Before you apply to work in the NHS, it is essential to have a good CV. No matter how competent and highly qualified you are, if your CV does not do you justice you won't be short-listed for interview. We may need to ask you to rewrite it several times, before it is suitable to use for applications for positions in the NHS. Your CV must contain all relevant information, and be attractively presented.  It must be in English and in Word format.

Please read our CV guidelines below and look at our CV example. You should follow the layout of the example as closely as possible. The example is a Consultant's CV, but will give all applicants an idea of the preferred format, and degree of detail required.

Bear in mind the following in particular:

• Why this format?  The format of the example may be unfamiliar to non-British doctors, but it is the standard format in the British medical profession, and therefore will be "easier on the eye" for members of hospital short-listing panels
• The personal touch.  Rather than presenting all the elements of your job as a list, write a short paragraph in your own words for your current and previous positions, describing your role and responsibilities, your day to day work and experience gained from it.  This will inject your own personality into the CV.  You could also consider adding a paragraph on "Future Career Intentions".
• Your practical skills: how often do you use them?  Under the heading "Practical Procedures", for each of the skills in which you are competent it is useful if you can give indicative numbers eg 10 per week over the last 3 years.
• Not just clinical skills.  A British Consultant's responsibilities include three other elements: research and teaching, management, and audit (quality control).  So any evidence you can supply of experience in these areas, or at least an understanding of their importance, will interest the selection panel.
• Check your dates. For both education and work experience give months as well as years.  There should be no unexplained gaps in your career history, and if two jobs overlap explain (eg by adding that they were part-time).
• Your language skills. Remember to include any English language qualifications.  The most widely recognised is the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - for details see the British Council website.
• Courses and publications - but not too many.  Limit lists of courses/conferences attended and publications written to the 5-10 most relevant or influential.  Add that you can supply details of the others on request.  Listing your publications in "Vancouver style" makes the CV look more impressive (see right-hand column for links to websites providing guidance on this style)
• Mysterious initials.  If you think initials or names of qualifications would not be understood by an English reader, add an explanation (eg "Italian specialist qualification in …").  Rather than "Cum laude", put "graduated with top marks". 
• Referees. They should be placed at the end of the CV, need to be English-speaking and to include your current employer.  (You may prefer in the case of your current employer to add "please do not contact this referee until after the interview".) Remember to include phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses.