UK consultant interview: 2026 dates, format and scoring

When to apply

• Consultant posts are advertised through the year on NHS Jobs and trust websites, usually with a three to four week application window.
• Most trusts invite shortlisted candidates to a pre interview visit before the AAC; book it as soon as the invitation arrives.

When interviews run

• Interviews are held four to eight weeks after the closing date, on a date set by the trust.
• The presentation title, where one is set, is usually sent a week before, and in some trusts only an hour before.

The format

• A single Advisory Appointments Committee interview of 45 to 60 minutes, in person or online.
• About half include a presentation of five to ten minutes on a set title, followed by questions, before the main interview.

Who is on the panel

• Usually more than five members: a lay chair or non executive director, the medical director or deputy, the clinical director, a Royal College representative, one or two consultant colleagues, and often HR, a service manager, a head of nursing or a finance director.
• Each member asks in their own register; the college representative walks through the CV, the medical director probes governance, the lay chair asks about values and inclusion.

How it is scored

• Questions are scored against the person specification, with each panel member scoring independently and the committee agreeing a ranking.
• The presentation, where used, is scored separately and the questions that follow it count.

What to prepare

• A two minute CV walkthrough aimed at the person specification.
• One real example each for equality and inclusion, a serious incident, a complaint, leadership and conflict, with outcomes.
• The trust's strategy, values, last CQC report and waiting list position, read and quotable.
• Three presentation outlines on the themes panels set: vision, challenges and equity.
• An answer to why this trust that the panel can verify from your pre interview visit.

Practise the uk consultant interview