What are the questions usually asked in interviews for senior house officer jobs?

General experience

• You will be asked to go through your curriculum vitae (CV)

• Give your experience to date in jobs or posts

• Talk about your relevant skills

• Talk about your future career plans

Specific areas

• Research—if you have done any, what was it about, what were the results, what did you learn?

• Audit—what projects have you done and what were the results, what did you learn, was audit loop closed?

• What is audit?

• What is clinical governance?

Clinical

• You may be asked a specific clinical management question relevant to the post—for example, management of acute asthma, seizures, arrhythmia

NHS—be familiar with...

• National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)

• Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) and Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI)

• Revalidation

• Doctors' hours, European Working Time Directive, and the Hospital at Night project

• Modernising Medical Careers

And of course...

• “Why do you want this job?”

• “Why should we give you this job?” In other words, “What makes you so special above the other 200 candidates?”

• “Tell me about your stamp collecting, modern dance, Olympic gold medal in judo, or culinary expertise that you have mentioned in your CV.” (Hint: never leave this bit blank and ALWAYS show you have a life away from medicine on your CV—but not too much)

• “Finally, Dr Bloggs, is there anything you want to ask the panel?” (Hint: use an intelligent phrase such as, “No, I don't think so—I have found out all I need to know already about this post and unit by visiting and talking to the junior doctors and consultants.”)