Core Surgical Training Interview Tips

Core Surgical Training interviews are held online on the Qpercom platform, in a March window (2 to 11 March in the 2026 cycle; the 2027 dates will be published in the applicant guidance). Knowledge and the content of your answers earn the marks, but how you present yourself decides whether the panel sees a future colleague. Interview technique can be practised, and it should be practised before the day, ideally on video so you can see how you come across, and with colleagues who give feedback on delivery rather than content.

Body language on camera

• Smile. You will be nervous, but a smile conveys confidence and enthusiasm, the panel usually reflects it back, and it can make you feel calmer.
• Sitting position. Sit slightly forward with your feet firmly on the floor and your hands resting on your thighs or loosely together. Comfortable beats forced: choose a position you can hold for fifteen minutes without fidgeting.
• Eye contact. Look at the camera, not at your own picture, as much as you can. On a video call the camera is the panel's eyes.
• Active listening. Nod, keep your eyes up and tilt your head slightly while a question is asked; it shows you are engaged and listening attentively.
• Hands. Keep them on your lap and raise them for a gesture only to emphasise a point. Over-gesturing on camera is distracting.

Speech and verbal communication

• Speak clearly and confidently. It sounds obvious; concentrate on doing it.
• Pace. Nerves speed most people up. Aim for a measured pace with a pause after each key point, particularly in the presentation.
• Pauses. Do not be afraid of a short pause before you answer, while avoiding ums and errs. A brief silence reads as thought, not hesitation.
• Length. The temptation when nervous is to over-elaborate. Answer the point concisely so you do not run out of time; each question is five minutes and the presentation is three.
• Verbal tics. Ums, errs, and starting every answer with so or right so make you sound less fluent. Reduce them by recording yourself and by practising with colleagues.
• Tone. Vary your inflection and emphasis so the panel stays engaged; a monotone presentation loses marks for presentation skills.
• Enthusiasm. Let it show in your voice and your face. Panels are selecting colleagues they want on their team.

The online interview set-up

• Secure, reliable internet, tested in the room you will use, with a wired connection if you can.
• Laptop fully charged and plugged in.
• A quiet room free from background noise, with a note on the door so nobody knocks or rings.
• A blank or neutral wall behind you, with nothing distracting in shot.
• The camera tested for clarity, at eye level, with you framed in the centre of the picture.
• Lighting: natural light in front of you, behind the camera, is the most flattering; an artificial light pointed towards you also works. Check for shadows across your face.
• Sound: test the microphone, and remember that a carpeted room with soft furnishings sounds softer than an echoing kitchen.
• Join the virtual lobby ten minutes before your slot; identity checks happen there.

The day before

1. Lay out your outfit, cleaned and pressed: a smart suit with a plain shirt and tie, or smart trousers or a skirt with a shirt and a jacket. Being comfortable with how you look is a quiet source of confidence.
2. Plan breakfast and lunch. Anything that removes a decision on the day reduces stress.
3. If your slot is later in the day, plan something calming beforehand to take your mind off the interview.
4. Set an alarm and protect a full night's sleep. Reading into the small hours adds stress and costs you sharpness when it matters.
5. Run through a handful of questions and revisit your weakest topics, but only to polish what you already know. Learning new material now adds anxiety, not marks.
6. Practise your three minute presentation a couple of times until it sounds natural rather than recited.
7. Do not ask other candidates about their interview. It is strictly forbidden, it causes anxiety, and it pulls your attention towards questions that will probably not come up.

Further reading

• Preparing for the CST interview: format, dates and a timeline
• Preparing for the CST portfolio station
• Maximising points in the CST portfolio
• How to Prepare for the CST Management Question
• How to Prepare for the CST Clinical Questions

Interview formats and selection criteria change between recruitment cycles. Content is reviewed each cycle and dated; always confirm details against the current national recruitment guidance.