The SCAN Career Planning Model = Self Awareness Career Exploration Arriving at a decision Next Steps (this section)
Applying to specialty and preparing for interviews
In this section we look at how make successful applications to speciality. This is part 4 of the SCAN model - Taking Action.
Hints on making strong applications & performing well at speciality Interview [Dr Ellen Adams: Community Sexual and Reproductive Health Registrar]
Hints on making strong applications & performing well at speciality Interview [Dr Kiara Vincent: Emergency Medicine Registrar]
5 top tips for making speciality training decisions [Dr Ellen Adams: Community Sexual and Reproductive Health Registrar]
Top tips for preparing for/choosing speciality [Dr Kiara Vincent: Emergency Medicine Registrar]
Where can I find out information about the application process?
- Specialty Recruitment Process
- Speciality Recruitment Timeline
- Speciality Training Guidance HEE
- Oriel
- Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACF) - National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). Here you will find detailed information about ACFs and other academic clinical training programmes
- IMT Recruitment - Specific information realting to IMT and ACCS training prgrammes including scoring guidelines and fill rates
- GP Recruitment - Specific Information relating to GP recruitment
- ST3 Recruitment - Specific information relating to ST3+ Medical speciality recruitment including scoring guidelines and fill rates
Tasters
Tasters help you to boost your commitment and reassure those recruiting that you are serious and informed abut the direction you have chosen. They are not a one way street either as they are also beneficial to Trusts.
Benefits to you |
Benefits for Trusts |
•experience of a new specialty •increase of exposure to one previously experienced •experience of different locations and hospitals •add to your portfolio •create new contacts |
•improve their image •raise profile of certain specialties •promote recruitment in shortage areas |
Whilst some areas of the country may have lists of contacts and in the past have been very proactive in setting these up, in more recent years foundation doctors have needed to lead the process of securing one for themselves. So how can you do this?
•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 this is 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.
What resources can support me writing applications?
- Health Education England guide to writing applications
- Health Education England guide to How to demonstrate your commitment to your speciality
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).
How can I prepare for interviews?
- Click here for a list of possible interview questionsThe UCL Careers Lab has numerous videos on interview preparation.
- Research about structured interview reponses and map out your responses.
- This resource signposts you to key action points based on your area of concern.
- Article about Interviewing with Impact
- This exercise helps you to identify your key strengths, skills and achievements to promote to the selection panel.
How can I create a good evidence portfolio?
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Health Education England Guide to Creating an Evidence Portfolio
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BMJ Article about How to make a good portfolio
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Simple ways of boosting your portfolio - You Tube Video
The full application process for specialty recruitment can be found here
Speciality Recruitment - person specification/ competition ratios
NHS Health careers - key information by speciality area
BMJ Specialty Guides – ‘complete guides’ – on a range of specialties
BMA Speciality Explorer - online questionnaire linking specialities to your preferences
ACF - National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) - key ACF information
F3/Gap Resources - a variety of links including working abroad, further study & fellowships
Alternatives to Medicine non-clinical career options
Oriel - speciality recruitment platform