Finding Your First NHS Job

Overview

Your first NHS job is often the hardest role to secure — but also the most important step in your journey.

This stage is not about prestige.
It is about getting UK experience, understanding the system, and becoming employable long-term.

What Types of Jobs Should You Apply For?

Most IMGs start with:

  • Trust Grade SHO
  • Clinical Fellow
  • Junior Clinical Fellow
  • FY2 LAT (Locum Appointment for Training)
  • SHO-level Service Posts

These roles give you:

  • UK references
  • NHS experience
  • Portfolio evidence
  • Confidence in practice

Your first job is a foundation, not a final destination.

Where to Find NHS Jobs

The main platforms are:

  • NHS Jobs website
  • Trac.jobs (used by many trusts)
  • LinkedIn (some clinical fellow posts)
  • Hospital trust websites
  • Recruiter agencies (use carefully)

Most hospitals advertise continuously.

What Recruiters Actually Look For

For junior posts, trusts care most about:

  • GMC registration
  • Safe communication
  • Basic clinical competence
  • Willingness to learn
  • Reliability
  • Good references

They are not expecting perfection.
They are looking for someone safe and teachable.

Shortlisting Tips That Actually Work

Small improvements make a big difference:

  • Tailor your CV to the job description
  • Use NHS-style language (handover, escalation, MDT, SBAR)
  • Highlight audits, teaching, and teamwork
  • Show commitment to the UK system
  • Keep your CV to 2–3 pages, clean and professional

Generic CVs usually fail.

Interviews: What They Commonly Test

Expect questions around:

  • Managing an unwell patient
  • Prioritisation on call
  • Communication with seniors
  • Consent and capacity
  • Handling conflict
  • Reflection on mistakes

They are assessing safety and insight, not memorised guidelines.

Reality Check

You will likely face:

  • Rejections
  • Silence after applications
  • Long waits
  • Jobs that aren’t ideal at first

This is normal.
Many successful consultants started with difficult first posts.

Persistence beats perfection here.

Common Mistakes

  • Applying only to London
  • Waiting for the “perfect” job
  • Sending the same CV everywhere
  • Not preparing for interviews
  • Taking rejections personally

Your strategy matters more than luck.

Reassurance

Once you secure your first NHS job, everything becomes easier:

  • You understand the system
  • You get UK referees
  • Your applications become stronger
  • Your confidence grows quickly

The first step is the steepest — but it is absolutely achievable.