CVs

1. CVs • Does it stand out from the crowd? • Demand Attention? • Be Honest • Don’t be modest, be proud (?+evidence) • Be Concise (shorter the better?) • Avoid funky formatting/jargon • Ask a friend to read

2. Content • Appearance • Page no.s, ?photo • Previous posts • Any gaps ?reasons • Relevant experience • Recent achievements only • Inform referees that you will be using them, consider whether they need a CV

3. Content 2 • Curriculum Vitae • NAME • MBBS, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFFP PHOTO? • Date of birth • GMC No. • MPS no. Telephone E-Mail Address • Personal Statement • Education and Qualifications • Postgraduate Qualifications • Courses and Certifications • Clinical Skills • Teaching Skills • Communication skills • Other skills, (?IT, organisational, teamwork, leadership)

4. Content 3 • Elective and Voluntary medical experience • Presentations • Audit • Research • Personal Interests (professional or personal) • Referees • 2 of: • Current employer • Previous employer • ?OOH supervisor • ?Well known consultant • ?Appendix: • Professional Experience • Listed in reverse order since qualification

5. Top Tips: • Use positive words and incorporate them with your specific skills and experience….. • I am the captain of the local mixed hockey team, a role in which I have developed my leadership qualities. • Outstanding excellence in any field will show commitment and talent • I have recently represented Avon county in the open water swimming championships. • Interesting hobbies = talking point/icebreaker

6. Cover Letter • The Introduction • Explain why you are sending your CV, for instance: • Dear Mr. Job Poster, • I noticed with interest your job advertisement for a Salaried GP in the BMJ. Therefore, I am submitting my CV (see attached) for your consideration. • The "Core“ • Take some time and compose approximately 1-3 paragraphs that highlight the reasons you are applying. • you may want to echo some of the phrases as stated in the job advertisement; ."Even though you have your CV, it's expected that you will somewhat repeat yourself in the cover letter. • The Sign-Off • When ending your CV cover letter, make sure you include your contact information. That way, your recipient can reach you for more information.

7. Application Forms An imperfect way to recruit but …. Opportunity to introduce yourself and captivate the audience or otherwise. Many different formats Only the first hurdle

8. Basic Tips • Read the advert & job description • Speak to a post holder • Visit the department • Read the advert & job description again • Do a first draft of your answers • Answer the questions and illustrate them • Bounce them around with a colleague • Cut, paste and spell check • Persuade a colleague to proof read

9. Application Forms 2 • Take time to prepare a form tailored to each application. • Be meticulous about spelling, grammar and presentation. • Write clearly or complete an electronic version of the form. • Be clear and concise. • Get all relevant information in and don’t repeat yourself • Don’t voluntarily provide negative information. If you have a negative experience in your background or have failed exams in the past, only put it down if you’re asked to • Don’t leave gaps in your details. HR staff may ask you about it • Don’t downplay any experience – if you spent a year out, this could have provided valuable life experience. It also demonstrates initiative • Be positive

10. Legislation and employment law • Employers have to be able to demonstrate that all candidates are treated equitably. • Discrimination – actual and perceived • Record keeping

11. Coping with pressure Describe a time when you had a particularly difficult day at work due to workload pressures. What strategies did you use to cope with this situation both during and after this time? What other strategies do you regularly use to cope with stress? (Maximum 150 words)

12. Formatting • Structure: • Explain the circumstances, • Why the increased pressure? • Get some positives in,…. • ‘Buzz words!’… • Try to end on a positive…..

13. (example answer Q2)Swine flu outbreak • I was on call, I had a routine surgery to operate and was due to supervise the medical student. • Several members of the team were unwell with swine flu. • My colleagues left me with the main responsibility for the drop in patients. • I triaged these calls according to clinical urgency. • I apologised to the patients who were waiting and the reception staff explained the situation and they were offered the option to rebook in view of a potential wait. • By prioritising, regularly reviewing the situation, and utilising help from colleagues I managed to juggle several different roles effectively.

14. Interview Basic Tips • Prepare well in advance • Be calm and relaxed • Listen to the questions, think, take your time • If you don’t understand the question, ask for it to be repeated • Eye contact • Illustrate your answers • What can you bring?

15. General Demeanour • Suit • Don’t fidget • Don’t chew gum • Bring several copies of CV with you • Arrive early • ?Relaxation techniques • Don’t take the coffee!

16. Interviewers, what they want to know • Are they the most suitable for the job ?personality/drive • Will they do the job well? ?capable and willing • Will they fit in? team, character, dependability, initiative, congeniality

17. Selling yourself • What does the employer want and how can you find out? • What can you offer that the employer definitely wants? • How can you demonstrate to the employer that you have the skills and the attributes that they want? • What will everybody else have on their application? • What extra do you have that fits the person spec?

18. Interview skills • ethical/difficult work scenarios, • current issues • clinical governance, practice-based commissioning, CAB, QOF & other NHS issues and hot topics. • Have a mock interview if possible  • Get Feedback.  • Technique refining. Use bank of interview questions, • derive comprehensive answers to the questions you find most difficult, thus refining your technique further.

19. Substance AND style • Try to elaborate….. If a choice is presented, then why are you answering in this way, what would you need to consider? Be balanced but support your choice. • Make your points quickly and then stop talking; your interviewer will be appreciative. • Thank them for their time

20. The obvious questions • Why did you apply for this job? • Why this place • What are your career aspirations? • What are your strengths/weaknesses • Tell us about a clinical audit which you have done • Tell us about a recent interesting clinical case • What is the most challenging situation which you have been in?

21. Obvious 2 • Clinical governance • Why do you want to leave your current job? • What is the most/least enjoyable part of your current job? • What interests do you have outside work? • What is your flexibility regarding session timings? • Do you have any questions for me? (yes you should!)

22. Question bank • http://www.redgoldfish.co.uk/interview-tips-and-advice.aspx • http://www.frca.co.uk (consultant interview tips –free) • + many more pay sites/others • http://www.redgoldfish.co.uk/interview-tips-and-advice.aspx • http://www.frca.co.uk (consultant interview tips –free) • + many more pay sites/others