The ap journey
Learn all you need to know to get an Assistant Psychologist job and progress your career
Got my degree - now what?
A Psychology degree is a great starting point for a range of career options. Going through these options is beyond the scope of this website, and there are many places on the internet providing a wealth of information on this topic (for example see here).
APs Hub is dedicated to those Psychology graduates who are serious about becoming Clinical Psychologists and who need a roadmap and/or a guide along their way.
A Psychology degree opens many doors — but it often leaves graduates unprepared for the specific requirements of AP roles. At APs Hub, we help bridge that gap with practical resources and tailored guidance.
What am I missing?
This is a very frequent question we hear asked by talented, well-educated and committed individuals who are “stuck” and find it hard to get on the Clinical Psychology career ladder. It can be disheartening to be in that position when you’ve done your best, worked hard throughout your university degree, and are willing to go the extra mile as an AP to gain relevant experience — yet that first step still feels out of reach.
So is there something missing? What can be done to improve your chances of success?
1.
First of all, every candidate for an Assistant Psychologist job needs to fully appreciate just how fierce the competition is. This is about knowing who your competitors are, and having respect for their skills, their motivation, their experience.
Every year approximately 14k Psychology students graduate with a 2:1 or First Class degree and automatically become eligible to apply for an AP post. Many of them do so and they have to compete against each other, as well as against those graduates from the years before them who are still looking for their own break.
Many applicants for APs posts have got Masters degrees, PhDs, and/or relevant work experience. Be very clear about this: your competitors are just as talented, hard-working and motivated as you are.
2.
Successful applicants typically demonstrate a good, solid understanding of what Clinical Psychology is and what Clinical Psychologists do. Of course, everybody knows that Clinical Psychologists work with individuals with mental health disorders in a variety of clinical settings. And when we say everybody, we do mean nearly everybody, even people without a psychology degree. So knowing as much is not the good, solid understanding we are referring to.
3.
If you are applying for an NHS job, it is important to be aware of issues crucial to NHS such as safeguarding, risk assessment and mental capacity.
4.
Applications need to be tailored to the job you are applying for, well-written and explaining how you meet all essential criteria.
5.
Develop your interviewing skills. You can safely assume that on the day of the interview you will be competing against others with similar qualifications, and that some of them will also have a good understanding of Clinical Psychology and what the job they are applying for is.
Being able to interview well will help you stand out on the day and be the successful candidate that gets the job
How APs Hub might help you?
Our products and services are designed so they can give you the clarity, direction and support you need in order to increase your chances of success. In addition, they are designed to offer maximum flexibility to meet a variety of needs and budgets.
These products and services include:
Online learning
Our Foundations Series represents the most popular product chosen by our members. It offers access to 4.5 hours of video content that is designed to cover all topics relevant to the stage you are at with your career, and more.
Our videos will provide you with much needed clarity regarding what Clinical Psychology is and what Assistant Psychologists do in different services. Our members often discover that the knowledge acquired through our videos is often all they needed to make the next step in their pursuit of a career in Clinical Psychology.
Our videos are accompanied by a 65-page Supplementary guide and a wealth of other relevant information and skill building exercises (e.g. useful links and exercises that allow you to put into practice what you learn).
Topics covered include:
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An introduction to the Clinical Psychology profession
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Overview of what Assistant Psychologists do in various services
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The core competencies of a Clinical Psychologist
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Key clinical skills: Assessment, Formulation, and Intervention
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Psychometric assessment and evidence-Based practice
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Professionalism, ethics, and reflective practice
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Therapeutic relationships and relational competence
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Understanding the AP job market and recruitment process
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Writing strong applications that get shortlisted
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Preparing for interviews with confidence and insight
Mentoring
One-to-One Mentoring is offered by qualified Clinical Psychologists who can answer your questions and who can guide you through a journey they themselves have completed.
All mentoring sessions last one hour and they take place online at a time convenient to you. They can be booked individually (i.e. as single sessions) or as part of a bundle that includes additional APs Hub services.
During these sessions you can ask your mentor any question relevant to Clinical Psychology and your journey to establishing a career in the field.
Interview preparation
Our interview preparation services include job application guidance and Mock Interviews.
Application Review: A Clinical Psychologist with experience in recruiting Assistant Psychologists will review your most recent application form and offer constructive feedback on how to improve it.
Mock Interview: In the first part you will be asked questions similar to those you might be expected to answer at a potential interview for an AP post. After a short break, you will be given the chance to discuss your experience of the session, and to receive feedback on how you answered questions, your strengths and weaknesses.
Individual Interview Prep and Mock Interview sessions can be purchased either separately (by all paying members of our site), or as part of different bundles at a discounted price.
How does it work?
Our Products & Services include online learning materials, as well as mentoring and interview prep sessions. These are offered either separately or as part of bundle offers.
1. Choose your product
Visit our Shop and choose among a range of products and services. Accounts can be upgraded at any point in time.
2. Create your account
Fill in our membership form and complete payment to gain access to your members' only area.
3. Enjoy the benefits
Your account gets credited with access to videos / bookings corresponding to your chosen plan. Extra sessions can be booked at any time.