NHS applying for internal post

eliza25

Hi there
Please can someone give me advice for my personal statement for a job application. I currently work as a Band 3 medical secretary but there is a Band 4 medical secretary/ Superivsor post being advertised internally where I work. I'd like to apply as I'm keen to progress & develop further professionally. Enjoy learning new skills & would like to take on more responsibilities.

Does anyone have any advice about to put in my application to make it stand out & get noticed.

Many thanks.

Sncjw

Maybe look Arne job description in detail and see if you do any of them at the moment as any skills that are band four at the moment

Takeaway_Addict

If you have to print it off then print it off on thicker paper than normal, the person looking at CV's is far more likely to notice the CV and give it more time when reading.

Katgrit

I'm writing this as interviewer and someone who weeds out the wheat from the chaff of NHS job application forms!

I'll start with the basics. I've read hundreds of band 3 & 4 application forms and it always stuns me how bad some of them are. We might get 50+ applications and perhaps a dozen on them are reasonable, the rest laughable.

Don't type it all in capitals. Use capital letters where they should go, for example your own name and the name of the hospital and department.

Don't cut and paste. Either from your own job description or from other parts of your application form so you aren't repeating yourself. If the job is on NHSjobs then the bit of "current responsibilities".....managers can tell whether you've written that yourself or not! Make it sound posh by all means but if you're just going to cut and paste text from a list if tasks in your own job description it looks so bloomin obvious! I've also had application forms where bits have been copied and just repeat great chunks from "current responsibilities" into the "supporting info" bit. Make it look like you can at least be @r5ed filling out the form!

Make sure you fill in the "current responsibilities" bit - even some Band 6 nurses can't be bothered and just put "nursing duties". That's all well and good if the person reviewing the forms is a nurse! I'm a scientist so it's no use to me if I'm looking for a research assistant or phone triager. Tell me what you actually do! Perhaps a list of bullet points clarified a little. You take notes at MDT meetings? Here's an example

•Required to take minutes at MDT meetings (BAD! We know you've cut and pasted this from your current job description!)

• Takes minutes at meetings (BAD! Most of the people applying will say this - big yourself up a bit)

• Takes minutes at MDT meetings consisting of various levels and grades of staff, using a wider knowledge of subjects other than dermatology (or whatever your dept is).

Erm....what else. Tell them why you want THAT job in THAT department. I've had applications in that do a very good job of telling me how fab someone is, and how they work above and beyond, and why they want to progress and want more respinsibility, but without ever mentioning why they want a role in the specific department I'm advertising. You work in oncology for example and you want a band 4 post, but why do you want a band 4 post in general medicine (off the top of my head). You want A job, but why do you want MY job?

From your post it doesn't sound like you are desperate for ANY job but I've read applications where someone waffled on about what a great midwife they would make - all well and good but this job wasnt for a midwife! She obviously was applying for jobs left right and centre and had got carried away and submitted the same form for all of them.

Be consistent. If you're going to put your reason for leaving a previous job as "I worked part time and was being pushed to increase my hours which did not fit in with family commitments" then make sure you the job you are applying for isn't full time too! We'll notice if you're fibbing!

Is the department one you currently work in? Ask your line manager for specifics on how it would be a step up from your current role (NHS job specs can be wonderfuly vague at times!). If it's a different dept give them a ring or drop the line manager an email to ask can you pop over for a chat. I'll always remember the ones who showed more interest than the better applications I never had contact from before the interview.

In the supporting info its ok to show you have a sense if humour......just that you show your human and someone who will fit in with the team. You auditioned for Bake off? That's good, we like cakes. You breed terapins as a hobby? That's great, we'll remember you when we're deciding who to interview.

Don't forget it not just NHS experience that counts. You worked in a pub at the weekend years ago? That's good, you're used to dealing with impatient people wanting your attention NOW. You worked for the council in the bin lorry dept office? That's good, you're used to collating sheets of paper half filled out with badly written handwriting!

If the application is on NHSjobs don't forget you can write the text in Word and do a spellcheck and then copy it over.

I've waffled a lot I know, but I hope I've been some help!! When I'm not so tired I might be more help.. Just most of all don't doubt yourself, make an effort and don't underestimate how great you'll be in comparrision to some of the tosh we get in!

cleopatra65

Katgrit has given you some very good pointers, I also recruit within the NHS for my sins. I would add, make sure you refer to how you fit the 'essential' & 'desirable' criteria in your application. Detail is everything (spelt correctly!) to catch the eye of whoever is shortlisting. Personally, I prefer bullet points when you're detailing your skills & attributes in applications when I'm shortlisting - makes it easier to read & 'digest'. You need to make sure that what you're saying fits to what they're asking for & asking if you can pop over for a brief chat should also get you extra brownie points - but please don't 'just turn up' randomly.


Good luck - let us know how you get on.

eliza25

Hello
Thank you everyone for your help and advice. I really appreciate it.


Hi Katgrit- thank you so much for all your tips and hints for my application, such a great help. Really useful!! Yes The job I am applying for is within the department I currently work in. I emailed my manager for some specific/further information about the role, as yes definitely some NHS jobs descriptions can be a bit vague and I wanted to know how the role would fit within the dept- but didn't hear back from my manager. Deadline is midnight tonight- job has only been open a short time frame was put online Weds. Thanks a lot for your help, much appreciated.
Cleopatra65-thanks too for the handy points for formatting application. good to know. I will make sure I cover for all the essential & desirable requirements.
I better get cracking and finish and make sure it sounds right, I think it'll be a good opportunity to progress and learn new skills. I feel I am capable and have the ability to succeed.