In 2017 I was in ST5 and getting ready for my first consultant interviews. This blog follows on from my earlier blog sharing my top tips gathered for Consultant job applications during the final stages of Public Health Specialty training.
After a great application, you will get your invitation to attend interview. Generally, those I was invited to attend contained details about the interview panel and format, e.g. situational judgement/ psychometric test, role play with actors (memories of Part B!) or a presentation.
Research the interview panel through online searches, particularly if you are applying outside of your training zone and you don’t know them. Knowing that a Councillor on the panel has an interest in smoke free playgrounds and e-cigarettes is softer intelligence that can give you an edge over other candidates.
Real-life Consultant experiences
The biggest preparation that you can do for a job interview is consultant level on-the-job learning, shadowing and experiences in the year beforehand. You will collect examples and stories which you can use to answer interview questions. Use these real-life experiences to show that you are ready and capable to be a Consultant and hit the ground running.
Interview Questions
Use the library of interview questions you gathered earlier in the year from recently qualified Consultants. Think about themes from Job Descriptions and Person Specifications e.g. Leadership/ Change Management/ Commissioning/ Media/ Collaboration/ Continuing Professional Development or Learning Needs. Develop two to three examples using a simple answer framework (Situation Action Outcome Reflect).
Don’t forget the Part A and Part B frameworks from years gone by – you might get asked a technical question or a ‘how would you?’ question.
Look at some useful online resources too: –
http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/Great_answers_to_tricky_consultant_interview_questions
Have a sensible question to ask of the panel at the end, but never ask a question that you could have found out in the recruitment pack or clarified beforehand (e.g. terms and conditions). You want to leave the panel with a positive impression as you exit the room.
Interview Presentation
Be prepared to deliver a presentation on the day – this might be sent out to you in advance or might be on the day. Either way, make sure you know and can talk about the organisation’s values, local & regional challenges and aspirations.
Consider the wider stakeholder context through websites, public health indicators and reports, plus any recent local press or social media. In one interview, knowing that there had been a recent avian flu outbreak meant that I had read up on outbreak responses and considered wider migrant worker health needs in my response.
Don’t be scared to ditch PowerPoint, unless you are specifically asked to provide one. I know some interviewees that have arrived with flash cards and props, making their point very effectively and memorably.
Clearly describe what you know about the role and organisation, what experience you have and what you can do for them.
Practice makes perfect!
Invest your time in interview preparation and presentation practice with buddies and Consultants to get feedback and ‘test’ examples. Set yourself interview questions when driving or making a cup of tea and talk out loud; it will help you refine your answers, being clear and succinct. I tried recording myself; awkward I know, but this helps refine the waffling.
Unique Selling Point
You have worked hard training to become a Public Health Consultant, so what makes you special and stand out? What are you going to say about you? What is your ‘unique selling point’? Ask your colleagues and peers for informal feedback to boast your confidence and give ‘live’ examples for interview regarding personal qualities, leadership style and what makes you a good Consultant.
On the day
Arrive in good time, breathe, do your best and good luck!
Written by Hayley Mercer, Screening & Immunisation Lead – Public Health Consultant, Public Health England, North West
You can follow Hayley on Twitter
Better Health For All 
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