How Can We Help You Choosing Right Examples With Impact?
Our NHS Interview Preparation Plan shows you exactly how to select and use the right examples so your answers stand out to the panel.
Learn how to
Your experience is powerful.
Are you using the right examples to show it?
Use Examples that make you Stand Out in Consultant interview.
Avoid Using Bad Exmples.
I Will Show You How You Can Use Just Five Examples To Showcase Multiple Skills Clear, Concise And Strategic Examples.
Not sure if you are choosing right examples?
Why Examples Are Important In Your Medical Consultant Interview? Panel Wants to Know:
- Examples show evidence
- Reveal your professional identity
- Shows consultant-level behaviors
- Demonstrates reflective practice
- Allows fair scoring
- Past behavior predicts future behavior
The Medical Consultant Interview Isn’t About What You Know?
It is about how you practise it and communicate in your interview.
A Good Example
- Has clear structure
- Demonstrate consultant level thinking
- Shows impact
- Aligns with NHS/Trust values and priorities
Giving Examples
- Shows mature judgement
- Highlight senior behaviours
- Take ownership
- Have clear outcome
- Keep focus on you
Examples to Avoid
- Examples that make the panel question your judgement
- Conflicts with team members
- Situations that required formal escalation
- Overly complex clinical detail
- Overly dramatic or catastrophic cases
What Should You Consider When Choosing Examples?
1. Consider Non-Clinical Examples
At consultant level, non-clinical examples are often stronger. They also mirror different roles that you have as consultant.
Leading a service improvement
Managing a capacity issue
Mentoring a struggling trainee
Redesigning a rota
Addressing a governance concern
Fixing system errors
2. Demonstrate Senior Capability
Using Examples In Interview: keep it simple and structured
Once you’ve chosen the example
- Set the scene briefly (two sentences max)
- State the issue clearly
- Explain your actions
- Highlight your reasoning
- Finish with the outcome and reflection
- Keep focus on you
Strong Examples
- Are everyday but meaningful
- Demonstrate sound judgement
- Involve measured decision-making
- Have a clear positive outcome
- Reflect insight and learning
- Showcase your skills positively
3. Try Not To Impress With Intensity But Reassure With Competence
Common Mistake When Choosing Examples
- Using clinical examples only
- Too much details/background
- Example that gave you sleepless night
- When you were quoted in datix
- Involve SI/SAE/legal case
- Harm to the patient
- Not an everyday example (Panel unlikely to relate to)
Structuring Your Response
Use the iSTARR framework (Intro, Situation, Task, Action, Result and Reflection)
4. Power Ending Of Your Example
End with a clear reflection
Showcase your USP
Demonstrate learning
Show impact and outcome
5. Example Selection Checklist
- Was I central to the outcome?
- Does it make me look safe to appoint?
- Is there measurable or meaningful impact?
- Is it relatable and realistic within NHS practice?
- Can I explain the incident in under 30 seconds?
- Does it show structured thinking (clear steps and rationale)?
- Does this show consultant-level thinking (system awareness, leadership, accountability)?
- Does this demonstrate at least one core domain (leadership, governance, service improvement, resource management)?
