Career planning
Mar 28, 2015
Career planning
Where are you now?
I have chosen the specialty I wish to pursue
I am not certain which specialty I wish to pursue but I have started to narrow it down
I haven’t decided which specialty to pursue and I haven’t yet started to narrow it down
Career Planning
“Career planning will involve foundation doctors learning and being coached about how best to match their skills,
strengths and interests with the needs of the NHS.”
Operational framework for foundation training (Paragraph 186)
http://www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/download.asp?file=Operational-Framework-FINAL.pdf
Career Planning
“Good career planning will also involve helping foundation doctors to understand
that life-long learning is vital to a successful career, giving them flexibility and adaptability throughout their medical
working lives. ”
Operational framework for foundation training (Paragraph 186)
http://www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/download.asp?file=Operational-Framework-FINAL.pdf
Skills Strengths Interests
The Needs Of The NHS
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Career Planning
YouNeeds of the NHS
CHANGE
UNCERTAINTY
Skills
Strengths
Interests
?
?
?
?
?
Choosing a career
Self awarenessWhat you have to offer
& What you want
Opportunity awarenessWhat they have to offerWhat they want+
Decision MakingMaking a career choiceHaving back up plans
=
TransitionMoving onEffective applications
The Recruitment Process
Skills ExerciseDemonstrating personal skills
• Skill • Activity • Evidence • Relevance to chosen specialty
In what way are you able to demonstrate that your own skills and attributes are suitable for a higher
career in this specialty?
Recruitment
Application form Interview
References
Application form
Application Form
Section A – monitoring information Section B – application for employment
Registration status Educational & professional qualifications Courses attended Employment history 6 questions
Questions
1. Why this speciality and what have you done to explore your suitability for this speciality? (300 words)
2. Describe your skills & competencies, highlighting strengths & weaknesses and areas for improvement (300 words)
3. Your experiences of & contribution to audit (150 words)4. Describe your relevant teaching experience (150 words)5. Research work, publications & presentations (150 words)6. Other helpful supporting evidence? (300 words)
Shortlisting for interview – stage 1
Question 1 Motivation Orientation Suitability Insight Exploration Use of experience to
date Quality of written
communication
Question 2 Generic skills Technical skills Relevance Strengths Areas for improvement Quality of written
communication
Full application form If successful, interviewed
Shortlisting for interview – stage 2
Application Form Exercise
Complete 2 questions 150 words per answer 30 minutes time limit These are two of the questions from last
year’s ST1 application forms.
Answers?
Why this speciality and what have you done to explore your suitability for this speciality? (300 words)
“…at least you have to use your brian for this speciality (unlike surgery)…”
Questions
Why this speciality and what have you done to explore your suitability for this speciality? (300 words)
What are your experiences of & contribution to audit? (150 words)
Group Task
30 minutes to shortlist the application forms
Create an agreed scoring system Identify which applications you would
shortlist Identify which you would reject (at least 2) Summary of key +/- feedback
Feedback
From the short listing groups about the application form answers Positive elements to the answers Negative elements to the answers
Also feedback about the group activity How you worked together How everyone contributed
Teamwork-positive indicators
Demonstrates participative, non-confrontational approach
Actively seeks contributions from others Respects others’ views. Listens and negotiates. Able to compromise.
Actively supports, encourages and recognises need to draw on others
Understands importance of being target focused
Teamwork-negative indicators
Lack of respect for others and their views Little evidence of support for others Sticks rigidly to own agenda, no negotiation No understanding of how others contribute
to success Dominates the team
Written applications - problems
Including negative statements about yourself. Applying for colleagues -“We..” Not giving clear examples that highlight your role and
contribution Being too passive/negative (“the role required…”) Making mistakes with spelling and grammar Leaving time gaps / not answering all questions Not including referees and their full contact details Too long, important information buried Too many fonts/styles/unattractive layouts
Before you write anything…pppppp Familiarise yourself with the applications timetable and keep
this in mind when planning holidays etc Read all supporting documentation.
The job description The person specification and the application form, so that you
understand what is required from you Familiarise yourself with any other material, including any deanery
guidance for applicants Gather your evidence Do your career research Plan your time Follow the instructions Language Referees Working e mail account
Interviews
Interviews
Questions about you (what do they know already?)
Questions about the job/specialty (what do you know?)
Technical / Specialist questions (to test specific knowledge / skills that are required in the job)
Questions about the organisation/profession (what do you know? Where can you find out more)
On-the-spot / off-the-wall questions…
Questions you are dreading…
Competency Based Questions
Questions that require a clear example to show how you have demonstrated the required skills/qualities, e.g.
Describe a time when your communication skills made a difference to patient care.
Tell us about a time when you effectively led a team Tell me about a time when you had conflicting
priorities and what you did to resolve them.
Structured Answers
Situation or Task Action Result or Reflection
• Context• Action• Result
1. Context. Give a quick introduction by outlining the situation or task you were faced with.
2. Action – what you actually did. Clearly show your role and contribution. The skills and qualities you demonstrated.
3. Result- quick summary – the results of your actions (ideally a positive outcome). Can also show reflection about your performance / the situation.
Interview Exercise
Groups of 3: Interviewer, interviewee, observer
5 min interviews – questions from list Observer (and interviewer) – give
feedback on answers: what was said & how it was said
Rotate roles
Interview Techniques - problems
Poor body language Irrelevant answers Badly organised answers Recited answers Repetition Being nervous / lacking in confidence Being over confident Talking too quickly (or slowly) Failing to engage all the panel
Other selection methods?
Simulated patient interaction Group exercise Written test/MCQ Written exercise Others…?
Being more competitive
Knowing what they want Understanding transferability Making the most of current opportunities Networking & identifying new
opportunities Be inventive & original Document/evidence (Portfolio)
Summary
Know yourself and be able to talk about your skills and experiences positively
Know what’s out there & what they want Make effective plans Get yourself in a position to act positively
and quickly towards change, uncertainty and opportunities.
READ THIS!