Medical CVs and portfolios
When applying for specialty training - whether during your F2 year or after completing Foundation training - your portfolio plays a vital role. Different specialties have different recruitment processes, but many include a self-assessment stage. This is where you score your experience in several different areas including teaching, presentations, and leadership, using a scale provided by the specialty. You’ll then need to upload evidence to support your scores - this collection of documents is what’s commonly referred to as your portfolio.
Historically, portfolios were physical folders filled with certificates and letters. Today, they’re digital collections of PDFs that you submit online when requested as part of the application process. To prepare effectively, we recommend two key steps:
- Review the person specifications for the specialties you're interested in to identify any skills gaps. Knowing where you might need to build more experience could help you to identify relevant opportunities.
- Keep a record of your experiences and achievements as you go - this includes certificates, feedback, letters of thanks, and confirmation of roles. Check the person specifications for the types of evidence often required for the specialty you’re interested in.
Be proactive: your university account will close shortly after graduation, so make sure you save your documents somewhere accessible. Ask for written evidence of your involvement in activities sooner rather than later—it’s much easier to collect while you're still in the role.
Online interview and self-assessment applicant guidance
Specialty Recruitment applicant guide