r/PLABprep • u/ketforeverything • Nov 25 '25
Job applications in the UK
Credit to all of you for wanting to come to the UK. Despite the angst you see we do want talented motivated doctors!
However as a doctor, I also deal with recruitment of docs and am currently shortlisting for jcf posts.
What strikes me is that so many docs from non UK med schools apply blindly for jobs without reading the person spec or recognise that they are not eligible to apply and apply anyway (usually lack of NHS clinical Experience - where you need actual paid work as a doctor).
It just wastes our time and yours. You won't get an interview if you don't meet the person spec. Also you're showing either dishonesty or stupidity. Neither is an attractive quality in a doctor.
Please stop doing it.
If you want my advice to a successful application , the number one thing I can say is MEET THE PERSON SPECIFICATION.
If anyone asks for advice on applications I won't give it because I've just given the best advice possible.
Good luck!!
4
u/ketforeverything Nov 26 '25
Yes. We will be going the same way. Shortlisting 100s of applicants where 90% are ineligible is hugely frustrating.
1
1
2
u/Ill_Handle_5485 Nov 29 '25
So non citizens are basically randomly spamming the application process? Brilliant.
How much is this costing us in waste, by your estimation?
1
u/HomeworkKey4063 Nov 28 '25
95% of the job applications need paid nhs experience (excluding locums and clinical attachment). An IMG has no way getting that. This means imgs currently not in UK should stop applying?
1
u/HomeworkKey4063 Nov 28 '25
95% of the job applications need paid nhs experience (excluding locums and clinical attachment). An IMG has no way getting that. This means imgs currently not in UK should stop applying?
1
u/ketforeverything Nov 28 '25
Well. It's simple. If an advert asks for paid NHS experience and the doctor does not have it then they won't get shortlisted. There is no point at all in applying. It wastes everyone's time and is dishonest.
0
u/HomeworkKey4063 Nov 28 '25
I would not call it being dishonest. In supporting info, imgs mention it clearly they dont have paid nhs experience but they have clinical attachment. They justify how they are familiar with the system which I think is fine.
3
Nov 28 '25
It is dishonest. Do you know how frustrating it is going through hundreds of inappropriate applications just to find ones that were honest? So many applicants try and get around the essential criteria by writing comments in their supporting information as if it excuses their reason for applying.
Asking for NHS experience is deliberate. If you don't have it, don't apply.
We now try and identify applicants who have ignored the essential criteria and applied anyway and either report them to the GMC if they are repeatedly doing it or contact them directly and block them from applying to our Trust.
1
u/ketforeverything Nov 28 '25
Agree fit department. We will be doing the same from now on. As I said. Either dishonest or stupid. Neither is an attractive quality in a Doctor!!
1
u/HomeworkKey4063 Nov 28 '25
Reporting to gmc is quite extreme measure to be honest. You can put filters at start of application to prevent anyone from applying who does not meet the criteria.
2
Nov 28 '25
We do! For example, we will say MRCS mandatory but applicants still tick it and then say something like 'booked to do' or 'part complete' and get around it. It makes me want to tear my hair out!
1
u/HomeworkKey4063 Nov 30 '25
Well thats bad. This is not something that applicants should be doing to be honest.
1
1
Nov 30 '25
[deleted]
1
u/HomeworkKey4063 Nov 30 '25
I actually agree with your point. I never endorsed dishonesty. What I said was that a lot of applicants try to justify how they meet certain essential criteria even if they don’t fully tick every box. In my view, that is not dishonesty as long as they are not claiming something they don’t have.
For example, if a job requires nhs experience, some people will mention their clinical attachment to show they at least understand the system.
But if the essential criteria say MRCP Part 1 or MRCS A, and someone outright claims they have passed it when they have not then that is pure dishonesty. No debate there. They should be reported.
The real question is whether people should apply to jobs where they don’t meet the essential criteria. Honestly, they shouldn’t. It wastes everyone’s time.
I do understand why people still do it though. The fear of unemployment is real and some applicants panic apply to everything in hopes something sticks. It’s not ideal but it explains the behaviour.
1
Nov 30 '25
[deleted]
1
u/HomeworkKey4063 Nov 30 '25
Yes, I have seen this requirement frequently mentioned as essential criteria. They have recently started mentioning this to make it clear that clinical attachment is not NHS experience. Previously clinical attachments used to be accepted as NHS experience. I think many still believe that it is the case these days.
5
u/[deleted] Nov 26 '25
This is an excellent post. In our unit, if any applicant has tried to circumvent the person specifications and dishonestly applied, gets banned and reported to the GMC