Any letter of application must be neat, legible and interesting. So, at the risk of stating the obvious, here are some guidelines:
- Make a rough draft of your letter of application to be sure that it contains all the essential points.
- It does not matter if you cannot type your letter, but you must write neatly and legibly.
- Use good quality, preferably white, writing paper and a matching envelope.
- If you are writing in answer to an advertisement, mention where you saw it.
- If you write 'Dear Mr/Mrs Johnson', sign off 'Yours sincerely'. If you have been unable to track down a name, then start 'Dear Sir or Madam' and sign off with 'Yours faithfully'.
- Print your own name under your signature.
- Always show the finished letter to a teacher, tutor or reliable friend - especially if you have any doubts about spelling or grammar.
- Keep a copy of your letter for reference.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Type your CV if you possibly can. It is worth paying to have a CV typed professionally. A good typist will know how to set it out and might be able to advice on content and phrasing. A good CV should be no longer than three A 4 sides and should include:
- Full name and address.
- Date of birth.
- Schools attended.
- Examinations passed (dates and grades).
- Any other honors won at school or college.
- Any position of authority held at school or college.
- Training courses, colleges attended and qualifications gained, together with dates and grades.
- Previous jobs held or any other experience (give names of companies and dates).
- Names and addresses of two referees whose permission you have previously obtained. One of these should be a previous employer or someone (a teacher) who has personal knowledge of your abilities.
- Personal interests and hobbies.
The advent of relatively low-cost video equipment has meant that there are now about 20 hospital television services which broadcast either live (via cable) or by pre-recorded tapes to their local hospital. These groups provide local interest material for patients and operate in similar manner to hospital radio, but without the music.
As with professional broadcasting, hospital television and radio involves working long and unsocial hours, so you will have to make sacrifices in social and family life if you want to become involved. It is not uncommon for new volunteers to drop out once they realize they have to give a full commitment to the service and can't just come and go as they please.
Most hospital services are members of the Hospital Broadcasting Association, which is the national charity that looks after the interests of hospital broadcasting in the UK The HBA has over 300 members to whom it offers a number of services, including: low-cost insurance, technical help, a tape library, national conferences, advice and help on charity registration, and training of volunteers. The Association also publishes On Air, a magazine which covers every aspect of hospital radio and keeps members up to date with the activities of other members and the national body.
