THE ADVICE ZONE

I completed the vocational training scheme last year and I am about to apply for partnership in my training practice. What points am I expected to raise in my application letter?

Authors: Rodger Charlton 

Publication date:  21 Jul 2007

You will be known well by your training practice and I think your application letter should summarise what you see as your attributes and what you might bring to the practice if you were to be appointed. Highlight any hospital training that might allow you to offer a particular expertise to the practice; for example, diabetes care or minor surgery. The practice will want to know what you have done since completing your vocational training scheme, including extra skills you may have gained. Abilities in areas such as information technology, finance, and committee work are a great asset.

It would be useful to say why you want to work again at your training practice. As you wish to apply for the partnership, there must be a number of things that you enjoyed. These could be, for example, getting on well with the different members of the team, the organisation of the practice, its location, and its plans for the future. You may have a house and family close by and so wish to settle locally.

The difficult and final part of the letter would be your vision for the practice in the short and the long term. You should have a strong sense of this, having worked in the practice. Generally GPs don't want a partner who is going to suggest radical changes but they will be interested in new ideas that may further improve the standing of the practice in the local community and enable it gradually to expand and develop. Above all the practice wants you to demonstrate that you would be a team player within the partnership, in other words be someone who works well with colleagues and who listens, considers, is receptive of other points of view, and avoids conflict, as well as someone who demonstrates enthusiasm and works hard. Also, they will want someone who can accept and adapt to change when it is required and put in a commitment to the partnership over and above the normal working hours.

At the end of the letter you will need to suggest colleagues who will referee strongly for you but who are not members of the practice. I hope these thoughts are helpful for your letter, and perhaps ask a colleague to read it before you send it as he or she may have some suggestions. Don't write anything that you cannot substantiate at interview, and make sure you can fulfil the job description, for example, hours of work. Lastly, find out if the letter is to be handwritten or typed and don't forget to add your CV. Good luck in your application.

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Rodger Charlton GP and senior lecturer Self-employed and Warwick University