9am – 9.30am

Registration, exhibition, networking and refreshments

9.30am – 9.45am

Welcome, Objectives and Ice Breakers

9.45am – 10.30am

Application Form and Expectations
Dr Cate Sims, RSB QP Assessor
Emma Thomson, RSB QP Assessor 

Deficient application forms are returned to candidates resulting in a significant delay for that candidate but also across the wider application pipeline. These are returned because candidates make use of phrases such as “I am aware of” or “I have an understanding of” and not sufficiently detailing what this means. This leads to the assessors being unable to determine if candidates have the detailed knowledge and understanding required to fulfil the requirements of the Study Guide. The form needs to be structured against the Study Guide to fully showcase the candidate's experience.

The presentation will focus on best practice of how to write an application form to avoid these and other potential pitfalls.

10.30am – 11am

Refreshments, exhibition, and networking

11am – 11.45am

Law and Admin Update
Pete Gough, Vice President, NSF

11.45am – 12.30pm

Interview Process and Expectations
Lynne Butcher, RSC QP Assessor

All too often Assessors have to fail applicants at the viva interview – sometimes because they lack the knowledge and understanding of the Study Guide elements, but more usually because they are unable to sufficiently apply their knowledge.

This JPB Assessor led session will explore the interview process in detail, outlining the expectations of the JPB interview panel, and highlighting common pitfalls for applicants. Using real (anonymised) examples from actual viva interviews, it will cover best practice techniques for responding to both factual and scenario questions, as well as tips on things to avoid.

Most importantly, it will aim to focus on how applicants and Sponsors can best prepare for this important event – both in the months leading up to the interview, and those days immediately before it. 

12.30pm – 1.30pm

Lunch, exhibition, and networking

1.30pm – 2.30pm

Don’t Burnout; preparing for your Interview
Hannah Knowles, Art of Brilliance 

We all care. We care about our work. Our colleagues, family, friends and THAT exam. But if we are not careful, we can run the risk of running on empty, teetering on the brink of exhaustion and ultimately burning out. This could impact your ability to do as well as you could at viva. In fact, the academic definition of burnout is…when you’ve cared too much for too long. Which gives rise to a very big question. How am I supposed to care – with passion – and NOT burn myself out?

This presentation is designed to help answer that very question. The focus is to recognise this risk and share tried and tested wellbeing strategies that will help provide solutions to the problem before it happens. Hopefully this will allow you to have more better days than bad ones (especially on that crucial viva day).

2.30pm – 3.15pm

Mock Interview Session 

In small table groups, you will be invited to participate in preparing for and answering a scenario question, which will be shared before the Trainee QP Symposium (to allow you to revise if you wish).

The purpose is to first discuss a typical scenario question as a group then practice responding to it in a structured and concise way. A volunteer will be needed who should take on board the recommendations of “what to do” and “what not to do” described in the morning session.

3.15pm – 3.45pm

Refreshments, exhibition and networking

3.45pm – 4.15pm

4.15pm – 4.55pm

Panel Q&A 

4.55pm - 5pm

Closing remarks