Learn how pre-interview visits shape your success. Discover how to prepare, approach individuals, and make a strong impression with NHS panels.
Introduction
Pre-interview visits for consultant interviews are a critical but often underestimated part of the process. Many candidates see them as informal or optional. In reality, they can strongly influence the impression you create and the insight you gain. Approached poorly, they risk leaving the wrong impression and undermining your chances before interview day.
“Pre-interview visits for consultant interviews are a critical but often underestimated part of the process. ”
Why Pre-Interview Visits Matter
A pre-interview visit allows you to:
- Understand the Trust, department, and service context you are applying to.
- Meet potential colleagues and see how the team functions.
- Gather information that will strengthen your answers in the interview.
- Demonstrate interest in the post and the organisation.
However, these benefits only come if you prepare. Without preparation, candidates may ask unfocused questions, appear vague, or fail to show insight. Worse, they can inadvertently signal a lack of readiness.
Common Pitfalls in Pre-Interview Visits
Candidates often make mistakes such as:
- Treating the visit as an informal chat and arriving without a clear plan.
- Asking questions that could easily be answered by reading the job description or Trust website.
- Focusing on personal benefits rather than contribution to the service.
- Failing to adapt conversations to the person they are meeting (e.g. medical director vs service lead).
These pitfalls can damage credibility before the interview even begins.
Preparing for Pre-Interview Visits
Effective preparation involves:
Identifying who you may meet
Clinical leads, consultant colleagues, managers, or divisional directors.
Researching the Trust
Priorities, values, current challenges, and relevant service data.
Planning your questions
Focused, professional, and showing insight into the service.
Clarifying your own messages
Being able to speak clearly about your achievements, your approach, and your interest in the post.
Done well, pre-interview visits give you both the intelligence and the credibility you need to succeed.
Our Unique Approach: Panelling
At Consultant Interviews, we take pre-interview visits very seriously. Over time we have developed a unique approach we call Panelling.
Panelling is about preparing for visits in the same structured, professional way as you prepare for the interview itself. It ensures you:
- Approach each visit with clarity about what you want to achieve.
- Prepare tailored talking points for different people you might meet.
- Avoid missteps that create the wrong impression.
- Use the opportunity to begin demonstrating the maturity, professionalism, and readiness expected of a consultant.
Panelling transforms pre-interview visits from informal chats into part of your overall consultant interview strategy.
“Panelling is about preparing for visits in the same structured, professional way as you prepare for the interview itself.”
What’s Included in our Panelling Module?
Firstly, the programme as a whole (we call it ‘course’ but it is a whole learning and preparing programme)is designed to address both the learning necessary to excel, but also the practical preparation as well. Our Panelling Module covers readiness for consultant interview questions and includes the following:
Core Learning Video
Covering both the strategy and practical aspects of getting the most from pre-interview visits
Panelling Guide
Comprehensive guide to ensure you approach pre-interview visits optimally
Panelling Checklist
Ready reckoner to ensure you do not forget important aspects whilst so busy
Panel Research Proforma
Structured approach to ensuring you turn up thoroughly prepared for each individual
Articles & Advice
Covering evergreen and emerging issues around pre-interview visits
This approach helps candidates make the most of pre-interview visits, gaining valuable information and leaving a strong, professional impression.
Key Takeaways
If you are preparing for consultant interviews:
Recognise that pre-interview visits are not optional, but a critical part of the process.
Prepare carefully to gain insight and avoid missteps
Use each visit to demonstrate interest, readiness, and professionalism.
Next Steps
Explore the Consultant Interview Course to learn how our Panelling approach helps you prepare for visits as strategically as the interview itself.
“Candidates who succeed consistently understand that this is a process that begins well before interview day.”