Where can I find out further information about each speciality?

• Researching the person specifications for each specility.
• Use the BMA speciality explorer tool to support your research into the medical specialites.
• Use Health Careers 'Explore roles' pages to get information on working life, training pathways and speciality specific case studies
• As a foundation doctor you are entitled to up to career based 5 taster days to experience different specialties. Certain specialties even organise structured taster week programmes.
• LinkedIn is an excellent way to find out about specialties and the different paths people have taken within these. 

Competition Ratios

Full data on competition for different specialities is given here . When using data we recommend that you look over a range of years to identify trends (eg growing or declining popularity).  

Demonstrating commitment to specialty

Rotations – whilst most of these will have already been decided – think about how can you use the experience to boost your CV – think about audits, QIPs, presentations etc you could do to demonstrate an interest in a particular area or interest in research. Consider also how the rotations you originally selected or were allocated may not necessarily reflect your interests now – but are there some aspects of these specialties which you may wish to include in your next career step. 

F3 – this may be one way to broaden your experience and build your portfolio – F3 Resources

Conferences/course  BMJ conference – a good way to meet specialists in areas you might be interested in usually October but no date given as yet for 2022  Last 2 years have been virtual

Other conferences/ courses at the Royal Colleges:

Tasters 

• Discuss with your supervisor – send an email/arrange an appointment – we know it is sometimes difficult to arrange meetings but keep trying but have:
• Clear objectives - make it quite clear what it is you wish to achieve in undertaking a taster - for presenting to your supervisor and for your first contact in the specialty you wish to taste.  Are you mainly interested in trying the specialty or working in another area – or perhaps both
• Flexibility: on timings  not easy but be as flexible as possible – you may not necessarily get consecutive days; on content: is it the specialty or location that is your priority
• Be realistic:  take account of the priorities of the team you wish to spend time in and what can be achieved.  This is important to discuss when you meet a contact that will be responsible for you during the taster
• Use your networks – involving your supervisor has the added benefit of possibly being able to access their contacts but in a later slide we will consider how you can develop your own networks
• Aim to stay local – you are more likely to be successful by sourcing through trusts where you have worked or hospitals in the locality.  Not impossible to access other locations – especially if you wish to move elsewhere after foundation but this be more difficult and will need more planning
• Be Curious – embrace the unexpected opportunity that may not quite fit the picture of what you had in mind
• Be persistent - Don’t give up at the first hurdle

Networking

Networking with other health clinicians can help you determine your career goals and set you up for lifelong success. It can help you assess where you are, where you’re going, and where you want to be, and it can introduce you to new friends that can become colleagues or research partners.

• Practical Understanding - Effective networking can be imperative to inform your career planning. Utilising or developing your network will allow you to gain a greater clarity around the content and context of roles or specialities of interest. In addition, your network can widen your perspective of trust culture, politics and hierarchies which is often difficult to ascertain from purely web based research.
• Opportunity Awareness/ Recruitment - Although many roles are advertised through national websites such as NHS Jobs  - many opportunities are highlighted through word of mouth or recommendation particularly in the areas of projects or research. Highlighting your interests to your networks is a way of raising your awareness and being open to these opportunities when they may arise. In addition, your network could provide you with particular knowledge of trust application and interview processes to aid your preparation.
• Demonstrate or Develop Skills and Experience - Your network may also give you the opportunity to demonstrate or develop specific skills and experience e.g. leading or collaborating on a research project, audit, paper or presentation
• Enhancing your profile and motivation - Being an active, supportive and flexible member of networks can also raise your profile in organisations of interest e.g. colleagues in your network who know your skillset, strengths, interests and motivations can make introductions or promote you to key individuals.

Overview of Specialty Recruitment Process and Speciality Recruitment Timeline