Reviewing how something is done and comparing this to what should actually be happening according to guidelines.

If you haven't completed an audit before you may find it useful to read the advice on audits we give to medical students. We also include a case-study on an audit carried out by a foundation trainee.

Gain confidence presenting to colleagues and peers. You could seek out opportunities to present at:

• Departmental Meetings
• Regional Events
• National Seminars

Perhaps you could present your findings from an audit you have carried out?

You should discuss with your Educational Supervisor if there are any opportunities for you help out with teaching. Participants could be medical students, foundation doctors, or a multi-disciplinary team. The teaching could be ward based, as part of a journal club (see below), a lecture or a tutorial.

If you are interested in doing a teaching course, the Royal Society of Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Apply2Medicine, Oxford Medical often organise one or two day courses suitable for foundation trainees.

You maybe able to attend courses as part of your study days. You should investigate courses that will add value to your personal development and you can discuss this with your Educational Supervisor. Our what's on guide can help with this.

If you could write an interesting paper and get this published this would make you a very interesting candidate for specialty training indeed.

The Royal Society of Medicine also awards prizes for publications for trainees.

Another idea is to write something for the Foundation Years Journal.

A journal club is a group of individuals who meet regularly to critically evaluate recent articles in  scientific literature.

In some Trusts a journal club may already be in existence.  If not, why not try to set one up?

BMJ Careers have written an article on journal clubs, available from their website.

Organising 1 or 2 taster sessions during your foundation years can help you to further explore a specialty.

Speaking to a range of consultants, specialty trainees in a specialty that you are interested in can help in your career exploration. It will help with your career decision and also at interview where you can demonstrate commitment to that specialty. Look out for careers fairs or Royal College events etc, where you may have the opportunity to speak to people. Visit our events calendar for some ideas. You will find that on the whole people are happy to be approached and to talk about their roles.

Read the following case-studies:

• case-study 1 - written by an F1 trainee on making the most of the foundation years.
• case-study 2 about the development of a Foundation Trainee Forum &
• case-study 3 about a successful audit that was carried out.
• case-study 4 - written by a trainee who applied in F1 to do an academic F2 post
• case-study 5 - written by an Academic F2 trainee on medical leadership

There is also an interesting article on making the most of the foundation programme on the BMJ Careers website.

Ten tips for managing your self both personally and professionally

Kathleen Sullivan

1.  Get off to a good start - The start of your foundation year is an ideal time to consider what matters most to you in your life. Take time to reflect on how you would like your career to progress over the coming period. You may want to spend some time identifying your values which relate not only to your career, but those which resonate with your personal life as well (eg ‘adventure’, ‘status’, ‘security’, ‘honesty’, ‘connection’). Then ask yourself: “What would it take to ensure that my top values are honoured in my daily life?”

2.  Put your best foot forward - When attending your inductions and networking, become aware of how you present yourself in these new situations. How do others perceive you? What impression do you make? And is this consistent with the professional persona you wish to depict? If not, polish up your appearance, behaviour and attitude for a more consistently professional impact.

3.  Make the most of support - Before seeking support from senior colleagues, note down the outcomes you would like from conversations and meetings. Spending some time in advance to order your thoughts and questions will help bring greater clarity and focus to your meeting, leading to more valuable discussions. The added bonus of preparation: you’ll look and feel more confident and professional.

4.  Powerful portfolios - In putting together your portfolio, organisation is key. Have you identified any particular skills you may need in order to update your portfolio with ease? Seek advice from others and model your portfolio on examples from well-organised colleagues. Make a commitment to yourself to take action now.

5.  Know your self - Ask colleagues what they consider to be your specific areas of strength or unique expertise. What do others think you do particularly well and with ease? Reminding yourself of these qualities can help strengthen self belief. Similarly, by challenging any negative thoughts and reframing negative beliefs and limiting assumptions, you can create the foundation for overcoming blocks to your success.

6.  Positive affirmations – Allow your subconscious mind to work for, rather than against you. Once you’ve identified the negative self-talk traps (“I’m not assertive enough” or ‘’No one listens to my ideas”), try introducing a more liberating and affirming statement. Make it positive, personal and in the present tense and repeat it to yourself and out loud many times a day, every day. “I’m confident, competent and doing a great job.”

7.  Check in – Knowing yourself well will ensure your career decisions match your personal aspirations, and not those imposed on you by others. As you progress through foundation, have an honest conversation with yourself from time to time. Be curious about what brings you joy and satisfaction in your work. Refer back to your values and ask yourself:

·        What do I enjoy most about my work?

·        What gives me greatest satisfaction in my job?

·        What would I miss most if it wasn’t part of my next role?

8.  Plan for success - What skills, qualities and expertise does the successful candidate possess which gets them the ideal job? Focus your efforts on developing any areas to strengthen your CV/application and interview techniques. Commit to your career by prioritising certain events you’d like to attend. Make a plan – and then stick to it.

9.  Enhance your well being - Learn how to manage your response to stressors and build inner resilience. Easier said than done, however you could explore new ways of enriching your life. Discovering a new, healthy or creative activity could help you to relax or boost energy levels. Yoga, mindfulness and meditation, healthy cooking and eating, creative expression (singing, music, dance, art) are just a few. What could you try? When could you start?

10.  Confident communication - Practise being an authentically confident communicator by paying attention to body language and non-verbal communication. At your next presentation or meeting, try this:

·        Sit or stand tall with shoulders dropped, chest open and your gaze slightly upwards

·        Relax your facial muscles

·        Breathe from your diaphragm to project your voice

·        Maintain good eye contact – look at people, not at your shoes!

·        Use open, slightly animated hand gestures

·        Use body language to build rapport, eg match and mirror others

·        Smile!

Kathleen Sullivan is part-time Teaching Fellow for Managing Medical Careers at Health Education KSS.