication and interpersonal skills, and networking.

See a list of example interview questions.

See feedback from former SW public health trainees on consultant interview experiences.

HR Issues

Do not discuss salary with the panel.

Issues such as salary, annual leave and relocation should be discussed with the Human Resources Manager.

If you are offered the post, the start date needs to be negotiated and be mutually agreeable. Three months notice is normally required but this can usually be negotiated, particularly as you may need time to move house.

If you wish previous employment experience, for example as a manager, director or GP, to count towards your starting salary, you need to write to the Medical Director or equivalent.

Feedback

If you are unsuccessful, it is essential to seek feedback to inform your next interview for a post. This would usually be sought from the relevant Director of Public Health.

Guidance on Appointment of Consultants

The National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations – Good Practice Guidance contains information on all aspects of the consultant interview process, including preliminary visits, panel membership and function, feedback to candidates and expenses.

The guidance can be found at:
The National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations – Good Practice Guidance

More tips

More interview tips can be found on the following website:
http://www.medical-interviews.co.uk/Resources/TipsInterviewCONS.htm

Back to Interview Guidance Main Page

	Lay Chair
	Faculty representative
	Deanery representative
	Chief Executive
	Director of Public Health
	Another Director (eg Finance and Performance)
	Head of Human Resources

	Consultant in Communicable Disease Control
	Consultant in Public Health
	Medical Director
	Non-Executive Director
	Other Managers

	Even if you are nervous, smile since first impressions count.
	You may be required to do a presentation before the interview starts. See here for tips on presentations and some example presentation titles.
	As each panel member asks a question, turn towards them and address them with the answer rather than trying to include the whole panel.
	Even if you know some panel members, answer questions as if they have no knowledge of you or your experience, since other panel members will not have this in-depth information.
	A wide range of issues may come up at interview which will cover the areas of responsibility outlined in the job description together with issues relating to management and leadership. These may include audit, probity, CPD, line management, relationships and conflict management, team working, financial management, communication and interpersonal skills, and networking.

	Do not discuss salary with the panel.
	Issues such as salary, annual leave and relocation should be discussed with the Human Resources Manager.
	If you are offered the post, the start date needs to be negotiated and be mutually agreeable. Three months notice is normally required but this can usually be negotiated, particularly as you may need time to move house.
	If you wish previous employment experience, for example as a manager, director or GP, to count towards your starting salary, you need to write to the Medical Director or equivalent.