In this testimonial, Rachel describes how a webinar‑derived, three‑week preparation course helped her successfully navigate a high‑stakes NHS consultant interview. She explains that the course’s clear timeline forced her to stick to a structured study plan, while peer‑practice sessions—conducted with unfamiliar participants in similar situations—gave her the opportunity to rehearse answers and manage performance anxiety. Rachel notes that, unlike previous experiences where nerves disrupted sleep and caused a shaky voice, the preparation left her feeling calm, well‑rested, and able to focus on everyday tasks on interview day. The program also reinforced her sense of self‑worth, helping her internalise that she deserved the role after a year of experience. She highlights a broader issue: many trusts lack formal guidance for such interviews, making the course’s “kick‑start” and structure especially valuable. Overall, Rachel attributes her low pre‑interview nerves, coherent responses, and confidence to the course’s timeline, practice format, and confidence‑building components, and she recommends the program to others facing similar challenges.
Chapters
So I joined the webinar initially, and from the webinar, I got the idea of the structure of the course. It really appealed to me because I really like that structure and sticking to that because it allowed me to have a timeframe. Because I think when I joined, I had 3 weeks till interview. So it just pushed me. It pushed me to really stick to that structure, go through the steps, go through the course, and prepare myself in that time. And I felt— I didn't feel— when it got to interview, I didn't feel like I could have prepared anymore, to be honest. That fear of practicing in front of other people. I think practicing in front of people you don't know, who've never met you before, but are also in the same situation as you, was really, really useful. So it really pushed me to practice, and I think without that, I would have not been able to answer as coherently as I did in the interview, because I think nerves would have got the better of me because I wouldn't have had them structured answers ready. I'm one of these people who normally before, like, an exam or something big, I don't really sleep well the night before. Nerves often get the better of me, and I feel as though I'm very conscious of that in my voice as well. So while it might not be visible externally, I do feel like my voice shakes and things. I slept absolutely fine the night before, and the morning of, because the interview was, I think it was half 11, I felt strangely calm, and I was able to actually just focus on doing other, just a couple of other normal day-to-day things before the interview, which absolutely would not have happened before if I hadn't have felt prepared, because I just felt like I'm ready for it, I've done everything that I can. And I also felt deserving of it, which is something that the course helped me with, because I just felt before sort of self-confidence. I mean, I've been doing the job for nearly a year, but, and I know I'm good at it, but sort of portraying that to someone else and believing that I deserve the job was something that the course helped me with. So pre-interview nerves actually were the lowest they've ever been before such a big event, I think, because of all the prep. I'd say do it. I wouldn't hesitate at all. I think for me, and I think a lot of people are probably the same, getting started is one of the biggest challenges, and that gave me the push. I think there's some expectation that you kind of, you should know what to expect, you should know how to prepare, but actually this is not something we've done before. This is something that is the biggest interview you're ever going to have, that you've never had an opportunity potentially to do before. And if you had and it hasn't gone successfully, well, why? And I don't feel like there's that kind of process sort of locally within trusts to guide you. There's sort of not that advice there. So for me, it gave me the kickstart that I needed to just start preparing, and also the structure. I think without it, I would've just flapped. I would've probably not practised in front of people. And yeah, I would've felt definitely a lot more nervous before the interview, which, by not feeling nervous, I felt like I really gave a good account of myself. I could probably speak all day about it, to be honest, but I think, you know, yeah, the kickstart, the structure it gives, and how it really helped with my confidence and nerves, 'cause I'm definitely a nervous person before things like this.
It's amazing to hear you say that you're a nervous person and to hear like how confident you were by the end was just brilliant. Like, there was no doubt that you were gonna go in and nail it and get that job. It was amazing. I'm very happy for you, Rachel. It was absolutely brilliant.
