Ā Interview & Application Coaching
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For Higher Education professionals who need expert support to land their next role
You've found the role. You know you could do it. But now you're staring at a blank page wondering how to translate "I'm good at my job" into a compelling application that makes panels think "we need to interview this person."
Or maybe you've got the interview. And you're lying awake at 3am trying to anticipate what they'll ask, worrying about whether you'll come across as credible enough, wondering if you'll freeze when they probe on strategic thinking or managing ambiguity.
Perhaps you've applied for roles before and the feedback was vague: "strong candidate but not quite what we're looking for" or "lack of evidence at this level." You're left guessing what you got wrong and whether you'll make the same mistakes next time.
Here's what nobody tells you: panels aren't just assessing whether you can do the job. They're assessing whether you already think and speak like someone at that grade.
The Problem
There's a Hidden Curriculum for career progression in Higher Education: a set of unwritten rules and expectations that determine who gets shortlisted and who gets hired. Most people don't know these rules exist. Even when they suspect they exist, they don't know how to demonstrate them in an application or interview.
That's where I come in.
The Solution
I'm Fiona Bicket. I've spent five years coaching Higher Education professionals through career transitions. I know what panels are looking for because I've helped dozens of people get promoted and I've analysed the patterns in what works and what doesn't.
I can help you:
- Write applications that position you as already operating at the next grade
- Prepare for competency and panel interviews with confidence
- Anticipate the questions panels will ask and know how to answer them
- Handle the "tell me about a time when..." questions without sounding like you're just listing tasks
- Communicate your value without underselling yourself or sounding arrogant
- Recover from a difficult interview question without losing your composure
- Navigate the post-interview waiting period and learn from feedback if you don't get it
This isn't generic career coaching. This is insider knowledge about how Higher Education actually works and how to use it to progress authentically.
Three Ways to Work Together
All 1:1 sessions are delivered via MS Teams.
Package 1: Single Interview Coaching Session
Ā£180
Perfect for: Someone with an interview coming up who wants expert help to prepare.
What you get:
- 60-minute 1:1 prep session via MS Teams where we work through your specific interview, the competencies being assessed, and how to structure your answers using the Hidden Curriculum framework
- My Cover Letter Mini Course (valued at Ā£23) - self-paced guidance on writing compelling applications
- 30-minute post-interview debrief (within 48 hours of your interview) where we process how it went, identify what worked, and plan next steps
This is for you if:
- You've got an interview scheduled and need focused support now
- You know your experience is strong but struggle to articulate it under pressure
- You want to walk into the room feeling prepared and confident
Package 2: Application & Interview Support
Ā£495
Perfect for: Someone who wants comprehensive support through the entire application and interview process.
What you get:
- A personalised Hidden Curriculum framework for your specific career transition and bespoke to your area of expertise so you understand what panels are actually assessing
- My Cover Letter Mini Course (valued at Ā£23) - self-paced guidance on writing compelling applications
- 2x application reviews - send me your draft cover letter and supporting statement, I'll review against the Hidden Curriculum for your career transition and give you detailed feedback on what to strengthen, what to cut, and what language to use
- 2x 60-minute interview prep sessions via MS Teams - we'll work through the competencies, practise your responses, and refine your approach across both sessions (these can be before or after you get the interview invite)
- 30 days access to my community where you can ask questions, share progress, and get support from others going through similar transitions
- Post-interview debrief session (30 minutes within 48 hours)
This is for you if:
- You want support from application through to interview
- You're applying for multiple roles and want to get your positioning right
- You value having someone in your corner throughout the process
Package 3: Career Transition Intensive
Ā£895
Perfect for: Someone making a difficult career move: leaving a toxic environment, pivoting to a new area, or rebuilding confidence after setbacks.
What you get:
- A personalised Hidden Curriculum framework for your specific career transition and bespoke to your area of expertise so you understand what panels are actually assessing
- Your self-doubt archetypes profile to help us identify your go-to self-doubt habits and finding healthy ways to put your worries into perspective so that you can take action.
- Self-belief and positioning work - we'll work on the internal narratives that might be holding you back and how to position yourself as the obvious choice when the right role comes up
- My Cover Letter Mini Course (valued at Ā£23) - self-paced guidance on writing compelling applications
- 3x 60-minute coaching sessions via MS Teams over 6 weeks where we work on positioning, self-belief, application strategy, and interview preparation
- Up to 2 application reviews - whether you're applying for multiple roles or iterating on one application, I'll review and give detailed feedback
- 1x 60 minute interview prep session focused on your specific interview
- Ā Whatsapp support between sessions - access to me for quick questions, encouragement, or support when you're stuck
- Post-interview debrief (30 minutes)
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This is for you if:
- You need to get out of your current situation but every application feels exhausting
- You've lost confidence in your ability to land the role you deserve
- You need both practical application support AND work on mindset/positioning
- You want sustained support over several weeks, not just a one-off session
How This Works
- Book your package - choose the one that fits your needs and pay via card or request a quote if your institution is covering the cost
- Tell me about your situation - you'll receive a brief questionnaire so I understand where you are and what you're working towards
- Schedule your sessions - we'll find times that work for both of us (I work UK hours, sessions via MS Teams)
- Get to work - we'll dive into your applications, prep for interviews, and position you as the obvious candidate
Who I Work With
I work with professionals in UK Higher Education Professional Services who are:
- Preparing for promotion or applying for new roles
- Tired of getting "not quite ready" feedback
- Ready to demonstrate credibility at the next level
- Willing to do the workānot just collect advice
I don't work with people who want me to write their applications for them or who aren't open to honest feedback. I also don't usually work with academic roles (faculty/researchers) - my expertise is Professional Services career progression.
Recent Client Wins
A Senior Manager client (let's call her T) used the Hidden Curriculum framework to prepare for an internal restructure interview. She nailed it. Her academic Head of School told me afterwards that she was the standout candidate. Her interview answers were "so much more elevated than the others." She got the role.
A line manager client applied for their first Senior Manager role feeling completely out of their depth. After application coaching and interview prep, they walked into the interview feeling like they belonged there. They got offered the job and said the coaching "completely changed how I see myself as a leader."
A Head of Service client was stuck in a toxic environment and had applied for multiple roles without success. Through the Career Transition Intensive, we worked on both their positioning and their self-belief. They secured a new role within two months and said "I finally feel like I've escaped and I'm walking into this new role with confidence I've never had before."
Why Work With Me?
I know Higher Education. I've worked with dozens of HE professionals and I understand the specific context, culture, and language of the sector.
I know the Hidden Curriculum. I've spent five years analysing what actually gets people promoted: not what people say matters, but what panels actually assess. I'll teach you to demonstrate credibility at the next grade, not just list your experience.
I don't sugar-coat. I'll give you honest, direct feedback on what's working and what's not. But I'll do it with warmth and a genuine belief that you can do this.
I've been where you are. I've navigated career transitions, dealt with imposter syndrome, and learnt how to position myself authentically. I get it.
About your coach
Iām Fiona Bicket, the founder of The Hidden Curriculum of Progression and a specialist self-belief coach for Higher Education professionals.
I spent 13 years as a Professional ServicesĀ manager in UK Higher Education, working across multiple institutions and functions. I know what it feels like to step into senior HE roles: the isolation, the complexity, the pressure to get it right immediately.
For the past four years, I've coached over 200 HE professionals through career transitions, promotions, and leadership challenges. I understand the hidden curriculum of HE leadership because I've lived it, learned it, and now I help others navigate it.
I get the sector because I've been in the sector.Ā
Ready?
Choose the package that fits where you are:
Or if you have questions, email me at [email protected]Ā - I'm happy to jump on a quick call to make sure this is right for you.
I can't wait to support you.
Fiona
P.S.
If you're not quite ready to book but want to understand where you stand, download the Hidden Curriculum Guide. Itās free and will give you a taste of what we work on together.
