Hello – I’m Marcia Beere – Recruitment Partner at Prescript. It’s that time of year again where we start to see health services open the recruitment door for the future intake of 2020.

Applications seem like they are open forever, but in reality, with life getting so busy, before you know it you have until midnight to submit everything that you think is needed. I thought I’d share with you a few helpful hints to try and assist you in the last-minute scurry.

Perfect Your Resume

Update your CV - Include important details, such as; the rotations you have completed or are about to complete, research that you are helping to collect data for, teaching sessions that you have presented or provided assistance in presenting. All these things help a panel understand your interests and help them to visualise where you will fit into their department

Keep In Touch With Referees

It’s important to keep in contact with your referees. Make sure you have contacted them to alert them you will need their input. It helps if you can give them a rundown on where and why you have placed applications

Understand The Selection Criteria

It mostly seems unimportant when you are applying for a clinical role, but it is CRITICAL. When the positions are competitive and the volumes so high, the reviewing panel wants to know you have taken the time to review what you are applying for and that there is an interpreted understanding of the role and the tasks.

Connect With The Contact Officer

Most positions may not have a contact officer, particularly if they are bulk round applications. However, call the hospital and ask to speak with the JMO Manager or Director of Medical Workforce. Ask about the hospital and the training environment.

Not only do you become more than just a CV and selection criteria, but it will also give you a touch of insight into the culture of that organisation. Are they engaging? Are they willing to share information and show an interest in you? Will there be more opportunities other than this initial 12 months?

Be Flexible With Interviews

I get it; it is not always possible to be available at the exact time and date that you are requested for. However, there are few things to consider – you are in pool of a number of other candidates who can be available, constructing a panel of senior clinicians is also very complex and trying to reschedule their time is difficult.

Phone interviews are not the worst thing. Yes, it can be a challenge to strike up a rapport through the phone, but it is possible. Hospitals understand that it is a critically busy time with ongoing interviews around the country, and they will make allowances if they can.

What To Wear

Appearance is important! Dress smart Be clean and tidy. Scrubs are fine if you are mid-shift or coming off/starting a shift (make sure they are clean).  

Ask Questions

During your interview, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the unit. How busy does it get? What supervision is there? What are the majority of presentations? What are the teaching opportunities? Are there any research or ongoing audits you can be a part of in the department?

Quality Assurance

Hospitals are ever increasing in their demand for better health outcomes, no matter how small. Think of a time that you did something to improve an outcome. Did you research it? Did you organise for the department you were in to complete an audit and gather data?

Declining An Offer

If it wasn’t what you were looking for, the sooner you can provide a withdraw notice of a position, the better. Many hours and planning are put into any recruitment cycle and departments rely on knowing where their staffing numbers are up within a reasonable amount of time.

Be Yourself

Last but not least, be yourself, it’s so important to be you! You are your own best advocate.

About Marcia Beere

Marcia Beere is Prescript’s Recruitment Partner with a focus on locum, permanent and fixed-term positions across regional Australia.

There are three ways to contact Marcia:

1. Call Marcia on 0416 544 788 

2. Email marcia@prescript.com.au 

3. Click 'Connect with Prescript’

At Prescript we’re known for helping solve the regional doctor shortage in Australia.

Every day we’re focused on two clear outcomes - Helping hospitals find doctors that create departments and clinics that run better, have more capacity and less stress. And placing Doctors in jobs that leave them feeling highly valued, rewarded and, most importantly, enjoying what they do.

We believe that when we get these two crucial things right, it has a huge impact on the regional doctor shortage and the healthcare of communities across Australia.

There are three ways to contact us:

1. Call 1300 755 498

2. Email contact@prescript.com.au

3. Click 'Connect with Prescript' to ask a question online (with option to upload your CV)

We’d love to hear from you!