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Making successful applications
Once you have successfully found a position you wish to apply for, you need to make sure your application does you justice and provides you with the best possible chance of getting an interview. This means reading the job description and person specification and taking time over your application demonstrating your skills and experience.
How good a match are you?
All employers will be judging how well your application matches the 'person specification' for the position you are applying for. The applicants who closely match the person specification will be the ones that are shortlisted for interview.
To stand the best chance of receiving an invitation is to demonstrate that you do have the skills and experience as stipulated within the person specification and provide clear examples within the supporting information section.
Never submit the same application form twice. Always adapt it to show how you meet the person specification of the particular post you are applying for.
Complete all the parts of the form
Read the instructions within the advertisement and application form very carefully and make sure that you complete all the sections of the application form. The information you give in the 'application for employment' section will be used to decide if you should be shortlisted for interview.
The 'personal information' and 'monitoring information' sections will not be used for shortlisting, but will be kept for administrative purposes only.
Provide good supporting information
The 'supporting information' section is your opportunity to sell yourself therefore make sure you use it to your advantage. You can include any information here that has not been covered elsewhere on the form. Demonstrate why you would be suitable and how you meet the person specification. You need to convince the recruiter that you have the required skills, knowledge and experience and that they should be inviting you for an interview.
You can include, among other things, details about:
- your duties and responsibilities;
- your skills, knowledge and/or experience which is relevant to the post;
- identify any employment gaps;
- voluntary work you have accomplished;
- research, publication and/or presentation experience.
Mastering How to Write Supporting Information for NHS Jobs: A Comprehensive Guide with Case Examples
Submitting an application for a position within the National Health Service (NHS) requires a supporting information letter. This letter is an opportunity to highlight your qualification, your skills and experience and why you think you will be a good fit for the job you are applying for. We recognize this may seem like a daunting task at first, however with our guide we hope to show you how to approach writing effectively and draft a strong support letter that will set you apart from other candidates. Dr Joanna is an international medical graduate who has recently applied for a position in an Childs and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) team. We use some of her examples to highlight how to write an effective supporting information letter for your CV.
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The role of supporting information letter in your nhs jobs application form.
The supporting information letter within your NHS job application is more than just an extension of your CV. This section offers a unique opportunity to tie together your skills, experiences, and ambitions into a narrative that resonates with the role you’re applying for. It allows you to explain why you are a suitable candidate, how your career has prepared you for this role, and how will fit in with your prospective new team.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is a key component of your supporting information. It allows you to express your motivations for applying to the NHS, your interest in the specific role, and your broader career aspirations.
An Example from Dr. Joanna’s Personal Statement
Dr Joanna is an experienced CAMHS associate specialist from Eastern Europe. She is passionate about children’s mental health and is keen to gain experience working in the UK system. She begins her personal statement like this
“ I have always enjoyed working with children with learning disabilities, a passion which I developed in medical school in Wroclaw, Poland. Since graduating in 2000, I have dedicated my professional life to improving children’s mental health as evidenced by my postgraduate training in the renowned learning disabilities unit in Wroclaw, Poland (2002-2004), as well as my autism fellowship in the Childrens Mental Health unit in Warsaw Poland (2004-2008). My true passion is working with children with severe autism, and I thoroughly enjoy the multidisciplinary approach, the long term relationship developed with patient and their carers and I relish the diagnostic challenges some of these cases bring. I would now like to develop my professional interest further by working in the Leicester CAMHS unit which I know boasts an excellent combination of esteemed specialists as well as a large cohort of patients. I believe my existing experience would allow me to make a meaningful contribution to the team and that with my excellent communication and interpersonal skills (as evidenced by my CV), I would be an asset to the team.”
Highlighting Relevant Experience and Skills
When detailing your experiences and skills, ensure they are specifically tailored to the role. Refer to the job description and person specification to understand what the recruiters are looking for.
An Example from Dr. Joanna’s Experience
Dr. Joanna describes her relevant experiences as:
“In my current role at the Children’s Hospital, I’ve managed numerous cases of children dealing with mild to severe autism. I work closely with a range of multidisciplinary specialists on daily basis including pediatricians, teachers, mental health specialist nurses and occupational therapists in order to consistently deliver effective, integrated care plans for my patients. This highlights not only my collaborative skills but also my commitment to delivering best possible patient-centered care to each and every one of my patients.”
Highlighting Achievements and Continuous Professional Development
This section is your chance to highlight any recognitions, awards, and professional development activities that have contributed to your competency and growth.
An Example from Dr. Joanna’s Achievements
Dr. Joanna might detail her achievements as:
“ I was honored with the ‘Trainee of the Year’ award at ABC Children’s Hospital for my consistent efforts in advocating for mental health integration in case of children with learning disabilities. Additionally, I have demonstrated a strong and long lasting commitment to improving the quality of care provided in my department as evident by the numerous audits and quality improvement projects I have spearheaded over the years. Most notably, a recent quality improvement project on art therapy in adolescents with autism has been selected for presentation at the regional audit meeting which I am most proud of. In a drive to continuous self- development, I’ve recently completed a course on ‘Taking care of the carers,’ a guide on supporting carers and families on children with mental health issues, which greatly enhanced my understanding of the wider implications of mental disability in children and allows me to support my patients and their families more effectively.”
Demonstrating Your Compatibility with NHS Values
The NHS values include working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality care, compassion, and improving lives. Providing examples that showcase your alignment with these values can make your application stand out.
An Example from Dr. Joanna’s Values
Dr. Joanna can illustrate her compatibility with NHS values like this:
“The NHS’s commitment to compassion and quality care is the spirit I also practice in. In order to improve awareness of recognition of the importance of mental health of child patients across my trust, I have spearheaded regular ‘ Child Mental Health Sessions’ in my current hospital. These were designed to support early identification of mental health issues and foster a nurturing environment for children to voice their concerns.”
The Importance of Proofreading
Finally, don’t forget to proofread your supporting information. Make sure your writing is grammatically correct, you have no spelling errors and all information you have provided is true and factually accurate. This shows your professionalism, communication skills and commitment to the role you are applying for.
Conclusion: Crafting Effective Supporting Information for NHS Jobs
Knowing how to write supporting information for NHS jobs involves understanding your own professional journey and effectively communicating it to resonate with the role requirements. This comprehensive guide, alongside Dr. Joanna’s examples, should serve as a strong foundation for your application. Remember, your application is not just a document—it’s your story. So make it compelling, make it genuine, and most importantly, make it yours.
Read more: How to Pass the CASC: A Guide to MRCPsych CASC 2023 Success
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