Job applications and Supporting Statements
Advice for nurses and healthcare professionals in both the NHS and private sector.
Once you’ve found a suitable job, you'll need to complete a job application. We've put together some advice, strategies and tips to make sure you've got the best chance of getting shortlisted.
Job applications - Do you need to write a CV or a supporting statement?
The process for submitting a job application will vary depending on the job and the employer.
If you're applying for jobs in the Independent Health and Social Care sector (e.g. general practice, nursing home, private hospitals), it's likely you will be asked to submit a CV and maybe also a covering letter. Your CV and covering letter should be carefully tailored to the job you're applying for.
If you’re applying for jobs in the public sector, you will usually be asked to write a supporting statement rather than a CV. To write a supporting statement, you will first need to read the Person Specification, which lists the essential and desirable criteria (the skills, qualifications, and experience the employer is looking for in a candidate.) Your statement should give specific, real life examples that show how you meet that criteria.
Glossary of terms
Job application - The application or process where you're required to complete and submit information in order to apply for a job. This commonly includes personal details, education history and qualifications, work history, training, and declarations (e.g. right to work, criminal record.) You may also be asked to submit a CV or a supporting statement in addition.
Job Description - Explains the role, including key tasks, duties, and responsibilities. It may also outline the purpose of the role, reporting lines, working conditions, and scope of practice.
Person Specification - Lists the essential and desirable skills, qualifications, knowledge and experience needed for the role. It may also be called 'selection criteria' or 'role specification.'
Supporting Statement - A written explanation showing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for that job, using real life examples from your experience. It should also explain your motivation for applying and what you feel you can offer. A supporting statement may also sometimes be called a 'personal statement' or 'supporting information.'
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- Advice and guidance on writing applications
- Sample covering letters and sample CVs
- Sample supporting statement
- Step by step supporting statement tutorial
- Application / statement feedback service
Evidencing you meet the criteria
The majority of the job applications within the healthcare industry will be "competency based." This means employers want to see practical examples or evidence that show you meet the criteria and competencies outlined in the job advert and person specification.
When you address the criteria within the person specification make sure you have given specific examples to demonstrate how you have the skill / competency / knowledge in question.
Don't make unsubstantiated statements like, "I have excellent communication skills." Instead, explain why and how, using examples and evidence to back up your claims.
It’s also important that wherever possible you make your examples directly relevant to the duties, responsibilities or tasks listed in the job description.
Examples
Using the example Person Specification and Job Description below, let's look at the different ways in which an applicant could evidence the criteria, "Experience of delivering presentations," within their Supporting Statement.
Job descriptionDuties to include:
Person Specification |
|
| Experience of carrying out assessments |
Essential |
| Experience of acting as an advocate |
Essential |
| Experience of delivering presentations |
Essential |
Example 1: No examples or evidence
"I have excellent presentation skills and am proficient in using presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint."
- This is a bad example because it's vague, non-specific and wouldn’t give the employer much insight into the skills and experience of the candidate. Effectively, anybody could write this, and there’s no evidence or examples to back up the claim.
Example 2: Evidence of competency
"I’ve delivered numerous presentations during my time at university, both as an individual and within groups. During my final year, I delivered a presentation on person-centred care as part of an assessment, which included a practical exercise to engage with the audience and spark discussion.. I was awarded a first, and my tutor fed back that my presentation was, “concise, focused and engaging.”- This is a good example because it's backed up with examples / evidence that show the applicant possesses the skills required.
Example 3: Evidence of competency that relates to the job description
"I have to deliver presentations regularly as part of my current role, so have a lot of experience in this area and it's something I really enjoy. To give a recent example, my employer recently launched a pilot initiative to try and reduce the number of infection control related incidents. As the link nurse for infection control, I was responsible for designing and delivering presentations to colleagues and the wider MDT, to educate them on the pilot and its implementation. Senior managers fed back that my presentation had been, “effective, interesting and engaging.”- This is a good example because it's backed up with examples / evidence. In addition, it's also relevant to the job description. The job description specifies that that whoever gets the post will be expected to deliver presentations to colleagues and the multi disciplinary team. By using examples that are relevant to the job, you are showing the employer that you are the best match.
Supporting Statement checklist
- Have you addressed all criteria listed in the person specification?
- Have you provided examples or evidence for each criteria listed?
- Where possible, are your examples relevant to the job description?
- Where possible, do your examples tie in with the organisation's values?
- Have you made your statement as concise as possible?
- Have you proof read and spell checked your statement?
Do you need feedback on your supporting statement?
If you're an RCN member you can email your supporting statement to career.service@rcn.org.uk to receive feedback via email within 10 working days. Please include:
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your membership number (or postcode)
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a copy of the job description and person specification.
