Graduate Guide
Band 5 application & interview prep
What's Inside
01. The NHS Application Form - Getting the Basics Right.
02. Your Personal Statement - How to Make It Land.
03. What Band 5 Panels Are Really Looking For.
04. Competency & Values-Based Interview Questions.
05. Common Interview Question Examples.
06. The Day Itself - Practical Preparation.
07. After the Interview - What Comes Next.
08. Want to Go Further? Work 1-1 With Me.
Welcome
Getting your first NHS Band 5 role is one of the most important steps in your dietetic career. The process can feel unclear, especially when you're applying straight from university with limited experience of formal NHS recruitment.
This guide condenses what actually matters at each stage: the application form, your personal statement, the interview and what happens next. It's written from the inside, by someone who has sat on panels, coached candidates and watched what works and what doesn't.
This guide gives you a strong foundation. For personalised feedback on your individual personal statement, mock interview coaching or support with a specific trust or specialty, my 1-to-1 sessions delve further, details at the end.
Section 1
3. Use food to expand your diet, not shrink it.
Structured dietary approaches for IBS, such as the low-FODMAP diet, are evidence-based and can be genuinely transformative. But they are designed as a short-term investigation tool, not a permanent way of eating. They should be followed with dietitian guidance so the reintroduction phase is done properly and you end up eating more variety, not less.
1. Take your full picture into account.
A dietitian does not just look at what you eat. They consider your symptom history, your lifestyle, your stress levels, your sleep, your relationship with food and what matters most to you. IBS is multifactorial, and good support reflects that.
2. Personalise rather than generalise.
Two people with the same IBS diagnosis can have completely different trigger profiles. A dietitian helps you identify your personal pattern rather than following someone else's list. What needs to be adjusted or reintroduced is individual to you.
4. Help you build long-term confidence.
The goal is not to manage your symptoms with a rigid set of rules forever. It is to help you understand your gut well enough that you can eat freely and make decisions with confidence rather than anxiety.
The NHS Application Form - Getting the Basics Right.
NHS jobs uses a standardised application form. Before you type a single word, understand that shortlisting is done strictly against the job description and person specification. These documents are your script.
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A dietitian does not just look at what you eat. They consider your symptom history, your lifestyle, your stress levels, your sleep, your relationship with food and what matters most to you. IBS is multifactorial, and good support reflects that.
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Two people with the same IBS diagnosis can have completely different trigger profiles. A dietitian helps you identify your personal pattern rather than following someone else's list. What needs to be adjusted or reintroduced is individual to you.
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Structured dietary approaches for IBS, such as the low-FODMAP diet, are evidence-based and can be genuinely transformative. But they are designed as a short-term investigation tool, not a permanent way of eating. They should be followed with dietitian guidance so the reintroduction phase is done properly and you end up eating more variety, not less.
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The goal is not to manage your symptoms with a rigid set of rules forever. It is to help you understand your gut well enough that you can eat freely and make decisions with confidence rather than anxiety.
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Only doctors and registered dietitians (not nutritionists) can legally treat medical conditions using diet. It is important to note that a lot of nutrition advice available comes from unregulated practitioners that do not meet this standard.
The difference in practice
You aren’t struggling to manage your IBS because you haven’t tried hard enough. You need a personalised approach, rather than a general one.
This is exactly what I provide… and it’s why the right support, at the right time, changes everything.
5. Regulated healthcare professionals.
Only doctors and registered dietitians (not nutritionists) can legally treat medical conditions using diet. It is important to note that a lot of nutrition advice available comes from unregulated practitioners that do not meet this standard.
Questionnaire…
Everyone’s IBS story is different.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
My 3-session IBS Programme is built around two things: figuring out what your gut specifically needs and giving you the tools to manage it long term. You don't have to keep figuring this out alone.
The 3-session IBS Programme:
Session 1 - Your full picture (60 minutes). We cover your symptoms, relevant medical history, diet, lifestyle and goals in full. You'll leave with personalised initial changes to implement before we meet again.
Session 2 - Building on what's working (45 minutes). We review your response to session one, build on what's working and introduce the next phase, often including structured food reintroduction. Everything is based on how your gut has actually responded, not a pre-written plan.
Session 3 - Making it stick (45 minutes). We review progress, troubleshoot and refine. The goal is to leave you with a clear long-term strategy and the confidence to manage your gut independently.
Also included: Written summary after every session, email support between appointments and resources tailored to your IBS type. Delivered by a Registered Dietitian (HCPC regulated).
Price: £265
Ready to stop letting IBS call the shots
Not ready to book yet? Email me your questionnaire answers and I will send you a personalised note on where to start.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your GP or a registered healthcare professional for any medical concerns. © Olivia Molyneux, RD · Olivia The Dietitian ·