First Choice ACF

✍️How I approached ‘white space questions’ in ACF applications: 1. For “Describe your suitability for…”-type questions: state three traits/characteristics that would describe the ideal candidate (e.g. ‘communication skills’, ‘breadth of knowledge’, ‘team player’). Then give a (short) example for how I demonstrate each of those traits. [Obviously only picking things I have a good example for.] 2. Always select the most unique example (i.e. the one the fewest other people will have) e.g. won a national prize for xyz, instead of ‘doctor of the week’ (even if I felt more proud about the other one) - this also applies for “describe one project in detail” questions 3. Be specific about what I did so examples are understandable to someone who doesn’t know me 4. Check the person specification & shortlisting criteria - if it specifies teaching / leadership then make sure I have mentioned those under relevant headings 5. Double-check my CV to make sure I haven’t missed something really important i.e. do I get across 'who I am' 6. Be as specific as possible about research project plans, whilst also acknowledging that they are just ideas (e.g. “If appointed I want to work on immunology of biliary atresia because… I’m particularly interested in this gene… Have discussed this idea with… Needs further preliminary data etc…) 7. Get someone else to read it (ideally someone who roughly knows my CV so they can say if I've missed something out). I realise this is unhelpful at this stage for anyone applying this year but would be unfair to omit: 7. I planned a long way in advance. I had been looking at the person specification for ACF job applications since 4th-5th year medschool, which helped make sure I had stuff to say in the boxes. If anyone would like me to have a read over their questions for applications, just drop me a message. I'd be interested to hear if these suggestions are similar to others' thoughts @dnepo @picucat @LankanMiller @_leilaellis @rhysdore @o_farrant @VirtueOfNothing @DrAmalinaBakri