1. Please tell me why are you leaving your current position?

This is a very critical question. Don't bad mouth your previous employer or co-workers or sound too opportunistic. It's fine to mention major problems, a buy-out or a shutdown. You may want to state that after long personal consideration, your chance to make a contribution is very low due to extensive company-wide changes.

2. Tell me have you ever accomplished something you didn't think you could?

The interviewer is trying to determine your goal orientation, work ethic, personal commitment and integrity. Prepare a good example where you overcame difficulties and succeeded. Prove that you're not a quitter.

3. What do you consider your most significant accomplishment as Consultant?

A good answer to this question can get you the job. Prepare extensively-discuss hard work, long hours, pressure and important company issues at stake. You may want to tell a two minute detailed story, discussing personal involvement.

4. What's the difference between debt and equity finance?

Debt and equity finance are the two main ways by which a business can raise money.

Equity finance means raising money by selling shares - that is, stakes in the company - either privately to investors or on the stock markets. Debt finance means raising money through taking out loans or by issuing bonds - pieces of tradeable debt - on the markets.

5. Tell me how have you worked in a team effectively?

Sometimes this question might be phrased as "What does team work mean to you?" You could answer it along the following lines: "I work well in a team: I'm a good listener and can take account of different perspectives and empathise with others. I'm a good communicator and hope I'm a positive role model. I encourage colleagues to engage in the clinical process. I respect the contributions and expertise of others."

6. Explain how do you handle pressure? Do you like or dislike these situations?

High achievers tend to perform well in high-pressure situations. Conversely, these questions could imply that the open position is pressure-packed and out of control. Know what you're getting into. If you do perform well under stress, provide a good, detailed example. Be descriptive.

7. Explain how would you plan and deliver a service improvement?

Patient safety is paramount here. You should also make sure that you back up your answers with examples from your own practice, your specialty, or your local area. For instance, you might say, "Any service improvement would put patient safety first, as well as providing a higher quality and more sustainable service. The change would be clinically led, using evidence based medicine. The service would be tailored to local circumstances using national frameworks. Patients, the public, and staff would be engaged throughout."

8. Why do you believe you are qualified for this position as Consultant?

Pick two or three main factors about the job and about yourself that are most relevant. Discuss for two minutes, including specific details. You may mention a technical skill, a management skill and/or a personal success story.

9. How would you define commercial awareness?

Knowing what's being written about in the business press is a big part of commercial awareness, but it's important that you demonstrate you know there's more to it than that.

Commercial awareness is also about understanding the fundamentals of how businesses work and having the skills to function effectively in the business world.

10. What do you like and dislike most about your current or last position?

The interviewer is trying to determine compatibility with the open position. Be careful; don't say you dislike overtime, like management, or get too detailed. It's safe to say that you like challenges, pressure situations, opportunities to grow, or that you dislike bureaucracy and frustrating situations.

Download Interview PDF