What Commissioners Want from Tender Interviews (And How to Prepare)

July 25, 2025

✅ Tender Tips | ✅ Bid Support | ✅ Social Care Focused

Tender interviews aren’t just a formality. They can make or break your bid — especially when scoring is tight. Commissioners use interviews to:

✅ Confirm what was promised in your written submission
✅ Test leadership capability and delivery confidence
✅ Understand how well your team communicates and collaborates
✅ Explore grey areas or risks in your proposed model

🎯 What Commissioners Are Really Looking For

Interviews give commissioners a live view of your organisation. They want to see that:

Your leaders understand the service in detail — not just strategy, but day-to-day realities
You can adapt and problem-solve under pressure
Your values shine through in how you communicate

Above all, commissioners want to feel reassured: Can this team really deliver what they promised?

📋 How to Prepare for Success

Here’s how to walk into your interview with confidence:

Know your bid — Re-read your submission and align your responses with it
Clarify key messages — What are the 3–5 points you want to land?
Hold mock interviews — Practise answering with warmth, clarity, and evidence
Choose the right team — Include operational leaders, not just executives
Stay person-centred — Talk about real people, not just systems

📚 Related Resources

💬 A Final Thought

Don’t just “attend” the interview. Use it. This is your moment to bring your service to life, reinforce your values, and show you’re the right fit.

We’ll explore more interview tips in this mini-series — from answering tough questions to handling nervous panel members. Stay tuned.

Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers

← Back to Knowledge Hub Index