How to book, change or cancel your interview

What this article is about
This article explains how to book, change or cancel an interview for a postgraduate medical or dental training recruitment process.

Who this is for
Applicants who have been invited to interview or assessment as part of a training recruitment process.

What you need to know

• Interview booking arrangements vary by recruitment process although most will work on a basis of you booking your own slot via Oriel on a first-come-first-served basis.
• You should follow the booking instructions provided in your recruitment communication or applicant account.
• Interview slots may be limited and are usually offered within a defined booking window.
• You are responsible for checking your interview date, time, platform and joining instructions.
• You can change your slot within the booking window but the system only allows you to see available slots once you cancel your existing slot, which is then available to others to book.
• You are not likely to be able to change your interview after the booking deadline. If you have had a change of circumstances since booking the slot, contact the lead recruitment team but there are no guarantees changes can be made.

What to do

1. Read your interview invitation carefully.
2. Log in to the recruitment system or applicant account if instructed.
3. Select an available interview slot within the booking window.
4. Check the date, time, time zone, location or online platform details.
5. Keep a copy of your confirmation; you will be able to view your booked slot in Oriel at any time.
6. If you need to change or cancel your booking, use the route set out in your invitation.
7. If the system will not let you make a change, raise a query through the recruitment support route as soon as possible, but be aware that change may not be possible.

If this does not work
If you cannot book, change or cancel your interview, raise a query immediately and include the programme, recruitment round, your Oriel PIN, and a clear description of the issue.

Who to contact
Use the recruitment support route set out in your applicant guidance or interview invitation; the relevant contact details are also available via the application in your Oriel account.

What HET can and cannot help with
HET can help with

• Directing you to the correct recruitment support route.
• Supporting queries about interviews where HET is responsible for the delivery.
• Advising on local next steps after recruitment information has been received.

HET cannot help with

• Interviews that are managed by a recruitment team from another region.
• Booking an interview for you outside the published process.
• Accepting late changes unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Related articles

• Common problems with interview booking and how to fix them
• Requesting reasonable adjustments for interviews
• What to expect on the day of your interview

Last reviewed
 Last reviewed: 25 September 2026