Why ask me that?! Top Tips for Foundation School Applications Gill Frigerio Manager of Careers Education and Guidance

I hope to cover: Potential pitfalls of applications Competency based questions A framework for providing evidence Hints and tips Further resources

Principles of Application Form Writing Think about why they are asking the question Read the person specification carefully Make sure you cover all essential criteria, and hopefully the desirable too! Give a wide variety of examples, avoid repetition Avoid descriptive narrative, be specific Stay within the word limit (some assessors may stop reading after 75 words) Demonstrate evidence of knowledge, understanding, experience, and application

Applications: potential pitfalls Failure to identify what the reader is really looking for Underselling yourself Failing to provide the right evidence to support your statements Not tailoring your application to the role Silly mistakes – spelling etc

Good news! You are in an excellent position to understand what the reader is looking for The form is very explicit on what they are looking for

Give Yourself The Best Chance Give yourself plenty of time to research, draft and fill in the form Treat it as you would a paper based form Make full use of the word count available

The sections Areas of achievement and what has been gained: Academic and non academic non-medical & undergraduate medical GMC “Good Medical Practice” principles Identify your educational and personal reasons for applying for this Foundation School Teamwork/Leadership

Why THESE questions? These questions have been devised nationally, carefully and precisely… these aren’t random and all are very important! In general, they are checking that you: CAN - do the job (skills) WANT - the job (motivation) FIT - within the programme (values)

Do they fit? Achievements: Medical Non-Medical GMC ‘Good Practice’ Reasons Teamwork/Leadership CAN, WANT CAN, FIT CAN, WANT, FIT WANT, FIT CAN, FIT

Competency Based Questions Describe a particular situation Think about Working, Learning, Playing and Giving Explain what you achieved and how you did it Talk about any barriers overcome Give a positive outcome

ACTIVITIES Elective Publishing & Conferences Societies Part time, summer, & voluntary work Sports Staff/Student Committee Clubs Log Book Fundraising Intercalating Clinical Experience Audits Prizes & Awards Family Responsibility Academic Achievement Hobbies & Interests

Possible evidence of team working Voluntary work Sports/Clubs Intercalating Audit Interdisciplinary Teams Staff/Student Committee Personal Experience Research Groups Work Experience Clinical Work Elective

ACTIVITIES (Medical/Non-Medical Achievements) Elective Publishing & Conferences Societies Part time, summer, & voluntary work Sports Staff/Student Committee Clubs Log Book Fundraising Intercalating Clinical Experience Audits Prizes & Awards Family Responsibility Academic Achievement Hobbies & Interests

STAR Framework –S ituation –T ask –A ction –R esult Use the STAR approach for competency questions:

Coping with a difficult person Acting as a relief supervisor at Pizza Express, a customer began to complain loudly about the service being slow. My task was satisfy the person without upsetting other customers who were also waiting for their food and had arrived earlier.

Coping with a difficult person cont. I listened carefully, used moderate language, a quiet voice and carefully explained about staff shortages due to illness. I reassured him that his order was being dealt with and offered complimentary drinks whilst waiting. The customer calmed down and decided to wait quietly, with free drinks.

Hints & Tips Read instructions & questions carefully Complete a draft copy Think about presentation Use formal language & check spelling etc Allow ample time to complete Keep a copy

Strong Words! Strong verbs to describe what you have done: achieved evaluated initiated devised co-ordinated implemented contributed analysed demonstrated planned organised investigated

Strong Words! Adjectives to describe yourself: impartial resilient Accurate resourceful methodical reliable logical calm conscientious responsible sensitive persuasive

Editting hints and tips Keep sentences short (12-15 words) Delete unnecessary adjectives Use gerunds instead of longer clauses (ing!) Avoid unnecessary articles Ask someone else to read it for sense

Further Resources & Help www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/ Application Advice or Quick Careers Advice Book day before- on line reception in UH or x77508 Careers Hub – (Video ‘Looking good on paper’ and ‘Your Job’s Online’)