Securing that job: The art of writing a successful healthcare CV

Posted by katebrandon250 on August 13th, 2015

Forget what you think you know about compiling a CV. Whether you’re a senior doctor or trainee nurse, writing a medical CV is unlike any other. In an age when recruiters advise candidates to keep them minimalist, highlight successes and skim on the waffle, medical CVs require a very specific degree of detail and language which could be the deciding factor to gaining a job in the industry.

Healthcare recruitment specialist, Tony Moss, founder and director of Your World Healthcare, explains the secrets to the successful medical CV:

1. More is less Many candidates forget that medical CVs require you to elaborate.

“I helped with patients and did paper work”

When in fact they should say:

“I handled a diverse patient case load where we dealt with males and females in a mixed sex ward with a range of surgical and secondary complaints including diabetes”

This is the level of detail that private healthcare employers to the NHS, for example, require. Healthcare employers consider this level of detail vital.

Never be afraid of detailing the range of caseloads that you have experience of dealing with.

2. Talk up your tech know-how

Whether you’re an audiologist or a radiographer it’s important to list the equipment you have worked with at different jobs. This is often a major influencer with any potential employer as it may show that you have worked with and are familiar with the same equipment as they have within their department.

This includes any internal software systems for patient record keeping.

The more you can demonstrate a familiarity with their unit / department the more a potential employer is going to look favorably upon your application.

3. Do not leave any time gaps on your CV

CVs are your personal sales brochure, don’t leave any time gaps within it, if you were out of work for a period of time, note this on the CV. Employers are often worried about any gaps, don’t let them worry always explain.

If you’ve been away travelling, detail this! 4. Do not attempt to pad out your CV

Always keep your CV precise and detailed, never attempt to pad it out with extra words and non-essential detail, the majority of department / unit heads are busy people and would prefer to see a detailed precise CV. Don’t be afraid of using bullet points to emphasis specific details.

Your CV layout must be easy to read and in an acceptable format, with work history detailed from most recent first going backwards in time. Easy to use templates to help guide the compilation of your CV can often be found online and we have one on our website available for all to use.

5. Tips on how to get a job

There are the traditional job boards where the NHS and the private sector advertise their latest jobs. Although don’t forget there is a complete sector of recruitment agencies specialising in healthcare professionals who will also be able to support you in finding that job that sometimes hasn’t been advertised yet. They are talking to a diverse range of clients all the time and often are aware of upcoming vacancies prior to their publication.

There is a diverse range of private clients who employ healthcare professionals such as:

Insurance companies employing occupational therapists, physiotherapists, doctors and nurses. Currently we know of a fair number of jobs in:

• Cruise ships employing nurses and paramedics.

• Private laboratories employing biomedical scientists.

• Private high street retailers who employ audiologists

This is just a short list of areas that are sometimes not obvious, but still have many employment opportunities.

For the healthcare professionals that are just qualifying, volunteering in a healthcare or charity setting, is a way of not only enhancing your CV but also adding valued life and work experience, which is always looked upon favorably by the majority of employers.

Also don’t be afraid of sending your CV out to the heads of units / departments direct, if there isn’t a position available immediately they will always keep your CV on file for the next applicable position.

There are many healthcare specific exhibitions and seminars held by the professional bodies, such as the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, College of Occupational Therapists, Society of Radiographers, Royal College of Nursing and General Medical Council. Attendance at such events can lead to many networking opportunities that could assist a job application.

The above is just a short list of how to be proactive in searching for your next or first position.

HealthyChange.jobs is the only job portal dedicated to the recruitment of medical professionals for careers based in the Middle East region and is on hand to help ensure that no hospital in the region suffers from being understaffed.