Job applications The good, the bad and the ugly

1. Job applications The good, the bad and the ugly

2. DEARNE VALLEY HEALTH CENTRE SOUTH NETHERSDALE

3. Dearne Valley Health Centre • 4 sessions • 3,700 patients, PMS Practice • GP Training Practice from August 2010, plus medical students • Purpose built premises being upgraded for GP Training status • High QOF achievement • TPP SystemOne

4. Working in fours • Discuss your covering letters. • What are their strengths and weaknesses?

5. The covering letter • Take a great deal of care over the covering letter • Where you have a named contact, address the letter to that person • Use a strong opening statement • Keep it brief and to the point - no more than one page • Don't repeat what is in the CV • Keep it clear and concise - use short, direct sentences. • Make the content reflect you so the reader can get a flavour of how you approach things • Include what you would bring to the organisation • Finish on a positive note • Print your name under the signature • Check spelling, grammar and ease of understanding – also use someone else • Check it thoroughly before posting and use a quality paper & envelope • Don’t forget to include your CV! • Consider sending it by registered post

6. An example Dear Mr Smith, Following our meeting yesterday I'm enclosing my CV with regards to applying for the partnership at Dearne Valley Health Centre. I was very excited when I saw this post advertised, as I have always wanted to settle in Nethersdale, as I particularly enjoyed working in the area during my training. It was great to meet you and the team and have a look around the practice and all its facilities. It seems a very friendly and innovative practice and one that I would like to be part of and I'm confident that I can fit in and make a real contribution to developing the practice. I would be very happy to provide any further information that you might require and look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours sincerely, Dr Gissa Job

7. Sorting out your CV Working in fours • Discuss what makes a CV good, bad or ugly. • Have a look at the CVs you have brought. and decide how you might improve them

8. Have a look at our ‘CV maker’ http://www.pennine-gp-training.co.uk/Example-CV-template.doc

9. Additional CV tips • Use good quality A4 paper (white or pale background). • Keep it concise, be completely truthful and keep it clear and highlight your selling points clearly. • Career history and education - usually most recent first. • Include a personal profile stating strengths and personal qualities. Include hobbies and interests and describe how you use these skills in your work. • Explain any gaps in employment history and make it positive. • Always type or word process your CV and get it checked for spelling, grammar and ease of understanding. • Amend your CV each time to make it appropriate for the job that you are applying for. • Consider sending multiple copies

10. Producing a CV which is easy to photocopy or scan • The original should be printed in high quality. • Use a standard typeface in a font size of 10 to 14 points. • Use standard spacing and fonts; letters should not touch. • Avoid using italics, underlining, lines, graphics, two-column format, or boxes.  • Successive pages should have your name in the header text. • Footer of each page should include page number and total number of pages • Do not fold or staple. Post in A4 envelope

11. References • Choose your referees carefully. • Referees should be from recent jobs that are relevant to the job you are applying for. • Ensure your referees know they have been asked. You may need to remind them.

12. When and how to market yourself • During training • After training • Useful downloads