Job applications could be electronic

EDITOR—I have been working in Asia for five years and, planning a return to the United Kingdom, I began perusing the classified advertisement section of the BMJ on the internet, looking for a suitable position. I was pleased to see that the classified section continues to be an excellent resource for medical recruitment.

One thing struck me as strange. So far I have read over one hundred advertisements for anaesthesia positions—and not one had an email address to which to send a job application and curriculum vitae. Nor have I seen a hospital or NHS trust website mentioned in an advertisement. Most ask the candidate to post a curriculum vitae, together with the names and addresses of three referees; several still want up to 12 copies. The contrast in Asia is amazing—it is possible to apply for most medical jobs without ever sending a piece of paper. All the “paperwork” is sent by email and information about the particular hospital department can be found on a website. My last jobinterview was even conducted using video conferencing.

I am sure that every clinical department and medical personnel department in the United Kingdomhas access to a computer. The software for sending emails and accessing the internet can be obtained free of charge. Modems are relatively inexpensive. Submitted curriculum vitae can be circulatedby email to all the people on the appointments committee. References can be obtained from the other side of the world within 24 hours using email. Savings on postage, paper, and time can be made. As a journal that is now available on the internet, perhaps the BMJ could encourage the use of electronic resources in medical recruitment by asking job advertisers to include an email address in their advertisements.