5 Essential Tips to Nail Your Medical Specialty Training Interview in Australia

So you've made it through to the interview phase – congratulations! But now you have more questions than answers…

Am I good enough? How will I prepare? Will they like me? Isn't everyone who gets an interview the same as me?

I hear these concerns from nearly every medical trainee I coach. The good news? These feelings are completely normal, and with the right preparation, you can transform that nervous energy into confident performance.

After coaching many medical trainees through specialty selection processes, here are my 5 most effective strategies:

1. You Deserve This Interview

You wouldn't have been selected for this interview if you hadn't met all of the specialty selection criteria. Here are 3 powerful questions to ask yourself:

• What are they (the interviewers) looking for?

• Am I that? (Hint: if your answer isn't "hell yes" then maybe some re-thinking of your career choices is in order)

• How do I show them? Most of us in the medical arena don't like the idea of having to sell ourselves. We prefer to have our clinical competency, diligence and conscientiousness speak for us… but how will the interviewers know that you are the right person for the job unless you highlight your strengths and suitability?

2. Stand Out by Being Yourself (Not Perfect)

Here's what I tell every trainee: the interview panel isn't looking for a robot who ticks every box perfectly. They want to see the real person behind the CV – someone they'd actually want to work alongside for the next several years.

Everyone attending your interview has similar credentials. You're all high-achieving doctors with impressive postgraduate qualifications, research projects and solid clinical skills. But here's your competitive edge: your unique combination of experiences, perspectives, and genuine passion for the specialty.

Action step: Prepare 2-3 specific examples that showcase not just what you've done, but who you are and why you chose this path.

3. Be Authentic

Speak from your clinical and life experience. Don't pretend to be someone you are not. Don't make up stories to impress the interviewers. They will see right through you and your lack of authenticity and integrity will be obvious no matter how good an actor you are… the interviewers might not actually be able to put their finger on it, but something will feel off to them and it will count against you.

4. Research Like Your Career Depends on It (Because It Does)

This goes beyond googling the hospital website the night before. I'm talking about deep, strategic preparation:

• Know their programme inside out: What makes their training unique? What are their research strengths? Which consultants are leading innovative projects?

• Understand their challenges: What population do they serve? What are the current pressures in their department?

• Prepare your "why them" story: Connect your career goals with what they specifically offer

Pro tip: Prepare answers in bullet points, not scripts. This allows you to stay flexible if they ask a variation of your expected question. Memorised answers sound robotic and prevent you from adapting to the conversation flow.

5. Practice Until It Feels Natural (Not Perfect)

Say yes to every practice opportunity – with colleagues, friends, or professional coaches. But here's how to make practice actually effective:

Record yourself: I know, I know – nobody likes watching themselves on video. But this is non-negotiable. Watch twice:

• First time: Focus on content and structure

• Second time: Observe your body language, eye contact, and vocal variety

Practice different scenarios: Don't just rehearse your prepared answers. Practice handling:

• Unexpected questions

• Ethical scenarios

• Questions about your perceived weaknesses

• Moments when you don't know the answer

Get feedback: Ask your practice partners specific questions: "Did I answer the question?" "What impression did I give?" "Where did I lose you?"

Remember: You're not aiming for perfection – you're aiming for authentic confidence.

The Bottom Line

Your interview invitation isn't luck – it's recognition of your achievements and potential. Trust in that, prepare strategically, and remember that they're not just evaluating you – you're also evaluating whether this programme aligns with your career goals.

You've got this – you deserve the opportunity you have been given!

Feeling like you need some personalised guidance to maximise your interview performance? I'd love to help you build confidence and refine your approach. Book a discovery call to explore how coaching could give you that extra edge.