Selection into General Surgery Education and Training (GSET) is becoming increasingly competitive, primarily due to the limited capacity of host institutions. It also coincides with a range of personal and professional challenges faced by prospective trainees at this stage of their careers. To be eligible by the application closing date, junior doctors must have passed the Generic Surgical Sciences Examination (GSSE), completed minimum required rotations in General Surgery and Critical Care, demonstrated proficiency in specified procedural skills, and secured support from four consultant surgeons. Once eligibility is confirmed, candidates’ CVs are scored based on rurality, research, educational qualifications, and teaching experience. These scores are combined with referee reports from non-General Surgeon health professionals. The combined total is used to rank applicants, with the top 50% progressing to a structured, face-to-face interview that is subsequently scored. Given the complexity of the GSET selection process and its intersection with other competing demands, a clear understanding of the process is vital for both prospective trainees and their mentors. Certain strategies are outlined to help maximise the likelihood of success.