Not too short, not too long - Your answers should be 1.5 to 2 minutes long (3 minutes if the subject is broad). Any longer and you will put the interviewer to sleep. Any shorter and you will simply not have the time to provide any valuable information about yourself.

A strong structure. A good answer addresses 3 or 4 key points which are well delimited. If relevant, announce the structure of your answer upfront. This will keep the interviewer interested as he will know what to expect. For example: If asked about your strengths, start with "I feel I have three main strengths". If asked why you went into your specialty, start with "Essentially there are four main reasons that made me choose this specialty" When talking about the skills gained during your research experience, announce "I have gained both research-based and personal skills from my experience".

Once you have announced your message in the introduction, expand on it within the body of your interview answer. Know the principal message that you want the interview panel to receive and then ensure that the panel hear that message early on within your answer. Keep control over the information flow and ensure that you deliver your point well. Stay direct and focussed on delivering your message. Then back up your message with specific examples.

Substantiate your answers - Keep to statements that provide real information about your skills and abilities. Avoid vague statements such as "I find teaching really interesting" or "I went into paediatrics because I like it." What really matters is why you find it interesting or why you like it. Use facts to substantiate your general statements. Use the 5 "w" questions to gain knowledge about yourself and add content.

Be personal - Use "I" rather than "we", using "we" gives the impression that you do not get involved in the work as much as you say. Provide suitable examples to illustrate your mess ages. If the question is of a generic nature, provide specific but generic examples such as "I am often involved in breaking bad news to vulnerable patients such as women who have recently miscarried or patients who have struggled with IVF treatment for s ome time." As well as giving a good picture of the breadth of your experience, it will save you getting lost in the detail of a particular patient's experience (which by itself could take 5 minutes!) Only mention your experience of specific patient scenarios when prompted for an example.

Give objective measures of success. So rather than merely trying to say that something is true, because you are saying it - discuss how somebody else said that you were good. This could be in a thank you letter, a review from your boss or from a qualification.

Broaden the question and initiate debates. An interview is not a police interrogation. You are allowed to digress slightly (though only if it is relevant. If the question is about a specific skill (teaching, communication, management, leadership, training, research), you could spend 30 seconds discussing the importance of the skill in your role or what you enjoyed about your experience.

Try to think broadly so that you can take the debate to a higher level. Try to work out if there are other skills that you could bring out in your answer. Do if you are meant to be talking about conflict, try to discuss how good communication skills are important in resolving conflict. Bring everything back to you and your ability to do the job under discussion.