I'm Dr Tessa Davis, NHS consultant, educator, and founder of AYCI Academy (Ace Your Consultant Interview). Through Medical Interview Prep I help doctors prepare for compelling NHS consultant interviews, guiding them from uncertainty to confidence. My coaching focuses on structured frameworks, mock panels, feedback, and mindset work.
On social media I position myself as an "NHS Consultant Interview Coach | Doctor | Helping NHS trainees + locum consultants prep for their consultant interviews."
Early in my career I experienced repeated interview failures, despite having strong clinical credentials. Properly painful failures, honestly. I realised that loads of doctors, even really capable ones, are never actually taught how to present their strengths in a high-stakes panel context. The mismatch between clinical ability and interview technique meant many brilliant clinicians miss out on roles they'd be perfect for.
I founded AYCI Academy to bridge that gap properly. I wanted a programme not based on generic tips or vague advice but on a tested system: knowing exactly what panels expect, how to tell your story compellingly, and how to answer unpredictable questions with actual poise rather than just winging it.
I developed my frameworks during my own interview preparation, refined them through loads of trial and feedback (and more failures along the way), and began coaching colleagues informally. Over time I formalised the whole approach into what is now AYCI Academy and Medical Interview Prep.
One key challenge was shifting doctors' mindset: many genuinely believed that clinical talent alone should suffice. "I'm a great doctor, surely that's enough?" I had to show them that structured rehearsal, proper feedback, and storytelling make a massive real difference. Another early issue was standardising feedback, each candidate is so unique, so I created templates, video feedback loops, mock panels, and modules that combine consistency with customisation.
The programme evolved gradually through actually coaching real doctors and seeing what worked (and what absolutely didn't). I built the structure around what candidates were genuinely struggling with, not what I assumed they needed.
Doctors often completely freeze when put on the spot in interviews. I built incremental exposure through mock mini-questions first, then gradually full panel drills so people could build confidence without being thrown in the deep end immediately.
Some candidates overprepare clinically but completely fail on "soft" questions about leadership, conflict, strategy. I responded by building modules that treat those questions with exactly the same seriousness as clinical ones, because that's where loads of people lose points.
Ensuring accountability was tricky: doctors get absolutely swamped with work. So the Academy includes daily practice questions and a properly structured timeline so people actually stick with the process rather than leaving it all to the last minute.
I now help 1,500+ doctors who've used the AYCI system to succeed in consultant interviews. Pretty amazing to think about, honestly. My programme is structured as a step-by-step 4-week plan (or paced at your own rate if you need longer) with modules, guest experts, mock interviews, video feedback, templates, and coaching support throughout.
I share loads of content via blog posts, podcasts, videos, newsletters, and social channels to build trust and give doctors genuine glimpses of the method before they commit.
Partnerships and referrals help enormously too. Doctors who succeed often refer their peers, and I sometimes invite alumni into actual coaching roles in the Academy itself, which keeps the whole thing growing organically.
Build from personal experience and real feedback. The best programmes evolve from what actually helps real people, not what sounds good in theory. Don't hide behind strong branding or fancy websites, deliver consistent, genuinely useful value from day one. Keep your cohort sizes manageable so every single client gets meaningful feedback, not just generic comments. Use content, free resources, and honest storytelling to attract credible leads rather than cold promotion or pushy sales tactics. Document your modules, feedback systems, and coaching scripts properly, so you can scale without diluting quality or losing what made it work in the first place.
If I were starting from scratch today, I would:
I plan to properly deepen the hybrid and online model, reaching doctors in remote areas or outside the UK entirely. I'm actively exploring translation or adaptation of the framework for other health systems, Australian interviews work differently, Canadian ones too.
I also want to expand mentorship opportunities, community cohorts, and possibly group coaching tracks so more doctors can benefit at different price tiers, not just people who can afford premium one-to-one coaching. I'll continue to publish case studies, detailed articles, and free resources so even those not yet able to join can see the approach and start improving.
Finally, I aim to enhance the feedback tools (like AI-aided review for initial practice, peer scoring) while absolutely preserving human coaching at the core so the process scales but remains sharp and personal, not automated rubbish.
AYCI (Ace Your Consultant Interview) Academy is a coaching programme created by Dr Tessa Davis, an NHS consultant. It is designed specifically to help doctors prepare for and succeed in their NHS consultant interviews by using structured frameworks, mock interview panels, detailed feedback, and mindset coaching.
The coaching is for NHS trainees and locum consultants who are preparing for the high-stakes consultant interview process. It helps you move from a state of uncertainty to one of genuine confidence, ready to present your skills effectively.
Unlike courses that offer vague tips, AYCI Academy provides a tested system built by a consultant who has sat on both sides of the interview table. It focuses on structured answer models, iterative feedback, and ongoing support until you land your role. The programme also places a strong emphasis on mindset, resilience, and presenting your authentic self.
The programme directly tackles common problems doctors face. This includes freezing under pressure, neglecting to prepare for non-clinical 'soft' questions about leadership and strategy, and struggling to maintain accountability for interview practice while managing a demanding clinical workload.
It is a comprehensive programme, typically structured as a 4-week plan that you can also complete at your own pace. It includes learning modules, sessions with guest experts, mock interviews with video feedback, answer templates, and dedicated coaching support throughout the entire process.
