Applying for specialty training: top tips

A specialty trainee who was twice successful with specialty training applications, gives some advice to this year’s applicants based on her experience and those of colleagues.

Her advice, published in the BMJ Careers, includes :

- Establish your goal and the bottom line
- Organise your form - think in advance about how you will answer questions, sort out the certificates and job details, submit the application much ahead of the deadline etc.
- Prepare your portfolio
- Gather supporting documents
- Keep perspective

Source :"Applying for specialty training: top tips" BMJ Careers, 25 Nov 2009

Specialty training for doctors in England

Postgraduate medical training in the UK is changing, if you are considering postgraduate specialty training and seeking information on application to specialty training in England and related topics, the following documentations may help you get started with the process.


Information on the process and timetable for medical specialty training recruitment in 2010 is regularly updated on the Medical Specialty Training (England) website.

You can start by reading this BMJ article “Recruitment to medical specialty training (England) 2010” as a quick guide to the application process.

The followings aim to give F2 doctors an overview of the recruitment and application process :

Getting started

Planning your cv

Completing an application form

Preparing for the interview

Assessment centres

Preparing your portfolio

e-portfolios

Also useful :

Advise to doctors on making the most of an e-portfolio - BMJ article

Improving your chances of getting the dream job – BMJ Careers series Aug 2008

More than an interview to land the job - BMJ article Aug 2005

Writing CVs and handling job interviews - BMJ article Jun 2004