Home
Interview preparation

Interview preparation

Guidance on the significant preparation required before attending interview

Invitation & booking Structure & content

Before you attend your interview it is very important that you have prepared properly. Preparation areas include:

    • Documentation - unless requested otherwise, the only documentation you will need to bring is proof of your identity. This must be one form of photographic identification, and you should bring your passport where possible. If you do not hold a passport, then you should provide a photo-card driving licence. If you hold neither, please see the NHS employers website for further guidance. Your identification will be checked prior to the interview starting and if this does not meet the requirements you may not be interviewed.
    • Structure, content and scoring framework for the interview - familiarising yourself with the format and the areas covered is advisable and, in particular, you will be required to prepare a two-minute verbal presentation overviewing your achievements which are most relevant to your application to train in internal medicine. The structure and content page gives details about this presentation and the interview as a whole.
    • Interview question preparation - although it is not really possible to 'revise' before the interview, it is advisable to review your application form, experience and skills to date, achievements, etc. in advance, and to prepare yourself more generally as you would for any interview.
    • Interview environment and technical requirements - all interviews will be held online and so it is important to ensure that you have the right technical set up and a good environment free from distraction. There is a declaration which you will sign up to when you apply, that covers agreement around the technical requirements and your responsibilities. Things to consider include:
      • Microphone and camera - check these are working and will present you to interviewers clearly. Consider the position of the camera and microphone and test this with another person. Your camera and microphone should be on at all times once you have logged into Qpercom Recruit. Panel members will also have their cameras on at all times unless specified not to, or due to technical difficulties.
      • Internet connectivity - as far as possible ensure your interview takes place somewhere with good and stable internet connection.
      • Background - be aware of your background and avoid things which could be distracting - There is currently not a 'blur background' feature on Qpercom recruit. 
      • Environment - ensure your interview is in a well-lit and quiet place which will be free from interruptions.
    • Probity - ensuring your application meets GMC Good Medical Practice guidelines - there is a separate tab in this section covering this area.

You will need to take some documents to demonstrate elements of the eligibility criteria. The boxes below cover each of these requirements and give examples of what is acceptable.

In each case, it is necessary to bring an original version of the document where possible, along with a photocopy. The photocopies will be retained by the recruitment team, with the original documents returned to you.

If there are any additional requirements for the eligibility folder to that detailed below, you will be notified in advance of interviews.

Eligibility documents

Personal identification documents
Evidence of eligibility to take up UK employment
GMC documentation

Beyond readying your documentation, there is some other preparation you can undertake ahead of IMT interviews.

It is not really possible to 'revise' before the interview, although of course it is always sensible to review your application form, experience and skills to date, achievements, etc. in advance, and to prepare yourself more generally as you would for any interview.

Certain questions at the interview will involve discussion of particular (brief) scenarios, but information on these will be provided to you on the day.

Application form claims

Please bear in mind the GMC's Good Medical Practice guidelines on probity (point 66), as below:

'You must always be honest about your experience, qualifications and current role.'

( http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/good_medical_practice/20462.asp )

Although it is not likely that you will asked to provide evidence for each of the achievements claimed in the point-scoring domains on your application form, if this does happen then you will need to be able to provide this. Interviewers will not have access to your documents and may ask you questions about your claims to ascertain your achievements. If there are any concerns about the veracity of any of your claims made in the application form, this could be followed up by the clinical lead for the interview centre.

Whilst most cases will not likely be treated as serious offences, any instances of candidates blatantly or persistently trying to gain an unfair advantage by over-claiming and/or exaggerating their achievements will be taken extremely seriously.

This could lead to an application being deemed not appointable, or, in very serious cases, could be reported as a probity matter to the GMC; however, this is a very rare outcome and only in cases of overt cheating. The application scoring section of the website has more information.

Interview

At interview you must not have the assistance of anyone else and must be alone in your interview room. You will be required to show the room where you are being interviewed to the administrative team before your interview starts. In addition, it is not permissible to be in contact with anyone once you have registered with the interview team and started your interview, including being given any scenarios to review; this includes using reference materials, e.g. text books or online resources, to assist answering questions.  

It is not permitted to record the interview or to take any notes about the questions asked and pass on any information about the content of the interview outside that which is published on this website.

Round 1 Timeline Interview preparation Interview scoring Offers and beyond