Interviews

SJT scores will be used to shortlist applicants. The applicants who have achieved the highest SJT scores will be invited to attend an interview.

If you are invited to interview, you will be notified in your Oriel account via the Alert list, with a count for alerts displayed against the bell icon in the main menu bar. You should also be sent an email inviting you to book an interview.

Applicants are not required to undertake a Clinical Assessment as part of the selection process to F2 Stand-alone programmes.

Reasonable adjustments

If you require reasonable adjustments for your interview, you must let us know via email at helpdesk@foundationprogramme.nhs.uk during the interview booking window.

Booking an interview

If you are invited to interview, you will be able to book your interview appointment via Oriel. Interview appointments will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The available appointment dates and times are all shown in local UK time.

1) Log into Oriel.

2) Click on the Interviews tab in your dashboard.

3) From the Interviews tab on your dashboard, click the Book slot button alongside your chosen date and time to make your booking.

Declining the interview

If you choose to decline the interview, you will be taken to a confirmation screen in Oriel where you must confirm that you wish to decline the interview. Once you have declined an interview, your application will be withdrawn from the recruitment process. Your application will not progress any further in the recruitment round.

Non-urgent advice: Declining the interview

You will not be able to re-apply to the vacancy after declining the interview.

Interview format and panel

  • Duration: Each interview will be scheduled for a duration of 20 minutes.
  • Interview panel: You will be interviewed by a trained panel, consisting of two clinicians. An administrator will also be in attendance to help facilitate the interview. You will be asked a series of questions based on real clinical scenarios.
  • Platform: All interviews will be conducted virtually through Microsoft Teams using video technology. The platform of delivery may be subject to change.
  • Check your device and internet connection: Before your interview, you should ensure that your device (including its webcam and microphone) are functioning correctly and that your internet connection is strong and reliable. Technical issues on the candidate’s end will not be considered as an extenuating circumstance.
  • Check your email: On the interview day, please ensure you are available via email in case the panel need to contact you.

We recommend that you install the Microsoft Teams app onto your device prior to the interview. The app is free to download. You must check that the app has been given permission to access your webcam and microphone, as these permissions are not always granted by default. This can be checked within your system settings.

Joining the meeting using an internet browser is not recommended, as default app settings typically do not grant the browser access to the webcam or microphone.

Attending the interview

  • Link to join: You will be sent a link via email to join your interview meeting. You must join this link 10 minutes prior to your scheduled interview. Please do not join earlier than this. You will be placed in a virtual lobby until the interview panel is ready for you. The interview panel will not dial you in or otherwise contact you to join your interview. If you are not in the virtual lobby at the appropriate time, there will be no opportunity to reschedule your interview.
  • Have your ID ready: You must present an original photographic ID. You may only use one of the following documents: international travel passport, driving licence photocard, or EU national card. Your ID document must present your personal information in Roman characters. Please ensure you have this information to hand at the start of the interview.

Non-urgent advice: Important

You must not use an @nhs.net account to log into Microsoft Teams to attend your interview.

Extenuating circumstances

Where there are extenuating circumstances, interviews may be able to be rescheduled. Examples of extenuating circumstances may include: 

  • Sickness
  • Change in shifts/availability (must be requested in advance)
  • Other personal unique circumstances

Requests for extenuating circumstances must be made in writing to the UKFPO Helpdesk (using the subject line 2025 F2SA interview extenuating circumstances) in a reasonable time period prior to the interview. You will not be allowed to reschedule your interview if you simply did not attend and/or you request to reschedule after the appointment has passed.

Technical issues on the candidate’s end will not be considered as an extenuating circumstance. Rescheduling of interviews for technical reasons will only be allowed where there has been issue or error on behalf of an interview panel member and/or the UKFPO.

Interviews can only be rescheduled within the specified interview window. Appointments are subject to availability, and cannot be guaranteed.

Interview outcomes

Interview outcomes will be released to applicants via Oriel, as per the F2 Stand-alone application timeline. You will be advised if you were deemed appointable or not appointable.

  • If you are deemed appointable, your application will progress to the Offers stage.
  • If you are deemed not appointable, your application and will not progress any further in this recruitment round.

You will receive a breakdown of your scores for each interview question. There is no opportunity to appeal the outcome of your interview.