CVs and Interviews

1. CVs and Interviews

2. CVs and Interviews AIMS:To increase understanding of what a potential employer considers a good CV and to demystify the interview process. Learning objectives:By the end of this session we will have1. Discussed what should be in a CV2. Had the opportunity to review our own & others’ CVs3. Discussed what questions may be asked in an interview4. Considered what preparation is necessary before attending for interview5. Provided interview experience via role play

3. Why think about my CV? • It introduces “you” to a potential employer • Guidance on format evolves & changes • Even if you have a post/job it can be useful for: • GPWSI applications • Courses eg a part time qualification: Cert Med Ed • Becoming a GP trainer • Your next job! • You never know when your situation may change

4. What are they looking for?? • Ability :

5. What are they looking for?? • Motivation:

6. What are they looking for?? • Fit into team:

7. CVs Small Group Work • What should be included? • What should the structure look like? • 10 mins or so in small groups then feedback

8. CVs BMJ 15.10.05: The Search for the perfect curriculum vitae, PJ Livesley et al SUMMARY • Always follow instructions • Try to be honest and open • Tailor your CV based on the personal specification • Highlight desirable criteria and impact factors • Layout is paramount and must be logical and easy to read • Eliminate any inaccuracies, especially contact details of your referees • Summarise clinical experience appropriately, with justification of all posts that fall outside the norm • Keep career aspirations general at a junior level • Always consider the implications of the personal data you provide • If unsure seek the guidance of multiple senior colleagues

9. CVs Continued • Include university degrees and grades • Include school education if it acts as a positive discriminator • Present teaching experience as it is invaluable, if possible with topics and dates • Management skills may be included as a point of interest • Always remember that quality is more important than quantity • Personal interests should be realistic and must reflect your personality • Be ready to be questioned on any aspect of your CV

10. Quick Tips RL • If you don’t really want to consider this job don’t apply • Remember the competition: make yourself stand out, but don’t be arrogant • Check the Essential & Desirable criteria. If you don’t meet all the essential criteria don’t apply • Tailor everything you include to THIS post – why is this experience relevant? State that, or be ready to answer that in interview • Raise curiosity: say something that prompts the partners to invite you to interview, & that gives rise to questions at interview

11. Update: BMA Tips for your medical CV Last updated by BMA: 07 December 2018 • https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/career/applying-for-a-job/medical-cv • An excellent guide to format, length, relevant info & highlighting what counts • Includes a downloadable format sample CV

12. INTERVIEWS

13. Millennial job interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo0KjdDJr1c

14. INTERVIEWS How can I prepare? Think aloud as a group

15. INTERVIEW: PREPARATION BMJ: 13.8.05 How to be interviewed, Jennifer King BMJ: 20.8.08 Interview Skills, Laura Brammar • Do your homework: visit, check website, talk to people who know, make notes of questions to ask • Be up to date with current issues e.g. GP led commissioning • Anticipate the questions you may be asked • Know your CV well • Know the role you are applying for • Know the selectors • Make enough preparation so you arrive on time

16. INTERVIEW: ON THE DAY • Be yourself • Have good formal, but relaxed body language • Dress appropriately, smile, & have a firm handshake • Keep answers concise and to the point but give specific examples of what you mean • Have some questions to ask-if they have already been answered explain this. • Negotiations are best after they have offered you the job but if there are some conditions you must have explain this prior to the interview.

17. Quick Tips RL • Interview practice helps a lot. When did you last do one?! • Film yourself in interview practice & play it back – how do you sound & come across? • Get feedback on interview questions, from friends & trusted critics • Polish your shoes • Brush your teeth • Wear the right colours (ie ones that suit you/”lift you”, not that drain you!) ;)

18. TYPICAL QUESTIONS Every candidate will be asked the same questions and usually their answers are transcribed onto a grid to allow comparison and scoring. The interview should be fair and should not discriminate, it is against the law otherwise. Expect holes in your CV to be picked up.

19. Typical Questions Small Group Work • List likely questions you could be asked • Think about the order questions will be asked • 10mins or so in small groups then feed back

20. TYPICAL QUESTIONS • Why do you want this job? • Why are you the right candidate for this job? • What are your weaknesses? • What do you think of GP commissioning? • Are you happy to be flexible if in the future you are required to work Saturday mornings or late evenings? • Tell us about something you have implemented at work. • Tell us about an audit you have done.

21. TYPICAL QUESTIONS • Describe any work related conflicts you have experienced and how they were resolved. • What do you consider the most satisfying aspect of General Practice? • In this brave new world we are constantly looking to maximise our practice income, what ideas do you have for this? • Why choose Teesside?

22. TYPICAL QUESTIONS • How would you like your career to progress? • Tell us about your outside interests. • Any questions on terms and conditions? • Any thoughts on remuneration?

23. Important ! • Avoid over prepared answers :

24. COFFEE BREAK With festive food + Mateen’s 5minute Input

25. ROLE PLAY- interviewee • Full time, salaried post • 10,000 patients • One main and one branch surgery in small market town • PMS practice • QOF score last year 970 • 4 full time and 1 part time partners. • One other part time salaried GP • Training practice: GP trainees and medical students • Specialist clinics including minor surgery + family planning

26. ROLE PLAY- interviewers • Job has come available due to retirement of senior partner • Looking for a salaried GP who has the potential to become a partner after two or so years • Hopefully new GP will help with student training and cover GP trainee during holidays • Obviously looking for a well trained GP with good references but also someone who will “fit in”: i.e. team player plus evidence of outside interests • Happy for new GP to be involved in specialist clinics if interested • As a PMS practice do not have to offer the BMA standard contract • Want 8 clinical sessions with one half day and one session professional development. Same commitment as full time partner • Would expect new GP to be involved in extended hours including Sat mornings and late evening sessions (till 8pm) • Due to tight financial situation want to fix pay at bottom end of pay scale i.e. £55 – 60 K (medical defence cover) as possible negotiation tool.

27. CVs and Interviews AIMS:To increase understanding of what a potential employer considers a good CV and to demystify the interview process. Learning objectives:By the end of this session we will have1. Discussed what should be in a CV2. Had the opportunity to review our own and others’ CVs3. Discussed what questions may be asked in an interview4. Considered what preparation is necessary before attending for interview5. Provided interview experience via role play

28. Summing up • Round robin of what you will take away from this session • Something you will (or need to) do soon • Anything you will now NOT do or consider in future? • How does this help you in considering your first job(s) when you qualify?

29. Top Tips from Group B • Build the bridge between everything relevant in your CV & the person specification & role spec’n of the job : show why they should invite you to interview • Do the same in the interview: eg Former running club treasurer: I’d bring accounts interest & some experience of finances. Think: Transferrable skills • Let your body language & posture match your voice: calm, warm, confident in both. Get observed or filmed • Make sure your personality comes through: be yourself • When an interviewer asks follow up questions keep talking. They may gently push, ask for examples, & lead you ‘til you or they run dry. Smile & think aloud!

30. Next session • Comparing practices: Wed Jan 9th 2019 • Email will be sent including this info: • "In preparation for the next regional teaching please prepare a short presentation about how your current training practice is organised • Please use the following as a prompt- presentations should be about 5-10 minutes (but nearer 5)!

31. SUGGESTED CONTENT OF PRESENTATIONS • 1. Basic Practice details: List size. Practice areaPremises – owned? Branch? • 2. Workforce: GP Partner/Salaried/Locums.Management and administration. Nursing and attached staff eg physio, counsellor etc • 3. Organisation: Appointments. On callsExtended hours • 4. Outside interests? • 5. Extended services. GPs with special interests (GPsWSIs). Enhanced services? • 6. Demand management: Triage/phone surgeries/etc. • 7. Training: Students/F2s/nurses/etc • 8. Stand out features of the practice? e.g. cottage hospitals etc.

32. Happy Christmas!& New Year