Whether you have just completed your community service or merely wish to find another job, the field of medicine remains competitive. This page aims to help give you the best chance you can get at that ideal post by providing information on the following:
You will likely be faced with one of two scenarios:
Scenario one
You have been made aware of a post vacancy and wish to apply for it. In this case, you can complete a Z83 form and hand it to HR, or email it with your CV and certified documents to the relevant person as specified in the job vacancy notice. The vacancy will generally outline the application process and documents required.
Scenario two
You do not know of any post vacancies, but wish to work in a specific department at any of a given number of hospitals/facilities. In this case, it would be a very good idea to print your updated CV and drop it off at the HR departments of a few hospitals where you would like to work. Once there, ask them to also give you the email address of the HOD (head of department) or recruiter for the department where you would specifically like to work. Then email your CV to them as well.
When a post becomes available, they often sift through the CVs already available in their HR department and contact those they think would be suitable candidates for the interview. They might also use the CVs to set up a list of backup locum doctors to work in their department where needed and funded.
This is an overview of what a good CV should entail according to the heads of department of a district-level hospital in the Western Cape.
1. Personal statement
2. Qualifications
3. Career history
4. Leadership history
5. Teaching history
6. Research history
7. IT skills
8. References
(As per the heads of department of a district-level hospital in the Western Cape)
Tips on questions or topics often discussed at interviews:
The following topics are taken into greater consideration and will likely come up during the interview: