Hello Reader,

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I totally get it.

Securing your dream NHS consultant job is a stressful process.

Avoiding common mistakes during the interview will improve your chances of success.

In this newsletter, we’ll cover three critical mistakes that candidates often make and tell you how to avoid them.

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Mistake 1: Assuming That The Panel Has Read Your CV

Many candidates assume that the panel has thoroughly reviewed their CV and remembers every detail.

This assumption means you'll miss opportunities to highlight your experiences and achievements during the interview.

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How This Will Impact Your Interview:

• Interviewers might overlook important qualifications or accomplishments if you don't tell them about them.
• You may fail to emphasise your most relevant skills and experiences.
• Remember...you only score points for what you say in the interview, not what is on your CV.

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How To Avoid This:

1. Re-read your CV/Application.
   • During your interview prep, allocate time to thoroughly review your CV and application.
   • You'll start to remember previous projects and experiences that you can use throughout your interview
2. Assume the panel hasn't read your CV.
   • Imagine that they haven't read it and, even if they have, they remember nothing at all about it.
   • The panel are just human beings. They forget things, get distracted, and have other things going on in their lives. Make it easy for them.

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Mistake 2: Not Highlighting Your Unique Selling Points.

Interview candidates often fail to recognise what makes them unique compared to other applicants.

Your USPs are what set you apart and therefore what you'll bring to the team.

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How This Will Impact Your Interview:

• You may come across as a generic candidate without distinguishing features.
• You'll struggle to choose good examples to share.
• If you don't know what you bring to the team...the panel won't know either

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How To Avoid This:

1. Identify Your USPs.
   • Start your interview prep by identifying your USPs.
   • Think about what makes you different from the average applicant. This could be specific experiences, skills, or accomplishments.
   • Consider places you've worked, projects you've led, committees you've sat on, or teaching programmes you've delivered.
2. Dive Deeper.
   • For each USP, spend time during your prep thinking more about them.
   • What challenges did you face? What mistakes did you make? What would you do differently next time?
   • Be ready to discuss these in detail during your interview whenever you get the chance.

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Mistake 3: Not Being Specific

Being vague or too generic in your answers makes it difficult for the panel to know what you bring to the team.

Specifics help to paint a clear picture of your strengths.

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How This Will Impact Your Interview:

• Answers that don't go beyond the theory may fail to convince the panel that you're the best candidate
• You can end up just reeling off a list of bullet points instead of exploring ideas
• You might miss the chance to show your experience.
• You will miss out scoring on as many points as your competitors who do add specifics.

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How To Avoid This:

1. Add Specifics.
   • Think through your USPs and examples, and add specifics. Add numbers, names, examples, reflections, or shared learning.
   • For instance, rather than saying "I led a QIP," specify how you did it, e.g. "I led a QI project to implement a new discharge pathway. When we looked at the data for 300 patients, we realised the readmission rates were higher than expected. After implementing x, y, and z, we reduced readmission rates from 40% to 20%."
2. Practice.
   • Practice articulating these specifics clearly and concisely.
   • Every time you find yourself saying something general like "I've done a range of teaching", stop yourself and add specifics.

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Avoiding these 3 common mistakes will significantly enhance your interview performance.

Remember to say what you want the panel know once you're in that interview chair. Showcase your unique selling points, and be specific in your answers.

Good luck with your prep!

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Tessa

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P.S. My Academy doors will be opening again in a few weeks. Last time we sold out all the spots in 3 days. If you want to be the first to hear when the doors open, join my waitlist here: www.medicalinterviewprep.com​

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P.P.S. If you can't wait that long because you have an interview in the next few weeks then send me an email because we have a Fast Track option for you too.