Abstract
In so many cases, it is a lack of understanding of the political agenda that gives most trainees (and existing consultants) their greatest cause for concern when applying for a consultant post. As a result, many invest the majority of their interview preparation time trying to develop a significant knowledge of the evolving healthcare landscape but without any clear direction. In this short chapter, we’ll provide guidance on how to go about preparation sensibly, with a clear focus. It is perhaps important at this stage to re-emphasize that the majority of your time should be invested in reflecting on how you can best demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills, abilities and interests to succeed in the post you are applying for, i.e. the benefit you bring to the Trust you are applying to. In general, unless the job specifically concerns the strategic development of a service, spend no more than 20 % of your preparation time thinking about the political agenda. Any more and we are starting to worry that you are not focusing on other important areas sufficiently. It will not have escaped you that this chapter is only short and does not appear to mention a single political agenda or hot potato in any depth. This is purposeful. The political agenda is constantly changing and what was ‘hot’ at interview this month will not be ‘hot’ in 6 months’ time. There is no substitute for getting up-to-date at the time and we want to avoid the natural temptation for you to use the book as gospel when in fact you need to be seeing what is current. This chapter will, however, help you work out what you need to know for your specific interview and how to obtain that knowledge. Having made the case for not overly focusing on the political agenda, as you have lots of preparation to do and not just this, it is still imperative that you understand just how important an area this is. Trusts need consultants who understand the environment in which they operate and what it takes to be successful today.
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